HER MAJESTY, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of British Columbia, enacts as follows:

1 Section 198 of the Election Act, R.S.B.C. 1996 c. 106 is amended by repealing section 198 and substituting the following:

Election expenses limit for registered political parties

198  (1) In respect of a general election conducted in accordance with section 23 (2) of the Constitution Act, the total value of election expenses incurred by a registered political party,

(a) during the period beginning 60 days before the campaign period must not exceed $1.1 million, and

(b) during the campaign period must not exceed $4.4 million.

(2) In respect of a general election conducted other than in accordance with section 23 (2) of the Constitution Act, the total value of election expenses incurred by a registered political party during the campaign period must not exceed $4.4 million.

(3) In respect of a by-election, the total value of election expenses incurred by a registered political party during the campaign period must not exceed $70 000.

(4) If a campaign period in an electoral district is extended under section 65 (2) as a result of the death of a candidate, the election expenses limit under subsection (1), (2) or (3) is increased by $70 000 in respect of the electoral district.

2 Section 199 of the Election Act, is amended by repealing section 199 and substituting the following:

Election expenses limit for candidates

199  (1) In respect of a general election conducted in accordance with section 23 (2) of the Constitution Act, the total value of election expenses incurred by a candidate,

(a) during the period beginning 60 days before the campaign period must not exceed $70 000, and

(b) during the campaign period must not exceed $70 000.

(2) In respect of an election conducted other than in accordance with section 23 (2) of the Constitution Act, the total value of election expenses incurred by a candidate during the campaign period must not exceed $70 000.

(3) If a campaign period is extended under section 65 (2) as a result of the death of a candidate, the election expenses limit under subsection (1) or (2),

(a) applies to a candidate who is nominated after the date the new election proceedings are started, and

(b) is $140 000 for a candidate who was nominated before the new election proceedings were started.

 
Explanatory Note

This Bill would restore pre-campaign spending limits on political candidates and political organizations which were removed in the spring of 2015. Candidates and parties would be limited on what they can spend in the 60 days leading up to the campaign period. The pre-campaign spending limits help to restrict the undemocratic role of big money in British Columbia politics.