Is Stephen Harper launching an early election campaign?
Posted Jul 29, 2015 7:56 am.
Last Updated Jul 29, 2015 6:28 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
OTTAWA – Taxpayers will pay millions in extra administrative costs and tens of millions more in rebates to parties and candidates if Prime Minister Stephen Harper kicks off the election campaign early.
There is speculation Harper could launch the writ period as soon as this weekend, which would mean an 11-week campaign.
That would be more than twice the typical five week time frame, and the longest federal campaign since 1926.
A typical 37 day campaign costs about $375 million, but Elections Canada can’t say how much more it would cost for a longer election period.
Elections Canada would have to pay for longer office leases for returning officers in each of the country’s 338 ridings, as well as equipment rentals, overtime and additional staff to handle public inquiries.
Taxpayers will also subsidize tax credits for donations to campaigns, parties and their candidates, which the Canadian Taxpayers Federation estimates are worth between $16 million and $36 million per year in foregone revenue.
(The Canadian Press)
