Bill 58: Elections Act

The businesses most directly affected are candidates running for office and those who support them — typically individuals working in any industry across the NWT who decide to seek a seat in the Legislative Assembly. Their financial agents (a required appointment for every candidate) must track and report campaign contributions capped at $1,500 per donor, maintain a separate bank account once contributions exceed $1,500, and keep detailed invoices and receipts for expenses over $75, all within a $30,000 total campaign spending limit. Third-party organizations — such as local advocacy groups, businesses, or unincorporated associations operating in the NWT — that want to run election advertising must register as third-party sponsors, appoint a chief financial officer, maintain a sponsorship account, and report their spending. Media outlets, advertising firms, and digital platforms that produce or carry election advertising will face new disclosure rules, including mandatory sponsor identification and, where artificial intelligence is used to create ads, disclosure of that use.