ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the financing of federal parties and candidates since 1 August 1974 when the Election Expenses Act came into effect. It describes the regulatory regime put in place effective 1 August 1974 and the subsequent amendments made to it. The chapter analyzes the pattern of party revenues and expenditures between 1974 and 1990, including the four general elections in 1979, 1980, 1984 and 1988. It examines the revenues and expenditures of candidates for Parliament in the last four general elections. The chapter explores the amount of public financing of federal parties and candidates which has been an integral part of the regulatory regime since 1974. It also focuses on the problems/issues for public policy. The chapter outlines the policy problems/issues that are the subject of debate regarding the regulation of the financing of federal political parties and candidates in Canada.
