Election - municipal - campaign contributions - How are campaign contributions regulated?

All candidates for office on a municipal council, school board or local board must be nominated before they can lawfully accept any campaign contributions or make or authorize any campaign expenditures. The Municipal Elections Act, 1996 establishes the following criteria:

• maximum limits for candidates' campaign expenses;
• campaign contributions may be accepted only by a candidate or an individual acting under the candidate's direction;
• limitations are imposed on the amounts of individual contributions;
• the issue of receipts is required; and
• records must be kept of every contribution whether in the form of money, goods or services, and the names and addresses of contributors.

The Act also addresses matters relevant to fund-raising functions, borrowing, reports and statements and sets out the circumstances when an audit is required.

Municipal World Inc. publishes many books on the subject of municipal elections. Click here for a listing.

While the foregoing response is derived primarily from Ontario legislation, practices and procedures, many of the principles will be applicable in other Canadian jurisdictions. In no circumstances should the information and advice given be construed as a legal opinion.

Page last modified on May 30, 2006, at 12:45 PM