Information for Third Party Advertisers

Third party advertiser Information Session

The Clerks of the County of Grey are hosting two information sessions to assist third party advertisers to understand the new rules for 2018.

Third party advertisers' Guide and Information Package

The Ministry of Municipal Affairs has created a Third Party Advertisers' Guide for Ontario municipal council and school board elections.

The City Clerk has created a Third Party Advertiser Information Package as well.  These are the forms referenced in the package:

• Form 7 - Notice of Registration - Third Party
• Form OS11 - Release of Campaign Information

More forms and resources can be found on the Election Resources page.

Who is a third party advertiser? 

A third party advertiser is any individual, corporation or trade union that causes an election campaign advertisement to appear. A third party advertiser is required to register with the City Clerk. 

What is a third party advertisement? 

A third party advertisement is a message in any medium (billboard, newspaper, radio, etc.) that supports or opposes a candidate or a “yes” or “no” vote on a question on the ballot.

Third party advertising does not include issues-based advertising, so groups that do public outreach can continue their issued-based advocacy work throughout the municipal election period.

Advertising that does not cost money to post or broadcast, such as comments made on social media, will not be considered to be third party advertising.

Who can register as a third party advertiser? 

Individuals, corporations and unions can register as third party advertisers and can also make contributions to third party advertisers.

Third party advertisers will need to register with the municipality where they want to advertise. If they want to advertise in more than one municipality, they have to register in each municipality.

Registration allows a third party advertiser to promote or oppose any candidate that the electors in the municipality can vote for (local council, school board trustee positions and regional or county council offices).

Third party advertising must be done independently of candidates, who are not able to direct a third party advertiser.

Candidates are not able to register as third party advertisers.

What are the requirements for third party advertising? 

If approached by third party advertisers, it is very important that broadcasters and publishers adhere to the following mandatory rules:

• By Section 88.4 of the Act, broadcasters and publishers may only permit third party advertisements to appear between May 1, 2018 and Election Day (October 22, 2018);
• A registered third party must provide the following information to the broadcasters or publisher in writing before the third party advertisements appears:
• The name of the registered third party;
• The name of the business address and telephone number of the individual who deals with the broadcaster or publisher under the direction of the registered third party;
• The municipality where the registered third party is registered.

What Information must third party advertisers include?

Third party advertisers must identify themselves and provide mandatory information on all advertising beginning May 1 until the close of voting on October 22, 2018.

Third party advertisements must contain the following information:

• Name of the registered third party advertiser
• Municipality where the third party advertiser is registered
• Telephone number, mailing address or email address at which the registered third party advertiser may be contacted regarding the advertisement

Do campaign finance rules apply to third party advertisers?

Yes, campaign finance rules for third party advertisers are similar to the rules for candidates.

• Third party advertisers have spending limits and there are contribution limits for those wishing to contribute to a third party advertiser.
• Corporations and trade unions are permitted to make contributions to third party advertisers, but are not permitted to make contributions to candidates.
• The maximum contribution from a single contributor is $1,200 to a registered third party advertiser and $5,000 to two or more registered third party advertisers in a municipality

How much does it cost to register as a third party advertiser?

Where can I find a list of registered third party advertisers? 

A list of registered third party advertisers will be made available on the City of Owen Sound website.

How to register 

Registration opens beginning May 1 to October 19, 2018.  Your registration must be filed in person or by an agent at the Clerk's Office at City Hall.

If you want to advertise in more than one municipality, you must register in each municipality where you want to advertise. 

Eligibility

You are eligible to register as a third party advertiser if you are:

• An individual who is normally resident in Ontario
• A corporation that carries on business in Ontario
• A trade union that holds bargaining rights for employees in Ontario

You are not eligible to register as a third party advertiser if you are:

• A candidate whose nomination has been filed under section 33 of the Municipal Elections Act, 1996
• A federal political party registered under the Canada Elections Act (Canada) or any federal constituency association or registered candidate at a federal election endorsed by that party
• A provincial political party, constituency association, registered candidate or leadership contestant registered under the Election Finances Act
• The Crown in right of Canada or Ontario, a municipality or local board