Third-Party Advertisers

Activities that do not involve spending money, such as discussions or expressing an opinion about a candidate (or an answer to a question on the ballot) are not considered to be third party advertising. 

Examples include: 

• speaking to friends and neighbours
• posting on social media, such as Facebook or Instagram
• sending an email to a group or mailing list

Internal communications from an employer to their employee, a corporation to its shareholders, directors, members or employees or by a trade union to its members or employees are not considered to be third party advertising.

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 employees in Ontario

If two or more corporations are owned or controlled by the same person or people, or if one corporation controls another, they are considered to be a single corporation. If the same person or people own or control multiple corporations, only one of those corporations may register to be a third-party advertiser in a municipality.

There is no restriction against family members or campaign staff of candidates registering to be third party advertisers. However, third-party advertising must be done independently of the candidate. If a person with close ties to a candidate wants to register, they should consider how these activities may look to the public and how they would be able to demonstrate that they were not working in co-ordination with the candidate.

A candidate running 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 cannot register and cannot make contributions to third party advertisers. Members may register as individual third party advertisers and may contribute individually.

Candidates in the provincial election cannot register. They may register after the provincial election, when they are no longer candidates.

Federal and provincial political parties cannot register to be third party advertisers. Political parties are not permitted to be financially involved in municipal elections.

Registrants must submit a completed Notice of Registration - Third Party prescribed Form 7 in-person at the Township Administration Office. There is no registration fee for third-party advertising. 

Nominations may be filed during regular office hours throughout the nomination period starting on Friday, May 1, 2026, and ending the Friday before Voting day being Friday, October 23, 2026. 

Third-Party Advertiser Packages will be available closer to the opening of the nomination period.

It is recommended to book an appointment to file your nomination, please contact the Township Clerk Jessica Kennedy at 226-259-9400 ext. 204 or by email.

Nomination Papers may be submitted in-person at the Township Administration Office:

Township of East Garafraxa
065371 Dufferin County Road 3, Unit 2
East Garafraxa, ON

Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH)

Review the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing 2026 Third-Party Advertisers' Guide linked below for information on how to register as a third-party advertiser in Ontario municipal council and school board elections and the rules you must follow under the Municipal Elections Act, 1996.

• 2026 Third-Party Advertisers' Guide (Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing)