And they’re off!!

It’s official, Canada is going to the polls on April 28th, 2025.

As a Canadian charity, or non-profit organization, what does this mean for you and how should you prepare and respond? I’m in Ottawa this week for meetings but wanted to share a few tips from a previous newsletter. ​

What Happens During an Election?

When an election is called, the federal government enters a period known as the "writ period" or "caretaker mode." During this time, major spending and policy decisions are typically suspended.

This can be a great time to reach out to public servants, who are still hard at work, and update them on your organization and what you are doing. Remember–they will still be hard at work whatever the outcome of the election. If you are looking for contact information for a specific federal department, check out the Government’s Electronic Directory service, GEDS: Welcome​

This is also when specific rules for registered charities are triggered.

Key Rules for Registered Charities during elections:

What you CAN do:

✔ Provide information about party platforms. But don’t endorse any of them.

✔ Give information about how MPs have voted on a particular piece of legislation (or elected officials at other levels of government).

But don’t single out MPs.

✔ Give information about your charity’s position on issues (Note: Special rules apply if you are doing paid advertising).

✔ Give information to political candidates about your charity’s positions.

✔ Publish op-eds on issues.

✔ Use your social media platforms, website, email lists to share election information (such as how to vote).

✔ Invite candidates to visit your facility or program (candidates must pay their own costs). Nonpartisan rules require you to invite all candidates.

What you CAN’T do:

X Use any of your charity’s resources –including volunteers – to support or oppose a party or candidate.

X Give unequal treatment to parties or candidates. For example, if you invite a candidate to an event you must invite all candidates.

X the Income Tax Act prohibits a charity from devoting any part of its resources to the direct or indirect support of, or opposition to, any political party or candidate for public office.”

X Encourage your communities to vote for or against a party or candidate.

(Credit: Imagine Canada and Ontario Nonprofit Network)

Note that these rules do not apply to non-profit organizations, but they are still good principles to keep in mind​​