Municipal Election Questions for Candidates Can't Be Hosted by the Municipality
Yesterday, the Municipality posted an announcement informing candidates of a new Questions and Answers page on the municipal website. Since this post, the election email has received numerous questions directed to candidates from the public. The post is now updated to clarify the page's use.
To preserve the public trust and comply with the Municipal Elections Act, 1996, members of Council, all election candidates and agents, third-party advertisers, and all municipal staff must maintain the highest standards of ethical conduct. Therefore, the Municipality cannot get involved in the election campaign. Consequently, we don't run the Candidate's Nights or participate in questioning candidates in any form for the public.
Any member of the public or local association can run such a page or platform on their website or social media and reach out to the candidates directly.
Remember that Third Party Advertisers need to be registered with the Clerk by the close of nominations, August 19, 2022, at 2:00 p.m.
Third Party Advertisement – means an advertisement in any broadcast, print, electronic or other medium that has the purpose of promoting, supporting or opposing a candidate, or a “yes” or “no” answer to a question on the ballot, but does not include an advertisement by or under the direction of a candidate, or an advertisement that incurs no expenses in relation to the advertisement, or an advertisement that is transmitted to employees, shareholders, or directors of the registered third party.