Making a Campaign Contribution

This page applies to local elections. For information about making a political contribution at the provincial level, see our provincial Making a Political Contribution page.

 

Individuals who wish to contribute to a local elections candidate or elector organization are legally 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 campaign contribution?

You can make a campaign contribution if you are:

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

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

What is a campaign contribution?

A campaign contribution is the amount of money, or the value of non-monetary property or services, provided without compensation to a local elections candidate for campaign use or to an elector organization for any use. It also includes:

• property or services provided at less than market value to a candidate or elector organization,
• property or services purchased from a candidate or elector organization above market value,
• fundraising function tickets greater than $50, and
• membership fees for an elector organization.

When can I make a campaign contribution?

Campaign contributions can be made at any time, including after an election. Source restrictions and contribution limits apply to all contributions, no matter when the contribution is made.

Can I be reimbursed for my contribution?

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

How much can I contribute?

For 2024, you can give a total of $1,370.68 to a local elections candidate or elector organization per campaign.

For a local by-election held in 2024, unendorsed candidates may contribute an additional $1,370.68 to their own campaign, and a group of endorsed candidates may contribute an additional $1,370.68 in total to the campaign of the elector organization.

The campaign contribution limit is adjusted at the start of each calendar year.

Calendar Year	Campaign Contribution Limit
2024	$1,370.68
2023	$1,324.00
2022	$1,250.00
2021	$1,239.18
2020	$1,224.60
2019	$1,200
2018	$1,200

Will my contribution be reported publicly?

If you give $100 or more to a local elections candidate or elector organization (e.g., for the 2022 General Local Elections) your name and contribution amount will be published in our Financial Reports and Political Contributions System (FRPC).

Will I get a tax receipt?

No. Campaign contributions to local elections candidates and elector organizations are not eligible for tax receipts.

Are cryptocurrency contributions allowed?

Yes. Campaign 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 candidate cannot request that their contribution be listed as anonymous.
• Individuals contributing to candidates or elector organizations in more than one jurisdiction must specify which campaign each contribution is to be used in.
• There are serious penalties for breaking the campaign 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 third party advertising sponsors and non-election assent voting advertising sponsors are NOT campaign contributions and have different rules. See the Making a Sponsorship Contribution page for more information.