What is 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. The meaning of “third party” in this context means 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. 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.
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. Advertisement includes traditional ads as well as materials such as brochures or signs.
Further information is available at the following link:
2026 Third-Party Advertisers’ Guide – Ontario Municipal Council and School Board Elections
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 who has filed a nomination for any municipal council or school board office cannot register to be a third-party advertiser in any municipality.
Groups, associations or businesses that are not corporations are not eligible to register and may not spend money on third-party advertising in municipal elections. For example, neighbourhood associations, clubs or professional associations that are not corporations cannot register and cannot make contributions to third-party advertisers. Members may register as individual third-party advertisers and may contribute individually.
Advertising Period
The Municipal Elections Act, 1996, sets out a restricted period for third-party advertising. This restricted period runs from May 1 in the year of the election to the close of voting on voting day. For the 2026 election, the restricted period is May 1, 2026, to the close of votingon October 26, 2026.
Registration Information
An individual, corporation or trade union can register to be a third-party advertiser beginning on May 1, 2026, and can file a registration until the close of business on Friday, October 23, 2026.
An individual, corporation or trade union must be registered with the Municipal Clerk to be a third party advertiser in a municipality by completing a Notice of Registration – Third Party – Form 7. The municipal clerk must be satisfied that the individual, corporation or trade union is eligible in order to certify the registration and may require that identification or additional documents be provided.
A person who is filing as the representative of a corporation or a trade union should make sure that they can provide proof that they are authorized to act on the corporation or trade union’s behalf.
The clerk must certify your registration in order for you to begin your campaign as a registered third-party advertiser. 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.
Additional information will be provided when it is available.