What is a Third Party Advertising?
Third party advertising refers to advertisements or other materials that support, promote or oppose a candidate, or support, promote or oppose a “yes or “no” answer to a question on the ballot.
Third party advertising is separate from any candidate's campaign, and must be done independently from a candidate. Any advertisements or materials that are made and distributed by a candidate, or under a candidate's direction, are part of the candidate's campaign.
Third party advertising is a way for those outside of the candidate's campaign to express support or opposition to candidates and to try to persuade voters to vote a certain way.
A third party advertisement is an advertisement in any broadcast, print, electronic or other medium that promotes, supports or opposes a candidate, or a “yes' or “no” answer to a question on the ballot. Advertisements include traditional ads as well as materials such as brochures or signs.
What is not a third party advertisement?
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.
Who can be a third party advertiser?
Only those who have registered can spend money on third party advertising. The following are eligible to register as a third party advertiser:
· any person who is a resident in Ontario
· a corporation carrying on business in Ontario
· a trade union that holds bargaining rights for employee in Ontario
Who cannot be a third party advertiser?
A candidate running for any municipal council or school board office cannot registered to be a third party advertiser in any municipality.
Groups, associations or businesses that are not corporations are not eligible to registered and may not spend money on third party advertising in municipal elections. For example, neighbourhood associations, clubs or professional associations cannot register and cannot make contributions to third party advertisers. Members may register as individual third party advertisers and may contribute individually.
Registration
An individual, corporation or trade union must registered with the Municipal Clerk to be a third party advertiser in a municipality by completing a Notice of Registration – Third Party – Form 7. Being registered in a municipality allows the third party to advertise to the voters in that municipality. A third party advertiser can support or oppose any candidate or candidates who will be voted on by the people in that municipality. This includes candidates running for local council, school trustee and candidates running for offices on an upper tier council.
The Province has prepared the 2022 Third Party Advertisers' Guide. This guide provides information to those who want to register as third party advertisers for the 2022 municipal council and school board elections. It is not meant to replace provincial legislation. It provides general information about the rules contained in the Municipal Elections Act, 1996 and other legislation and regulations
2022 Notice of Third Party Registration
Please note - Third Party Advertisers' Guide and Registration will be updated when the 2026 versions become available.
