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In Québec, political financing and the auditing of election expenses are subject to the principles of fairness and transparency.
In the interest of fairness, we allow all parties and all candidates to obtain the financial means to express themselves. We reserve the right to make contributions to electors.
By limiting election expenses, we ensure that all candidates have an equal opportunity to be elected.
In the interest of transparency, we disclose the data we receive from financial and election expenses reports.
The following is a summary of the rules on political financing and the auditing of the election expenses of political parties and candidates:
These rules are established by the Election Act.
By voting for the person who is most in tune with your values and your vision of the Québec of tomorrow, you are helping them pursue their political activities.
The reimbursement of election expenses and the annual allowance are two sources of public financing, both of which come from the government. Public financing is intended to foster the integrity and vitality of our democracy by supporting those who work in politics. In 2023, this financing represented 84% of the total financing of political parties.
Following the 2022 general election, five political parties and 274 of 880 (31.1%) candidates received enough votes to qualify for election expense reimbursements.
The rules on political financing and contributions apply only to municipalities with 5,000 inhabitants or more, which are subject to Chapter XIII of the Act respecting elections and referendums in municipalities.
In the interest of fairness, we allow all parties and all candidates to obtain the financial means to express themselves. We reserve the right to make contributions to electors.
By limiting election expenses, we are also ensuring that all candidates have an equal chance of being elected.
In the interest of transparency, we release the data from the financial and election expenses reports we receive.
The following is a summary of the rules on political financing and the auditing of election expenses of political parties and candidates:
According to Chapter XIV of the Act respecting elections and referendums in municipalities, all goods and services paid for by a candidate to promote their election are considered contributions. Additionally, money paid by others to promote their election is also considered a contribution. A list of those who contributed more than $50 or multiple contributions totalling or exceeding that amount must be filed within 90 days of the election.
It is strictly forbidden for legal persons (companies, partnerships, unions, etc.) to make a monetary contribution to a candidate (s. 513.1.1).
Violation of the provisions regarding contributions may result in prosecution and severe penalties:
Any contribution of more than $50 made by an individual must be:
A candidate who is part of a team recognized by a returning officer remains independent and must retain full control over the income and expenses of their campaign. They must also be recorded on their Donors list and return of expenses form. No contribution may be made on behalf of a recognized team: the contributor must specify the candidate to whom they are contributing.
The total amount of contributions made by an individual to each candidate cannot exceed $200. However, a candidate may contribute an additional amount for their own benefit, but it may not exceed $800. They may therefore pay themselves up to $1,000 in contributions (s. 513.1.1).
Regardless of the value of the contribution made by an individual, no contribution receipt will be issued. Therefore, contributions are not eligible for tax credits.
All candidates running for office on city council in a municipality with fewer than 5,000 inhabitants must send two documents to the treasurer of their municipality no later than 90 days after polling has closed (s. 513.1):
Following a 90-day period, the treasurer shall file the candidate's declaration or list of contributors and expense report at the next regular meeting of the city council. They must then forward the DGE-1038 form to Élections Québec, no later than 120 days after the date set for the poll (s. 513.2).
This report must be produced in accordance with the template Municipalities with a population of less than 5,000 (PDF – DGE-1038-VA).
Candidates may refer to the documents below to complete their report.
The candidate may contact the treasurer or the returning officer of their municipality for more information.
In the interest of fairness, we allow all parties and all candidates to obtain the financial means to express themselves. We reserve the right to make contributions to electors.
By limiting election expenses, we ensure that all candidates have an equal opportunity to be elected.
In the interest of transparency, we disclose the data we receive from financial and election expenses reports.
The following is a summary of the rules on political financing and the auditing of the election expenses of political parties and candidates.
By voting for the candidate who is most in line with your values and vision, you are helping them pursue their political activities.
The election expenses of a person elected, and those who obtained at least 15% of the vote, will be reimbursed. The amount reimbursed cannot exceed the amount of the debt incurred from their election expenses and the amount of their personal contribution. To be reimbursed, the candidate's expenses must have been incurred and paid in accordance with the Act respecting school elections to elect certain members of the boards of directors of English-language school service centres (ASEESSC) or the provisions of the Act respecting school elections in force prior to the adoption of Bill 40.
The reimbursement of election expenses is a source of public financing, i.e., this financing comes from the State. By supporting those who become involved in politics, the State aims to foster the integrity and vitality of our democracy.
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