Third Party Advertisers

Third Party Adv​ertisers

If a person, corporation or trade union inten​ds to spend money on advertisements or other materials that support, promote or oppose a candidate running in the municipal election, or support, promote or oppose a question on the ballot, they are required to register as a Third Party Advertiser with the City Clerk.​

The registration period for a third party advertiser for the next Municipal Election is from May 2, 2022 to October 21, 2022.  (Notice of Registration Forms will be available online prior to the Registration Period opening).

Rule​s for Third Party ​​Advertising

A person, corporation or trade union must register with the City Clerk from May 2, 2022 to October 21, 2022, if they spend money on advertisements or other materials that support, promote or oppose a candidate in the Municipal Election, or question on the ballot.

The Municipal Elections Act, 1996, sets out the rules for third party advertising:

• A third party advertisement is an advertisement in any broadcast, print, electronic or other medium that has the purpose of promoting, supporting or opposing a candidate running in the election, or a "yes" or "no" answer to a question on the ballot;
• Individuals, corporations and trade unions who wish to conduct third party advertising in the City of Thorold Municipal Election must be registered with the City Clerk;
• A third party advertiser cannot spend money on their campaign, accept contributions or begin advertising until their registration is certified by the City Clerk
• ​Advertisements MUST identify the name of the registered third party advertiser, the municipality where they are registered and contact information.
• Candidates cannot register as a third party advertiser, and cannot direct a third party advertiser.

​El​​igib​ility

You are eligible to register as a third party advertiser if you are:

• an individual who is a resident in Ontario; or
• a corporation that carries on business in Ontario; or
• 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 under s.33 of the Municipal Elections Act; or
• 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; or
• a provincial political party, constituency association, registered candidate or leadership contestant registered under the Election Finances Act; or
• ​the Crown in right of Canada or Ontario, a municipality or local board; or
• a group, association or business that is not a corporation; or
• a registered third party who failed to file the necessary financial statement or exceeded any of the spending limits in the last municipal election or by-election.

Ho​​w to Register

For the 2022 Municipal Election, registration to become a third party advertiser opens on May 2, 2022 and closes on October 21, 2022.  Third Party Advertisers must be registered in the municipality where they want to advertise.

Those interested in becoming a Third Party Advertiser must file a Notice of Registration in person or by an agent.  This Notice of Registration must be certified by the City Clerk before any money can be raised or spend on advertising.  

There is no fee required to be paid to register as a Third Party Advertiser.

At the time of filing, the following documentation must be provided:

Filing a​s an individual registrant:

• Completed Notice of Registration Form (to be available prior to May 2, 2022)
• ​Acceptable identification showing your name, address with your Ontario residence and signature

Filing as an agent or o​n behalf of an individual registrant:

• Completed Notice of Registration Form (to be available prior to May 2, 2022)
• A copy of the individual registrant's acceptable identification
• ​Acceptable identification showing your name and signature

Filing as the official​​l representative of a corporation or trade union registrant:

• Completed Notice of Registration Form (to be available prior to May 2, 2022)
• A Board resolution from the Corporation or trade union authorizing you to act on behalf of the corporation or trade union
• Acceptable identification showing your name and signature

​Third Party Adverti​​sers Guide

For each Municipal Election, the Province of Ontario releases a guide with information on registering as a third party advertiser, advertising rules, financial filing requirements, and more.  The Guide will be posted on our website once it becomes available.

Acceptable Iden​tification for Third Party Advertisers

If you are filing as an individual registrant, you must present ​​original acceptable identification showing your name, qualifying Ontario address and signature.  This can be one piece of ID or a combination of two pieces of ID.​

A link will be provided closer to the opening of the Nomination Period to assist individuals in determining what identification is acceptable.