Political Action:

You are here: Home > Political Action > Political Guides > Registering a Political Party

Registering a Party in Saskatchewan

Elections Act

The Saskatchewan Elections Act is legislation passed by the provincial government to regulate provincial election activities, such as the registration of political parties. For more detailed information, please refer to the Elections Act itself.
Saskatchewan Elections Act PDF

Definition of a Political Party

Group of individuals comprising a political organization whose primary purpose is to field candidates for election as members.

Benefits of Registration

• Only registered political parties (or persons acting on the behalf of a register political party) are able to:
  • Solicit or receive any contribution for the purpose of promoting, opposing or endorsing that party, any other political party, or the candidacy of another individual.
  • Incur or pay any expense or expend any effort for the purpose of promoting, opposing or endorsing that party, any other political party or the candidacy of any individual.
• Issue income tax receipts to contributors (contributors can then claim their contributions on their income tax returns)
• Receive partial reimbursement of expenses

Obligations of Registration

A registered political party must fulfill several obligations, including:

• maintaining an office in Saskatchewan
• updating information at election time (no later than 10 days after the writ of election)
• appointing a chief official agent
• having its financial reports audited by an auditor
• refusing contributions from non-Canadians
• filing annual returns
• filing election expenses returns
• issuing tax receipts

Qualifications for Registration

• Have a petition for registration in the prescribed form signed by at least 2,500 voters, 1,000 of whom must reside in at least 10 different constituencies, with a minimum of 100 voters in each of those constituencies (addresses of the signatories must be included).
• Have an office in Saskatchewan where party records are kept and communications can be sent.

Applying for Registration

STEP #1: Submit Application

• Political parties must submit an application for registration to the Chief Electoral Officer.
• The application for registration must contain the following information:
• The full name and any abbreviations of the political party
• The name and address of the leader, the officers, the auditor and the chief official agent
• The addresses of the office of the political party where its records are maintained and where communications may be sent
• The written consent of the auditor to act as auditor
• An audited financial statement (including a statement of assets and liabilities dated not more than 60 days prior to the date of application), and
• A written statement that its primary purpose is to field candidates for election as members
• The application must be accompanied by a petition for registration in the prescribed form signed by at least 2,500 voters, 1,000 of whom must reside in at least 10 different constituencies, with a minimum of 100 voters in each of those constituencies (addresses of the signatories must be included).

STEP #2: Verification of Application

• After receiving the application, the Chief Electoral Officer shall examine the application and determine whether or not the political party is eligible to register. If the registration is accepted, the Chief Electoral officer shall inform the party leader.

Deregistration

Voluntary Deregistration

The Chief Electoral Officer must delete any registered political party from the register if the leader of the party sends a written notice stating that the party does not wish to remain registered

Involuntary Deregistration

The Chief Electoral Officer will delete any registered political party from the register if:

• The party endorsed fewer than 10 candidates at the close of nomination at a general election,
• The party obstructs the Chief Electoral Officer (or a person aiding the Chief Electoral Officer) in the performance of their duties, or
• The registered political party fails to comply with the obligations of a political party under the Elections Act, including:
  • maintaining an office in Saskatchewan
  • updating information at election time
  • appointing a chief official agent
  • having its financial reports audited by an auditor
  • refusing contributions from non-Canadians
  • filing annual returns
  • filing election expenses returns
  • issuing tax receipts

Additional Information

Restrictions on Party Names

The Chief Electoral Officer must not register a political party or alter the name or abbreviations of the name of a registered party if:

• The name or abbreviation closely resembles the name or abbreviation of another registered party
• The name or abbreviation is or was the name or abbreviation of a political party that merged or amalgamated with another political party, or
• The name includes the word “independent” or an abbreviation of that word

Public Access to Registration Information

• Once a party is registered, all information contained in its registration application is available to the public.

Contact Information

Address:

Elections Saskatchewan
1702 Park Street
Regina, SK
S4N 6B2

Telephone:

1-306-787-4000 or 1-877-958-8683 (toll free)

Fax:

1-306-787-4052