What is Election Advertising?
Definition
Election advertising is advertising used during 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, including an advertising message that takes a position on an issue with which a registered political party or candidate is associated, but does not include:
(a) the publication without charge of news, an editorial, an interview, a column, a letter, a debate, a speech or a commentary in a bona fide periodical publication or a radio or television program
(b) the distribution of a book, or the promotion of the sale of a book, for no less than its commerical value, if the book was planned to be made available to the public regardless of whether there was to be an election
(c) the transmission of a document directly by a person or a group to their members, employees or shareholders, or
(d) the transmission by an individual, on a non-commercial basis on the internet, or by telephone or text messaging, of his or her personal political views.
Organizations or individuals, other than candidates, registered political parties and registered constituency associations, who wish to sponsor election advertising are considered to be election advertising sponsors. In contrast, conducting advertising on behalf of a candidate or registered political party is not election advertising but rather an election expense of that candidate or registered political party.
Election Advertising Sponsors must be Registered
Anyone who is not registered with Elections BC must not sponsor election advertising. Registration is free. See Election Advertising Sponsor - Application for Registration.
A candidate, registered political party or registered constituency association is not required to be registered as a sponsor if the individual or organization is required to file an election financing report by which the election advertising is disclosed as an election expense.
Election Advertising Spending Limits
Third-party election advertising sponsors must not sponsor election advertising during the campaign period with a value more than:
(a) $3,000 in relation to a single electoral district, and
(b) $150,000 overall.
Election Advertising must indicate Sponsorship
Election advertising must not be conducted (or published) unless it identifies the name of the sponsor, indicates that the sponsor is registered under the Election Act and indicates that it was authorized by the sponsor. Also, the advertising must give a British Columbia mailing address or telephone number at which the sponsor may be contacted. For example:
Authorized by Jane Doe, registered sponsor, (604) 123-4567.
Election Advertising Disclosure Reports are Required
Election advertising sponsors must file election advertising disclosure reports with the Chief Electoral Officer within 90 days after General Voting Day. Download the reporting forms from our Forms Library.
View the current list of Registered Election Advertising Sponsors.
