Nomination papers submitted by candidates running in the 2018 municipal election must be endorsed by at least 25 qualified persons.  A nomination paper lacking 25 signatures cannot be accepted by the Clerk.

Form 2 – Endorsement of Nomination

** A qualified person is someone who is eligible to vote in Ramara if an election was to be held on the day the person endorsed the nomination paper.  

An individual may contribute up to $1,200 to one candidate. You may donate to more than one candidate, however, total contributions to multiple candidates from one individual cannot exceed $5,000.

Contributions by corporations and trade unions to candidates, including the contribution of goods and services, are now prohibited unless registered as a third party advertiser.

While contributions to candidates by corporations and trade unions are prohibited, individuals, corporations and trade unions may contribute to third party advertisers.  Money, goods and services are all considered contributions. The maximum contribution that may be made to a third party advertiser is $1,200.  Additionally, a contributor may not contribute more than $5,000 to two or more third party advertisers who are registered and undertaking advertising in the same municipality.

Ontario residents, corporations and trade unions that will incur expenses for advertisements related to the promotion, support or opposition of a candidate, or take a position on a “yes” or “no” question on the ballot, in any broadcast, print, electronic, or other medium must register as a third party advertiser.  A registered third party is subject to many of the requirements as that of a candidate including filing registration papers, expense limits, financial statements, and are subject to the municipal election sign by-law.  
No paid election advertising outside of a candidate or registered third party is permitted.
 
Who can register as a third party advertiser?
The following persons and entities are permitted 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.

Who cannot register as a third party advertiser?
The following are not permitted to register as a Third Party Advertiser:
•    Individuals who have filed nomination papers with the Municipal Clerk or designate;
•    Federal and provincial political parties, constituency associations, registered candidates and leadership contestants; and,
•    Federal and provincial governments, a municipality or school board.
Third party advertisers may not spend more than the limit calculated by the Clerk using a formula established by the Minister of Municipal Affairs. The limit is determined using the total number of electors identified on the Voters' List as of Nomination Day in 2014.  The limit will be identified on a Certificate of Maximum Permitted Expenses and will be issued on or before September 25, 2018.
Third party advertisers can only incur expenses during the campaign period, which begins on the day the third party advertiser registers with the Clerk and ends on December 31, 2018.
A third party may register with the Clerk’s Department from May 1, 2018 to October 19, 2018.  Further information and registration packages will be made available prior to May 1, 2018.

Third Party Campaign Finances
An individual, corporation, or trade union cannot raise or spend any money on third party advertisements that will appear during an election in the Township of Ramara until they have registered as a third party and opened a bank account exclusively for the purposes of the election campaign.
Registered third parties are responsible for keeping records of the financial activities related to their campaign and are required to keep these records until November 2022 when the next council or school board takes office.

Third Party Financial Contributions
Campaign contributions are any money, goods or services that are given to a registered third party for use in their campaign, including money and goods that a third party contributes to their own campaign. Registered third parties must issue a receipt for every contribution they receive. The receipt should show who made the contribution, the date, and the value of the contribution.
The following persons and entities may make a contribution to a registered third party:
•    Any person who is a resident of Ontario.
•    A corporation that carries on business in Ontario.
•    A trade union that holds bargaining rights for employees in Ontario.
•    The registered third party and, in the case of an individual, his or her spouse.
The following persons and entities shall not make a contribution to a registered third party:
•    A federal political party registered under the Canada Elections Act (Canada) 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 a local board.
Individuals may contribute a total of $1,200 to a registered third party in relation to third party advertisements that appear during an election in the Township of Ramara. Individuals may not contribute more than $5,000 in total to two or more registered third parties registered in the Township of Ramara.

Contributions greater than $25 may not be made in cash. All contributions above $25 must be made by cheque, money order, or by a method that clearly shows where the funds come from.

Registered third parties are required to inform each of their contributors of these contribution limits.

Third Party Financial statements
Registered third parties are responsible for filing a complete and accurate financial statement by Friday, March 29, 2019, at 2 pm. The statement covers the period from the day the registered third party filed their Notice of Registration until December 31, 2018.

Third Party Campaigning and Sign Restrictions
Please refer to the Municipal Elections Act, 1996 for regulations.​
Also view Ramara's Election Sign Bylaw 2018.17