New Council Interpretation Released
to Reflect Changes to the Canada Elections Act

The federal government Bill C-24, An Act to Amend the Canada Elections Act and the Income Tax Act (political financing), received royal assent on June 19, 2003. These legislative amendments, most of which came into force on January 1, 2004, required certain revisions to Council Interpretation 204B - Canada Elections Act, which Council approved in April 2004.

Updated versions of the Council Interpretations are now available for reference and/or downloading under the Members Section of the Institute website.  If you would prefer, printed copies can be picked up at the Institute office or will be mailed upon request.

In light of the upcoming federal election, you are reminded that the Rule 204 and the related Council Interpretation 204B provides specific guidance and restrictions on who may audit a return of a candidate or political party, in addition to those contained in the Canada Elections Act.  The Rules and Council Interpretations can both be found on the Institute website. A copy can also be obtained on request by contacting Cindy Mombourquette at the Institute office.

To further assist members, the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants (CICA) has produced A Guide for the Auditor of a Candidate in a Federal Election.  An electronic version of this guide is currently available online at www.cica.ca.  Elections Canada will also be distributing the printed guide to candidates. The purpose of the publication is to provide practical guidance to auditors reporting on the Candidate’s Return Respecting Election Expenses and to candidates and their official agents on the significant accounting and financial reporting requirements of the Canada Elections Act.

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