A contribution cannot be made or accepted by a person or an individual acting under the person’s direction unless the person is a candidate.

Who may contribute:

  1. An individual who is normally a resident in Ontario.
  2. The candidate and his or her spouse (if not normally a resident in Ontario, a candidate and his or her spouse may make contributions only to the candidate’s election campaign).

Who cannot contribute:

  1. A federal political party registered under the Canada Elections Act (Canada) or any federal constituency association or registered candidate at a federal election endorsed by that party.
  2. A provincial political party, constituency association, registered candidate or leadership contestant registered under the Election Finances Act.
  3. A corporation that carries on business in Ontario.
  4. A trade union that holds bargaining rights for employees in Ontario.
  5. The Crown in right of Canada or Ontario, a municipality or a local board.

Contribution Limits

The maximum amount which may be contributed to a single candidate is $1,200 and no more than $5,000 in total may be contributed to candidates running for offices on the same council or school board. This amount includes the value of any goods or services donated to the campaign (i.e. a ticket to a candidate’s fundraiser).

Contributions greater than $25 may not be made in cash. All contributions exceeding $25 must be made by cheque, money order, or by a method that clearly shows where the funds came from.

Names and addresses of contributors who made a contribution greater than $100 will be recorded in the candidate’s financial statement which will be posted on the City’s website.