What is a Third Party Advertisement?

A Third Party advertisement is considered an advertisement, in any medium, that has the purpose of promoting or supporting or opposing a candidate(s) or a 'yes' or 'no' to a question on a ballot. Individuals, corporations or trade unions are eligible to register as a third party advertiser provided that they have formally registered with the local Clerk as a third party advertiser. Third party advertisers are required to identify themselves on campaign advertisements and signs, so that it is clear who is responsible for each sign and advertisement that appears or is broadcast. 

A Third Party Advertisement does not include:

• An advertisement by and under the direction of a candidate;
• Where no expenses are incurred by the person/entity in relation to the advertisement; and
• When given 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.

Please review the 2022 Guide for Third Party Advertisers produced by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs for more information.

Who can be 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 employees in Ontario. 

Individuals, corporations or trade unions are eligible to register as a third party advertiser provided that they have formally registered with the local Clerk as a third party advertiser. 

Key Dates 

Third Party Registration Package

Please print ALL the following documents for the complete Third Party Registration Package

Note: Firefox browser is recommended for opening the forms below. 

• Notice of Third Party Registration (Form 7)  
• Financial Statement - Auditors Report (Form 8) 
• Financial Statement - Subsequent Expenses (Form 5) 
• Notice of Extension of Campaign Period (Form 6)
• Municipal Campaign Account
• Estimated Maximum Campaign Spending Limits
• Notice to Registered Third Party of Filing Requirements
• Consent to Release Personal Information
• Declaration of Qualification - Third Party Advertiser

• Additional Information:
• Campaign Spending Information

Mandatory Information in Third Party Advertisements

The third party advertiser must be registered at the time of the advertisement.

The ad must contain the following:

• Name of registered third party;
• The municipality where the third party is registered;
• A telephone number, mailing address or email address to contact the third party.

A registered third party is not permitted to allow a third party advertisement to appear during the restricted period unless the broadcaster/publisher has been provided the following in writing:

• Name of the registered third party;
• Municipality where third party is registered; and
• Name, business address and telephone number of individual under direction of registered third party.

The broadcaster/publisher retains records with respect to the above, copy of the advertisement/means of reproducing it and the cost. They must retain the record for four years after the date of the appearance of the advertisement and permit inspection during normal business hours.

Please review the 2022 Guide for Third Party Advertisers produced by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs for more information.

Requirements

No individual, corporation or trade union is permitted to incur expenses for a third party advertisement that appears during the restricted period unless they are a registered third party. Restricted period is the date registration is filed and ends at the close of voting on Voting Day.

Contributions by corporations and trade unions to candidates are banned, however, corporations and trade unions can contribute to third party advertisers. Money, goods and services are considered contributions.

The following are permitted to contribute:

• An individual who is normally a resident of Ontario;
• A corporation that carries on business in Ontario;
• A trade union that holds bargaining rights for employees in Ontario; and
• The registered third party and in the case of an individual, his or her spouse (subject to s.88.12(5) of the Municipal Elections Act,1996).

Contributions:

• Cannot be made or accepted unless registered as a third party;
• Maximum contribution from a single contributor is $1,200 to a registered third party and $5,000 to two or more registered third parties in a municipality.

These contribution limits do not apply to the registered third party if the contribution is made by themselves and the same for an individual third party advertiser, along with his or her spouse.

Expenses:

• Subject to maximum expense limit (prescribed formula based on the number of electors entitled to vote);
• Required to record expenses and file a financial statement.

A fundraising function relating to third party advertisements that are to appear during an election cannot be held for an individual, corporation or trade union that is not registered as a third party in a municipality and cannot be held outside the campaign period.