TORONTO — Ontario's Progressive Conservative government introduced legislation Thursday that would reform the province's election laws. Here are some of the amendments included in the bill:
- Extend the $637,200 spending limit placed on third-party advertisers from six months before an election to a year.
- Double the amount individuals can donate to a party, candidate or constituency association from $1,650 to $3,300 a year.
- Extend the per-vote subsidy provided to each party (63 cents per vote) until Dec. 31, 2024.
- Extend the number of advance polling days from five to 10.
- Give Elections Ontario more enforcement powers and the ability to fine individuals or groups it deems to have violated election rules.
- Fines for election rules violations would range from $1,500 for individuals to $100,000 for third-party groups, including corporations or unions.
- Level the fundraising playing field for independent legislators, who would be allowed to raise money outside of election periods, keep surpluses and qualify for voter subsidies.
- Allow politicians to keep their individual social media accounts before, during and after an election, without having to create new accounts for a writ period.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 25, 2021.
The Canadian Press
