What is a third party advertisement?
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 in the election, or a "yes" or "no" answer to a question on the ballot.
What is not considered a third party advertisement?
- advertisements by or under the direction of a candidate
- issues-based advertising during the election period (with the exception of advertising that has the purpose of promoting, supporting or opposing a "yes" or "no" answer to a question on the ballot)
- advertising that does not cost money to post or broadcast, such as comments made on social media
- messages distributed by:
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- an individual to their employees
- a corporation to its shareholders, directors, members or employees
- a trade union to its members or employees
What information must be included on third party advertisements?
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 parties advertisers in a municipality.
Who is eligible to register as a third party advertiser?
- An individual who is normally a resident in Ontario
- A corporation that carries on business in Ontario
- A trade union that holds bargaining rights for employees in Ontario
Who is not eligible to register as a third party advertiser?
- 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
For more details on campaign finance rules refer to the Municipal Elections Act, 1996 and Overview of changes to Municipal Elections Act.