On this page
1. Third Party Advertiser's Guide
2. Eligibility
3. Registration
4. Registered Third Party Advertisers
5. Advertising Requirements
6. Finance Rules and Contributions
Third party advertising is any ad that promotes, supports or opposes a political candidate. "Third Party" refers to the person, entity, or individual responsible for the advertising who is not a candidate. Any ads carried out under the direction of a candidate are considered part of the candidate's campaign.
A person, entity, or organization who intends to spend money on advertising in support or opposition of a candidate during the municipal election, must first register as a Third Party Advertiser with the Clerk's Department. There is no fee to register as a Third Party Advertiser
Third Party Advertiser's Guide
Learn more about how to register and what rules you must follow under the Municipal Elections Act in the province's 2022 Third Party Advertiser's Guide.
Eligibility
You are eligible to register as a Third Party Advertiser if you are:
- An individual who normally resides in Ontario;
- A business or corporation who carries on business in Ontario; and,
- 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 in the current municipal election
- A federal political party registered under the Canada Elections Act 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; and,
- The Crown in right of Canada or Ontario, a municipality or local board.
Registration
Any person, entity, or organization who wishes to spend money on advertising in support or opposition of a candidate during the municipal election, must register as a Third Party Advertiser with the Clerk's Department. Registration can be completed between May 02, 2022 and October 21, 2022.
Registration packages, including all necessary forms for Third Party Advertisers, are available for pick-up at Service Timmins during regular business hours Monday to Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
Registered Third Party Advertisers
Third party advertiser can register between May 2, 2022 to October 21, 2022. Once registered, a list of third party advertisers will be provided here.
Advertising Requirements
Third party advertisers must be clearly identified and provide mandatory information in all advertising beginning May 2 until the close of voting on October 24, 2022. Third party advertisements must contain the following information:
- Name of the registered third party advertiser;
- Municipality where the third party advertiser is registered; and
- Contact information including telephone number, mailing address or email address at which the registered third party advertiser may be contacted.
Finance Rules and Contributions
Third party advertisers have campaign finance rules similar to the rules for candidates. There are both spending limits for third party advertisers and 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.