Third Party Advertisers
What is Third Party Advertising?
Third party advertising refers to any broadcast, print, electronic or other medium that supports, promotes or opposes a candidate on the ballot. Third party is a person or entity who is not a candidate. Third party advertising is separate from any candidate’s campaign, and must be done independently from a candidate. Advertisement includes traditional ads as well as materials such as brochures or signs.
Activities that do not involve spending money, such as discussions or expressing an opinion about a candidate 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 sending an email to a group or mailing list.
Becoming a registered third party advertiser
Ontario residents, corporations and trade unions that will incur expenses for advertisements related to the promotion, support or opposition of a candidate, in any broadcast, print, electronic, or other medium must register as a third party advertiser. They can begin filing their Notice of Registration on will begin at 8:30 am on Monday, May 2, 2022 and end at 4:30 pm on Friday, October 21, 2022. Additional information regarding the registration process and forms will be available in early 2022.
Who can register as a third party advertiser?
Only the following persons and entities are eligible to file a notice of registration:
- 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 cannot register as a third party advertiser?
Persons and entities that are not eligible to file a notice of registration include:
- A candidate whose nomination has been filed under section 33.
- 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.
Registration information:
- An individual, corporation or trade union may register as a third party advertiser by filing a Notice of Registration during regular office hours, beginning Monday, May 2, 2022 at 8:30 am. The Notice of Registration may not be faxed, mailed or emailed, as an original signature is required.
- The individual filing the Notice of Registration will be required to present proof of identity
Documents needed for registration
- A completed copy of the notice of registration
- A declaration of qualification signed by the individual or by a representative of the corporation or trade union, as the case may be
- Proof of identity
- Agent authorization letter (if agent is filing on behalf of third party)
Note: Notices of Registration are public documents and are available for inspection in the Clerk’s Office.
Registration period:
- Notices of Registration may be filed during regular office hours at the Elections Office as of Monday, May 2, 2022, at 8:30 am.
- The deadline for an individual, corporation or trade union to submit a Notice of Registration is Friday, October 21, 2022, at 4:30 pm.
Campaign finances:
An individual, corporation, or trade union cannot raise or spend any money on third party advertisements that will appear during an election in The County until they have registered as a third party and opened a bank account exclusively for the purposes of the election campaign.
Registered third party advertisers are responsible for keeping records of the financial activities related to their campaign and are required to keep these records until October 26, 2026 when the next council or school board takes office.
Third party advertisements:
Timing
Third Party Advertisements may only be placed after the third party advertiser has registered with the Clerk and ends at the close of voting on Voting Day – 8:00 p.m.
Mandatory Information
All advertisements placed must include the following information:
- The name of the registered third party advertiser;
- The municipality where the third party advertiser is registered;
- A telephone number, mailing address or email address at which the third party advertiser may be contacted regarding the advertisement.
Mandatory information for broadcasters and publishers:
Registered third party advertisers must provide the following information to the broadcaster or publisher in writing:
- The name of the registered third party.
- The name, 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.
Broadcasters and publishers are prohibited from running a third party advertisement unless the above-noted information is provided.
The broadcaster or publisher of a third party advertisement is required to retain the following information for a period of four years after the date the advertisement appears:
- The mandatory information that is required for broadcasters and publishers (the name of the registered third party; the municipality where they are registered; and the contact information for the person who deals with the broadcaster or publisher);
- A copy of the advertisement, or the means of reproducing it for inspection; and
- A statement of the charge made for its appearance.
The broadcaster or publisher must also permit the public to inspect these records during normal business hours.
Need more information?
Questions about the municipal election can be directed to the Municipal Clerks/Returnign Officer Office:
905-372-4301 Ext-4401
Town of Cobourg
Legislative Services Division
Elections - Returning Officer
55 King Street West
Cobourg, ON K9A 2M2
Telephone: 905-372-4301
Fax: 905-372-7558
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