Elections Canada

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - July 5, 2007) - The Chief Electoral Officer of Canada, Marc Mayrand, announced today that registered party financial transactions returns for 2006 have been filed with Elections Canada, as required by subsection 424(4) of the Canada Elections Act.

The deadline for filing these returns was midnight, July 3, 2007. In certain circumstances, the Chief Electoral Officer of Canada may grant an extension if an application is made before the statutory deadline, in accordance with paragraphs 433(1)(a) and 433(2)(a) of the Act.

As of midnight, July 3, the Marxist-Leninist Party of Canada, the Progressive Canadian Party, Libertarian Party of Canada, and the First Peoples National Party of Canada have applied for and been granted an extension until July 31, 2007.

The Registered Party Financial Transactions Return contains information on contributions to and expenditures by registered political parties for the period from January 1 to December 31, 2006.

The Canada Elections Act requires anyone contributing over $200 to be identified by name and address. Each return includes a statement of assets and liabilities, and a statement of revenues and expenses. An auditor's report must also accompany the return for each political party.

The 2006 fiscal returns will also be posted in a searchable database on Elections Canada's Web site at www.elections.ca.

Elections Canada is an independent body set up by Parliament.