Contributions to a candidate’s campaign
Candidates cannot raise or spend any money on their campaign until they have filed a nomination form with the City Clerk and opened a bank account exclusively for the purposes of the election campaign.
Campaign contributions are any money, goods or services that are given to a candidate for use in their campaign, including money and goods that a candidate contributes to themselves.
Candidates can accept contributions from:
- Individuals who are normally residents of Ontario; and
- The candidate and their spouse. Note: if a candidate’s spouse is not usually a resident of Ontario, they can still contribute to their spouse’s campaign.
Candidates cannot accept contributions from:
- A federal political party registered under the Canada Elections Act (Canada) or any federal constituency association or registered candidate at a federal election endorsed by that party.
- A provincial political party, constituency association, registered candidate or leadership contestant registered under the Election Finances Act.
- A corporation that carries on business in Ontario.
- A trade union that holds bargaining rights for employees in Ontario.
- The Crown in right of Canada or Ontario, a municipality or a local board.
Contribution limits
- Individuals may contribute a maximum of $1,200 to a single candidate. This includes the value of any goods or services donated to the campaign.
- Individuals may not contribute more than $5,000 in total to candidates running for offices on the same council or school board.
- Contributions greater than $25 may not be made in cash. All contributions above $25 must be made by cheque, money order, or by a method that clearly shows where the funds come from.
Under the Municipal Elections Act, 1996, candidates are required to inform each of their contributors of these contribution limits.
Contributions to municipal and school board candidates are not tax deductible.
Contributions to a third party advertiser’s campaign
Third party advertisers cannot raise or spend any money on their campaign until they have filed a registration form with the City Clerk and opened a bank account exclusively for the purposes of the election campaign.
Campaign contributions are any money, goods or services that are given to a third party advertiser for use in their campaign, including money and goods that a third party advertiser contributes to themselves.
The following persons and entities can make a contribution to a third party advertiser:
- Any person who is a resident of Ontario.
- A corporation that carries on business in Ontario.
- A trade union that holds bargaining rights for employees in Ontario.
- The third party advertiser and, in the case of an individual, his or her spouse.
The following persons and entities cannot make a contribution to a third party advertiser:
- A federal political party registered under the Canada Elections Act (Canada) or any federal constituency association or registered candidate at a federal election endorsed by that party advertiser.
- A provincial political party, constituency association, registered candidate or leadership contestant registered under the Election Finances Act.
- The Crown in right of Canada or Ontario, a municipality or a local board.
Contribution limits
- Contributors may contribute a total of $1,200 to a third party advertiser in relation to third party advertisements that appear during an election in the City of Ottawa.
- The maximum total amount that a contributor can give to two or more third party advertisers registered in the City of Ottawa is $5,000.
- Contributions greater than $25 may not be made in cash. All contributions above $25 must be made by cheque, money order, or by a method that clearly shows where the funds come from.
Under the Municipal Elections Act, 1996, third party advertisers are required to inform each of their contributors of these contribution limits.
Contributions to municipal and school board candidates are not tax deductible.