Financial Agent Training School & Reminders
Financial Agent Training School
Over the past four years, our team has been working with registered political parties to build greater capacity among the financial agents (formerly known as business managers) that their candidates appoint. It is essential that those appointed are able to fulfil the responsibilities assigned to them by legislation.
One of our priorities has been to ensure that we make effective training materials available to financial agents. As needed, we will also supplement these materials with training sessions and offer the opportunity to ask questions. A section on our website specifically devoted to Financial Agent training materials is now accessible by going to https://www.elections.sk.ca/candidates-political-parties/financial-agent-training/ or going to https://www.elections.sk.ca, clicking on the “Candidates and Parties” heading and clicking into “Financial Agent Training School.”
We have created “How-to” guides to walk Financial Agents through many of the tasks they’ll be required to complete. Financial agents will also be able to easily register for webinars and Q&A sessions (more info on these below) as well as find links to videos, our Financial Agents Newsletters, and other useful resources.
I know that your candidates and their financial agents can benefit greatly from this information. Could you please distribute this Communique to your candidates, prospective candidates and all financial agents in your party? Consulting this information in advance and throughout the completion of the expense return will make the job of the Financial Agent easier and faster.
Financial Agent Webinars and Q&As
One of our goals is to ensure your candidates and financial agents have the information necessary to fulfill their responsibilities. To this end, Aaron Thompson, our Director of Finance, and his team have arranged for a number of training webinars and Town Hall Q&A sessions. At present, the schedule includes:
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Webinars: Thursday, September 19 – 6 p.m. Saturday, October 19 – 2 p.m. Saturday, November 2 – 2 p.m. Town Hall Q&A Sessions: Monday, October 7 – 7 p.m. Thursday, October 17 – 7 p.m. |
Interested candidates and financial agents can register online using links found on our site in the area dedicated to the Financial Agent Training School – https://www.elections.sk.ca/candidates-political-parties/financial-agent-training/.
Additional sessions will be added based on demand. If a financial agent is unable to attend the available sessions, please have them contact Aaron Thompson, Director of Finance, at aaron.thompson@elections.sk.ca to make arrangements.
If you have questions about these training opportunities, I’d encourage you to contact Aaron and he would be happy to provide additional information. Our staff are dedicating considerable time to these training and learning opportunities to make it easier for your candidates and financial agents to fulfill their responsibilities and we sincerely hope that they will take advantage of them.
Highways Signs
In late August, I shared the policy and rules on election-signage along provincial Highways. This is a topic on which my office has received significant feedback from the public in recent weeks, so I want to reiterate my request that you share this information with candidates and ensure that their billboards and signs comply with all directions from the Ministry. I have re-attached their policy and summary document to this Communique.
Registration Information Reminder
Finally, another reminder that I want to share with you. Registered political parties must advise Elections Saskatchewan of any changes to information contained in the Register of Political Parties, including names and addresses of officers of the political party. Should you need to update us of any recent changes, please complete form E-513 (attached and also available online at the following URL: https://cdn.elections.sk.ca/upload/E-513-Alteration-in-the-Register-Information-of-a-RPP-2023.pdf).
Once completed, the form can be submitted to Aaron Thompson at the email shown above.
Dr. Michael Boda
Chief Electoral Officer
Province of Saskatchewan