Her Excellency the Governor General recommends to the House of Commons the appropriation of public revenue under the circumstances, in the manner and for the purposes set out in a measure entitled “An Act to amend the Canada Elections Act and to enact An Act to change the names of certain electoral districts, 2026”.

This enactment amends the Canada Elections Act to, among other things,

The enactment also enacts a statute to change the name of certain electoral districts as a result of proposals by the members of the House of Commons who represent those electoral districts.

His Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate and House of Commons of Canada, enacts as follows:

List in Canada Gazette

25 Between the 1st and 20th days of January in each year, the Chief Electoral Officer shall publish a list in the Canada Gazette of the name, Insertion start municipality, or its equivalent, and province of residence Insertion end and occupation of the returning officer for each electoral district in Canada.

Contravention of section 92.‍3

(2.‍1) A nomination is not to be refused on the ground that an elector who signed the prospective candidate’s nomination paper contravened section 92.‍3.

Conveying false or misleading information — nomination paper

92.‍1 No person or entity shall convey or cause to be conveyed false or misleading information to be included in a nomination paper.

Filing nomination paper — false or misleading information

92.‍2 No person who files a nomination paper under section 67 shall include false or misleading information in the nomination paper.

Signing multiple nomination papers

92.‍3 No person shall sign, for a given election, as an elector referred to in paragraph 66(1)‍(e) or (f), the nomination paper of more than one prospective candidate.

Preliminary lists to parties

(1.‍1) The Chief Electoral Officer shall make available in electronic form or in formats that include electronic form, to each registered party or eligible party that requests them, the preliminary lists of electors for an electoral district in respect of which a writ has been issued Insertion start if the party Insertion end

• Start of inserted block

  (a) was represented in the House of Commons on the day before the day on which the writ was issued;

• (b) endorsed a candidate in one of the last two elections in that electoral district; or

• (c) endorsed candidates in at least two thirds of all electoral districts in the last general election.

  End of inserted block

Electoral Boundaries Readjustment Act

(1.‍2) For the purposes of paragraph (1.‍1)‍(b), if the boundaries of an electoral district are revised or a new electoral district is established as a result of a representation order referred to in section 25 of the Electoral Boundaries Readjustment Act, a candidate who, in one of those last two elections, was endorsed in an electoral district that coincides with all or part of the revised electoral district or new electoral district is considered to have been endorsed in the revised or new electoral district.

Prohibitions in Relation to Voting Insertion start at an Election Insertion end

• (f) alter, deface or destroy a ballot, Insertion start a special ballot Insertion end , the initials of the election officer that are signed on a ballot or the number of the polling division or advance polling district that is marked on a ballot;

• (i) destroy, take, open or otherwise interfere with a ballot box, Insertion start inner or outer envelope Insertion end or book or packet of ballots or special ballots otherwise than as provided by this Act or by instructions of the Chief Electoral Officer.

Undue influence by foreigners

282.‍4 (1) No person or entity referred to in any of paragraphs (a) to Insertion start (d) Insertion end shall unduly influence an elector to vote or refrain from voting, or to vote or refrain from voting for a particular candidate, Insertion start potential candidate Insertion end , registered party or Insertion start eligible party Insertion end , at Insertion start an Insertion end election:

• (b) a corporation or entity incorporated, formed or otherwise organized outside Canada Insertion start if it Insertion end does not carry on business in Canada or Insertion start one of the primary activities that it carries on Insertion end in Canada Insertion start consists of doing anything Insertion end to influence electors to vote or refrain from voting, or to vote or refrain from voting for a particular candidate, Insertion start potential candidate Insertion end , registered party or Insertion start eligible party Insertion end , at Insertion start an Insertion end election;

• Start of inserted block

  (d) a foreign economic entity, a foreign entity, a foreign power or a foreign state, as those expressions are defined in subsection 2(1) of the Foreign Interference and Security of Information Act.

  End of inserted block

Meaning of unduly influencing

(2) For the purposes of subsection (1), a person or entity unduly influences an elector to vote or refrain from voting, or to vote or refrain from voting for a particular candidate, Insertion start potential candidate Insertion end , registered party or Insertion start eligible party Insertion end , at an election if

• (a) they knowingly incur any expense to directly promote or oppose a candidate, Insertion start potential candidate Insertion end , registered party or Insertion start eligible party Insertion end or the leader of a registered party Insertion start or eligible party; or Insertion end

Exceptions

(3) For greater certainty, subsection (1) does not apply if the only thing done by the person or entity to influence the elector to vote or refrain from voting, or to vote or refrain from voting for the particular candidate, Insertion start potential candidate Insertion end , registered party or Insertion start eligible party Insertion end , consists of

• (b) a statement by them that encourages the elector to vote or refrain from voting for any candidate, Insertion start potential candidate Insertion end , registered party or Insertion start eligible party Insertion end in the election; or

Selling advertising space

(5) No person or entity shall sell any advertising space to a person or entity to whom subsection (1) applies for the purpose of enabling that person or entity to transmit an election advertising message or Insertion start partisan advertising message Insertion end or to cause an election advertising message or Insertion start partisan advertising message Insertion end to be transmitted.

Offering bribe

282.‍7 (1) No person shall, directly or indirectly, offer a bribe to influence an elector to vote or refrain from voting, or to vote or refrain from voting for a particular candidate, Insertion start potential candidate Insertion end , registered party or Insertion start eligible party Insertion end , at Insertion start an Insertion end election.

Accepting bribe

(2) No person shall accept or agree to accept a bribe that is offered to them to vote or refrain from voting, or to vote or refrain from voting for a particular candidate, Insertion start potential candidate Insertion end , registered party or Insertion start eligible party Insertion end , at Insertion start an Insertion end election.

Prohibition — use of broadcasting station outside Canada

330 (1) No person shall, with intent to influence persons to vote or refrain from voting, or to vote or refrain from voting for a particular candidate, Insertion start potential candidate, nomination contestant, leadership contestant Insertion end , registered party or Insertion start eligible party Insertion end , at an election, Insertion start nomination contest or leadership contest Insertion end , use a broadcasting station outside Canada, or aid, abet, counsel or procure the use of a broadcasting station outside Canada, for the broadcasting of any matter having reference to an election, Insertion start nomination contest or leadership contest Insertion end .

• (a) in Insertion start Divisions Insertion end 0.‍1 Insertion start and 0.‍2 Insertion end , a person or a group other than

Prohibitions Insertion start in Relation to Insertion end Foreign Insertion start Property, Services and Insertion end Funds

advertising means the transmission to the public by any means of an advertising message that promotes or opposes a registered party or eligible party or the election of a potential candidate, nomination contestant, Insertion start leadership contestant Insertion end , candidate or leader of a registered party or eligible party, otherwise than by taking a position on an issue with which any such party or person is associated. For greater certainty, it does not include

• Start of inserted block

  (g) the making of telephone calls to persons only to encourage them to vote at a nomination contest or leadership contest.‍ (publicité)

  End of inserted block

• (b) a corporation or entity incorporated, formed or otherwise organized outside Canada Insertion start if it Insertion end does not carry on business in Canada or Insertion start one of the primary activities that it carries Insertion end on in Canada consists of doing anything to influence electors to vote or refrain from voting, or to vote or refrain from voting for a particular candidate, Insertion start potential candidate Insertion end , registered party or Insertion start eligible party Insertion end , at an election;

• Start of inserted block

  (d) a foreign economic entity, a foreign entity, a foreign power or a foreign state, as those expressions are defined in subsection 2(1) of the Foreign Interference and Security of Information Act.

  End of inserted block

• (b) in relation to the election of a potential candidate, nomination contestant, Insertion start leadership contestant Insertion end , candidate or leader of a registered party or eligible party,

• (i) nommer le candidat potentiel, le candidat à l’investiture, Insertion start le candidat à la direction, Insertion end le candidat ou le chef de parti,

Definition of partisan activity

349.‍011 For the purposes of this Division, the definition partisan activity in section 349 also includes an activity that promotes or opposes a leadership contestant.

Prohibition — provision of property, services or funds

349.‍012 No foreign entity shall provide property or services or transfer funds to a third party for a partisan activity, for advertising, including election advertising and partisan advertising, or for an election survey.

Prohibition — circumventing prohibition under section 349.‍012

349.‍013 No foreign entity shall

• (a) circumvent or attempt to circumvent the prohibition under section 349.‍012; or

• (b) act in collusion with another person or entity for that purpose.

  End of inserted block

Prohibition — use of foreign property, services or funds

349.‍02 No third party shall use Insertion start property, services or Insertion end funds for a partisan activity, for advertising, Insertion start including Insertion end election advertising Insertion start and partisan advertising Insertion end , or for an election survey if the source of the Insertion start property, services or Insertion end funds is a foreign entity.

DIVISION 0.‍2 

Prohibition on Accepting Certain Contributions

Prohibition — cryptoasset, money order or payment product

• (a) a cryptoasset, namely a digital asset protected by cryptographic measures;

• (b) a money order; or

• (c) a prepaid payment product, namely a physical or electronic product that is or can be loaded with funds and that can be used to make withdrawals or purchase goods or services.

  End of inserted block

Return of cryptoasset, money order or payment product

• (a) return the contribution unused to the contributor;

• (b) if it is not possible to return the contribution, destroy it unused;

• (c) if it is not possible to return or destroy the contribution, convert it into money and pay the amount of it to the Chief Electoral Officer, who shall forward that amount to the Receiver General.

  End of inserted block

• (i) it does not carry on business in Canada or Insertion start one of the primary activities that it carries Insertion end on in Canada during a pre-election period consists of doing anything to influence electors during that period to vote or refrain from voting, or to vote or refrain from voting for a particular candidate, Insertion start potential candidate Insertion end , registered party or Insertion start eligible party Insertion end , at the following election, and

List of Canadian contributors

(2.‍1) If subsection 349.‍95(1) applies to the third party, the interim third-party expenses return shall include the following for each Canadian individual whose contributions of a total amount of more than $200 were used to pay for the regulated expenses under that subsection:

• (a) their name and address;

• (b) the amount of each contribution;

• (c) a list of the property or services that was contributed; and

• (d) the date each contribution was made.

  End of inserted block

• (a) the amount of contributions for partisan activity, partisan advertising, election advertising or election survey purposes that were received during the period referred to in paragraph (1)‍(a);

• (b) for each contributor who made contributions of a total amount of more than $200 for partisan activity, partisan advertising, election advertising or election survey purposes during the period referred to in paragraph (1)‍(a), their name and address and the amount and date of each contribution; and

Prohibition — use of anonymous contributions

349.‍94 No third party shall use a contribution for the purpose of any of the following if the third party does not know the name and address of the contributor:

Limitation on expenses

349.‍95 (1) A third party shall use only contributions from Canadian individuals to pay for regulated expenses and shall use, as regulated expenses, only property or services that are contributions from Canadian individuals.

Own funds

(2) However, if the total amount of contributions received, from all sources and for any purpose, by the third party during the previous year is equal to or less than 10% of its revenue for that year, the third party may use its own funds, namely funds that are not contributions made to it, to pay for regulated expenses and may use, as regulated expenses, property or services that it has provided. In that case, the third party shall include a statement, prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, of its revenues and expenses for that year in the third-party expenses return referred to in section 359.

Excluded amounts

(3) For the purposes of subsection (2), grants and contributions received from the Government of Canada or of a province or from a municipality are not included in determining the third party’s revenue for the previous year.

Previous year — choice of third party

(4) For the purposes of subsections (2) and (3), the third party may choose as their previous year either

• (a) the calendar year that precedes the calendar year in which a pre-election period occurs, or

• (b) the fiscal year that precedes the fiscal year in which a pre-election period occurs.

  End of inserted block

Non-application

(5) This section does not apply in respect of a third party who is an individual or a third party that is not required to register under subsection 349.‍6(1).

Definitions

(6) The following definitions apply in this section.

Canadian individual means an individual who is a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident as defined in subsection 2(1) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.‍ (particulier canadien)

regulated expenses means any of the following expenses:

• (a) partisan activity expenses in relation to partisan activities that are carried out during a pre-election period;

• (b) partisan advertising expenses in relation to partisan advertising messages that are transmitted during that period; and

• (c) election survey expenses in relation to election surveys that are conducted during that period.‍ (dépenses réglementées)

  End of inserted block

• (i) it does not carry on business in Canada or Insertion start one of the Insertion end primary Insertion start activities that it carries on Insertion end in Canada during an election period Insertion start consists of doing anything Insertion end to influence electors during that period to vote or refrain from voting, or to vote or refrain from voting for a particular candidate, Insertion start potential candidate Insertion end , registered party or Insertion start eligible party Insertion end , at the election, and

List of Canadian contributors

(2.‍1) If subsection 349.‍95(1) or 358(1) applies to the third party, the interim third-party expenses return shall include the following for each Canadian individual whose contributions of a total amount of more than $200 were used to pay for the regulated expenses under that subsection:

• (a) their name and address;

• (b) the amount of each contribution;

• (c) a list of the property or services that was contributed; and

• (d) the date each contribution was made.

  End of inserted block

• (a) the amount of contributions for partisan activity, partisan advertising, election advertising or election survey purposes that were received during the period referred to in paragraph (1)‍(b);

• (b) for each contributor who made contributions of a total amount of more than $200 for partisan activity, partisan advertising, election advertising or election survey purposes during the period referred to in paragraph (1)‍(b), their name and address and the amount and date of each contribution; and

Prohibition — use of anonymous contributions

357.‍1 No third party shall use a contribution for the purpose of any of the following if the third party does not know the name and address of the contributor:

Limitation on expenses

358 (1) A third party shall use only contributions from Canadian individuals to pay for regulated expenses and shall use, as regulated expenses, only property or services that are contributions from Canadian individuals.

Own funds

(2) However, if the total amount of contributions received, from all sources and for any purpose, by the third party during the previous year is equal to or less than 10% of its revenue for that year, the third party may use its own funds, namely funds that are not contributions made to it, to pay for regulated expenses and may use, as regulated expenses, property or services that it has provided. In that case, the third party shall include a statement, prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, of its revenues and expenses for that year in the third-party expenses return referred to in section 359.

Excluded amounts

(3) For the purposes of subsection (2), grants and contributions received from the Government of Canada or of a province or from a municipality are not included in determining the third party’s revenue for the previous year.

Previous year — choice of third party

(4) For the purposes of subsections (2) and (3), the third party may choose as their previous year either

• (a) the calendar year that precedes the calendar year in which an election period occurs, or

• (b) the fiscal year that precedes the fiscal year in which an election period occurs.

  End of inserted block

Non-application

(5) This section does not apply in respect of a third party who is an individual or a third party that is not required to register under subsection 353(1).

Definitions

(6) The following definitions apply in this section.

Canadian individual means an individual who is a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident as defined in subsection 2(1) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.‍ (particulier canadien)

regulated expenses means any of the following expenses:

• (a) partisan activity expenses in relation to partisan activities that are carried out during an election period;

• (b) election advertising expenses in relation to election advertising messages that are transmitted during that period; and

• (c) election survey expenses in relation to election surveys that are conducted during that period.‍ (dépenses réglementées)

  End of inserted block

Measures taken

(3.‍1) If section 349.‍05 applies to the third party, the third-party expenses return shall set out the measures that the third party has taken in accordance with that section.

Statement of revenues and expenses

(3.‍2) If subsection 349.‍95(2) or 358(2) applies to the third party, the third-party expenses return shall include the statement of its revenues and expenses referred to in that subsection.

List of Canadian contributors

(3.‍3) If subsection 349.‍95(1) or 358(1) applies to the third party, the third-party expenses return shall include the following for each Canadian individual whose contributions of a total amount of more than $200 were used to pay for the regulated expenses under that subsection:

• (a) their name and address;

• (b) the amount of each contribution;

• (c) a list of the property or services that was contributed; and

• (d) the date each contribution was made.

  End of inserted block

• (a) the amount of contributions for partisan activity, partisan advertising, election advertising or election survey purposes that were received during the period beginning on the day after polling day at the general election previous to the polling day referred to in subsection (1) and ending on the polling day referred to in that subsection;

• (b) for each contributor who made contributions of a total amount of more than $200 for partisan activity, partisan advertising, election advertising or election survey purposes during the period referred to in paragraph (a), their name and address and the amount and date of each contribution; and

Names to be provided

(7) If the third party is unable to identify which contributions were received during the period referred to in paragraph (4)‍(a) for partisan activity, partisan advertising, election advertising or election survey purposes, the third-party expenses return shall include the names and addresses of every contributor who contributed a total of more than $200 to it during that period.

PART 17.‍1 

Prohibitions in Relation to Voting at a Nomination Contest or Leadership Contest

Application

Undue influence by foreigners

• (a) an individual who is not a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident as defined in subsection 2(1) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and who does not reside in Canada;

• (b) a corporation or entity incorporated, formed or otherwise organized outside Canada if it does not carry on business in Canada or one of the primary activities that it carries on in Canada consists of doing anything to influence persons to vote or refrain from voting, or to vote or refrain from voting for a particular nomination contestant or leadership contestant, at a nomination contest or leadership contest;

• (c) a trade union that does not hold bargaining rights for employees in Canada; or

• (d) a foreign economic entity, a foreign entity, a foreign power or a foreign state, as those expressions are defined in subsection 2(1) of the Foreign Interference and Security of Information Act.

  End of inserted block

Meaning of unduly influencing

• (a) the person or entity knowingly incurs any expense to directly promote or oppose a nomination contestant or leadership contestant in the nomination contest or leadership contest; or

• (b) one of the things done by the person or entity to influence the other person is an offence under an Act of Parliament or a regulation made under any such Act, or under an Act of the legislature of a province or a regulation made under any such Act.

  End of inserted block

Exceptions

• (a) an expression of the person or entity’s opinion about the outcome or desired outcome of the contest;

• (b) a statement by the person or entity that encourages the other person to vote or refrain from voting for any nomination contestant or leadership contestant in the nomination contest or leadership contest; or

• (c) the transmission to the public through broadcasting, or through electronic or print media, of an editorial, a debate, a speech, an interview, a column, a letter, a commentary or news, regardless of the expense incurred in doing so, if no contravention of subsection 330(1) is involved in the transmission.

  End of inserted block

Collusion

Selling advertising space

Offering bribe

Accepting bribe

Intimidation, etc.

• (a) by intimidation or duress, compel or attempt to compel another person to vote or refrain from voting, or to vote or refrain from voting for a particular nomination contestant or leadership contestant, at a nomination contest or leadership contest; or

• (b) by any pretence or contrivance, influence or attempt to influence another person to vote or refrain from voting, or to vote or refrain from voting for a particular nomination contestant or leadership contestant, at a nomination contest or leadership contest.

  End of inserted block

Prohibition — cryptoasset, money order or payment product

372.‍1 No chief agent of a registered party, financial agent of a registered association, official agent of a candidate or financial agent of a nomination contestant or leadership contestant shall accept a contribution that is in the form of

• (a) a cryptoasset, namely a digital asset protected by cryptographic measures;

• (b) a money order; or

• (c) a prepaid payment product, namely a physical or electronic product that is or can be loaded with funds and that can be used to make withdrawals or purchase goods or services.

  End of inserted block

Return of cryptoasset, money order or payment product

372.‍2 If a person or entity referred to in section 372.‍1 receives a contribution referred to in that section, the chief agent of the registered party, the financial agent of the registered association, the official agent of the candidate or the financial agent of the nomination contestant or leadership contestant shall, within 30 days after becoming aware of the receipt of the contribution, take one of the following measures:

• (a) return the contribution unused to the contributor;

• (b) if it is not possible to return the contribution, destroy it unused;

• (c) if it is not possible to return or destroy the contribution, convert it into money and pay the amount of it to the Chief Electoral Officer, who shall forward that amount to the Receiver General.

  End of inserted block

• Start of inserted block

  (e) expenses related to security.

  End of inserted block

Reports

Publication of reports

(13) The Chief Electoral Officer shall publish reports provided under subsections (1), (6) and (8), and any corrected or revised versions of those reports, as soon as feasible after receiving them, in the manner that he or she considers appropriate. Insertion start The reports that are published must limit the information on the location referred to in paragraph (2)‍(a) to the municipality, or its equivalent, and the province in which the event took place Insertion end .

• (k) the party’s policy for the protection of personal information; and

• Start of inserted block

  (d) the Chief Electoral Officer is satisfied that the party’s policy for the protection of personal information meets the requirements set out in subsection 446.‍6(1).

  End of inserted block

Changes in information

405 (1) Within 30 days after the day on which there is a change in the information in respect of a registered party or an eligible party in the registry of political parties, the party shall report the change to the Chief Electoral Officer in writing. The report shall be certified by the Insertion start party’s Insertion end leader Insertion start or chief agent Insertion end .

• (a) a statement certified by its leader Insertion start or chief agent Insertion end confirming the validity of the information concerning the party in the registry of political parties; or

Measures taken

(2.‍1) If section 372.‍2 applies to the registered party, the financial transactions return shall set out the measures that the chief agent of the registered party has taken in accordance with that section.

• Start of inserted block

  (f) require the party to protect the personal information that is under its control through physical, organizational and technological security safeguards with a level of protection proportionate to the sensitivity of the personal information;

• (g) require the party to take appropriate steps in the case of the loss of, unauthorized access to or unauthorized disclosure of personal information that is under its control as a result of a breach of its security safeguards, including by, as soon as feasible, informing the individual whose personal information has been lost, accessed or disclosed if it is reasonable in the circumstances to believe the breach creates a real risk of significant harm to the individual;

• (h) require the party to ensure, by contract or otherwise, that any person or entity to which it transfers personal information provides a level of protection of the personal information equivalent to that which the party is required to provide under the policy;

• (i) require the privacy officer or their delegate to attend at least one meeting per calendar year relating to the protection of personal information held by the Chief Electoral Officer; and

• (j) prohibit the party, as well as any person or entity acting on the party’s behalf, including the party’s candidates, electoral district associations, officers, agents, employees, volunteers and representatives, from

  • (i) providing false or misleading information to individuals about the purposes for which the party collects personal information,

  • (ii) selling personal information under the party’s control, or

  • (iii) disclosing personal information under the party’s control to the public for the purpose of causing harm.

    End of inserted block

Real risk of significant harm — factors

(2) For the purposes of paragraph (1)‍(g), the factors that are relevant to determining whether a breach of security safeguards creates a real risk of significant harm to an individual include

• (a) the sensitivity of the personal information involved in the breach; and

• (b) the probability that the personal information has been, is being or will be misused.

  End of inserted block

Definition of significant harm

(3) For the purposes of this section, significant harm includes bodily harm, humiliation, damage to reputation or relationships, loss of employment, business or professional opportunities, financial loss, identity theft, negative effects on the credit record and damage to or loss of property.

Measures taken

(2.‍1) If section 372.‍2 applies to the registered association, the financial transactions return shall set out the measures that the financial agent of the registered association has taken in accordance with that section.

Measures taken

(2.‍1) If section 372.‍2 applies to the nomination contestant, the nomination campaign return shall set out the measures that the financial agent of the nomination contestant has taken in accordance with that section.

Official agent — ineligibility

477.‍2 The following persons are ineligible to be an official agent Insertion start for a candidate Insertion end :

• Start of inserted block

  (b.‍1) the official agent of any other candidate in the same electoral district;

  End of inserted block

• (ii) an indication of which of those expenses are expenses referred to in Insertion start any of Insertion end paragraphs 378(1)‍(c) Insertion start to (e) Insertion end , and

Measures taken

(2.‍1) If section 372.‍2 applies to the candidate, the electoral campaign return shall set out the measures that the official agent of the candidate has taken in accordance with that section.

• (c) 60% of the candidate’s paid personal expenses, as set out in their electoral campaign return, other than childcare expenses or expenses referred to in Insertion start any of Insertion end paragraphs 378(1)‍(c) Insertion start to (e) Insertion end ,

• Start of inserted block

  (g) 65% — to a maximum of $3,250 — of the candidate’s paid expenses referred to in paragraph 378(1)‍(e).

  End of inserted block

• (c) 60% of the candidate’s paid personal expenses, as set out in their electoral campaign return, other than childcare expenses and expenses referred to in Insertion start any of Insertion end paragraphs 378(1)‍(c) Insertion start to (e) Insertion end ,

• Start of inserted block

  (g) 65% — to a maximum of $3,250 — of the candidate’s paid expenses referred to in paragraph 378(1)‍(e).

  End of inserted block

• (a) 60% of the candidate’s personal expenses, as set out in their electoral campaign return, other than childcare expenses and expenses referred to Insertion start in any of paragraphs Insertion end 378(1)‍(c) Insertion start to (e) Insertion end , that were paid other than from the bank account referred to in subsection 477.‍46(1),

• Start of inserted block

  (c) 65% of the total of the candidate’s expenses referred to in paragraph 378(1)‍(e) — to a maximum of $3,2500 — as set out in their electoral campaign return, that were paid other than from the bank account referred to in subsection 477.‍46(1).

  End of inserted block

Exception

(3) Subsection (2) does not prohibit the Commissioner from inspecting the statements referred to in that subsection, and any of those statements may be provided to the Director of Public Prosecutions and produced by the Director for the purpose of a prosecution for an offence under this Act Insertion start or for a conspiracy to commit, an attempt to commit, being an accessory after the fact in relation to, or any counselling in relation to, an offence under this Act Insertion end .

Measures taken

(2.‍1) If section 372.‍2 applies to the leadership contestant, the leadership campaign return shall set out the measures that the financial agent of the leadership contestant has taken in accordance with that section.

Application

479.‍1 Sections 480 to 482.‍1 apply inside and outside Canada.

Obstruction, etc.‍, of electoral process

480 (1) Every person is guilty of an offence who, with the intention of delaying or obstructing the electoral process, contravenes this Act, otherwise than by committing an offence under subsection (2) or Insertion start any of Insertion end sections 480.‍1 Insertion start to Insertion end 482.‍1 or contravening a provision referred to in any of sections 484 to 499.

Impersonation

480.‍1 (1) Every person is guilty of an offence who, with intent to mislead,

• (a) falsely represents themselves to be Insertion start any of the persons referred to in paragraph (2) Insertion end ;

• (b) causes anyone to falsely represent themselves to be Insertion start any of those persons Insertion end ;

• Start of inserted block

  (c) creates or causes to be created an image that is likely to be mistaken for an image of any of those persons;

• (d) creates or causes to be created an imitation of the voice of any of those persons that is likely to be mistaken for the voice of the persons or an audio recording that falsely represents anything said by any of those persons;

• (e) distributes, transmits or publishes an image referred to in paragraph (c) or imitation or audio recording referred to in paragraph (d).

  End of inserted block

Persons

(2) For the purposes of paragraphs (1)‍(a) to (e), the persons are the following:

• (a) the Chief Electoral Officer, a member of the Chief Electoral Officer’s staff or a person who is authorized to act on the Chief Electoral Officer’s behalf;

• (b) an election officer or a person who is authorized to act on an election officer’s behalf;

• (c) a person who is authorized to act on behalf of the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer, Insertion start including the Commissioner Insertion end ;

• (d) a leader of a registered party or eligible party;

• (e) a person who is authorized to act on behalf of a registered party or registered association;

• Insertion start (f) Insertion end  a candidate or a person who is authorized to act on a candidate’s behalf;

• Start of inserted block

  (g) a potential candidate;

• (h) a prospective candidate;

• (i) a nomination contestant; and

• (j) a leadership contestant.

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Exception

Insertion start (3) Insertion end  A person does not commit an offence under subsection (1) if they establish that the Insertion start image, imitation or Insertion end representation was manifestly for the purpose of parody or satire.

Misleading publications

481 (1) Every person or entity is guilty of an offence that distributes, transmits or publishes any material that purports to be made, distributed, transmitted or published by or under the authority of the Chief Electoral Officer, Insertion start the Commissioner Insertion end or a returning officer, political party, Insertion start nomination contestant Insertion end , candidate, Insertion start potential candidate Insertion end , prospective candidate or Insertion start leadership contestant Insertion end , if

• (a) the person or entity was not authorized by the Chief Electoral Officer, Insertion start the Commissioner Insertion end or that returning officer, political party, Insertion start nomination contestant Insertion end , candidate, Insertion start potential candidate Insertion end , prospective candidate or Insertion start leadership contestant Insertion end to distribute, transmit or publish it; and

• (b) the person or entity distributes, transmits or publishes it with the intent of misleading the public into believing that it was made, distributed, transmitted or published by or under the authority of the Chief Electoral Officer, Insertion start the Commissioner Insertion end or that returning officer, political party, Insertion start nomination contestant Insertion end , candidate, Insertion start potential candidate Insertion end , prospective candidate or Insertion start leadership contestant Insertion end .

Factors

(2) In determining whether a person or entity has committed an offence under subsection (1), the court may consider whether the material included the use of

• (a) a name, logo, social media account identifier, username or domain name that is distinctive and commonly associated with the Chief Electoral Officer, Insertion start the Commissioner Insertion end , a returning officer or the political party, Insertion start nomination contestant Insertion end , candidate, Insertion start potential candidate Insertion end , prospective candidate or Insertion start leadership contestant Insertion end , as the case may be; or

• (b) the name, voice, image or signature of the Chief Electoral Officer, Insertion start the Commissioner Insertion end , a returning officer or the Insertion start nomination contestant Insertion end , candidate, Insertion start potential candidate Insertion end , prospective candidate or Insertion start leadership contestant Insertion end or of a public figure who is associated with the political party.

Unauthorized use of computer

482 (1) Every person or entity is guilty of an offence that, fraudulently and with the intention of affecting the results Insertion start or disrupting the conduct Insertion end of an election, Insertion start nomination contest or leadership contest Insertion end ,

False statements

482.‍01 Every person or entity is guilty of an offence that makes or publishes, with the intention of affecting the results or disrupting the conduct of an election, a statement that they know is false or misleading in respect of

• (a) who may vote in an election, including who is qualified as an elector or may register as an elector;

• (b) the process by which an individual may register to vote;

• (c) where, when or the manner in which an individual may vote in an election, including at an advance poll or by special ballot;

• (d) whom an individual may vote for at an election;

• (e) the process by which an individual becomes a candidate;

• (f) the process by which votes at an election are counted or the results are validated; or

• (g) the preliminary, validated or official results of an election.

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  (e) knowingly contravenes section 92.‍1 (conveying false or misleading information — nomination paper); or

• (f) knowingly contravenes section 92.‍2 (filing nomination paper — false or misleading information).

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  (c) knowingly contravenes section 92.‍1 (conveying false or misleading information — nomination paper).

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Offences under Part 11.‍1 (Prohibitions in relation to Voting Insertion start at an Election Insertion end )

Offences under Division 0.‍1 of Part 17 (Prohibition Insertion start in Relation to Insertion end Foreign Insertion start Property, Services and Insertion end Funds)

Strict liability offences — summary conviction

495.‍21 (0.‍1) Every foreign entity is guilty of an offence who

• (a) contravenes section 349.‍012 (making a prohibited contribution); or

• (b) contravenes paragraph 349.‍013(a) (circumventing prohibition) or 349.‍013(b) (colluding to circumvent prohibition).

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Offences requiring intent — dual procedure

(0.‍2) Every foreign entity is guilty of an offence who

• (a) knowingly contravenes section 349.‍012 (making a prohibited contribution); or

• (b) knowingly contravenes paragraph 349.‍013(a) (circumventing prohibition) or 349.‍013(b) (colluding to circumvent prohibition).

  End of inserted block

Offences requiring intent — dual procedure

(2) Every third party is guilty of an offence who

• Start of inserted block

  (a) knowingly contravenes section 349.‍02 (use of foreign contributions); or

• (b) knowingly contravenes paragraph 349.‍03(a) (circumventing prohibition) or 349.‍03(b) (colluding to circumvent prohibition).

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Offences under Division 0.‍2 of Part 17 (Prohibition on Accepting Certain Contributions)

Strict liability offences — summary conviction

• (a) section 349.‍04 (accepting a contribution that is in the form of a cryptoasset, money order or payment product); or

• (b) section 349.‍05 (failure to return a contribution that is in the form of a cryptoasset, money order or payment product).

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Offences requiring intent — dual procedure

• Start of inserted block

  (i) subsection 349.‍95(1) (limitation on expenses).

  End of inserted block

• Start of inserted block

  (f) subsection 358(1) (limitation on expenses).

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Offences under Part 17.‍1 (Prohibitions in Relation to Voting at a Nomination Contest or Leadership Contest)

Offences requiring intent — dual procedure

• (a) contravenes subsection 362.‍2(1) (undue influence by foreigners);

• (b) knowingly contravenes subsection 362.‍2(4) (collusion);

• (c) knowingly contravenes subsection 362.‍2(5) (selling advertising space);

• (d) knowingly contravenes subsection 362.‍3(1) (offering bribe);

• (e) knowingly contravenes subsection 362.‍3(2) (accepting bribe); or

• (f) knowingly contravenes paragraph 362.‍4(a) or (b) (intimidation, etc.‍).

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Offences requiring intent — dual procedure

• (a) contravenes subsection 362.‍2(1) (undue influence by foreigners);

• (b) knowingly contravenes subsection 362.‍2(4) (collusion); or

• (c) knowingly contravenes subsection 362.‍2(5) (selling advertising space).

  End of inserted block

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  (h.‍1) being a registered party, registered association, nomination contestant, candidate, or leadership contestant, contravenes section 372.‍1 (accepting a contribution that is in the form of a cryptoasset, money order or payment product);

• (h.‍2) being the chief agent of a registered party, the financial agent of a registered association, the official agent of a candidate, or the financial agent of a nomination contestant or leadership contestant, contravenes section 372.‍2 (failure to return a contribution that is in the form of a cryptoasset, money order or payment product);

  End of inserted block

• Start of inserted block

  (m.‍1) being the chief agent of a registered party, the financial agent of a registered association, the official agent of a candidate, or the financial agent of a nomination contestant or leadership contestant, knowingly contravenes section 372.‍2 (failure to return a contribution that is in the form of a cryptoasset, money order or payment product);

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Punishment — strict liability offences

500 (1) Every person who is guilty of an offence under any of subsections 484(1), 489(1), 491(1), 492(1), 495(1), 495.‍1(1), 495.‍2(1), 495.‍21 Insertion start (0.‍1) and Insertion end (1), Insertion start 495.‍22(1) Insertion end , 495.‍3(1), 496(1), 496.‍1(1), 497(1), 497.‍1(1), 497.‍2(1), 497.‍3(1), 497.‍4(1), 497.‍5(1), 498(1) and 499(1) is liable on summary conviction to a fine of not more than $2,000 or to imprisonment for a term of not more than three months, or to both.

Punishment — offences requiring intent (dual procedure)

(5) Every person who is guilty of an offence under any of subsections 480(1) and (2), 480.‍1(1), 481(1) and 482(1), Insertion start sections 482.‍01 and Insertion end 482.‍1, subsections 484(3), 485(2), 486(3) and (4), 487(2), 488(2) and 489(3), section 490, subsection 491(3), section 491.‍2, subsection 492(2), section 494, subsections 495(5), 495.‍1(2), 495.‍2(2), 495.‍21 Insertion start (0.‍2) and Insertion end (2), Insertion start 495.‍22(2) Insertion end , 495.‍3(2), 496(2) Insertion start and Insertion end 496.‍1(2), Insertion start section 496.‍2 and subsections Insertion end 497(2), 497.‍1(3), 497.‍2(3), 497.‍3(2), 497.‍4(2), 497.‍5(2), 498(2) and 499(2) is liable

Additional punishment — third parties

(5.‍1) Every third party that is guilty of an offence under subsection 495.‍21(1) or (2) is, in addition to the punishment provided under subsection (1) or (5), liable to a fine of up to five times the amount of the funds, or five times the Insertion start commercial value of the property or services, involved in the commission of the offence Insertion end .

• Start of inserted block

  (h.‍001) being a nomination contestant or a leadership contestant, contravenes subsection 362.‍3(1) (offering bribe);

  End of inserted block

Evidence

508 In a prosecution for an offence under this Act Insertion start or for a conspiracy to commit, an attempt to commit, being an accessory after the fact in relation to, or any counselling in relation to, an offence under this Act Insertion end , the written statement of the returning officer is, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, sufficient evidence of the holding of the election and of any person named in the certificate having been a candidate.

Violation

508.‍1 Every person or entity commits a violation and is liable to an administrative monetary penalty in an amount established in accordance with the provisions of this Act Insertion start if the person or entity Insertion end

• Insertion start (a) Insertion end  contravenes section Insertion start 43.‍1, any of paragraphs 56(a) to (d), subsection 66(4), section 81, 81.‍1, 92.‍1, 92.‍2 or 92.‍3, subsection 136(4) or 166(1), section Insertion end 281.‍3, 281.‍4, 281.‍5 or Insertion start 281.‍8 Insertion end or a provision of any of Parts 16, 17 and 18;

• Start of inserted block

  (b) conspires with any person or entity to contravene, or attempts to contravene, a provision referred to in paragraph (a);

• (c) counsels any person or entity to contravene a provision referred to in paragraph (a), in the case where the provision is not contravened;

• (d) is an accessory after the fact to the contravention of a provision referred to in paragraph (a); or

  End of inserted block

• Insertion start (e) Insertion end  fails to comply with a requirement of the Chief Electoral Officer under any of Parts Insertion start 16, 17 and 18 Insertion end , a provision of a compliance agreement, a provision of an undertaking that has been accepted by the Commissioner Insertion start or a requirement of the Commissioner or the Commissioner’s authorized representative under section 510.‍002 Insertion end .

How act or omission may be proceeded with

508.‍3 If an act or omission may be proceeded with as a violation or as an offence, proceeding in one manner precludes proceeding in the other.

Maximum amount of penalty

508.‍5 (1) Subject to Insertion start subsections Insertion end (2) Insertion start to (6) Insertion end , the maximum administrative monetary penalty for a violation is $ Insertion start 25,000 Insertion end , in the case of an individual, and $ Insertion start 100,000 Insertion end , in the case of a corporation or an entity.

Maximum — sections 349.‍012, 349.‍013, 349.‍02 and 349.‍03

(2) The maximum administrative monetary penalty for a violation arising from the contravention of section 349.‍012, 349.‍013, 349.‍02 or 349.‍03 is an amount equal to twice the amount of the funds, or twice the commercial value of the property or services, involved in the contravention of that section, plus

• (a) $25,000, in the case of an individual; and

• (b) $100,000, in the case of a corporation or an entity.

  End of inserted block

Maximum — sections 349.‍04, 349.‍05, 363, 367, 372.‍1 and 372.‍2

Insertion start (3) Insertion end  The maximum administrative monetary penalty for a violation arising from the contravention of section Insertion start 349.‍04, 349.‍05 Insertion end , 363, 367, Insertion start 372.‍1 Insertion end or Insertion start 372.‍2 Insertion end is an amount equal to twice the amount that was contributed — Insertion start accepted or not returned, not destroyed, or not converted and paid, as the case may be Insertion end — in contravention of that section, plus

• (a) $ Insertion start 25,000 Insertion end , in the case of an individual; and

• (b) $ Insertion start 100,000 Insertion end , in the case of a corporation or an entity.

Maximum — subsections 349.‍4(1) and 351.‍1(1)

(4) The maximum administrative monetary penalty for a violation arising from the contravention of subsection 349.‍4(1) or 351.‍1(1) is an amount equal to twice the amount of the expense incurred by the third party in contravention of that subsection, plus

• (a) $25,000, in the case of an individual; and

• (b) $100,000, in the case of a corporation or an entity.

  End of inserted block

Maximum — subsections 349.‍95(1) and 358(1)

(5) The maximum administrative monetary penalty for a violation arising from the contravention of subsection 349.‍95(1) or 358(1) is an amount equal to twice the amount of the contribution that was used in contravention of that subsection, plus

• (a) $25,000, in the case of an individual; and

• (b) $100,000, in the case of a corporation or an entity.

  End of inserted block

Maximum — section 368

(6) The maximum administrative monetary penalty for a violation arising from the contravention of any of subsections 368(1) to (4) is an amount equal to twice the amount at issue in the contravention of that subsection, plus

• (a) $25,000, in the case of an individual; and

• (b) $100,000, in the case of a corporation or an entity.

  End of inserted block

• Start of inserted block

  (b.‍1) whether the violation was committed by, at the direction of or in association with a foreign entity, as defined in subsection 349.‍01(1);

  End of inserted block

Clarification

(2) For greater certainty, the Commissioner may, in the exercise or performance of the Commissioner’s powers, duties and functions under this Part, enter into memoranda of understanding or other arrangements with a department or body that is listed in a schedule to the Financial Administration Act and has technical or specialized knowledge on matters of national security or any other matters related to those powers, duties and functions.

Investigative powers — violations

510.‍002 In conducting an investigation to determine whether a violation referred to in section 508.‍1 has been committed, the Commissioner or the Commissioner’s authorized representative may

• (a) in the same manner and to the same extent as a superior court of record,

  • (i) summon and enforce the attendance of persons before the Commissioner or the representative and require them to give oral or written evidence on oath, and

  • (ii) require persons to preserve or produce any documents or other things that the Commissioner or representative considers relevant for the investigation; and

• (b) administer oaths.

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Order requiring testimony, etc.

510.‍01 (1) If, on application of the Commissioner or Insertion start the Commissioner’s Insertion end authorized representative, a judge is satisfied by information on oath that there are reasonable grounds to believe that this Act has been contravened or is about to be contravened — Insertion start or that there is or is about to be a conspiracy or attempt to contravene this Act or that a person or entity is or is about to be an accessory after the fact, or has counselled or is about to counsel, in relation to such a contravention Insertion end — and that an individual has or is likely to have information that will provide evidence of the contravention Insertion start or conduct in question Insertion end , a judge may order the individual to

• (a) attend as specified in the order and be examined on oath by the Commissioner or the authorized representative on any matter that is relevant to the contravention Insertion start or conduct Insertion end before an individual, in sections 510.‍02 to 510.‍04 referred to as a “presiding officer”, designated in the order;

• Start of inserted block

  (a.‍1) preserve any records or other things specified in the order;

• (a.‍2) produce to the Commissioner or the authorized representative, within a time and at a place specified in the order, a record — or a copy of a record certified by affidavit to be a true copy — or any other thing specified in the order; or

  End of inserted block

Restriction

(3) No order may be made under subsection (1) against Insertion start the Insertion end individual Insertion start whose conduct is being investigated Insertion end .

Confidentiality

510.‍1 (1) Subject to Insertion start subsections Insertion end (2) Insertion start and (4) Insertion end , neither the Commissioner nor any person acting under Insertion start the Commissioner’s Insertion end direction shall disclose any information relating to an investigation that comes to their knowledge in the exercise of their powers or the performance of their duties and functions under this Act, including information that reveals or from which may be inferred the name of the complainant, if any, the person whose conduct is being investigated or any witness.

• (d) information that is required to be disclosed in the course of a prosecution for an offence under this Act Insertion start or for a conspiracy to commit, an attempt to commit, being an accessory after the fact in relation to, or any counselling in relation to, an offence under this Act Insertion end ;

Information relating to investigations

(4) The Commissioner may disclose — or may authorize any person acting under the Commissioner’s direction to disclose — any information relating to an investigation that comes to their knowledge in the exercise of their powers or the performance of their duties and functions under this Act to the government of a foreign state, an international organization of states, an international organization established by the government of states or an institution of such a government or organization if

• (a) the disclosure may, in the Commissioner’s opinion, be relevant to an investigation conducted by the Commissioner or to an investigation or proceeding in respect of a contravention of the laws of a foreign state that address conduct that is substantially similar to conduct prohibited under this Act; and

• (b) the information is disclosed in accordance with a memorandum of understanding or other arrangement that the Commissioner enters into with the government, organization or institution.

  End of inserted block

Contents of memorandum or arrangement

(5) The memorandum of understanding or other arrangement shall

• (a) restrict the use of the information to the purpose for which it was originally disclosed; and

• (b) stipulate that the information be treated in a confidential manner and not be further disclosed without the express consent of the Commissioner or the person authorized by the Commissioner to disclose the information.

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Commissioner may institute prosecution

511 (1) If the Commissioner believes on reasonable grounds that an offence under this Act has been committed — Insertion start or that there has been a conspiracy to commit or an attempt to commit an offence under this Act or that a person or entity has been an accessory after the fact, or has counselled, in relation to an offence under this Act Insertion end — the Commissioner may institute a prosecution or cause one to be instituted.

Information

(2)  Insertion start The Insertion end prosecution is instituted by the laying of an information in writing and under oath before a justice, as defined in section 2 of the Criminal Code.

Director’s consent required

512 (1) No prosecution for an offence under this Act — Insertion start or for a conspiracy to commit, an attempt to commit, being an accessory after the fact in relation to, or any counselling in relation to, an offence under this Act Insertion end — may be instituted by a person, other than the Commissioner or a person acting under Insertion start the Commissioner’s Insertion end direction, without the prior written consent of the Director of Public Prosecutions provided after consultation with the Commissioner.

Limitation period

514 (1) Proceedings in respect of an offence under a provision set out in subsection 500(1) — Insertion start or in respect of a conspiracy to commit, an attempt to commit, being an accessory after the fact in relation to, or any counselling in relation to, such an offence Insertion end — may be commenced at any time within, but not later than, six years after the day on which the subject matter of the proceedings arose.

No limitation period

(3) Proceedings in respect of an offence under a provision set out in any of subsections 500(2) to (5) — Insertion start or in respect of a conspiracy to commit, an attempt to commit, being an accessory after the fact in relation to, or any counselling in relation to, such an offence Insertion end — may be commenced at any time.

Application for injunction

516 (1) If the Commissioner has reasonable grounds to believe that a person Insertion start or entity Insertion end has committed, is about to commit or is likely to commit an act or omission that is contrary to this Act — Insertion start or an act or omission that constitutes a conspiracy or attempt to contravene this Act or that constitutes being an accessory after the fact or counselling in relation to a contravention of this Act Insertion end — the Commissioner may, during an election period, after taking into account the nature and seriousness of the act or omission, the need to ensure fairness of the electoral process and the public interest, apply to a competent court described in subsection 525(1) for an injunction described in subsection (2).

Injunction

(2) If the court, on application by the Commissioner under subsection (1), is satisfied that there are reasonable grounds to believe that a person Insertion start or entity Insertion end has committed, is about to commit or is likely to commit an act or omission Insertion start referred to in that subsection Insertion end and that the nature and seriousness of the act or omission, the need to ensure fairness of the electoral process and the public interest justify the issuing of an injunction, the court may issue an injunction ordering any person Insertion start or entity Insertion end named in the application to do one or both of the following:

Notice

(3) No injunction may be issued under subsection (2) unless at least 48 hours notice is given to each person Insertion start or entity Insertion end named in the application or the urgency of the situation is such that service of notice would not be in the public interest.

Power to enter into compliance agreement

517 (1) Subject to subsection (7), the Commissioner may enter into a compliance agreement, aimed at ensuring compliance with this Act, with a person or entity (in this section and sections 518 to 521 called the “contracting party”) if the Commissioner believes on reasonable grounds that the person or entity has committed, is about to commit or is likely to commit an act or omission that could constitute an offence under this Act Insertion start or that could constitute a conspiracy or attempt to commit, or being an accessory after the fact or counselling in relation to, an offence under this Act. Insertion end

Admission of responsibility

(4) A compliance agreement may include a statement by the contracting party in which it admits responsibility for the act or omission Insertion start in question Insertion end .

• (b) identifies the provision of this Act, the requirement or the provision of the compliance agreement or undertaking Insertion start to which the violation relates Insertion end ;

• (a) identifies the provision of this Act, the requirement or the provision of the compliance agreement or undertaking Insertion start to which the violation relates Insertion end ;

• (b) identifies the act or omission to which the Insertion start violation Insertion end relates; and

• (a) request a review by the Commissioner with respect to the alleged violation or the penalty, or both, if the amount of the penalty is

  • (i) $ Insertion start 8,500 Insertion end or less, in the case of an individual, or

  • (ii) $ Insertion start 30,000 Insertion end or less, in the case of a corporation or an entity; or

• (b) request a review by the Chief Electoral Officer with respect to the alleged violation or the penalty, or both, if the amount of the penalty is

  • (i) more than $ Insertion start 8,500 Insertion end , in the case of an individual, or

  • (ii) more than $ Insertion start 30,000 Insertion end , in the case of a corporation or an entity.

Common law principles

521.‍24 Every rule and principle of the common law that renders any circumstance a justification or excuse in relation to a charge for any offence applies in respect of a violation to the extent that it is not inconsistent with this Act.

Parties to violation

521.‍27 (1) A person or entity is a party to a violation committed by another person or entity and is liable for the violation if it

• (a) does or omits to do anything for the purpose of aiding that other person or entity to commit the violation;

• (b) abets that other person or entity in committing the violation; or

• (c) counsels that other person or entity to commit the violation.

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Violation by officers, etc.

Insertion start (2) Insertion end  If Insertion start a corporation or Insertion end an entity commits a violation, any of Insertion start its Insertion end directors, officers or agents or mandataries who directed, authorized, assented to, acquiesced in or participated in the commission of the violation is a party to and liable for the violation.

Application

Insertion start (3) Insertion end Insertion start   Insertion end Insertion start Subsections (1) and (2) apply Insertion end whether or not the Insertion start person or Insertion end entity that actually committed the violation is proceeded against under this Act.

Exception

(4.‍1) The Chief Electoral Officer may also disclose any of the documents referred to in subsection (3) to the Commissioner for the purposes of the exercise or performance of the Commissioner’s powers, duties and functions under this Act and the Commissioner may, in turn, disclose any of those documents to the Director of Public Prosecutions, who may produce them for the purpose of a prosecution — or possible prosecution — by the Director for an offence under this Act Insertion start or for a conspiracy or attempt to commit, or being an accessory after the fact or counselling in relation to, an offence under this Act Insertion end .