Elections

Who can make contributions to municipal candidates?

Eligible contributors

• individuals who are normally residents in Ontario
• the candidate and their spouse

Ineligible contributors

• corporation
• trade union
• a federal political party, constituency association, or a registered candidate in a federal election
• a provincial political party, constituency association, or a registered candidate or leadership contestant
• a federal or provincial government, a municipality or a school board

Ineligible contributions

• made outside the campaign period
• from an anonymous source (except for donations of $25 or less at a fundraising event)
• from an ineligible source (e.g. someone who doesn’t live in Ontario, a corporation or trade union, etc)
• greater than the $1,200 limit or the $5,000 total limit
• a cash contribution greater than $25 from funds that do not belong to the contributor

About Campaign Contributors

An individual’s maximum contribution (money, goods, and services) to any one candidate or registered third party is $1,200. An individual may contribute a maximum of $5,000 for all candidates on the same Council or a maximum of $5,000 for all registered third parties within the municipality. Other than contributions made by candidates and their spouses, contributions to candidates can be made only by individuals residing in Ontario.

Corporations or trade unions must register as third party advertisers. If a candidate sells items for $25 or less in order to raise campaign funds, the money is considered campaign income rather than a contribution. In this case, the candidate does not have to issue a receipt, or make sure that the person buying the item is eligible to make a campaign contribution. Contributions in excess of $25 must be made in a manner that connects the contributor to the payment. Anonymous contributions are paid to the City Clerk.

Election advertising guidelines

Candidates must provide specific information about their election advertising. This applies to all advertising, regardless of format or method.

Candidates, or those advertising on their behalf, must provide broadcasters and publishers with information including name of the candidate, name of the individual or organization taking out the advertisement, as well as address and telephone number of the individual interacting with the broadcaster or publisher on behalf of the candidate.

The broadcaster or publisher is then responsible for retaining this information along with a copy of the advertisement and invoice for a period of four years and making this information available to the public for inspection in that time period.

Penalties

Penalties for an offence under the Municipal Elections Act may include:

• A fine of up to $25,000
• Ineligibility to vote or run in the next regular election
• Up to six months imprisonment
• Forfeiture of elected office

There are three contraventions of the Act where penalties apply automatically:

• Failure to apply to the court for an extension by the filing deadline or file a financial statement by the end of the 30-day grace period
• Candidate's financial statement shows they have exceeded a spending limit
• Failure to turn over surplus funds to the clerk when filing the financial statement

The penalty for these contraventions is forfeiture of office and ineligibility to run or to be appointed to fill a vacancy until after the next election.

Auditor's Report

When campaign expenses or contributions total more than $10,000 an auditor must review the financial statement and provide a report.

Third party advertising

A third party advertisement is any broadcast, print or digital ad that supports or opposes a candidate or a “yes” or “no” vote on a question on the ballot. The Municipal Elections Act provides a framework for the registration and financial filing of third party advertising.

Third parties must register with the Clerk’s office prior to raising or spending any money in relation to election advertising. 

Who can register as a third party advertiser: Individuals, corporations and trade unions must register as third party advertisers in the municipality where they want to advertise. If they want to advertise in more than one municipality, they have to register in each municipality. Third party advertising must be done independently of candidates. Candidates are not able to register as third party advertisers or direct any third party advertiser.

Not considered third party advertising: Advertising that does not cost money to post or broadcast, such as comments made on social media, are not considered to be third party advertising. Third party advertising does not include issues-based advertising; groups that do public outreach can continue their issued-based advocacy work throughout the municipal election period.

Who can vote?

If you are a resident, owner or tenant of property in the City of Peterborough, a Canadian citizen, and at least 18 years of age, you are eligible to vote. 

Students living in Peterborough while attending school can vote in the Peterborough municipal election as well as in their home municipality.

If you are experiencing homelessness, or do not have a permanent home or a fixed address, you can still vote.

The City designates voting locations based on the ward you reside in. If you are experiencing homelessness or have no fixed address, your ward is determined by the location you have slept in the most during the 5 weeks leading up to an election.

What ward am I in?

Visit our interactive What's My Ward map to determine which ward you reside in. There is an address search feature at the top right side of the map. Type in your address, or drop a pin in the map to find your ward.