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Advertising by political parties and candidates is considered an election expense if it is used during the election period.
Advertising can be disseminated through a variety of media:
In accordance with the Election Act, all advertisements or advertising materials must be identified as follows:
| Type of advertisement | Required identification |
|---|---|
| Advertising copy, object or material | Official agent’s name and title Name of manufacturer or printer |
| Newspaper advertisement | Official agent’s name and title |
| Radio or television advertisement | Official agent’s name and title must be provided at the beginning or end of the message |
| Social media advertisement | Official agent’s name and title on each paid advertisement |
| Website post | Official agent’s name and title |
The official agents of several candidates in the same region may join together to share the cost of an advertising expense. In that case, the name and title of each official agent associated with the expense must be stipulated. In certain cases, the official agents’ names and titles may be replaced with the name and title of the party’s official agent.
If an advertisement is improperly identified, the expense will be considered non-compliant with the Act, but it is still an election expense. The official agent must attach the following documents to the return of election expenses:
A political party or candidate using advertising material that is not identified in accordance with the Act shall not be reimbursed by the Chief Electoral Officer for that expense.
An official agent (or official agent’s deputy) who allows an election-related advertisement to be broadcast without the required information may be subject to a $500 to $10,000 fine.
During an election period, certain types of advertising are prohibited at two separate times.
During this period, all other forms of advertising are permitted: posters on utility poles or wooden roadside supports, pamphlets, business cards, badges, banners, etc.
Advertising can be disseminated through a variety of media:
In accordance with the Act respecting elections and referendums in municipalities, all advertisements or advertising materials must be identified as follows:
| Type of advertisement | Required identification |
|---|---|
| Advertising copy, object or material | Official agent’s name and title Name of manufacturer or printer |
| Newspaper advertisement | Official agent’s name and title |
| Radio or television advertisement | Official agent’s name and title must be provided at the beginning or end of the message |
| Social media advertisement | Official agent’s name and title on each paid advertisement |
| Website post | Official agent’s name and title |
When several authorized independent candidates decide to incur joint advertising expenses, certain additional details are required. These details vary according to the context, particularly if the candidates have the same official agent or if different official agents agree to share the expense. In addition to the compulsory information listed above, the name of each candidate, followed by the words independent candidate, must appear on the advertisement.
If an advertisement is improperly identified, the expense will be considered non-compliant with the Act, but it is still an election expense. Therefore, the official agent must enter it in their return of election expenses.
If a political party or candidate pays for an advertisement that is not identified in accordance with the Act, this expense is not eligible for the reimbursement of election expenses.
The official agent or official agent’s deputy who allows an election-related advertisement to be broadcast without the required information may be subject to a $500 to $10,000 fine.
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