Third party advertisers
Third party advertising includes any advertisement in broadcast, print, electronic or other medium that has the purpose of promoting, supporting or opposing a candidate.
On this page:
About third-party advertising
Third-party advertising includes any advertisement in broadcast, print, electronic or other medium that has the purpose of promoting, supporting or opposing:
- a candidate
- a municipal question on the ballot
Third-party advertising does not include:
- an advertisement by or under the direction of a candidate
- when no expenses are incurred by the person, corporation or trade union in relation to the advertisement
- advertising or communication that is given to or transmitted by an individual to employees, by a corporation to its shareholders, directors, members, or employees, or by a trade union to its members or employees
Third-party advertising does not apply to ‘issues’. This allows advocacy groups to continue their issue-based advocacy and community work during the municipal election.
Third parties who want to advertise in the election will have to register in each municipality where the third-party intends to advertise. Registration allows a third-party to promote or oppose any candidate or question on the ballot in the local election.
Note: Candidates may not direct a registered third-party advertiser. Candidates may not coordinate, organize or govern how a registered third-party advertiser displays and/or produces election advertisements.
Third-party advertisers guide
If you’d like more information about third-party advertisers, the Province of Ontario’s Third-Party Advertisers Guide includes information about:
- registration
- responsibilities of registered third-party advertisers
- finance rules
- compliance and enforcement
- completing the financial statement
- information for broadcasters and publishers
Eligibility
The following persons and entities are eligible to register as a third-party advertiser:
- any person who is a resident in Ontario
- a corporation carrying business in Ontario
- a trade union that holds bargaining rights for employees in Ontario
The following cannot be a third-party advertiser:
- a candidate running for any municipal council or school board office
- groups, associations or businesses that are not corporations
- federal or provincial political parties
Register as a third-party advertiser
The Municipal Elections Act of 1996 indicates that a third-party advertiser’s campaign period begins on the day they file a registration.
Third-party advertisers cannot spend or raise money for their campaign in an election unless a registration is filed.
Registrations can only be made using the prescribed form (Notice of Registration - Third Party - Form 7) that is signed by the person or on behalf of the organization that are registering.
Registration filing appointments
We encourage you to book an appointment to file your registration with staff. Your appointment will help with reviewing the required documents, establish a point of contact and makes sure the required staff are available to receive the registration.
Registration forms must be filed in person. Signatures on nomination forms must be original and not photocopies or scans.
Book a nomination filing appointment with City of Kitchener election staff
Filing requirements
You will need to provide identification showing identity, and authority on behalf of the corporation or union to file the registration. You must complete the following forms:
Land acknowledgement
The City of Kitchener is situated on the traditional territory of the Chonnonton, Anishinaabeg, and Haudenosaunee Peoples. We recognize our responsibility to act as stewards for the land and honour the original caretakers who came before us. Our community is enriched by the enduring knowledge and deep-rooted traditions of the diverse First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Peoples who live in Kitchener today.