Canada Elections Act (S.C. 2000, c. 9)

Marginal note:Appointment of Broadcasting Arbitrator

• 332. (1) A Broadcasting Arbitrator shall be appointed by the Chief Electoral Officer without delay after the consultations described in section 333. The Broadcasting Arbitrator shall be

  • (a) chosen by a unanimous decision of representatives of registered parties; or

  • (b) named by the Chief Electoral Officer, if the consultations do not result in a unanimous decision.

• Marginal note:Term of office

  (2) The term of office of the Broadcasting Arbitrator shall expire six months after polling day at the general election next following his or her appointment.

• Marginal note:Removal for cause

  (3) The Chief Electoral Officer may remove the Broadcasting Arbitrator from office only for cause.

• Marginal note:Eligible for re-appointment

  (4) A Broadcasting Arbitrator whose term of office has expired is eligible to be re-appointed.

• Marginal note:Salary

  (5) A Broadcasting Arbitrator shall be paid the salary or other remuneration that may be fixed by the Chief Electoral Officer.

Marginal note:Convening of representatives

• 333. (1) The Chief Electoral Officer shall hold a meeting of two representatives of each registered party represented in the House of Commons at that time, or if Parliament is dissolved, at the time of dissolution, designated in writing by their party leader, for the purpose of holding consultations to choose a Broadcasting Arbitrator. The meeting shall be held within

  • (a) 90 days after polling day at a general election; or

  • (b) 14 days after the day on which the Broadcasting Arbitrator dies, becomes incapacitated, resigns or is removed from office, if that day is not during the election period of a general election.

• Marginal note:Chairperson

  (2) The Chief Electoral Officer shall designate the Chairperson at the meeting referred to in subsection (1) and at all subsequent consultations.

• Marginal note:Report

  (3) The representatives of the registered parties referred to in subsection (1) shall make a report signed by each of them to the Chief Electoral Officer of the results of their consultations no later than

  • (a) six weeks after a meeting referred to in paragraph (1)(a); and

  • (b) four weeks after a meeting referred to in paragraph (1)(b).

Marginal note:Vacancy during election period

334. In the event of the death, incapacity, resignation or removal of the Broadcasting Arbitrator during the election period of a general election, the Chief Electoral Officer shall appoint a new Broadcasting Arbitrator without delay.

Marginal note:Broadcasting time to be provided to registered parties

• 335. (1) In the period beginning on the issue of the writs for a general election and ending at midnight on the day before polling day, every broadcaster shall, subject to the regulations made under the Broadcasting Act and the conditions of its licence, make available, for purchase by all registered parties for the transmission of political announcements and other programming produced by or on behalf of the registered parties, six and one-half hours of broadcasting time during prime time on its facilities.

• Marginal note:When broadcaster affiliated with network

  (2) If a broadcaster is affiliated with a network, the part of the broadcasting time to be made available under subsection (1) that may be determined by agreement between the broadcaster and the network operator shall be made available by the network operator during the portion of the broadcaster’s prime time broadcasting schedule that has been delegated to the control of the network operator.