Third Party Advertisers

Third party advertising must be done independently of candidates, who are not able to direct a third party advertiser. If a candidate wishes to purchase or direct their own election campaign advertising, they must follow rules under the Municipal Elections Act, 1996 and identify themselves on their advertisements.

• An individual, corporation, or trade union must be a registered third party in order to accept contributions in relation to third party advertisements. A contribution may only be made to a registered third party during the campaign period for the municipal election.
• A contributor can only be an individual who is normally resident in Ontario, a Corporation that carries on business in Ontario, or a trade union that holds bargaining rights for employees in Ontario.
• The maximum amount a contributor shall make to a registered third party is $1,200 and cannot exceed a total of $5,000 to two or more registered third parties in Leamington during the municipal election in relation to third party advertisements.

• Completed Notice of Registration form
• A board resolution from the corporation or trade union authorizing you to act on behalf of the corporation or trade union
• Acceptable identification with your name and signature

• Completed Notice of Registration form
• A copy of the individual registrant’s acceptable identification
• Acceptable identification showing your name and signature

Filing as an individual registrant:

• Completed Notice of Registration form 
• Acceptable identification showing your name, address with your Ontario residence and signature

• advertisements by or under the direction of a candidate,
• issues-based advertising during the election period,
• advertising that does not cost money to post or broadcast, such as comments made on social media,
• messages distributed by:
  • an individual to their employees,
  • a corporation to its shareholders, directors, members,
  • a trade union to its members or employees.

• To get more information on election campaign finance rules, view the 2026 Third Party Advertisers Guide.
• To get more information on election rules in general, view the Municipal Elections 2026 Rules Guide.

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

• A candidate who has filed a nomination to run in the 2026 municipal election
• 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
• 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