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Contributions

 

What is a Contribution?

A contribution is a donation of money, property, or services (including advertising) to be used during the campaign period.

The value of any non-monetary contribution is based on its fair market value (how much the goods or services would normally cost).

Contributions do not include volunteer labour or goods produced by volunteer labour; however, any goods or services provided by a person who normally charges for those goods or services are considered contributions.

Types of Contributions

Monetary

  • cash donations from individuals or organizations;
  • profits from the sale of tickets to a campaign event.

Non-monetary

  • donation of goods;
  • use of a property (such as office space);
  • donation of services.

Receiving Contributions

Who can contribute?

Only residents of the Northwest Territories are eligible to make contributions to a campaign. This includes:

  • individuals who are currently resident in the NWT;
  • a corporation that has an office or conducts business in the NWT;
  • an association or organization that operates in the NWT.

Anonymous contributions

Anonymous contributions up to a maximum of $100 per donor may be accepted. The donor must be an eligible contributor.

Anonymous contributions need to be recorded and the total cumulative amount of anonymous contributions for a campaign must not exceed $1,500.

Who can receive contributions?

Contributions can only be received by the Official Agent, or a person who has been authorized in writing by the Official Agent to accept contributions.

When contributions can be accepted

Contributions can only be accepted once the campaign period begins. The campaign period begins as soon as a Nomination Contestant becomes an official candidate, and ends on polling day.

No contributions may be accepted during the pre-election period.

The Official Agent of any candidate who runs a campaign deficit may continue to collect contributions for up to 60 days after polling day in order to reduce that deficit. This must not delay the submission of the Candidate’s Financial Report.

Limits and restrictions

The maximum total amount that any individual, corporation, association, or organization can contribute to a candidate’s campaign is $1,500.

The only exception to the $1,500 limit is for the value of non-monetary contributions of transportation services or the use of office premises.

All non-eligible contributions that have been accepted must be returned to the contributor as soon as possible.

If an Official Agent receives a contribution that exceeds the limit, they must either:

  • return the amount that exceeds the limit as soon as possible, or
  • provide the amount that exceeds the limit to the Chief Electoral Officer if the donor cannot be identified

Recording Contributions

Campaign contributions are recorded in Section Three of the Candidate’s Financial Report.

Monetary Contributions

For monetary contributions exceeding $100, the Official Agent must record the full name and address of each contributor. Monetary contributions must be recorded in Parts 1 and 2 of Section Three of the Candidate’s Financial Report.

If a candidate uses their own funds to promote their candidacy during an election period, and is not reimbursed by their Official Agent from contributions received, that amount is considered a contribution and must be recorded.

All contributions for which an official receipt is issued, regardless of the amount, must be recorded with the full name and address of each contributor.

Anonymous Contributions

List each individual contribution in the main table in Part 1 and 2 of Section Three of the Candidate’s Financial Report, entering “Anonymous” in the “Name” column and leaving the address and official receipt columns blank.

Monetary Contributions Received After the Campaign Period

Contributions received to reduce a campaign deficit during the 60 business day period after polling day must be recorded in Part 2 of Section Three of the Candidate’s Financial Report.

Non-Monetary Contributions

Non-monetary contributions must be recorded at their fair market value. This is the amount that donated goods or services would normally cost if purchased outright. Non-monetary contributions must be recorded in Part 3 of Section Three of the candidate’s Financial Report.