Advertising Limits

The Election Financing Act (EFA) limits the amount political parties and candidates can spend on advertising. There are two different rules that apply:

1) Advertising limit during the pre-election period for a fixed date election [s.58(1) for registered parties, s.58(2) for candidates]

2) Advertising limit for the election period [s.51(2) for registered parties, s.52(2) for candidates]

The limit for the pre-election period (90 days before the writ) is separate and in addition to the limit for the election period (writ day to election day).

The Limits

Advertising limits for the pre-election period:

For a registered party: $351,835
For a candidate: $8,533

At the beginning of each year in which a fixed date election will be held, the limits are adjusted for inflation using CPI (Consumer Price Index) [s.59(1)].

Advertising limits for the election period:

Per voter dollar rate x number of voters on the voters list

How does the EFA define advertising?

Any advertising that directly or indirectly promotes or opposes a registered party or a candidate, including [s.115]:

in newspapers, magazines or other periodicals, or on the Internet,
on radio or television, or
on billboards, buses or other property normally used for commercial advertising.

It includes direct production costs.

Elections Manitoba

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