Helping ENGOs Prepare for the 2025 Federal Election

Workshop #1 – 2025 Federal Election: Get Your Message Out! March 4, 2025, 1-3pm ET This workshop will cover the rules that apply to the messaging and activities of not-for-profits and registered charities during the 2025 Canadian federal election. We will discuss how the Canada Elections Act may apply to an organization’s issue-based campaigns and what this may mean for your communications and donors. We’ll also go over the types of activities that are regulated during a snap election, as well as in the lead up to a fixed date election. The CRA’s approach to the activities of charities will also be covered as well as the rules that apply to phoning voters during a federal election. This workshop will not cover other CRTC rules or privacy laws that may apply to communications with the public. At the end of this workshop, your organization will be equipped to decide which campaigns and activities to engage in during the federal election and whether you will register with Elections Canada as a third party. Workshop #2 – 2025 Federal Election: Third Party Registration & Reporting March 5, 2025, 1-2pm ET This workshop will cover the third party rules that apply to not-for-profits or registered charities that engage in messaging or activity that is regulated under the Canada Elections Act during the 2025 federal election. We will discuss how contributions and expenses are regulated and how to value, record, and report these to Elections Canada. We’ll also go over the rules for election advertising and how to avoid (or address, if necessary) complaints as a registered third party. The thresholds and deadlines for registering and filing various reports with Elections Canada will be covered. At the end of this workshop, your organization will be ready to register as a third party and prepared to deal with election-related contributions and expenses. Our Presenter: Rachel Roy is a partner at Allevato Quail & Roy, a union-side labour law firm, where she specializes in election and campaign finance law. Rachel joined AQR Law after working as in-house counsel for Canada’s NDP during the 2015 federal election. Rachel provides legal advice and assistance to progressive organizations to ensure their campaigns comply with electoral, privacy and CRTC rules at the local, provincial and federal levels. She is an IAPP Certified Information Privacy Professional for Canada. Rachel is passionate about democratic governance. She assists member-based organizations and First Nations with internal governance matters and elections, including adjudication of complaints or appeals and by fulfilling the role of chief electoral officer.