Information for Voters - 2019 Rideau-Rockcliffe By-Election

• Official Results
• Poll-by-Poll Results

2019 Rideau-Rockcliffe By-election Results

• Official Results
• Poll-by-Poll Results

Legislation

• Municipal Elections Act, 1996
• Municipal Act, 2001
• Education Act
• Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005

Guides

• 2018 Candidates’ guide for Ontario municipal council and school board elections
• 2018 Guide for third party advertisers - Ontario municipal council and school board elections
• 2018 Voters’ guide for Ontario municipal council and school board elections
• Municipal Elections Act Review
• Candidate’s Guide to Accessible Elections
• 2018 Municipal Elections - Accessibility Plan (Abridged)
• 2018 Municipal Elections - Detailed Accessibility Plan
• 2019 Rideau-Rockcliffe By-election - Accessibility Plan (Abridged)
• 2019 Rideau-Rockcliffe By-election - Detailed Accessibility Plan
• How to Vote video

2019 Rideau-Rockcliffe By-election Candidate Updates

• Candidate Update 1
• Candidate Update 2
• Candidate Update 3
• Candidate Update 4
• Candidate Update 5
• Candidate Update 6

2018 Municipal Elections Results

• Official Results
• Poll-by-Poll Results

2018 Municipal Elections Candidate Updates

• Candidate Update 1
• Elections’ Interpretation Bulletin No. 1: Election Campaign Signs – Requirements under the Municipal Elections Act, 1996
• Candidate Update 2
• Candidate Update 3
• Candidate Update 4
• Candidate Update 5
• Candidate Update 6
• Corrections to Final Spending Limits for Parties and Other Expressions of Appreciation after Voting Day 
• Candidate Update 7
• Candidate Update 8
• Candidate Update 9
• Candidate Update 10
• Candidate Update 11
• Candidate Update 12

Prescribed Forms

• Nomination Paper (Form 1)
• Endorsement of Nomination (Form 2)
• Appointment of Voting Proxy (Form 3)
• Financial Statement - Auditor's Report - Candidate (Form 4)
• Financial Statement - Subsequent Expenses (Form 5)
• Notice of Extension of Campaign Period (Form 6)
• Notice of Registration - Third Party (Form 7)
• Financial Statement - Auditor's Report - Third Party (Form 8)
• Declaration of Identity (Form 9)

Presentations

• 2018 Municipal Elections Candidate and Third Party Advertiser Information Session - April 19, 2018
• 2018 Municipal Elections Candidate and Third Party Advertiser Information Session - August 8, 2018
• 2018 Municipal Elections Candidate and Third Party Advertiser Information Session - September 26, 2018
• 2018 Municipal Elections Candidate and Third Party Advertiser Information Session - November 8, 2018
• 2019 Rideau-Rockcliffe By-election Candidate and Third Party Advertiser Information Session - March 21, 2019

Reports

• Bill 181, the Municipal Elections Modernization Act, 2016 – Changes to the Municipal Elections Act, 1996
• Bill 68, the Modernizing Ontario’s Municipal Legislation Act, 2017 – Changes to the Municipal Act, 2001, the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act, and the Municipal Elections Act, 1996
• 2010 Municipal Elections – Report on Identification, Removal and Prevention of Barriers that Affect Electors and Candidates with Disabilities
• 2014 Municipal Elections – Accessibility Report
• 2018 Municipal Elections – Accessibility Report
• 2018 Municipal Elections – Candidate Compliance with Filing Requirements
• 2018 Municipal Elections – Registered Third Parties Compliance with Filing Requirements

List of Certified Candidates - 2019 Rideau-Rockcliffe By-Election

Please Note: All candidates may provide optional contact information (a telephone number, email address, and/or a link to their website or social media platform of choice) to the City of Ottawa Elections Office when filing their nomination papers. Candidate links are intended to help you access campaign information but do not constitute an endorsement of the website or content. By clicking a candidate link below, you will leave the City of Ottawa Elections website.

The City of Ottawa Elections Office does not operate, review, endorse or approve any external site nor are we responsible for the views, content, accuracy or display language of information presented by any external website. The City of Ottawa is not responsible or liable for any damages arising from linking to or using those sites. 

Last updated: March 20, 2019

List of the Registered Third Parties - 2019 Rideau-Rockcliffe By-Election

Please Note: All registered third parties may provide optional contact information (a telephone number, email address, and/or a link to their website or social media platform of choice) to the City of Ottawa Elections Office when filing their notice of registration. Registered third party links are intended to help you access campaign information but do not constitute an endorsement of the website or content. By clicking a registered third party link below, you will leave the City of Ottawa Elections website.

The City of Ottawa Elections Office does not operate, review, endorse or approve any external site nor are we responsible for the views, content, accuracy or display language of information presented by any external website. The City of Ottawa is not responsible or liable for any damages arising from linking to or using those sites. 

Registered Third Party

Last updated: January 30, 2019

Candidates cannot raise or spend any money on their campaign until they have filed a nomination paper and opened a bank account exclusively for the purposes of the election campaign.

Third parties cannot raise or spend any money on their campaign until they have filed a notice of registration and opened a bank account exclusively for the purposes of the election campaign.

Contributions to a candidate’s 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.

Any person who is a resident of Ontario may make a contribution to a candidate’s campaign.

The following persons and entities shall not make a contribution:

• 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. 

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. Any contribution of money must come directly from the contributor.

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.

Contributions to municipal and school board candidates, as well as registered third parties, are not tax deductible.

Contributions to a registered third party

The following persons and entities may make a contribution to a registered third party:

• 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 registered third party and, in the case of an individual, his or her spouse.

The following persons and entities shall not make a contribution to a registered third party:

• 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.
• The Crown in right of Canada or Ontario, a municipality or a local board. 

Contributors may contribute a total of $1,200 to a registered third party 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 third parties 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.

Program overview

Section 88.11 of the Municipal Elections Act, 1996 (the “MEA”), provides that a municipality may pass a by-law to allow for the payment of rebates to individuals who contribute to candidates for office of mayor or councillor, and may establish conditions under which such a rebate is paid.

Contribution Rebate Program

For the purposes of the contribution rebate program:

• “Individual” means an individual residing in the Province of Ontario; and
• “Participating candidate” means a candidate for an office on the municipal council who has submitted a completed application form to the Clerk for the purpose of participating in the contribution rebate program and who meets the requirements of By-law No. 2018-33.

By-law No. 2018-33 authorizes the establishment of the City of Ottawa’s Contribution Rebate Program. It allows for the payment of rebates to individuals who contribute to participating candidates running for municipal council.

Registered third parties and school board trustees are not eligible to participate in the contribution rebate program.

Campaign contributions to candidates for municipal office

Campaign contributions to candidates for municipal office are any money, goods or services given to the candidate for use in their campaign, including money and goods they contribute to their own campaign.

The total value of contributions from an individual cannot exceed $1,200. An individual may not contribute more than a total of $5,000 to two or more candidates for offices on the same municipal council.

Note: Municipal campaign contributions are not eligible for federal income tax purposes.

Candidates for municipal office 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 for municipal office cannot accept contributions from:

• Corporations;
• Trade unions;
• An individual who is not normally a resident of Ontario;
• A federal political party, constituency association, or a registered candidate in a federal election;
• A provincial political party, constituency association, or a registered candidate or leadership contestant; and
• A federal or provincial government, a municipality or a school board.

Contribution Rebate Program eligibility

Campaign contributions from individuals are only eligible for a rebate if both the contributor and participating candidate meet the requirements of By-law No. 2018-33.

The following are not eligible to receive a contribution rebate:

• A candidate or the candidate’s spouse; or
• The dependent child of a candidate.

Only a contribution of money accepted by the participating candidate during their campaign period will be eligible for the payment of a rebate. A contribution of money includes cash, a cheque or money order.

A minimum contribution of $25.01 is required to be eligible for the payment of a rebate. See the Contribution Rebate Calculations section for more information on the eligible rebate amounts a contributor may receive.

Participating in the Contribution Rebate Program

To participate in the contribution rebate program, candidates must fill out a Contribution Rebate Program Application form, and comply with the provisions of By-law No. 2018-33.

The Contribution Rebate Program Application form is provided to candidates when they file their nomination. Candidates may apply to participate in the program at any time between the time they file their nomination and Nomination Day (March 1, 2019).

Please note, individuals who make contributions to candidates are eligible for a rebate only once the candidate has applied for the contribution rebate program.

The Contribution Rebate Program Application form must be filed in person at the Elections Office, or by registered mail. If candidates submit a completed application via registered mail, they will receive a confirmation of receipt from the Elections Office.

The Contribution Rebate Program Application form must be filed and received no later than March 1, 2019, at 2 pm for a candidate to participate in the program. See the Contact the Elections Office section for information on where to submit the application form.

Complying with the Contribution Rebate Program

Participation in the contribution rebate program requires candidates to meet the requirements of By-law No. 2018-33.

Contributors are only eligible for the payment of a rebate if the participating candidates:

• Submit a completed Contribution Rebate Program Application form within the filing period;
• Issue a receipt, in the form prescribed by the Clerk, for each contribution made under the rebate program;
• File a financial statement and auditor’s report, including copies of receipts for all contributions, by the relevant filing date including any required supplementary audited financial statements;
• Have an auditor confirm the candidate has not exceeded their spending limit;
• Paid any surplus in accordance with section 88.32 of the MEA, within the time period stipulated by that section; and
• Pass the deadline for an application for a compliance audit under section 88.33 of the MEA, with no request for a compliance audit.

The Clerk will review the receipt filed by the contributor and the copy of the receipt filed by the participating candidate to ensure consistency. The Clerk may also request further information from the contributor or participating candidate to determine whether a rebate may be issued in accordance with the by-law.

Consult By-law No. 2018-33 for a comprehensive list of the conditions required for the payment of a rebate.

Contribution rebate receipts

Participating candidates must issue a receipt to a contributor, for every contribution received. The receipt is required to be in the form established by the Clerk, signed by a candidate or their agent, and should include the name of the contributor, the date the contribution is accepted, and its value.

If a candidate receives a cheque from a joint personal account, the receipt must be issued only to the person who signed the cheque. The contribution can only come from one person.

Candidates are required to list the names and addresses of every contributor who gives more than $100 total to their campaign on their financial statement. Candidates should keep a record of the names and addresses of every contributor, regardless of the value of their contribution, because the same contributor may make multiple contributions that end up totalling more than $100.

If an eligible contributor has lost their receipt, candidates are required to complete the following steps to ensure they receive a rebate:

• Photocopy both sides of the pink copy of the contribution rebate receipt;
• Re-sign the new photocopies;
• Indicate “reissued” on the photocopies;
• Have the contributors fill out the new photocopies and submit them to the Elections Office; and
• Provide the Elections Office with a list of which receipts, including the receipt numbers, were reissued.

Contributors applying for a contribution rebate

An individual who has made a campaign contribution and received the prescribed receipt from a participating candidate may apply to the Clerk for a rebate using the Application for the Payment of a Contribution Rebate form printed on the back of the prescribed receipt. 

To receive a rebate for contributions made on or before May 30, 2019, the contributor must submit a completed Application for the Payment of a Contribution Rebate form to the Clerk and it must be received no later than 2 pm on September 3, 2019.

If a candidate has extended their campaign, contributions made between May 31, 2019, and December 2, 2019, are eligible for a rebate. Contributors must submit a completed Application for the Payment of a Contribution Rebate form to the Clerk and it must be received no later than 2 pm on March 2, 2020.

Contribution rebates will not be issued until the participating candidate’s campaign period has ended, and the provisions of the by-law have been met.

Contribution rebate calculations

The following formula is used to calculate rebates to individuals who have contributed to participating candidates:

• If the contribution by an individual to a candidate is $25 or less, there is no rebate for that contribution;
• If the contribution by an individual to a candidate is equal to or greater than $25.01 and not more than $100, the rebate is 50% of the total contribution;
• If the contribution by an individual to a candidate is greater than $100, the rebate is $50 plus 25% of the amount by which the contribution exceeds $100; and
• The maximum rebate to an individual may not exceed $75.

If an individual makes more than one contribution to a single candidate, the formula noted above also applies. The rebate will be calculated using the sum of the contributions. For example, if an individual contributes $10, five different times to candidate X resulting in a total amount of $50, the individual is eligible for a rebate for their $50 contribution to candidate X.

The same formula applies if an individual makes a contribution to more than one candidate. The rebate will be calculated using the sum of the contributions, provided that no single contribution is less than $25.01. For example, if an individual contributes $20 to candidate X, and $50 to candidate Y, only the $50 contribution to candidate Y is eligible for a rebate.

January 30, 2019 - Nomination Period Begins

• First day for candidates to file a nomination paper for the office of councillor.  A candidate’s campaign period begins once their nomination paper has been filed, meaning they may begin accepting contributions and spending money on their campaign.
• First day for an individual, corporation, or trade union to file a notice of registration as a third party advertiser. The campaign period for a registered third party begins once their registration paper has been filed, meaning they may begin accepting contributions and spending money on their campaign.

February 14, 2019

• First day an election sign can be placed on private property.

March 1, 2019 - Nomination Day

• Candidates have until 2 pm to file their nomination paper. 
• A candidate who wishes to withdraw their nomination has until 2 pm to notify the Clerk by filing a written withdrawal.
• Nominations or withdrawals cannot be accepted after 2 pm.

March 16, 2019

• First day an election sign can be placed on public property.
• Voter's List revision period begins. 
  • Am I on the Voters’ List? search tool available, allowing electors to check if they are registered to vote and see how their information is currently presented on the voters’ list. Electors may use this tool from March 16 to March 30 to submit an application requesting that their information be updated or that their name be added to the voters’ list.
  • Electors may also submit a paper application requesting that their information be updated or that their name be added or removed from the voters’ list.

March 18, 2019

• Copies of the voters’ list available to certified candidates upon written request.

April 1, 2019

• Interim list of changes to the voters’ list to be provided to each certified candidate by this date.
• Final expense limits certificate to be provided to candidates and third parties by this date.

April 5, 2019 - Advance Vote Day

• First opportunity for electors to cast their ballot. Electors can cast their ballot between 10 am and 8 pm.

April 12, 2019

• Last day for an individual, corporation, or trade union to file a notice of registration as a third party advertiser. 
• Individuals, corporations, and trade unions have until 4:30 pm to file their notice of registration.

April 15, 2019 - Voting Day

• With the exception of institutions and retirement homes that may have reduced opening hours, voting places will open at 10 am and close at 8 pm.

April 16, 2019 – Declaration of Results and Declaration of Office

• The Clerk is expected to declare the results of the by-election official.
• The new Councillor-elect is expected to take the declaration of office, which is required to take the seat, under section 232 of the Municipal Act, 2001.

May 30, 2019 - Campaign Period Ends

• Campaign period ends for candidates and registered third parties, meaning they cannot accept any contributions or incur any expenses.
• Candidates or registered third parties that wish to extend their campaign, due to a deficit, must file a Notice of Extension of Campaign Period, Form 6 by this date.

May 31, 2019

• Last day for the Clerk to provide candidates and registered third parties with notice of the financial filing requirements and penalties.

June 28, 2019

• Last day for a candidate or registered third party to apply to the Superior Court of Justice to extend the time to file the financial statement.

July 2, 2019 - Deadline for Filing Financial Statements

By 2 pm:

• Last day for all candidates and registered third parties to file a financial statement and auditors' report for the reporting period ending on May 30, 2019.
• Last day for a candidate or registered third party to notify the Clerk in writing of a filing extension received from the Superior Court of Justice.

August 1, 2019

• Last day (by 2 pm) for a candidate or registered third party to file a primary financial statement and pay $500 late filing fee.
• Penalties take effect at 2:01 p.m.

September 30, 2019

• Last day for an elector to apply for a compliance audit of a candidate or registered third party’s campaign finances.

December 2, 2019 - End of the Supplementary Campaign Period

• Campaign period ends for candidates and registered third parties that extended their campaign, meaning they cannot accept any contributions or incur any expenses.
• Last day for the Clerk to provide candidates and registered third parties with notice of the filing requirements and penalties for supplementary financial statements and auditor’s reports.

December 31, 2019

• Last day for a candidate or registered third party to apply to the Superior Court of Justice to extend the time to file the financial statement.

January 2, 2020 - Deadline for Filing Supplementary Financial Statements

By 2 pm:

• Last day for those who filed a a Notice of Extension of Campaign Period, Form 6 to extend the campaign period to file a financial statement and auditors’ report for the reporting period ending December 2, 2019.
• Last day for a candidate or registered third party to notify the Clerk of a filing extension received from the Superior Court of Justice.

February 3, 2020

• Last day (by 2 pm) for a candidate or registered third party to file a supplementary financial statement and pay $500 late filing fee.
• Penalties take effect at 2:01 pm.

April 1, 2020

• Last day for an elector to apply for a compliance audit on a candidate or registered third party’s supplementary financial statement.