Definition of Third Party Advertising means an advertisement in any medium that has the purpose of promoting or supporting or opposing a candidate(s) or a "yes" or "no" answer to a question on the ballot.
It does not include:
- An advertisement by or under the direction of a candidate
- Where no expenses are incurred by the person / entity in relation to the advertisement
- When given or transmitted by an individual to employees, by a corporation to its shareholders, directors, members or employees or by a trade union to its members or employees
- Eligibility for Registration as Third Party Advertiser
- Individuals, corporations or trade unions must formally register with the municipal clerk as a third party advertiser. The Region has no involvement with Third Party Advertisers.
Registrations will be accepted by municipal clerks between the first day for filing nominations (May 1) and the Friday before voting day (Oct. 23, 2026) in a regular election.
The following are NOT permitted to register:
- Municipal election candidates
- Federal and Provincial political parties, constituency associations, registered candidates and leadership contestants
- Federal and Provincial governments, a municipality or local board
- Third Party Advertising Requirements
- Must be registered at time of advertisement, and the ad must contain:
- Name of registered third party
- The municipality where the third party is registered
- Telephone number, mailing address or email address at which the third party may be contacted about the ad
- The broadcaster / publisher must retain records of the above information, a copy of the ad / means of reproducing it and the cost, for four years after the date of appearance and shall permit inspection of same during normal business hours
Contributions cannot be made or accepted unless registered as a third party. Same contribution limits as those for candidates: $1,200 per registered third party and maximum of $5,000 total for registered third parties in the same municipality.
Expenses are subject to a maximum expense limit (a prescribed formula based on the number of electors entitled to vote). Must record expenses and file a financial statement.
Third party advertisers are subject to compliance audits in the event an application is filed with the Compliance Audit Committee.
The municipality may require any person who contravenes the provisions for third party advertisers or caused / permitted the contravention, including the owner or occupier of the land on which the contravention occurred, to remove or discontinue the advertising.
There are similar penalties as those for candidates for financial statement default.
