Third Party Advertisers

The following is not third-party advertising:

• Activities that do not involve incurring expenses
• discussions or expressing an opinion about a candidate
• speaking to friends and neighbours
• posting on social media, such as X, Facebook or Instagram without incurring expenses
• sending an email to a group or mailing list Internal communications from an employer to their employees or members
• Advertising about an issue, such as signs saying “Support local businesses”

Ontario residents, corporations and trade unions that will incur expenses for advertisements related to the promotion, support or opposition of a candidate, in any broadcast, print, electronic, or other medium must register as a third-party advertiser. They can begin filing their Notice of Registration during business hours from Monday, May 1, 2026 to 4:30 pm on Friday, October 23, 2026. 

Only the following persons and entities are eligible to file a notice of registration:

• An individual who is normally a resident in Ontario.
• A corporation that carries on business in Ontario.
• A trade union that holds bargaining rights for employees in Ontario.

Persons and entities that are not eligible to file a notice of registration include:

• A candidate whose nomination has been filed to run in the 2026 municipal election, under section 33 of the Municipal Elections Act.
• 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.
• A provincial political party, constituency association, registered candidate or leadership contestant registered under the Election Finances Act.
• The Crown in right of Canada or Ontario, a municipality or local board.
• A group, association or business that is not a corporation. For example, neighbourhood associations, clubs or professional associations that are not corporations cannot register and cannot make contributions to third-party advertisers.
• A registered third party advertiser who failed to file the necessary financial statement or exceeded any of the spending limits in the last municipal election or by-election or failed to provide their surplus to the Clerk in the last municipal election or by-election.

A registered individual cannot act on behalf of a group or organization that is not eligible to register as a third-party advertiser

Download each form individually or choose "Third Party Registration Package (Zip file)" to download the combined package. Printed copies of these documents are also available at Access Aurora.

1. Form 7 Notice of Registration – Third Party
2. Form EL400 Declaration of Qualifications for Third Party Advertisers
3. Form EL401 Consent to Release Personal Information for Individuals Registering as TPA
4. Form EL403 Authorization for Agent to File Registration
5. Registration Checklist for Third Party Advertisers

Third Party Registration Package (Zip file)

The individual filing the Notice of Registration will be required to present proof of identity.

Notices of Registration are public documents and are available for inspection in the Clerk’s Office.

Notices of Registration may be filed during regular office hours with the Town Clerk/Returning Officer or designate as of Monday, May 1, 2026, at 8:30 am. The deadline for an individual, corporation or trade union to submit a Notice of Registration is Friday, October 23, 2026, at 4:30 pm.

When you’re ready to file your registration, please contact the Town Clerk/Returning Officer or designate to book your appointment. Third Party Advertisers can register by appointment during office hours anytime between 8:30 a.m. on May 1, 2026 to 4:30 p.m. on Friday, October 23, 2026. To book an appointment, please contact:

Third Party Advertisements may only be placed after the third party advertiser has registered with the Clerk.

No campaign material is permitted in a voting place. The voting place could include the entire property of a building that has a voting place inside it, including the parking lot. A third-party advertiser is not allowed to have brochures, buttons, signs or any other advertising material in the voting place.

An individual, corporation, or trade union cannot raise or spend any money on third party advertisements that will appear during an election until they have registered as a third party and opened a bank account exclusively for the purposes of the election campaign.

Registered third party advertisers are responsible for keeping records of the financial activities related to their campaign and are required to keep these records until November 15, 2030 when the next council or school board takes office.

All advertisements placed must include the following information:

• The name of the registered third party advertiser;
• The municipality where the third party advertiser is registered;
• A telephone number, mailing address or email address at which the third party advertiser; may be contacted regarding the advertisement.

Registered third party advertisers must provide the following information to the broadcaster or publisher in writing:

1. The name of the registered third party.
2. The name, business address and telephone number of the individual who deals with the broadcaster or publisher under the direction of the registered third party.
3. The municipality where the registered third party is registered.

Broadcasters and publishers are prohibited from running a third party advertisement unless the above-noted information is provided.

The broadcaster or publisher of a third party advertisement is required to retain the following information for a period of four years after the date the advertisement appears:

• The mandatory information that is required for broadcasters and publishers (the name of the registered third party; the municipality where they are registered; and the contact information for the person who deals with the broadcaster or publisher);
• A copy of the advertisement, or the means of reproducing it for inspection; and
• A statement of the charge made for its appearance.

The broadcaster or publisher must also permit the public to inspect these records during normal business hours.

MMAH Third Party Advertisers' Guide

This guide provides information to those who want to register as third party advertisers for the 2026 municipal council and school board elections. The information also applies to any by-elections that may be held during the 2026-2030 council and school board term.