2006 Candidate's Guide for City Council

4.0 Canvassing & Election signs

Section 48 of the Municipal Elections Act, 1996, as amended; and
City of Toronto Municipal Code, Chapter 693, Article II

4.1 Prohibition of canvassing in the voting place

Election Officials will remove all campaign material or literature from the voting place.

The Clerk determines what premises will be used as voting places. The Clerk does not permit electioneering of any nature in or on these premises, which includes the entire building and the property on which it is located.

The Municipal Elections Act, 1996 provides that while an elector is in a voting place, no one shall attempt, directly or indirectly, to influence how the elector votes and that no one shall display a candidate's campaign material or literature in a voting place.

4.2 T.T.C. premises

Excerpt from the Toronto Transit Commission's By-law No. 1, Subsection 7:

"No person shall sell, or attempt to sell, distribute or solicit on any vehicle or premises of the Commission without authorization."

4.3 Access to rented premises

Excerpt from the Tenant Protection Act, 1997, Section 22:

"No landlord shall restrict reasonable access to a residential complex by candidates for election to any office at the federal, provincial or municipal level, or their authorized representatives, if they are seeking access for the purpose of canvassing or distributing election material."

Candidates experiencing difficulty in gaining access to these premises should contact the landlord of the building.

4.4 Access to condominiums

Excerpt from the Condominium Act, Section 118:

"No corporation or employee or agent of a corporation shall restrict reasonable access to the property by candidates, or their authorized representatives, for election to the House of Commons, the Legislative Assembly or an office in a municipal government or school board if access is necessary for the purpose of canvassing or distributing election material."

Candidates experiencing difficulty in gaining access to these premises should contact the owner of the rental building or the board of directors of the condominium.

4.5 Access to co-operatives

Excerpt from the Co-operative Corporations Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. C.35

"No non-profit housing co-operative or servant or agent of such a co-operative shall restrict reasonable access to the housing units of the co-operative by candidates, or their authorized representatives, for election to the House of Commons, the Legislative Assembly, any office in a municipal government or a school board for the purpose of canvassing or distributing election material."

Candidates experiencing difficulty in gaining access to these premises should contact the co-operative representative.

4.6 Use of city symbols and logo

Candidates may not use all or part of the City's symbols or logo on any of their election material.

The City of Toronto Corporate Identity Program Manual (CIP manual) provides that:

"Corporate identity items, such as logos or related graphic materials, are the property of the City of Toronto. Associated committee, boards and agencies are entitled to use these materials, in compliance with the guidelines in this CIP manual. The use of these materials for third parties is strictly prohibited."

In accordance with this policy, candidates may not use the City's logo or related graphic materials on election signs or in any of their election material.

4.7 Media advertising

The Municipal Elections Act, 1996 does not contain restrictions on when a candidate may or may not advertise. However, the candidate must have filed their nomination paper before spending any money and the amount they may spend on their campaign is regulated.

Organizations such as the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission have guidelines that broadcasters must follow to ensure all candidates have equal access to coverage.

Free political advertising by a broadcaster must be within the regulations and guidelines of the Broadcasting Act (Canada) and made available to all candidates. This advertising is not deemed to be a contribution.

4.8 Election signs

There are certain rules under the City of Toronto's Municipal Code regarding election signs that candidates must observe for the City of Toronto 2006 Election.

• Signs may not be illuminated or attached to trees and are prohibited on all City property (including parks, community and civic centres, etc.) except certain portions of the public highway.
• No notice is required to be given by the City prior to the removal of an unlawful election sign.
• No person shall deface or wilfully cause damage to a lawfully erected election sign. No person shall display the City's logo, in whole or in part, on an election sign.

These rules are under the jurisdiction of and are enforced by Municipal Licensing and Standards.

For further information about election signs or to report an infraction please call Municipal Licensing & Standards at 416-395-7010.

4.9 Timing

Election signs may not be erected until October 19, 2006 and must be removed within three days of voting day (November 16, 2006).

Campaign office signs may be put up on August 15, 2006. Candidates running for councillor may only have signs on one campaign office in the ward where they are running. Mayoralty candidates may have signs on a total of 4 campaign offices within the City.

4.10 Size

With the exception of billboards and campaign office signs, election signs may not exceed 1.2 square meters (12.92 square feet) in total sign face area and cannot be higher than 2 metres above ground level.

4.11 Public property

Public property, as deemed by the Municipal Code, means property owned by or under the control of the City of Toronto including highways, public utility poles, bus shelters, municipal garbage containers or other structures.

Election signs are not permitted anywhere on public property except on public highways subject to the following conditions:

• Those highways upon which pedestrians are prohibited.
• Signs cannot be placed between the curb and the sidewalk.
• If there is no sidewalk, signs cannot be placed within 1.5 metres of the curb or edge of the pavement.
• Signs cannot be placed within 15 metres of an intersection or pedestrian crossover or be located on a median or island.
• Signs cannot interfere with the safe operation of vehicular traffic or with the safety of pedestrians.
• Signs cannot be located adjacent to a voting place or any City owned or operated property.
• The consent of the owner or occupant of the abutting property must be obtained.

4.12 Private property

Election signs may be erected on private property subject to the following conditions:

• Signs do not interfere with the safe operation of vehicular traffic or with the safety of pedestrians.
• Signs are erected with the consent of the owner or occupant of the property.
• Signs may be higher than 2 metres above ground level provided the signs are displayed indoors.

4.13 Deposit

	The sign deposit has been increased to $250.
A fee of $25 will be deducted from the deposit any time an illegal sign is removed by the City.

Any candidate wishing to erect election signs on public property must pay a $250 sign deposit by cash, certified cheque or money order. No deposit is required to place signs on private property.

4.14 Penalties

A fee of $25 will be deducted from the deposit for every illegal sign removed by City staff from public property. Once the deposit is depleted, the candidate must pay a further $250 deposit, plus any outstanding amounts owing (at $25 per sign).

If a candidate has not paid the deposit and places signs on public property, he or she will be invoiced the cost of removing the illegal sign.

Amounts owing may be recovered by legal action or added to their municipal taxes.

Any person who contravenes the Municipal Code, Chapter 693, Article II is guilty of an offence and, upon conviction, is liable for a fine or penalty (see Set Fines for Election Signs).

This summary is provided for convenience only, candidates should review Chapter 693 of the City of Toronto Municipal Code [link to Municipal Code] in its entirety. (See "By-laws, Municipal Code and Procedures")

Questions and enquiries can be directed to Municipal Licensing and Standardsat 416-395-7010.

The election sign information can be downloaded in a pamphlet format.

4.15 Set fines for election signs

Set fines for election signs (PDF 236 Kb)