Leadership Contests
The Election Act contains financing provisions which apply to leadership contests.
A political party should advise Elections BC as soon as practicable of the date of a leadership contest and the contact information for all contestants so that Elections BC can ensure that contestants are aware of the financing rules.
A leadership contestant is an individual seeking the leadership of a registered political party, whether or not any other individual seeks that leadership, and includes an individual who becomes a leadership contestant or who was a leadership contestant.
Each leadership contestant must appoint an individual to act as their financial agent, or act as his or her own financial agent. Financial agent appointment forms can be found here: www.elections.bc.ca/index.php/resource-centre/forms/#C.
The financial agent must record all expenses incurred and all contributions received by the contestant in relation to the contest. Leadership contestant expenses may only be incurred by the financial agent or a person authorized in writing by the financial agent.
There are no expenses limits for leadership contestants under the Election Act. However, parties may establish limits for their contestants; such limits are outside the jurisdiction of Elections BC.
The financial agent for each leadership contestant must file a financial report within 90 days after a leader is selected. This applies even if the new leader is acclaimed.
Further information can be found in the Guide for Financial Agents Appointed Under the Election Act.
