General Committee
	TO:	Mayor and Members of Council
	FROM:	Sheila Birrell, Town Clerk
	PREPARED BY:	Frank Edwards, Manager of Administration
	DATE OF MEETING:	2005-Mar-21
	SUBJECT:	2003 Election Contribution Rebate Program

RECOMMENDATION:

THAT Council receive the Election Contribution Rebate Program report dated March 21, 2005.

PURPOSE:

To provide Council with information, statistics and costs associated with the 2003 Election Contribution Rebate program.

BACKGROUND:

On January 14, 2003, Council adopted an Election Contribution Rebate Program for the 2003 Municipal Election period only. The purpose of the rebate program was to assist candidates in their fundraising efforts and to encourage greater participation of Markham residents in the election process.

The final supplementary reporting date for election finances for the 2003 Municipal Election ended December 31, 2004 and all candidates who requested extensions to their campaigns have now filed their final financial reports. In the 2003 election, 34 of the 52 eligible candidates took advantage of the rebate program. The summary below outlines the participation and costs.

	No. of contributors to the program	$ contributed to the program	Total Rebate Paid out by Markham
Markham resident	1,101	$154,000	$82,575
Non-Markham resident	895	$134,150	$67,125
Totals	1,996	$288,150	$149,700

The final cost to the Town was $149,700.00. In addition to the cost for the program, there were approximately 125 to 150 staff hours to administer the program.

There were three other GTA municipalities that provided a rebate program in 2003. Toronto, Ajax and Oakville rebate programs involved multi-tiered calculations. Markham paid out more money than Ajax and Oakville because their rebate programs were limited to electors who lived in the municipality and the contributors were also required to apply for the rebate. The Town’s program was open to any elector in Ontario and the contributors did not have to apply. Schedule “A” is a comparison of the programs within the GTA, including costs.

FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS:

If the program is approved for the 2006 election, funds would be made available in 2007 Operating Budget. Should Council decide to retain the current program or enact a revised program, a by-law will be necessary.

BUSINESS UNITS CONSULTED AND AFFECTED:

Financial Services-

There will be $150,000 accumulated over a 3-year period in the Election budget for the rebate program.

ATTACHMENTS:

Schedule “A”

Sheila Birrell, Town Clerk

Andy Taylor, Commissioner of Corporate Services

Schedule “A”

Rebate formula and program

Municipality	Amount paid out	Formula calculation	Eligibility and process
Town of Markham	$149,700.00	Minimum contribution of $100.00 is eligible for a rebate Maximum rebate of $75.00 per individual	Only qualified electors in the Province of Ontario are eligible Only contributions of money are eligible · Rebates are issued to contributors after candidates’ statements are verified Candidates, their spouses or children are eligible for rebates
City of Toronto	$3.2 million	Under $25.00 – no rebate; Between $25.00 and $300.00 – 75% of the contributed amount; Over $300.00, but not exceeding $1000.00 - $225.00 plus 50% of the difference between the amount of the contribution and $300.00; and If the total contribution to all candidates was more than $1000.00, the rebate was the lesser of: · $575.00 plus 33 1/3% of the difference between the amount of the contribution and $1000.00; and · $1000.00, which is the maximum rebate payable	Individuals, corporations and/or trade unions are eligible(not restricted to City of Toronto only) Money, goods and services contributions are eligible for rebate Contributor must apply for rebate Candidates, their spouses or children are eligible for rebates
Municipality	Amount paid out	Formula calculation	Eligibility and process
Town of Ajax	$18,000.00	Under $25.00 – no rebate $25.00 to $100.00 – 75% of the contributed amount; Over $100.00 - $75.00 plus 50% of the difference between the contribution and $100.00 to a maximum rebate of $150.00	Only qualified electors in the Town of Ajax are eligible Contributor must apply for the rebate Only contributions of money are eligible Candidates, their spouses or children are not eligible for rebates
Town of Oakville	$16,800.00	Minimum contribution - $25.00 50% rebate to a maximum of $200.00 to anyone individual	Only qualified electors in the Town of Oakville are eligible Only contributions of money are eligible Contributor must apply for the rebate Candidates, their spouses and immediate family members are not eligible