Making a Sponsorship Contribution

This page applies to the 2022 General Local Elections and subsequent local elections. For information about making a sponsorship contribution at the provincial level, see our provincial Making a Sponsorship Contribution page.

 

Individuals who wish to contribute to a local elections third party sponsor or non-election assent voting advertising sponsor are obligated to follow the rules outlined in the Local Elections Campaign Financing Act. Local elections in B.C. include but are not limited to elections for Mayor, Councillor, Electoral Area Director and Board of Education Trustee. The rules are outlined below and apply to contributions of money, property or services.

If you have questions or need more information, please contact:

Electoral Finance
Elections BC
1-800-661-8683
electoral.finance@elections.bc.ca

Can I make a sponsorship contribution?

You can make a sponsorship contribution if you are:

• a resident of B.C., and
• a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.

Organizations cannot make sponsorship contributions or reimburse individuals for making sponsorship contributions.

What is a sponsorship contribution?

A sponsorship contribution is the amount of money, or the value of non-monetary property or services, provided without compensation to an individual or organization for sponsorship use. It also includes:

• property or services provided at less than market value to a third party sponsor,
• property or services purchased from a third party sponsor above market value, or
• any amount of an unpaid debt or loan incurred by the third party sponsor.

Can I be reimbursed for my contribution?

No. Sponsorship contributions must be made using an individual’s own money or property. Sponsorship contributions cannot be made indirectly with the money or property of another person, or be reimbursed by another person.

How much can I contribute?

In 2023, you can give a total of $1,324.00 to each third party sponsor or non-election assent voting advertising sponsor.

The sponsorship contribution limit will be adjusted at the start of each calendar year. 

Calendar Year	Sponsorship Contribution Limit
2023	$1,324.00
2022	$1,250.00
2021	$1,239.18

Will my contribution be reported publicly?

If you give $100 or more to a third party sponsor or non-election assent voting advertising sponsor your name and contribution amount will be published in our Financial Reports and Political Contributions System (FRPC).

Will I get a tax receipt?

No. Sponsorship contributions are not eligible for tax receipts.

Are cryptocurrency contributions allowed?

Yes. Sponsorship contributions of cryptocurrency and non-fungible tokens (NFTs) are allowed. The value of a contribution of cryptocurrency or NFTs is the market value at the time the contribution was made. The contribution rules under LECFA apply to contributions of cryptocurrency and NFTs, including contribution limits and the provision of required contributor information.

Are there any other restrictions I should know?

• Anonymous contributions must be $50 or less and be truly anonymous (e.g., via a donation box at an event). Individuals who provide money directly to a third party sponsor cannot request that their contribution be listed as anonymous.
• There are serious penalties for breaking the sponsorship contribution rules established by the Local Elections Campaign Financing Act, including monetary penalties of up to double the amount of the contribution made in contravention of the rules.

Please note that contributions to local elections candidates and elector organizations are not sponsorship contributions and have different rules outlined here: Making a Campaign Contribution.