Source: https://www.global-regulation.com/law/canada/504111/election-finances-and-contributions-disclosure-act.html
Timestamp: 2018-11-17 19:14:17
Document Index: 761977711

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 1', 'art 4', 'art 5', 'art 6', 'art 6', 'art 7', 'art 6', 'art 5', 'art.\n2010', 'art.\n44', 'arty\n44', 'art 6']

Election Finances and Contributions Disclosure Act (Canada)
Link to law: http://www.qp.alberta.ca/1266.cfm?page=E02.cfm≤g_type=Acts&isbncln=9780779787241&display=html
ELECTION FINANCES AND CONTRIBUTIONS DISCLOSURE ACT ELECTION FINANCES AND CONTRIBUTIONS DISCLOSURE ACT
Part 1 The Chief Electoral Officer
9.2 Registration of leadership contestants
Part 4 Collection of Contributions
39.1 Candidate may pay personal expenses
39.3 Payment of late claim Part 5 Loans
43 Filing of financial statements for election campaigns
Part 6.1 Third Party Advertising
44.2 Limits on contributions
44.33 General collections
44.6 Receipts 44.7 Third party advertising accounts
44.9 Third party election advertising report
44.92 Continuing use of advertising account
Part 6.2 Leadership Contests
44.93 Contributions only by persons
44.94 Contributions
44.95 Chief financial officer
44.96 Financial and disclosure statements
Part 7 Prohibitions, Offences and Prosecutions
(NOTE: On July 1, 2015, the Chartered Professional Accountants Act consequentially amended section 1(1), enacting a new definition of “audited financial state”. Owing to a technical error, this consequential amendment referred to section 1(1)(a) instead of to the renumbered section 1(1)(a.02).
This consolidation was prepared as if section 175 of the Chartered Professional Accountants Act had referred to the renumbered definition.)
(v) in the case of a leadership contest, the period beginning on the date of the official call of the leadership contest, as set out in a statement filed by a registered party under section 9.2, and ending 2 months after the date of the leadership vote;
(A) repealed 2010 c8 s56,
(B) who is nominated as a candidate for an electoral division in accordance with the Election Act,
(C) who is nominated by a constituency association of a registered party in an electoral division for endorsation as the official candidate of that party in the electoral division, or
(D) who, on or after the date of the issue of a writ for an election in an electoral division, declares the person’s candidacy as an independent candidate at the election in the electoral division;
(e) “contribution” means any money, real property or goods or the use of real property or goods that is provided
(i) to a political party, constituency association, candidate or leadership contestant, or
(ii) for the benefit of a political party, constituency association, candidate or leadership contestant with the consent of the political party, the constituency association, the candidate or the leadership contestant,
without compensation from that political party, constituency association, candidate or leadership contestant;
RSA 2000 cE‑2 s1;2001 c28 s9;2004 c23 s83;2010 c8 s56; 2012 c5 s58;2014 cC‑10.2 s175;2015 c15 s2
2 This Act does not apply to campaigns and conventions carried on or held in relation to constituency association nominations for endorsation of official party candidates.
RSA 2000 cE‑2 s2;2012 c5 s60
(a) may examine all financial statements required to be filed with the Chief Electoral Officer;
(ii.1) registered leadership contestants in relation to leadership contests, and
(iii) registered third parties in relation to election advertising under Part 6.1;
(d) with respect to a registered party, constituency association and registered candidate, shall publish a statement on the Chief Electoral Officer’s website within 30 days after the date on which
(i) a return is required to be filed with the Chief Electoral Officer under section 32(3) or (4), and
(ii) the financial statement is required to be filed with the Chief Electoral Officer under section 42 or 43;
(d.1) with respect to a registered leadership contestant, shall publish a statement on the Chief Electoral Officer’s website within 30 days after the date on which the financial statement and return are required to be filed with the Chief Electoral Officer under section 44.96;
(d.2) shall include in the statements published by the Chief Electoral Officer under clauses (d) and (d.1) the name of any contributor who has contributed an amount exceeding $250 in the aggregate and the actual amount contributed;
(e) with respect to a third party, shall publish a statement on the Chief Electoral Officer’s website within 30 days after the date on which the election advertising report is required to be filed with the Chief Electoral Officer under section 44.9, which must include the name of any contributor who has contributed to the third party an amount exceeding $250 in the aggregate, and the actual amount contributed.
RSA 2000 cE‑2 s4;2004 c23 s84;2010 c8 s57;2012 c5 s61
(2) For the purpose of carrying out an examination or inquiry, or conducting an investigation, referred to in section 4(1), a representative of the Chief Electoral Officer, on production of the representative’s authorization from the Chief Electoral Officer, may at any reasonable time enter any premises referred to in the authorization in which books or documents of a political party, constituency association, candidate, leadership contestant or third party relevant to the subject‑matter of the examination, inquiry or investigation are kept and may examine and make copies of the books or documents or remove them temporarily for the purpose of making copies.
(3) A registered party, registered constituency association, registered candidate, registered leadership contestant or registered third party shall, within 30 days after receiving a written request from the Chief Electoral Officer or within an extended period that the Chief Electoral Officer may determine, provide any information with respect to the financial affairs of the registered party, registered constituency association, registered candidate, registered leadership contestant or registered third party that is reasonably required by the Chief Electoral Officer in the course of the Chief Electoral Officer’s duties under this Act.
RSA 2000 cE‑2 s5;2010 c8 s58;2012 c5 s62
(g) the name and address of the financial institutions to be used by the political party as the depositories for all contributions made to that political party;
(h) the names of the political party’s signing officers responsible for each depository referred to in clause (g);
RSA 2000 cE‑2 s7;2004 c23 s85;2010 c8 s60;2012 c5 s64
(e) the name and address of the financial institutions to be used by the constituency association as the depositories for all contributions made to that constituency association;
(f) the names of the constituency association’s signing officers responsible for each depository referred to in clause (e);
RSA 2000 cE‑2 s8;2004 c23 s86;2012 c5 s65
(a) accept contributions pursuant to section 17 or 18, as the case may be, or
(b) use any funds, including the funds of the candidate,
unless the candidate is registered under this Act.
(1.1) No registered candidate and no person acting for a registered candidate shall accept contributions or use any funds except during the campaign period.
(i) repealed 2012 c5 s66,
(ii) has been nominated as a candidate for a named electoral division in accordance with the Election Act,
(iii) has been nominated by a named constituency association of a named registered party in a named electoral division for endorsation as the official candidate of that party in the electoral division and enclosing with the candidate’s application a statement to that effect attested to by one of the principal officers of the association, or
(iv) has, after the date of the issue of a writ for an election in a named electoral division, declared the candidate’s candidacy as an independent candidate at the election in that electoral division;
(g) the name and address of the financial institutions to be used by or on behalf of the candidate as depositories for contributions made to that candidate;
(h) the names of the signing authorities for each depository referred to in clause (g).
RSA 2000 cE‑2 s9;2004 c23 s87;2010 c8 s61;2012 c5 s66
(a) when it has incurred expenses of $1000 or plans to incur expenses of at least $1000 for election advertising, or
(b) when it has accepted election advertising contributions of $1000 or plans to accept election advertising contributions of at least $1000.
(2) The Chief Electoral Officer shall maintain a register of third parties and, subject to this section, shall register in it any third party who is eligible to be registered and who files with the Chief Electoral Officer an application for registration setting out the following:
(b) the address and telephone number of the place or places in Alberta where records of the third party are maintained and of the place in Alberta where communications may be addressed;
(c) the name, address and telephone number of the chief financial officer responsible for the advertising account of the third party;
(d) the name and address of the financial institution to be used by the third party for its advertising account;
(e) the names of the signing authorities for the advertising account;
(f) any additional information required by the Chief Electoral Officer concerning an advertising account.
(3) If the third party has a governing body, the application must include a copy of the resolution passed by the governing body authorizing the third party to incur election advertising expenses.
(5) The following are not eligible to be registered under this section:
2010 c8 s62;2012 c5 s67;2015 c15 s3
9.2(1) The chief financial officer of a registered party that proposes to hold a leadership contest shall promptly file with the Chief Electoral Officer a statement setting out the date of the official call of the leadership contest and the date fixed for the leadership vote or votes and shall submit to the Chief Electoral Officer an application for each leadership contestant setting out
(c) the name of the chief financial officer of the leadership contestant,
(d) the names and addresses of the financial institutions to be used by or on behalf of the leadership contestant as depositories for contributions made to that leadership contestant,
(e) the names of the signing authorities for each depository referred to in clause (d), and
(f) the date the person became a leadership contestant.
(2) No leadership contestant and no person acting on behalf of a leadership contestant may, during the campaign period,
(b) use any funds, including the funds of the leadership contestant,
unless the leadership contestant is registered under this Act.
(3) The Chief Electoral Officer shall maintain a register of leadership contestants in relation to the leadership contest and, subject to this section, shall register in it any leadership contestant whose name has been submitted under subsection (1).
(4) When there is any change in the information required to be provided under subsection (1), the registered leadership contestant shall notify the Chief Electoral Officer in writing within 48 hours after the change and, subject to section 10, on receipt of the notice the Chief Electoral Officer shall vary the register of leadership contestants accordingly.
2012 c5 s68
(3) If the chief financial officer of a registered party or registered constituency association fails to comply with section 42 or 43, the Chief Electoral Officer may cancel the registration of the registered party or constituency association, as the case may be.
(4.1) If the chief financial officer of a third party fails to file an election advertising report under section 44.9 or 44.92, the Chief Electoral Officer may cancel the registration of the third party.
(5) If the Chief Electoral Officer is for any reason of the opinion that a registered party, registered constituency association, registered candidate, registered leadership contestant or registered third party
the Chief Electoral Officer may cancel the registration of the registered party, registered constituency association, registered candidate, registered leadership contestant or registered third party.
(6) If the Chief Electoral Officer cancels the registration of a political party, constituency association, candidate, leadership contestant or third party, the Chief Electoral Officer shall send written notice of the cancellation, together with the Chief Electoral Officer’s reasons for the cancellation, by recorded mail to
(d) the third party, when the registration of that third party is cancelled, or
(7) A political party, constituency association, candidate, leadership contestant or third party notified under subsection (6) may, within 30 days after the mailing of the notice, request the Chief Electoral Officer in writing to review the cancellation.
(8) When the Chief Electoral Officer receives a written request under subsection (7), the Chief Electoral Officer shall, within 48 hours after that receipt, review the cancellation and give the political party, constituency association, candidate, leadership contestant or third party concerned an opportunity to make representations.
(9) Following the review of a cancellation, the Chief Electoral Officer may withdraw or confirm the cancellation of the registration of the political party, constituency association, candidate, leadership contestant or third party, as the case may be, and shall,
(c) if the cancellation involves a candidate, give written notification of the Chief Electoral Officer’s decision to the candidate, or
(c.1) if the cancellation involves a leadership contestant, give written notification of the Chief Electoral Officer’s decision to the leadership contestant, or
(11) When the registration of a political party or constituency association is cancelled for failure to comply with section 42 or 43, it may not again apply for registration until the financial statements required by section 42 or 43 that were not filed have been filed with the Chief Electoral Officer.
(11.1) For the purpose of subsection (11), a political party may file the statement on behalf of its constituency association.
(12) When the registration of a political party, constituency association or candidate is cancelled, all funds of the political party, constituency association or candidate not required to pay the outstanding debts of the political party, constituency association or candidate shall be paid over to the Chief Electoral Officer and held by the Chief Electoral Officer in trust for the political party, constituency association or candidate and, if that political party, constituency association or candidate does not again become registered under this Act within a period of one year following cancellation of the registration, the funds shall be paid into the General Revenue Fund.
(13) When the registration of a third party is cancelled, all funds in the third party advertising account not required to pay for third party election advertising expenses must be dealt with in accordance with section 44.92 as if they were a surplus referred to in that section.
RSA 2000 cE‑2 s10;2004 c23 s88;2006 c23 s26; 2010 c8 s63;2012 c5 s69
10.1 A registered party, registered constituency association, registered candidate, registered leadership contestant and registered third party shall retain all of the records of that registered party, registered constituency association, registered candidate, registered leadership contestant or registered third party for a period of 3 years following the date on which the financial statements required under this Act for the period to which the records relate are required to be filed.
2010 c8 s64;2012 c5 s70
(2) Notwithstanding subsection (1), the home address of a registered candidate included in the register under section 9 or of a registered leadership contestant included in the register under section 9.2 is not public information.
RSA 2000 cE‑2 s11;2012 c5 s71
(2) Money or goods provided by any person that do not exceed $50 in the aggregate are not a contribution for the purposes of this Act but shall be recorded as to the gross amount by the chief financial officer of the recipient unless the donor specifically requests that the amount be considered a contribution.
RSA 2000 cE‑2 s13;2010 c8 s66;2015 c15 s4
14(1) All financial contributions accepted by or on behalf of a registered party, registered constituency association or registered candidate shall be paid into an appropriate depository on record with the Chief Electoral Officer.
(2) When any contribution of other than money, accepted by or on behalf of a registered party, registered constituency association or registered candidate, is converted at any time into money, that amount shall be paid into an appropriate depository on record with the Chief Electoral Officer.
RSA 2000 cE‑2 s14;2010 c8 s67
15.1 A prospective contributor is responsible for ensuring, before making a contribution under this Act, that the contributor is not prohibited from making a contribution and is not making a contribution that is in excess of a limit prescribed by section 17(1) or 18(1).
2012 c5 s72
16(1) Only a person ordinarily resident in Alberta may make a contribution to a registered party, registered constituency association or registered candidate.
(2) A prohibited person or entity shall not make a contribution to a registered party, registered constituency association or registered candidate.
RSA 2000 cE‑2 s16;2010 c8 s69;2015 c15 s5
17(0.1) This section does not apply to an election under the Senatorial Selection Act.
(1) Contributions by a person ordinarily resident in Alberta shall not exceed
(ii) $1000 to any registered constituency association, and $5000 in the aggregate to the registered constituency associations of each registered party,
(i) $30 000 to each registered party less any amount contributed to the party in that calendar year under clause (a)(i), and
(ii) $2000 to any registered candidate, and $10 000 in the aggregate to the registered candidates of each registered party.
(2) If writs for 2 or more by‑elections bear the same date and provide for the same polling day, all the by‑elections are deemed to be one election for the purposes of subsection (1)(b).
(3) Contributions may be made to a registered constituency association at any time except during a campaign period.
(4) No contributions may be made to a candidate except during a campaign period.
(5) Any money paid during a campaign period by a candidate out of the candidate’s personal funds for the purposes of the candidate’s campaign for which the candidate is not reimbursed from the candidate’s campaign account
RSA 2000 cE‑2 s17;2004 c23 s90;2010 c8 s70;2012 c5 s73; 2015 c15 s6
19(1) No registered party, registered constituency association or registered candidate and no person acting on behalf of a registered party, registered constituency association or registered candidate shall accept a contribution if the registered party, registered constituency association, registered candidate or person knows or ought to know that the amount would exceed the limits imposed by section 17.
(2) If the chief financial officer learns that a contribution was accepted by or on behalf of the registered party, registered constituency association or registered candidate for whom the chief financial officer acts in excess of the limits imposed by section 17, the chief financial officer shall, within 30 days after learning of it, advise the Chief Electoral Officer in writing of the fact and circumstances.
RSA 2000 cE‑2 s19;2012 c5 s75
21.1(1) Any anonymous contribution in excess of $50 and any contribution or portion of a contribution made in contravention of this Act accepted by a registered party, registered constituency association or registered candidate must not be used or expended, and the registered party, registered constituency association or registered candidate
2010 c8 s71
22(1) The value of contributions other than money provided to a registered party, registered constituency association or registered candidate is the market value of the contribution at that time.
(2) If any real property or goods or the use of real property or goods is provided to a political party, constituency association or candidate registered under this Act for a price that is less than the market value at that time, the amount by which the value exceeds the price is a contribution for the purposes of this Act.
RSA 2000 cE‑2 s22;2010 c8 s72
23(1) In this section, “fund‑raising function” includes any social function held for the purpose of raising funds for the registered party, registered constituency association or registered candidate by whom or on whose behalf the function is held.
(2) The gross income from any fund‑raising function must be recorded by the chief financial officer of the registered party, registered constituency association or registered candidate that held the function or on whose behalf the function was held.
(3) If a fund-raising function is held by the sale of tickets by or on behalf of a registered party, registered constituency association or registered candidate, the amount of the contribution is to be determined under clause (a) or under clause (b), at the option of the registered party, registered constituency association or registered candidate:
(4) The price paid by a person at a fund‑raising function in excess of the market value at that time for goods or services received is considered to be a contribution to the registered party, registered constituency association or registered candidate, as the case may be.
RSA 2000 cE‑2 s23;2004 c23 s91;2010 c8 s73;2012 c5 s77
24 When, at a meeting held on behalf of or in relation to the affairs of a registered candidate, registered party or registered constituency association, money is given in response to a general collection of money solicited from the persons in attendance at the meeting, individual amounts given of $50 or less shall be considered not to be contributions for the purposes of this Act but shall be recorded as to the gross amount by the chief financial officer of the candidate, political party or constituency association, as the case may be.
RSA 2000 cE‑2 s24;2010 c8 s74
29(1) Every political party, constituency association and candidate shall, before filing its application for registration with the Chief Electoral Officer, appoint a chief financial officer.
(2) When a chief financial officer appointed pursuant to subsection (1) ceases for any reason to hold that office, the political party, constituency association or candidate, as the case may be, shall forthwith appoint another chief financial officer.
(ii) where the financial statement has been filed with the Chief Electoral Officer in the case of a non‑compliance with section 43(2) or 43.1, as the case may be, the 5‑year period following the day of filing,
RSA 2000 cE‑2 s29;2004 c23 s94;2010 c8 s76
30(1) The chief financial officer of a registered party, registered constituency association or registered candidate is responsible, with respect to the affairs of the party, constituency association or candidate that appointed the chief financial officer, for ensuring that
(b) contributions are placed in a depository on record with the Chief Electoral Officer,
(d) the financial statements as required by sections 42 and 43 are filed with the Chief Electoral Officer in accordance with this Act, and
(2) The chief financial officer of a registered party, registered constituency association or registered candidate shall make every reasonable effort to advise prospective contributors of the provisions of this Act relating to contributions.
RSA 2000 cE‑2 s30;2010 c8 s77;2012 c5 s78
31 No contribution shall be accepted by a registered candidate otherwise than through the candidate’s chief financial officer.
RSA 2000 cE‑2 s31;2012 c5 s79
32(1) When any person accepts contributions in any year on behalf of a registered party, registered constituency association or registered candidate, the chief financial officer shall record all the contributions, including the names and the addresses of the contributors and the dates on which the contributions were made.
(2) All contributions referred to in subsection (1) accepted on behalf of a registered party or registered candidate during a campaign period shall be recorded separately from other contributions accepted during that year.
(i) the total amount of all contributions received during the quarter that did not exceed $250 in the aggregate from any single contributor, and
(ii) the total amount contributed, together with the contributor’s name and address, when the contribution of that contributor during the quarter exceeded an aggregate of $250,
(i) the total amount of all contributions received that did not exceed $250 in the aggregate from any single contributor, and
(ii) the total amount contributed that, together with the contributor’s name and address, when the contribution of that contributor during the year exceeded an aggregate of $250,
but in the case of a registered party returns under clauses (a) and (b) shall not include the information relating to contributions made during the period commencing the day a writ of election is issued and concluding at the end of polling day.
(4) Every registered party and registered candidate shall file with the Chief Electoral Officer, in the form and manner approved by the Chief Electoral Officer, within the period during which a financial statement must be filed relating to a campaign period under section 43, a return setting out
(5) Separate returns must be filed for contributions made in respect of an election under the Election Act and those made in respect of an election under the Senatorial Selection Act.
RSA 2000 cE‑2 s32;2010 c8 s78;2012 c5 s80
33 Every registered party, registered constituency association and registered candidate shall issue a receipt in the form and manner approved by the Chief Electoral Officer for every contribution accepted, and the receipt must indicate
(a) whether it has been issued in respect of an election under the Election Act or an election under the Senatorial Selection Act,
RSA 2000 cE‑2 s33;2010 c8 s79;2012 c5 s81
34(1) No person shall contribute to a registered party, registered constituency association or registered candidate
(b) funds that have been given or furnished to the person by another person or any prohibited person or entity for the purpose of making a contribution of those funds to that registered party, registered constituency association or registered candidate.
(1.1) No person and no prohibited person or entity shall give or furnish funds to another person for the purpose of having that other person make a contribution of those funds to a registered party, registered constituency association or registered candidate.
(2) No registered party, registered constituency association or registered candidate and no person acting on behalf of a registered party, registered constituency association or registered candidate shall solicit or accept a contribution if the registered party, registered constituency association, registered candidate or person knows or ought to know that the contribution is contrary to subsection (1).
(3) If the chief financial officer learns that a contribution received by or on behalf of the registered party, registered constituency association or registered candidate for whom the chief financial officer acts was made contrary to subsection (1), the chief financial officer shall, within 30 days after learning that the contribution was made contrary to subsection (1), advise the Chief Electoral Officer in writing of the fact and circumstances.
RSA 2000 cE‑2 s34;2012 c5 s82;2015 c15 s10
(a) solicit or accept a contribution if the registered party, registered constituency association or registered candidate knows or ought to know that the prospective contributor is a prohibited person or entity, or
(2) If the chief financial officer learns that a contribution from a prohibited person or entity was accepted by or on behalf of the political party, constituency association or candidate for whom the chief financial officer acts, the chief financial officer shall, within 30 days after learning of it, advise the Chief Electoral Officer in writing of the fact and circumstances.
RSA 2000 cE‑2 s35;2010 c8 s80;2012 c5 s83 ;2015 c15 s11
36 No registered party, registered constituency association or registered candidate may accept funds from a federal political party, electoral district association or registered candidate registered under the Canada Elections Act (Canada) in respect of an election under this Act.
RSA 2000 cE‑2 s36;2004 c23 s95;2012 c5 s84
38 A registered party and any of its registered constituency associations or registered candidates may annually transfer to or accept from each other
(a) funds or real property or goods or the use of real property or goods, or
and the funds, real property or goods or the use of real property or goods, or the debts, so accepted by the registered party, registered constituency association or registered candidate shall not be considered as contributions for the purposes of this Act but shall be recorded as to source, and any funds accepted shall be deposited in an appropriate depository on record with the Chief Electoral Officer.
RSA 2000 cE‑2 s38;2010 c8 s81;2012 c5 s85
Candidate may pay personal expenses
39.1 A candidate may lawfully contribute to the candidate’s election campaign an amount from the candidate’s personal funds to the limit prescribed for a contributor in section 17(1)(b)(ii) or 18(1)(b)(ii), as the case may be, and if the candidate’s expenses paid from the candidate’s personal funds exceed the maximum limit allowed for a contributor, the excess amount must be reimbursed to the candidate from the candidate’s campaign account.
Part 5 Loans
40(1) A registered party, registered constituency association or registered candidate
(2) Only the following may make a payment on behalf of the borrower in respect of a loan to which subsection (1) applies:
(a) a person ordinarily resident in Alberta;
(b) a corporation that is not a prohibited corporation;
(c) an Alberta trade union;
(d) an Alberta employee organization.
(3) Any payment in respect of a loan to which subsection (1) applies made by a person or entity referred to in subsection (2) becomes, for the purposes of this Act, including, without limitation, sections 16, 17 and 35,
(a) a contribution by that person or entity, and
if the person or entity is not reimbursed by the borrower before the borrower is next required to file a financial statement pursuant to section 42 or 43.
(4) This section does not apply to the borrowing of money by a registered candidate for purposes unrelated to the candidate’s campaign.
(5) In subsections (6) and (8), “former Act” means the Election Finances and Contributions Disclosure Act as it read immediately before the coming into force of this subsection.
(6) Notwithstanding subsections (2) and (3) but subject to subsection (8), with respect to a loan entered into before June 15, 2015 under section 40 of the former Act, a payment made by an entity referred to in subsection (2)(b), (c) or (d) on behalf of a borrower before December 31, 2015 that is not reimbursed by the borrower before the borrower is next required to file a financial statement pursuant to section 42 or 43 is a contribution by that entity, and
(a) that contribution is not a contravention of section 16(2) by that entity, and
(b) the registered party, registered constituency association or registered candidate is considered to have accepted the contribution in contravention of section 35(1)(a).
(7) In the case of a payment made on or after June 15, 2015, subsection (6)(a) applies only if the borrower is in default on the loan at the time of the payment.
(8) Subsection (6) does not apply in respect of a payment that was considered under section 40(2) of the former Act to be a contribution.
RSA 2000 cE‑2 s40;2010 c8 s84;2015 c15 s12
41(1) Only the following may sign, co‑sign or otherwise guarantee or provide collateral security for any loan, monetary obligation or indebtedness on behalf of or in the interest of any registered party, registered constituency association or registered candidate:
(2) Any payment required to be made on behalf of or in the interest of a registered party, registered constituency association or registered candidate by a person or entity acting under subsection (1) becomes, for the purposes of this Act, including, without limitation, sections 16, 17 and 35,
(3) This section does not apply to payments made on behalf of a registered candidate for purposes unrelated to the candidate’s campaign.
(4) In subsections (5) and (6), “former Act” means the Election Finances and Contributions Disclosure Act as it read immediately before the coming into force of this section.
(5) Notwithstanding subsections (1) and (2) but subject to subsection (6), with respect to a guarantee given or security provided before June 15, 2015 under section 41 of the former Act, a payment made by an entity acting under subsection (1)(b), (c) or (d) before December 31, 2015 that is not reimbursed by the borrower before the borrower is next required to file a financial statement pursuant to section 42 or 43 is a contribution by that entity, and
(a) the contribution is not a contravention of section 16(2) by that entity, and
(6) Subsection (5) does not apply in respect of a payment that was considered under section 41(2) of the former Act to be a contribution.
RSA 2000 cE‑2 s41;2015 c15 s13
(a) the chief financial officer of each registered party shall file with the Chief Electoral Officer an audited financial statement, in the form and manner approved by the Chief Electoral Officer, setting out for the previous year the revenue, expenses, assets and liabilities, excluding revenue and expenses relating to an election during a campaign period, and
RSA 2000 cE‑2 s42;2010 c8 s85;2012 c5 s86
Filing of financial statements for election campaigns
43(1) Subject to subsection (6) and section 44(3), within 6 months after polling day the chief financial officer of a registered party shall file with the Chief Electoral Officer a financial statement setting out in the form and manner approved by the Chief Electoral Officer the revenue and expenses of the party for which the chief financial officer acts that relate to an election during the campaign period, including a nil return where applicable.
(2) Subject to subsection (7) and section 44(3), within 4 months after polling day the chief financial officer of a registered candidate shall file with the Chief Electoral Officer a financial statement setting out, in the form and manner approved by the Chief Electoral Officer, assets of over $1000 in the aggregate, liabilities, revenue and expenses, including expenses paid on behalf of the candidate by a registered party or a constituency association, during the campaign period or that relate to the campaign period.
(3) In relation to a by‑election, subsection (1) applies only to registered parties that received contributions or made payments or transfers in relation to that by‑election and subsection (2) applies only to registered candidates at that by‑election.
(4) This section also applies to any registered candidate
(a) who withdraws the candidate’s candidacy, or
(b) who, having been registered before becoming nominated, does not in fact become nominated,
with respect to the period during which the candidate is registered.
(5) An audited financial statement and a copy of the auditor’s report shall accompany each financial statement of a registered party submitted pursuant to subsection (1).
(5.1) Unless otherwise directed by the Chief Electoral Officer, an audited financial statement is not required to accompany a financial statement filed under subsection (1) if the revenue and expenses of the registered party do not each exceed $1000, but a non‑audited financial statement must be filed, including a nil return where applicable.
(6) If the polling day for a general election occurs within 6 months after the polling day for a previous general election, the time for compliance with subsection (1) in respect of the previous general election is extended to the expiration of the 6‑month period after the 2nd general election.
(7) If an election is held to elect a member of the Legislative Assembly for an electoral division and the polling day for that election occurs within 4 months after the polling day for the previous election in the same electoral division, the time for compliance with subsection (2) in respect of the previous election is extended to the expiration of the 4‑month period after the 2nd election.
(8) If an election is held under the Senatorial Selection Act and the polling day for that election occurs within 4 months after the polling day for the previous election under the Senatorial Selection Act, the time for compliance with subsection (2) in respect of the previous election is extended to the expiration of the 4‑month period after the 2nd election.
(9) A chief financial officer referred to in subsection (1) shall file separate financial statements relating to an election under the Election Act and an election under the Senatorial Selection Act.
RSA 2000 cE‑2 s43;2010 c8 s86;2012 c5 s87
(a) “expenses” means the total amount of money spent and liabilities incurred by a registered candidate during or in relation to a campaign period, including expenses paid on behalf of a registered candidate by a registered party or registered constituency association;
(b) “revenue” means the total of
(i) contributions received by a registered candidate made in accordance with this Act,
(ii) other income, including fund‑raising revenue and interest on deposits,
(iii) amounts transferred in accordance with this Act to a registered candidate by a registered party, registered constituency association or other registered candidate, and
(iv) campaign funds held in trust under section 12(1).
(2) For the purpose of this section, a registered candidate has a campaign deficit if, at the end of the campaign period,
(a) any liabilities relating to the candidate’s campaign remain outstanding, or
(b) expenses exceed revenue.
(3) Where a registered candidate has a campaign deficit, the candidate shall eliminate the deficit within 3 months after the date that the financial statement of the candidate is required to be filed under section 43(2) or such further period approved under subsection (4).
(4) The Chief Electoral Officer may, on the request of a registered candidate or the candidate’s chief financial officer received before the expiry of the 3‑month period referred to in subsection (3), extend the 3‑month period referred to in subsection (3) for a further period not exceeding 3 months.
(a) a registered candidate may, notwithstanding section 17(4) or 18(5), accept contributions in accordance with this Act during the period referred to in subsection (3), and
(6) The chief financial officer of the registered candidate shall, within one month after the expiration of the period referred to in subsection (3), file an amended financial statement showing any contributions accepted and any transfers received to eliminate the deficit.
2010 c8 s87
44(1) Subject to subsections (2) and (3), if the chief financial officer of a registered candidate fails to file a financial statement as required by section 43 or a registered candidate fails to eliminate a campaign deficit referred to in section 43.1, the Chief Electoral Officer shall transmit a report to that effect to the Speaker of the Assembly, who shall on its receipt lay the report before the Assembly if it is then sitting or, if it is not then sitting, within 15 days after the commencement of the next sitting.
(2) If the Speaker lays a report before the Assembly under subsection (1), the registered candidate concerned or the candidate’s chief financial officer, or both, may, within the 60‑day period following the date on which the report was laid before the Assembly, apply to the Court of Queen’s Bench for relief.
(a) dispense with compliance with section 43 or 43.1, or any provision of it, if it considers that the non‑compliance is due to circumstances beyond the control of the candidate or the chief financial officer, or both, and that it is not reasonably possible to comply with the section,
(b) extend the time for compliance with section 43 or 43.1, or any provision of it, if it finds mitigating reasons for non‑compliance with the section,
(c) make any order that it considers appropriate to secure compliance with so much of section 43 or 43.1 as it considers reasonable in the circumstances, or
(4) An application to the Court under this section must name the Chief Electoral Officer as respondent.
RSA 2000 cE‑2 s44;2009 c53 s53;2010 c8 s88
44.1 In this Part,
(a) “advertising account” means a dedicated depository on record with the Chief Electoral Officer opened at a financial institution for the purpose of accepting election advertising contributions and for the payment of election advertising expenses;
(b) “election advertising” means political advertising that appears during an election period;
(c) “election advertising contribution” means any
(ii) real property or goods, or the use of real property or goods, provided to or for the benefit of a third party,
without compensation from that third party, for the purpose of election advertising, whether given before or after the third party becomes registered under section 9.1;
(d) “election advertising expense” means an expense incurred by a third party in relation to election advertising;
(e) “election period” means the period commencing the day a writ of election is issued for a general election under the Election Act and concluding at the end of polling day;
(g) “political advertising” means advertising, for which there is or normally would be a charge, in any broadcast, print, electronic or other media, including telephone, fax, internet, electronic mail and text messaging, with the purpose of promoting or opposing any registered party or the election of a registered candidate, including advertising that takes a position on an issue with which a registered party or registered candidate is associated, but does not include
(i) the publication without charge of news, an editorial, an editorial comment, an interview, a column, a letter, a debate, a speech or a commentary in a bona fide periodical publication, a radio or television program or a website or online discussion forum,
(iii) the transmission of a document in any form directly by a person, corporation or group to its members, employees or shareholders or other persons, groups or corporations who have given permission to the person, corporation or group to transmit information to them, or
(iv) advertising by the Government in any form;
(iii) a registered candidate or member of the Legislative Assembly.
2010 c8 s89;2012 c5 s88
44.2(1) No election advertising contribution shall be made by a person, corporation, trade union or employee organization to a third party or used to incur election advertising expenses unless
(a) the third party to whom the contribution is made is registered under section 9.1, or
(2) No third party required to be registered under section 9.1 and no person acting for the third party required to be registered under section 9.1 shall accept election advertising contributions unless the third party is registered under section 9.1.
(3) Subject to subsection (5), election advertising contributions made by any person, corporation, trade union or employee organization to third parties shall not exceed, in the aggregate,
(a) $15 000 in any calendar year in which there is not a general election, or
(b) $30 000 in any calendar year in which there is a general election, less any amount contributed under clause (a).
(4) No third party and no person acting for a third party shall accept any election advertising contributions if the third party or person knows or ought to know that the amount would exceed the limit referred to in subsection (3).
(5) The following shall not make an election advertising contribution:
(d) a trade union or employee organization that is not an Alberta trade union or Alberta employee organization.
(5.1) No third party shall, directly or indirectly, accept an election advertising contribution if the third party knows or ought to know that the contribution is made by a person, organization or group referred to in subsection (5).
(6) If the chief financial officer of a third party learns that an election advertising contribution was accepted in contravention of this section, the chief financial officer shall, within 30 days after learning of it, advise the Chief Electoral Officer in writing of the fact and circumstances.
(7) A third party shall not circumvent or attempt to circumvent a limit set out in this section in any manner, including splitting itself into 2 or more third parties.
2010 c8 s89;2012 c5 s89;2015 c15 s14
44.21 Any money paid by a third party from its own funds for election advertising is an election advertising contribution of the third party for the purposes of this Part.
2010 c8 s89
44.3 The following rules apply where a group wishes to make an election advertising contribution to a third party or wishes to use funds collected to pay for election advertising expenses:
(a) an election advertising contribution from funds collected from a group’s members may be attributed to its members only if
(ii) it was made explicit that the amounts being collected were for election advertising, and
(b) a group other than a trade union or employee organization may make election advertising contributions only from funds collected from its members in accordance with clause (a);
(c) contributions by a trade union or employee organization from funds collected from its members but not in accordance with clause (a) are deemed to be election advertising contributions of the trade union or employee organization and cannot be attributed to its members;
(d) amounts making up election advertising contributions that are attributed to members under clause (a) are contributions of those members for the purposes of this Part.
44.31(1) The value of election advertising contributions, other than money, provided to a third party is the market value of the election advertising contributions at that time.
(2) If any real property or goods or the use of real property or goods is provided to a third party for a price that is less than the market value at that time, the amount by which the value exceeds the price is an election advertising contribution for the purposes of this Part.
(3) If a fund-raising function is held by the sale of tickets by or on behalf of a third party, the amount of the contribution is to be determined under clause (a) or under clause (b), at the option of the third party:
(4) The price paid by a person at a fund‑raising function in excess of the market value at that time for goods or services received is considered to be an election advertising contribution to the third party.
2010 c8 s89;2012 c5 s90
44.33(1) When, at a meeting held on behalf of or in relation to the affairs of a third party, money is given in response to a general collection of money solicited from the persons in attendance at the meeting, individual amounts given of $50 or less shall not be considered to be an election advertising contribution, but the chief financial officer of the third party shall record the aggregate amount.
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply to funds raised for or on behalf of a third party for purposes unrelated to election advertising.
(2) Any payment in respect of a loan to which subsection (1) applies is considered an election advertising contribution by the person, corporation or group that made the payment unless that person, corporation or group is reimbursed by the borrower prior to the filing by the borrower of the election advertising report next required to be filed pursuant to section 44.9.
(3) This section does not apply to the borrowing of money by a third party for purposes unrelated to election advertising.
Anonymous contributions and unauthorized contributions
44.5(1) Any anonymous election advertising contribution in excess of $50 and any election advertising contribution or portion of a contribution made in contravention of this Part accepted by a registered third party must not be used or expended, and the registered third party
44.51(1) No person, corporation, trade union or employee organization shall contribute to any third party that is registered or is required to be registered under section 9.1 funds not actually belonging to that person, corporation, trade union or employee organization, or any funds that have been given or furnished to the person, corporation, trade union or employee organization by any group or by a corporation, trade union or employee organization for the purpose of making an election advertising contribution of those funds to that third party that is registered or is required to be registered under section 9.1.
(2) No third party that is registered or is required to be registered under section 9.1 and no person on its behalf shall solicit or accept any election advertising contribution if the third party or person knows or ought to know that the contribution is contrary to subsection (1).
(3) If the chief financial officer learns that an election advertising contribution received by or on behalf of the third party that is registered or is required to be registered for whom the chief financial officer acts was made contrary to subsection (1), the chief financial officer shall, within 30 days after learning of it, advise the Chief Electoral Officer in writing of the fact and circumstances.
2010 c8 s89;2012 c5 s91
44.6 A third party shall issue receipts in the form and manner approved by the Chief Electoral Officer for every election advertising contribution accepted by the third party.
Third party advertising accounts
44.7(1) A third party that is registered or is required to be registered under section 9.1 shall open an advertising account for the payment of all election advertising expenses and the receipt of all election advertising contributions and transfers.
(2) A registered third party may open and operate only one advertising account and only contributions and other revenue accepted under this Part may be deposited in the account.
(3) All election advertising expenses must be paid from the third party’s advertising account.
(4) Every registered third party shall appoint a chief financial officer.
(5) Every election advertising expense that is incurred by or on behalf of a registered third party must be authorized by its chief financial officer.
(6) No election advertising contribution shall be accepted by a registered third party otherwise than through the third party’s chief financial officer.
(7) The chief financial officer may delegate a function described in subsection (5) or (6) to another person, but the delegation does not limit the chief financial officer’s responsibility.
(8) Subject to the requirements of this Part, a registered third party that operates an advertising account may transfer amounts from its advertising account to other advertising accounts of other registered third parties.
(9) All election advertising expenses paid for by a third party from its advertising account must be recorded in its election advertising report whether or not the election advertising expenses were incurred during the election period.
44.8(1) A third party, or a person acting on a third party’s behalf, must ensure that election advertising sponsored by the third party complies with the following in accordance with the guidelines of the Chief Electoral Officer:
(a) the election advertising must include the third party’s name and contact information and must indicate whether the third party authorizes the election advertising;
(b) subject to clause (c), in the case of election advertising that is broadcast or is made through electronic media, the information referred to in clause (a) must be stated at the beginning of the election advertising;
(c) in the case of election advertising transmitted to a telephone, whether in the form of a live call or an automated pre-recorded call,
(ii) the name of the third party must be stated at the beginning of the election advertising,
(iii) the election advertising must state whether the third party authorizes the election advertising, and
(iv) the telephone number of the third party at which the third party can be contacted must be stated at the end of the election advertising.
(3) The guidelines must be published on the Chief Electoral Officer’s website.
(4) If election advertising is not in compliance with this section, the Chief Electoral Officer may cause it to be removed or discontinued, and in the case of election advertising displayed on a sign, poster or other similar format neither the Chief Electoral Officer nor any person acting under the Chief Electoral Officer’s instructions is liable for trespass or damage resulting from or occasioned by the removal.
2010 c8 s89;2012 c5 s92
44.9(1) The chief financial officer of every third party that is registered or is required to be registered under section 9.1 must file an election advertising report in the form and manner approved by the Chief Electoral Officer with the Chief Electoral Officer within 6 months after polling day.
(3) The chief financial officer of a registered third party that accepts election advertising contributions or incurs election advertising expenses outside of the report period in subsection (1) shall file an election advertising report with the Chief Electoral Officer on or before March 31 of each year for the preceding calendar year.
(4) If a registered third party has not incurred election advertising expenses, that fact shall be indicated in its election advertising report.
(5) The election advertising report must include
(a) the amount of election advertising contributions that were received during the year,
(b) for each contributor who made election advertising contributions totalling more than $250 during the year, the contributor’s name and address and the amount and date of each contribution,
(c) a financial statement setting out revenue and expenses in the form approved by the Chief Electoral Officer and the amount of expenses in total in the form and manner approved by the Chief Electoral Officer, and
(d) the time and place of broadcast or publication of the advertisements to which the election advertising expenses relate.
2010 c8 s89;2012 c5 s93
Continuing use of advertising account
44.92(1) Subject to subsection (2), any surplus funds held by a third party in its advertising account at the end of an election period must be held in the advertising account to be expended for election advertising during a subsequent election period.
(2) If a third party decides not to expend the funds for election advertising during the next election period or does not advertise during the next election period or within 6 months after that period, the third party shall deal with the surplus in one or more of the following ways:
(a) transfer the surplus to an advertising account of another third party;
(b) spend the surplus on political advertising outside of an election period;
(c) donate the surplus to a registered charity;
(d) return the surplus to the third party’s contributors if they can be identified;
(e) pay the surplus into the General Revenue Fund if the surplus or any portion of it cannot be dealt with in accordance with clauses (a) to (d).
(3) The third party shall advise the Chief Electoral Officer of its decisions under this section.
(4) The chief financial officer of a third party that has not dealt with its surplus funds under subsection (2) shall file an election advertising report with the Chief Electoral Officer on or before March 31 of each year until such time as the surplus is completely dealt with.
44.93(1) Only a person ordinarily resident in Alberta may make a contribution to a registered leadership contestant.
(2) A prohibited person or entity shall not make a contribution to a registered leadership contestant.
(3) No person shall contribute to a registered leadership contestant
(b) funds that have been given or furnished to the person by another person or any prohibited person or entity for the purpose of making a contribution of those funds to that registered leadership contestant.
(4) No person and no prohibited person or entity shall give or furnish funds to another person for the purpose of having that other person make a contribution of those funds to a registered leadership contestant.
(5) No registered leadership contestant and no person acting on behalf of a registered leadership contestant shall solicit or accept a contribution if the registered leadership contestant or person knows or ought to know that the contribution is made contrary to subsection (3).
(6) No registered leadership contestant shall, directly or indirectly, solicit or accept a contribution if the registered leadership contestant knows or ought to know that the prospective contributor is a prohibited person or entity.
(7) If a chief financial officer learns that a contribution was accepted in contravention of subsection (5) or (6) by or on behalf of the registered leadership contestant for whom the chief financial officer acts, the chief financial officer shall, within 30 days after learning of it, advise the Chief Electoral Officer in writing of the fact and circumstances.
2012 c5 s95;2015 c15 s15
44.94(1) All financial contributions accepted by or on behalf of a registered leadership candidate shall be paid into an appropriate depository on record with the Chief Electoral Officer.
(2) When any contribution of other than money, accepted by or on behalf of a registered leadership contestant, is converted at any time into money, that amount shall be paid into an appropriate depository on record with the Chief Electoral Officer.
(3) No contribution shall be accepted by a registered leadership contestant otherwise than through the registered leadership contestant’s chief financial officer.
(4) When any person accepts contributions on behalf of a registered leadership contestant during a campaign period, the chief financial officer shall record all the contributions, including the names and the addresses of the contributors and the dates on which the contributions were made.
(5) A registered leadership contestant shall issue receipts in the form and manner approved by the Chief Electoral Officer for every contribution accepted by the registered leadership contestant in respect of a leadership contest during the campaign period.
(6) Sections 21.1, 22, 23 and 24 apply with the necessary modifications with respect to registered leadership contestants.
(7) Sections 40 and 41 apply with the necessary modifications with respect to registered leadership contestants, and a reference in those provisions to section 42 or 43 shall be read as a reference to section 44.96(1).
2012 c5 s95;2015 c15 s16
44.95(1) Every leadership contestant shall, before his or her application for registration under section 9.2 is filed, appoint a chief financial officer.
(2) When a chief financial officer appointed pursuant to subsection (1) ceases for any reason to hold that office, the registered leadership contestant shall forthwith appoint another chief financial officer.
(3) The chief financial officer of a registered leadership contestant is responsible, with respect to the affairs of the registered leadership contestant, for ensuring that
(a) proper records are kept of all revenue, expenses and liabilities, as required for the purposes of this Act,
(d) the financial statement and return required by section 44.96 are filed with the Chief Electoral Officer in accordance with this Act, and
(4) The chief financial officer of a registered leadership contestant shall make every reasonable effort to advise prospective contributors of the provisions of this Act relating to contributions.
2012 c5 s95
44.96(1) Within 4 months after the date fixed for the leadership vote, the chief financial officer of a registered leadership contestant shall file with the Chief Electoral Officer a financial statement setting out, in the form and manner approved by the Chief Electoral Officer, revenue, expenses and liabilities and a return setting out
(b) the total amount contributed, together with the contributor’s name and address, when the contribution of that contributor during the campaign period exceeded $250 in the aggregate.
(2) This section also applies to any registered leadership contestant who withdraws from the leadership contest.
46 No person shall knowingly make a false statement in any application, return, financial statement or other document filed with the Chief Electoral Officer under this Act.
RSA 1980 cE‑3 s38
(3) The chief financial officer of a registered leadership contestant who contravenes section 44.96 is guilty of an offence and liable to a fine of not more than $1000.
RSA 2000 cE‑2 s48;2012 c5 s97
49.1 A third party that contravenes Part 6.1 of this Act is guilty of an offence and liable to a fine not exceeding
2010 c8 s90;2012 c5 s98
RSA 2000 cE‑2 s51;2006 c23 s26; 2010 c8 s91;2012 c5 s100
(b) a prohibited person or entity has made a contribution in contravention of section 16 or 44.93(2),
(c) a prohibited corporation, a person ordinarily resident outside Alberta or a trade union or employee organization that is not an Alberta trade union or Alberta employee organization has made an election advertising contribution in contravention of section 44.2(5), or
(b) in the case of a contravention of section 16, 44.2(5) or 44.93(1), twice the amount that was contributed in contravention of that provision, and in no case may the amount of the administrative penalty exceed $10 000 for each contravention;
2012 c5 s100;2015 c15 s18