Third Party Advertisers

A Third Party Advertisement is an advertisement in any broadcast, print, electronic or other medium that has the purpose of promoting, supporting or opposing,

• a candidate, or
• a “yes” or “no” to a question on a ballot.

Advertisement includes traditional ads as well as materials such as brochures or signs. The meaning of third party in this context means a person or entity who is not a candidate. Eligible individuals, corporations and trade unions can register to be third party advertisers. Third party advertising is separate from any candidate’s campaign and must be done independently from a candidate.

Activities that do not involve spending money, such as discussions or expressing an opinion about a candidate (or an answer to a question on the ballot) are not considered to be third party advertising.

Examples include:

• speaking to friends and neighbours;
• posting on social media, such as Twitter, Facebook or Instagram; or
• sending an email to a group or mailing list.

Only those who have registered can spend money on third party advertising. The following are eligible to register as a third party advertiser:

• any person who is a resident in Ontario;
• a corporation carrying on business in Ontario; or
• a trade union that holds bargaining rights for employees in Ontario.

If two or more corporations are owned or controlled by the same person or people, or if one corporation controls another, they are considered to be a single corporation. If the same person or people own or control multiple corporations, only one of those corporations may register to be a third party in a municipality.

There is no restriction against family members or campaign staff of candidates registering to be third party advertisers. However, third party advertising must be done independently of the candidate. If a person with close ties to a candidate wishes to register they should consider how these activities may look to the public and how they would be able to demonstrate that they were not working in co-ordination with the candidate.

A candidate running for any municipal council or school board office cannot register to be a third party advertiser in any municipality.

Groups, associations or businesses that are not corporations are not eligible to register and may not spend money on third party advertising in municipal elections. For example, neighbourhood associations, clubs or professional associations cannot register and cannot make contributions to third party advertisers. Members may register as individual third party advertisers and may contribute individually.

Candidates in the provincial election cannot register. They may register after the provincial election, when they are no longer candidates.

Federal and provincial political parties cannot register to be third party advertisers. Political parties are not permitted to be financially involved in municipal elections.

An individual or a representative of a corporation or trade union must file a Notice of Registration (Form 7) with the Clerk in person or by an agent.

To register, please make an appointment with the Clerk's office by:

• E-mailing the Clerk
• Phoning the Municipal Office at 705-639-5343; or
• Visiting the Municipal Office at 2357 County Road 45. 

Until you register, you cannot engage in any third party advertising activity.

Third Party Advertisers must also file a Financial Statement.

Download the 2022 Third Party Advertiser's Guide (1.31 MB)

Municipal Elections Act