Strong and Free Elections Act

Summary#

• C-25, the Strong and Free Elections Act, updates Canada’s election rules to curb foreign influence, stop deceptive practices like deepfakes, and tighten money and privacy rules in politics. It also renames several federal electoral districts.

• The bill adds new offences, raises penalties, expands the election watchdog’s powers, and sets stronger privacy standards for political parties.

• Key changes:

  • Blocks foreign influence in federal elections and in party nomination and leadership races, and bans colluding with foreigners to get around the rules.
  • Makes it a crime to impersonate election officials or political figures using fake images or audio (deepfakes), and to spread lies about how, when, or where to vote.
  • Bans political contributions made with cryptoassets, money orders, or prepaid cards; campaigns and third parties must return or destroy such funds.
  • Tightens third‑party financing: during regulated periods, only contributions from Canadian citizens or permanent residents can be used for partisan activities, ads, or election surveys; more donor disclosure is required.
  • Requires political parties to adopt stronger privacy policies, with security safeguards and breach notices to affected people; non‑compliant parties can be denied registration or deregistered.
  • Adds “security expenses” as a reimbursable candidate cost (65% up to $3,250) and increases maximum administrative monetary penalties.

What it means for you#

• Voters

  • You should see fewer foreign‑backed ads and tactics aimed at influencing your vote.
  • It is illegal to share false information about who can vote, how to register, or where and when to vote. This targets deliberate deception.
  • Deepfake images or voices of election officials, party leaders, or candidates meant to mislead are outlawed (clear parody/satire is exempt).
  • Political parties must better protect your personal information and notify you of serious data breaches that could harm you.
  • Some riding names will change, which may affect how your district is listed on ballots and maps.

• Donors

  • You can no longer donate to parties, candidates, or third‑party groups using crypto, money orders, or prepaid cards. Use traceable methods like credit card, debit, cheque, or e‑transfer.
  • If you give more than $200 to a third‑party group and your money is used for regulated activities, your name and address will appear in public reports.

• Community groups and advocacy organizations (third parties)

  • During pre‑election and election periods, you may fund partisan activities, ads, or election surveys only with contributions from Canadian individuals (citizens or permanent residents). No foreign money, property, or services.
  • Small groups whose total contributions were 10% or less of their revenue last year may use their own funds for regulated expenses, but must file a revenue/expense statement.
  • You cannot accept crypto, money orders, or prepaid cards; such contributions must be returned, destroyed, or converted and remitted within 30 days.
  • Expect more detailed reporting, including listing Canadian contributors over $200 used for regulated expenses.

• Political parties, candidates, and associations

  • You must adopt and keep a strong privacy policy with security safeguards, vendor controls, and breach notices. A privacy officer must attend at least one annual meeting with Elections Canada on privacy.
  • Parties that fail to file an acceptable privacy policy within 3 months can be refused registration or deregistered.
  • Campaigns must reject prohibited contribution types and report the steps taken when such funds are received.
  • Candidates may claim security‑related expenses, with partial public reimbursement (65%, up to $3,250).

• Party members and volunteers

  • New protections apply to nomination and leadership contests: bans on foreign influence, bribery, intimidation, and collusion.
  • You cannot sign nomination papers for more than one prospective candidate in the same election.

• Broadcasters, platforms, and advertisers

  • You cannot sell ad space to foreign entities looking to influence Canadian elections or party contests.
  • Using broadcasting stations outside Canada to influence votes in elections, nomination contests, or leadership contests is prohibited.
  • Routine media opinion, news, debates, and clear get‑out‑the‑vote calls for party contests (that only encourage voting) are not treated as “advertising.”

• Enforcement and timelines

  • The Commissioner of Canada Elections gains stronger powers to investigate, seek court orders, share information under strict agreements, and prosecute, including for attempts and conspiracies.
  • Many amendments apply even if an election is called within six months of royal assent. Riding name changes take effect 90 days after royal assent.

Expenses#

No publicly available information.

Proponents' View#

• Protects Canada’s democracy from foreign interference in both elections and internal party contests.
• Cracks down on deepfakes and deliberate lies about voting rules that can confuse or disenfranchise voters.
• Bans hard‑to‑trace donations (like crypto or prepaid cards), making political money more transparent and enforceable.
• Strengthens privacy for Canadians’ data held by parties and requires notice if a breach puts people at real risk of harm.
• Helps candidate safety by recognizing and reimbursing security expenses.
• Gives the elections watchdog stronger tools and higher penalties to deter and address wrongdoing quickly.

Opponents' View#

• The “false statements” and impersonation rules could chill speech if people fear legal risk for errors or satire, even with a parody exception.
• New third‑party limits and disclosures may burden charities and advocacy groups, deter small donors, and narrow public debate during campaigns.
• Banning crypto, money orders, and prepaid cards may exclude unbanked or privacy‑focused donors and add friction to small‑dollar giving.
• Expanded investigative powers and information‑sharing with foreign bodies could raise civil liberties and privacy concerns.
• Allowing more parties to access preliminary voter lists and stronger enforcement may heighten worries about personal data handling.
• Some riding name changes, including removal of Indigenous place names in a few districts, may concern communities about visibility and recognition.