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Our Priorities
The Canadian Council of Campaign Consultants (CCCC) advocates for a fair, transparent, and modern political process that empowers campaigns and enhances voter engagement.
Our policy priorities reflect our belief that well-run, well-informed campaigns strengthen democracy. When appropriate, we also believe these principles should apply to the non-profit and charitable sectors, where similar regulatory and communication challenges exist.
If you have ideas for additional policy priorities, we encourage you to contact our Policy Committee for consideration.
Modernizing Election Day Communication Rules
We believe that more communication—and more timely communication—with voters leads to higher engagement and participation.
While election day “blackout” rules have been eliminated federally and in most provinces without issue, some jurisdictions still prohibit even simple get-out-the-vote messages on election day.
In British Columbia, campaigns can text supporters the day before election day reminding them to “vote tomorrow,” but cannot text them on election day itself. In Ontario, updating your website after midnight to say “vote today” is technically illegal.
These outdated restrictions serve no practical purpose and make it harder to remind citizens to exercise their democratic right. CCCC believes these blackouts should be repealed.
Raising Unreasonably Low Campaign Spending Limits
We support reasonable limits that prevent undue influence of big money in politics—but spending caps must also allow candidates to effectively communicate with voters.
At the municipal level, spending limits are often so restrictive that candidates cannot share their ideas widely, especially as local media coverage declines and most races are non-partisan. The result is that name recognition, not ideas, becomes the main driver of success.
For example, in Winnipeg—a city of 750,000—the mayoral campaign spending limit is approximately $290,000, or less than 39 cents per voter. This is lower than Halifax’s $300,000 limit despite a much smaller population. Spending limits in major cities should be raised to reflect their size and ensure fair, competitive elections.
Creating a Special Postage Rate for Campaign Communications
Direct Mail and Neighbourhood Mail (formerly known as Unaddressed Admail) remain among the most effective tools for campaigns to reach voters—particularly in an era of declining local media coverage and fragmented online attention. But increasing postage costs make it harder for campaigns, especially smaller ones and independents, to communicate directly with their communities.
A dedicated postage rate for political campaign communications would make it more affordable for candidates to share their message, encourage voter participation, and foster a more informed electorate.
By making it easier and more cost-effective for campaigns to reach voters, this change would strengthen democratic engagement at every level of government.