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Limits on election expenses
Summary
For provincial elections, the Election Act stipulates that a candidate’s election expenses are limited. This limit is based on a maximum amount per elector in the electoral division in which they are running. Political parties are also subject to a limit on election expenses. This limit is based on a maximum amount per elector in all electoral divisions where that party has an official candidate. In municipal and school elections, the limit on election expenses is set according to a base amount that may be increased according to the number of people on the list of electors.
Provincial
Election expense limits per elector in general elections
| April 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022 | April 1, 2022 to March 31, 2023 | |
|---|---|---|
| Political party | $0.72 | $0.75 |
| Candidate (base limit) | $0.79 | $0.82 |
| Candidate in the electoral divisions of Duplessis, Rouyn-Noranda-Témiscamingue, René-Lévesque and Ungava | $0.99 | $1.03 |
| Candidate in the electoral division of Îles-de-la-Madeleine | $1.76 | $1.83 |
Election expense limits per elector in a by-election
| April 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022 | April 1, 2022 to March 31, 2023 | |
|---|---|---|
| Candidate (base limit) | $1.51 | $1.57 |
| Candidate in the electoral divisions of Duplessis, Rouyn-Noranda-Témiscamingue, René-Lévesque and Ungava | $1.71 | $1.78 |
| Candidate in the electoral division of Îles-de-la-Madeleine | $2.48 | $2.58 |
Municipal
Limits on election expenses
Mayor
For the position of mayor, or borough mayor, the base limit on election expenses is $3,780. This amount is increased by:
- $0.30 for each of the first 20,000 people on the municipality’s list of electors
- $0.51 for each additional person on the list, up to the 100,000th person
- $0.38 for each additional person on this list
City councillor
For the position of city councillor, the limit on election expenses is $1,890. This amount is increased by $0.30 for each person on the electoral district’s list of electors.
School board
Limits on election expenses
The maximum amount allowable for election expenses is set as follows:
- For an election to the position of school board chair, the base limit is $3,780. This amount is increased by $0.30 per person on the list of electors of the English-language school board. Where applicable, this amount is increased according to the density of electors per square kilometre in accordance with the following:
- $0.10 per person on the list of electors if the density is greater than 1 but less than or equal to 10
- $0.20 per person on the list of electors if the density is greater than 0.45 but less than or equal to 1
- $0.35 per person on the list of electors if the density is less than or equal to 0.45
- For election to the position of commissioner, the base limit is $1,890. This amount is increased by $0.30 per person on the list of electors for the electoral district.
English-language school boards
A supplement of $0.10 is given for each person on the list of electors for:
- New Frontiers English-Language School Board
- Riverside English-Language School Board
- Sir Wilfrid Laurier English-Language School Board
A supplement of $0.20 is given for each person on the list of electors for:
- Eastern Townships English-Language School Board
A supplement of $0.35 is given for each person on the list of electors for:
- Central Quebec English-Language School Board
- Eastern Shores English-Language School Board
- Western Quebec English-Language School Board
For a single school board, all candidates for the same position must respect the same maximum amount for their election expenses.