Following on last year's popular calendar of election data release dates, here's a list of approximate release dates for major items of political and election data to keep an eye out for in 2010. As before, I'll update it throughout the year as required.

• Thu 31 Dec 2009 - The deadline for all remaining December 2006 Liberal leadership candidates to repay any loans relating to their campaigns, except for Michael Ignatieff (who had a June 30 deadline last year), and Ken Dryden (who was given until June 30 of this year). Note that only Bob Rae reported loans for the Spring 2009 Leadership Campaign, and his return reports that they were repaid in full by May 21, 2009.
  
• Mon 3 Jan - 4th Quarter 2009 allowances will be paid to registered political parties. They reflect the distribution of votes in the 2008 General Election, and will be paid at the rate of $1.999 per vote, the same rate in effect since the April-June allowance was inflation adjusted at the end of July last year. I believe the annual inflation adjustment for the allowances was proposed to be removed in the last federal budget, after the Finance Minister rescinded his proposal to cancel them altogether, but I can't now find any consequential amendments to s.405.1 [adjustment for inflation] of the Elections Act.
• Mon 1 Feb - 4th Quarter 2009 Financial Returns of registered parties should be available online as of this date.
• By Tue 9 Feb - The Official Voting Results for the November 9 by-elections will be published (note that s.533 of the Elections Act requires they be published without delay for general elections, and no later than 90 days after the writ is returned for by-elections).
• Mon 1 Mar - The CEO must publish the annual Inflation Adjustment Factors taking effect on April 1 (for s.405.1 [contribution limits and quarterly allowances] and for s.414 [election expense limits]) in the Canada Gazette.
• By Tue 9 Mar - By-election Candidates' Election Campaign Returns are due for submission (per s.451(4)). Failure to file by elected candidates can lead to their suspension as MPs (per s.463(2)). After the returns are reviewed by Elections Canada, the final instalments if any of candidate rebates will be paid (per s.454), representing 60% of paid election expenses + 60% of paid candidate expenses, for any candidate incurring more than 30% of the election expense limit, and having obtained 10% or more of the valid ballots cast.
• Fri 27 Mar - The CEO's Report on By-elections Held in 2009 is due to be tabled.
• Tue 31 Mar - Elections Canada's 2010-2011 "Report on Plans and Priorities" (Part III of the Budget Estimates) is tabled, along with those of all other government departments and agencies.
  
• Thu 1 Apr - 1st Quarter 2010 allowances will be paid to registered parties.
  
• Mon 3 May - 1st Quarter 2010 Financial Returns of registered parties should be available online as of this date.
• Mon 31 May - Deadline for registered EDAs to submit their 2008 Annual Financial Returns (per 403.35 (4)).
• Tue 30 Jun - Deadline imposed on Liberal leadership candidate Ken Dryden to repay all outstanding leadership loans.
• Wed 30 Jun - Deadline for registered parties to submit their 2009 Annual Financial Returns (per s.424(4)).
  
• Thu 2 Jul - 2009 Annual Financial Returns and Financial Statements of registered parties should be available online by this date.
• Fri 2 Jul - 2nd Quarter 2010 allowances paid
• Fri 30 Jul - 2nd Quarter Financial Returns available online
• Fri 1 Oct - 3rd Quarter 2010 allowances paid
• Mon 1 Nov - 3rd Quarter Financial Returns available online

Labels: Election Data Release Dates