Become a Third Party Advertiser

Have something to say about the election?

A person, corporation or trade union that plans to spend money on political advertisements during a Markham municipal or school board election needs to register as a third party advertiser.

There is no cost to register.

Register with Elections Markham between May 1 and October 23, 2026 (5 PM).

What is third party advertising?

A third party advertiser is a person or entity who is not a candidate and engages in paid political activity that promotes, supports, or opposes a registered candidate or ballot question response during a municipal or school board election campaign period.

Third party advertisements include any materials appearing in a paid broadcast, print or electronic format (including paid social media), as well as traditional campaign marketing tactics like brochures, posters, signs, apparel, and other promotional products.

Third party advertisers are required to register with Elections Markham, and their registration must be certified before they can accept any donations or incur any expenses on political advertisements.

What is not third party advertising

Third party advertising does not include:

• Advertisements by or made under the direction of a candidate
• Advertising about a general issue that is not an official ballot question
• Expressing opinions through activities that do not cost money to post or broadcast, such as comments made on social media
• Messages distributed by
  • A person to their employees
  • A corporation to its shareholders, directors, members, or employees
  • A trade union to its members or employees

For example, you don’t need to register as a third party advertiser to speak with friends about your local candidates or community issues; post a message on social media that does not incur costs; or send an email to people on your private contact list.

Candidate involvement in third party advertising

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

Rules for third party advertisers

Municipal election law sets out certain rules for third party advertisers.

All third party advertisers are to include identifying information on all of their advertisements, including:

• Their legal name;
• The municipality where they are registered; and,
• A phone number, email address, or mailing address where they can be contacted.

Outside of the above, there are no other content requirements or restrictions imposed by municipal election law on third party advertisements.

Third party advertisers are subject to many of the same spending limits and financial reporting rules as candidates. Third party advertisers can’t spend any money towards political advertising until after they register and open a campaign bank account. They have to limit their spending to a defined amount and file a post-election financial statement reflecting their advertising activities during the campaign period.

If a third party advertiser registers in more than one municipality, they have to keep each advertising campaign separate.

For example, if the third party advertiser receives donations towards their campaign in Municipality A, they can’t use those funds to cover expenses for their campaign in Municipality B. The third party advertiser also has to file separate financial statements in each municipality where they have registered.

Who can be a third party advertiser?

You can be a third party advertiser if you are:

• A person who is normally a resident of Ontario;
• A corporation that carries on business in Ontario; or,
• A trade union that holds bargaining rights for Ontario employees.

You can't be a third party advertiser if you are:

• A candidate running for any Ontario municipal council or school board office;
• A candidate in an upcoming federal or provincial election;
• A business, group, or association that is not a corporation or trade union;
• A political party, constituency association, candidate, or leadership contestant; or,
• Disqualified for previous violations of election campaign finance law.

How to become a third party advertiser

Contact vote@markham.ca to make an appointment to register at Elections Markham Headquarters.

Third party advertisers will be required to present original ID demonstrating their eligibility.

Acceptable ID for individual registrants

Prospective third party advertisers registering as an individual are required to present acceptable identification (ID) showing their photo, name, and Ontario address.

Only one piece of ID under each category is required. Some IDs satisfy multiple categories. For example, an Ontario driver’s licence or photo card can be used to prove name, photo and qualifying address.

IDs are accepted when presented in their original format. ID documents are accepted for up to 3 months after their expiration date or issue date (if there is no expiration date).

Photo ID (name and photo)

• Ontario driver’s licence
• Ontario photo card
• Canadian passport
• NEXUS or FAST card

Proof of Ontario address

• Ontario driver’s licence
• Ontario photo card
• Income or property tax assessment notice
• Vehicle ownership or permit
• Statement of government benefits receipt (e.g., Employment Insurance, Old Age Security, Canada Pension Plan, Ontario Works, Ontario Disability Support Program, Workplace Safety and Insurance Board)
• Bank or credit card statement
• Cancelled personal cheque
• Pension plan statement
• Insurance certificate, policy, or statement
• Loan or other agreement with a financial institution
• Pay stub or other record of current employment
• T4 or T4A tax slip
• Mortgage, rental or lease agreement for property
• Utility bill (e.g., hydro, water, gas, phone, internet)
• Admission letter, transcript, tuition / fees statement, or report card from a post-secondary institution
• Letter from any of the following
  • Student residence
  • Seniors’ residence
  • Long-term care facility
  • Shelter
  • Community-based residential facility
• Hospital record or card
• Card from a registered charity providing services to persons with disabilities
• Document issued or certified by an Ontario court
• Any other document from a department or agency of the Government of Canada, Government of Ontario, Ontario municipality, or Band Council in Ontario established under the Indian Act

Acceptable ID for corporations and trade union registrants

Prospective third party advertisers registering as a corporation or trade union are required to appoint an official representative, who must present acceptable identification (ID) showing:

• Proof of the entity’s status as a corporation carrying on business in Ontario or as a trade union representing collective bargaining rights of Ontario employees
• A signed letter from a principal officer of the corporation or trade union appointing and authorizing the official representative to file the registration on the entity’s behalf
• The name and photo of the official representative

Proof of corporation or trade union status

• Articles of incorporation
• Certificate of incorporation
• Master business licence
• Certificate of trade union registration
• Union membership card

Photo ID for official representative (name and photo)

• Ontario driver’s licence
• Ontario photo card
• Canadian passport
• NEXUS or FAST card

Election finance

As a registered third party advertiser, you must follow campaign finance rules set out in Ontario’s Municipal Elections Act. You will also be required to file a financial statement after the election that reflects the money you raised and spent on your campaign.

Some important finance rules to keep in mind include:

• You cannot raise or spend any money on your campaign until your registration has been certified by Elections Markham
• You must open a dedicated bank account for your campaign for the money you spend and contributions you accept
• You can accept money from Ontario residents, corporations, and trade unions, but no more than $1,200 per person or entity
• You must collect the full name and address of everyone who contributes money or goods/services to your campaign
• You must follow spending and contribution limits provided to you when your registration is certified

Public records

Third party advertiser registration documents filed with Elections Markham are viewable at the Markham Civic Centre’s Legislative Services counter during regular business hours (Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, excluding holidays).