Third Party Advertisers

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.

Third party advertising is a way for those outside of the candidate’s campaign to express support of or opposition to candidates (or a “yes” or “no” answer to a question on the ballot) and to try to persuade voters to vote a certain way.

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. 

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.

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 voting on October 26, 2026. 

An individual, corporation or trade union must register with the municipal clerk to be a third party advertiser.

Registration for third party advertisers begins on May 1, 2026, and ends at the close of business on Friday, October 23, 2026. 

Third Party Advertisers must file a Notice of Registration (Form 7) with the municipal clerk in person or by an agent. It must have an original signature – the form may not be a copy and may not be scanned and submitted electronically. There is no registration fee.

The Third Party Advertisers' Guide is produced by the province. The guide is anticipated to be updated for the 2026 election in April; however, the general rules set out in the 2022 guide will still apply.