Campaign Financing & Third Party Advertising in B.C.

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1 Campaign Financing & Third Party Advertising in B.C.

2 Legislation Highlights Who Election expenses Political contributions Disclosure Election advertising Third parties Ads

3 Who Political parties Constituency associations Candidates Third party advertisers Everyone else

4 Election Expenses Value of property or services used within the period beginning 60 days before a campaign period and ending at the end of the campaign period...to promote or oppose, directly or indirectly, a registered political party or the election of a candidate.

5 Election Expenses Two separate periods: 60 day pre-campaign period (February 15 April 15, 2013) Campaign period (April 16 May 14, 2013) Unused spending limit cannot be carried forward to campaign period

6 Timing of Election Expenses Used is key When the item was purchased, paid for, or received as a contribution is not relevant If used only before and after the 60 day pre-campaign period and the campaign period reported as Other Expense

7 Expenses Limits 60 Day Pre-campaign Period Campaign Period Political Parties $1,150, $4,602, Candidates $73, $73,218.39

8 Election Expenses Not Subject to Limits S. 203 Nomination deposit Personal election expenses Legal or accounting services Interest on loans for election expenses Communications exclusively to political party or constituency association members Others

9 Other Reportable Expenses Incurred in relation to the election Before 60 day pre-campaign period After campaign period Early advertising Rent Thank you letters Others

10 Political Contributions Generally, an amount of money or the value of any property or services, provided without compensation by way of donation, advance, deposit, discount or otherwise.

11 Political Contributions Membership fees for a political party or constituency association Conference and convention fees Goods or services provided at less than market value Some fundraising function tickets

12 Political Contributions No political contribution limits except anonymous Few source restrictions Charitable organizations Unregistered political parties and constituency associations Federal political parties and electoral district associations

13 Disclosure Audited if > $10, days after GVD (August 14, 2013) Names of contributors > $250 Not an offence to fail to file

14 Election Advertising Promotes or opposes, directly or indirectly, a registered political party or a candidate Includes advertising that takes a position on issues associated with a candidate or registered political party Does not include...

15 Not Election Advertising News, editorials, interviews, letters, etc. in bona fide periodicals, radio or TV programs Promoting or distributing books sold for no less than fair value, to be made public regardless of the election Documents sent directly to members, employees or shareholders Individuals personal political views on a noncommercial basis via the internet, text or phone

16 Election Advertising By candidates and political parties: In pre-campaign and campaign periods No separate expenses limit Authorization statement with some exceptions Advertising sponsors (3 rd parties) In campaign period only Authorization statement with some exceptions

17 Court Decisions re: Third Parties spending limits in 60 day pre-campaign period & campaign period Challenged March 2009 unconstitutional in pre-campaign period Upheld by Court of Appeal 2012 shortened pre-campaign period & reinstated spending limits Referred to Court of Appeal before enactment October 2012 unconstitutional No pre-campaign period for third parties

18 Third Parties Must be independent of parties, constituency associations, candidates & agents Must be registered no threshold Ongoing registration 286 registered at GVD Limits (adjusted): $3, in relation to a single ED, and $156, overall

19 Disclosure for Third Parties Disclosure reports if > $ days after GVD (August 14, 2013) All contributions received during 7 months before GVD October 15, 2012 to May 14, 2013 Names of contributors who gave > than $250 of money $500/day for unfiled reports

20 Third Party Spending 286 registered third party sponsors 223 spent less than $ spent total $1,198,083 Top 5: $143,253 BC for International Prosperity $138,435 BCTF $131,322 BCNU $ 83,295 Post-Secondary Educators of BC $ 70,533 CFS - BC

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