Posted August 9, 2006: Now The Election Expenditures and the Limit.
In previous posting, I summarized the source of ‘election financing’, which a candidate, the registered party and association can raise for the purpose of political spending related to Election expenditures. For the purpose of this subject discussion, all contributions to and expenses of registered political parties and party associations are considered "political financing" by law, because the continuing entities are recognized to exist only for Political purpose. But individual candidate is not and is covered strictly by the guidelines which and which is not an election Expense.
For Individual Candidate :
Based on the number of voters to be published by the Chief Electoral Officer in the official Canada Gazette, the expense limit is based on riding to riding (district) case by the following formula. The preliminary list is published per riding not later than 31 days before the date of election and the revised not later than 7 days and the number that the expense limit will be based on the greater of the two figures. Below is the graduation of the limit:
$2.07 for each of the first 15,000 electors
$1.04 for each of the next 10,000 electors
$0.52 for each elector over 25,000
Depending on the area of the riding, the limit is adjusted to higher amount for large riding with less voter on a square miles basis.
For Registered parties:
The maximum amount that is allowed for the election expenses of a registered party for an election is calculated in two steps:
Step 1: Multiply $0.70 by the number of names on the preliminary lists of electors for electoral districts in which the registered party has endorsed a candidate or by the number of names on the revised lists of electors for those electoral districts, whichever is greater.
Step 2: Multiply the result of step 1 by the inflation adjustment factor that is in effect on the day of the issue of the writs for the election.
Other expense like volunteer labour is not counted and so is non-monetary contribution use for election purposes as long as the person contributing is not in the business of providing such property or services and the value is less than $200. Otherwise the value is the lowest at the time for the same property and services..
And for the kids:
Yes, Elections Canada offers two election simulation kits for schools. They provide a realistic experience of voting, based on actual federal election procedures.
The kit 'Canada at the Polls' is intended for Grades 5 and up. 'Choising your mascot' for younger children, kindergarten to Grade 4. Both are available by contacting Election Canada or going to its Web Site.
Elections Canada also offers an interactive CD-ROM, Exploring Canada's electoral system. It gives a virtual tour of the system and it features a game for one to three players.
The Earlier the Children learn their democratic rights and responsibilities, the brighter and stonger the futures holds.
