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If you are thinking of becoming responsible for financing a political party or candidate, learn more about the roles of official representative and official agent.
If you hold one of these positions, you will be required to take training on political financing and on the control of election expenses during provincial elections. These training courses are also mandatory in municipalities with a population of 5,000 or more.
The official representative is responsible for the financing of the political party, party authority, or authorized independent member. In particular, this person may solicit contributions from electors, organize political or fundraising activities, and take out loans. Several rules govern political financing.
One of the main responsibilities of the official representative is to manage the bank account of the party, party authority, or authorized independent member. They must, out of this fund, control the expenses necessary for the operation of the political entity.
Each year, the official representative must produce a financial report that complies with the requirements of the Election Act.
For election purposes, the official representative of a political party also acts as its official agent, unless the party appoints another person in this capacity.
During an election, the official agent is appointed by the political party or by the party’s candidate. The official agent is responsible for authorizing and paying election expenses. Any goods or services that have a cost, that have a partisan effect, and that are used during the election period constitute an election expense.
Election expenses must be paid from the bank account opened for the election. This election fund is financed exclusively by amounts transferred by the official representative from the party’s bank account.
The official agent must control election expenses so as to comply with the expenses limits specific to the election.
Following the election, the official agent must produce an election expenses return in accordance with the requirements set out in the Election Act.
During an election, every authorized independent candidate must appoint a person as official representative and official agent. This person is responsible for campaign financing and the control of election expenses.
The official representative and official agent must open a bank account specifically for the election: the election fund. All expenses must be paid from this account, and all revenue deposited there.
As the official representative, this person may solicit contributions from electors, organize political or fundraising activities, and contract loans. Several rules govern political financing.
As the official agent, this person is responsible for authorizing and paying election expenses while ensuring compliance with the expenses limits specific to the election.
Following an election, the official representative and official agent must produce returns for the authorized independent candidate, in accordance with the requirements of the Election Act. These reports show all revenues collected and all expenses incurred regarding the election.
The official agent and official representative of a political party must complete both components of the training program within 30 days of their appointment. If these roles are performed by different people, the official representative has 30 days to complete the training and the official agent has 10 days to complete the training.
The official agent and official representative of an independent candidate have 10 days to complete training from the time of their appointment.
The current status of political personnel training (ongoing, completed or overdue) is posted on our website.
This section applies to municipalities with a population of 5,000 or more.
The official representative is responsible for the financing of the political party. In particular, they can solicit contributions from electors, organize political or fundraising activities, and take out loans. Several rules govern political financing.
One of the main responsibilities of the official representative is to manage the party’s bank account. They must, out of this fund, control the expenses necessary for the party’s operation.
Each year, the official representative must produce a financial report that complies with the requirements of the Act respecting elections and referendums in municipalities.
For election purposes, the official representative of a political party also acts as its official agent, unless the party appoints another person in this capacity.
During an election, the official agent is appointed by the political party. The official agent is responsible for authorizing and paying election expenses. Any goods or services that have a cost, that have a partisan effect, and that are used during the election period constitute an election expense.
Election expenses must be paid from the bank account opened for the election. This election fund is financed exclusively by amounts transferred by the official representative from the party’s bank account.
The official agent must control election expenses so as to comply with the expenses limits specific to the election.
Following the election, the official agent must produce an election expenses return in accordance with the requirements of the Act respecting elections and referendums in municipalities.
During an election, the official representative and official agent of an authorized independent candidate is responsible for campaign financing and the control of election expenses. The candidate may appoint themselves or another person to take on these two roles.
The official representative and official agent must open a bank account specifically for the election: the election fund. All expenses must be paid from this account, and all revenue deposited there.
As the official representative, this person may solicit contributions from electors, organize political activities, and contract loans. Several rules govern political financing.
As the official agent, this person is responsible for authorizing and paying election expenses while ensuring compliance with expenses limits specific to the election.
Following an election, the official representative and official agent must produce returns for the authorized independent candidate, in accordance with the requirements of the Act respecting elections and referendums in municipalities. These reports show all revenues collected and all expenses incurred regarding the election.
In municipalities with a population of 5,000 people or more, official agents, official representatives of political parties, and authorized independent candidates must undergo training on the rules of political financing and the auditing of election expenses.
The official agent and official representative of a political party must complete both components of the training program within 30 days of their appointment. If these roles are performed by different people, the official representative has 30 days to complete the training and the official agent has 10 days to complete the training.
The official agent and official representative of an independent candidate have 10 days to complete training from the time of their appointment.
The current status of political personnel training (ongoing, completed or overdue) is posted on our website.
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