Contribution Rebate Program

The Contribution Rebate Program, to authorize the payment of rebates to individuals who make contributions of $50 or more to participating candidates for an office on the Council of the City of Ottawa, will continue for the 2010 municipal elections. The purpose of the contribution rebate program is to encourage more citizens to participate in municipal elections by supporting a candidate of their choice while, at the same time, learning more about the municipal issues affecting their day-to-day lives. Candidates, the candidate’s spouse and dependant children, corporations and trade unions are not eligible for a rebate.

If you are issued a receipt entitled "Receipt - Candidate Campaign Contribution - Rebate Program" for the 2010 Municipal Election then you may apply for a contribution rebate provided:

1. the contribution was monetary and not goods or services;
2. the contribution was $50 or more;
3. the contribution was made to a candidate participating in the rebate program; and
4. the contribution came from you as an individual and not through a business, corporation or trade union.

A rebate is only payable if the candidate to whom you have made a contribution has complied with all of the provisions of By-law 2005-505. As part of these provisions, a candidate must first register to participate in the contribution rebate program with the City Clerk by the end of nomination day.

A minimum contribution of $50.00 is required to be eligible for a rebate. An individual who -makes contributions to more than one candidate may apply for a rebate in respect of each contribution (minimum contribution of $50.00 per candidate) but is not entitled to receive total rebates exceeding the maximum rebate of $187.50.

To receive a rebate for contributions made on or before December 31, 2010, the contributor must complete and submit an application to the City Clerk prior to 4:30 p.m., Thursday, June 23, 2011.

If the candidate's campaign period continues beyond December 31 because of a deficit, the following timelines for submitting applications apply:

• contributions made between January 1, 2011 and June 30, 2011, applications must be received prior to 4:30 p.m., December 28, 2011.

If the candidate to whom you made a contribution extended his/her campaign beyond December 31, 2010, your rebate cheque will not be issued until his/her campaign has ended and the candidate has complied with all provisions of By-law 2005-505 regardless of when you made the contribution.

To apply for a rebate, just fill out the application form as indicated on the back of the receipt. Please note that rebates are not automatically paid. You must submit your receipt/application to the Elections Office in order to receive your rebate. The application may be delivered in person, or submitted by mail to the address shown on the application form, provided that it is received by the deadline.

Residents who wish to file their application in person may do so at any City of Ottawa Client Service Centre (CSC) or the Elections Office during regular hours of operation.

To find out more, read our contribution rebate program FAQs or contact the City of Ottawa's Elections Office.

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