Guelph-Eramosa council has updated various bylaws based on the Municipal Elections Modernization Act, 2016.
One of the most notable changes provincially is the nomination period for this election will run from May 1 to July 27, whereas in the past the nomination period has run from Jan. 1 to the second Friday in September.
Election signs
At the April 23 meeting council heard that landlords, condominium owners or tenants are no longer able to prohibit residential lessees, condominium owners, or tenants from displaying election signs; however, they can put stipulations on size and type of sign.
Election advertisements paid for or under the direction of a candidate should clearly identify the candidate responsible for the messaging.
Council also learned third party advertisers must disclose the name of the registered third party, the municipality where the third party is registered and contact information.
At the May 28 meeting council changed the bylaw regarding elections signs. In the past, election signs have been permitted only six weeks before the election, which roughly corresponded with the nomination deadline.
“Other municipalities, such as the Township of Centre Wellington, have stipulated within their election sign requirements that ‘election day signs shall not be affixed, erected or otherwise displayed prior to nomination day, being the last day for which a candidate is able to file nomination papers,’” township clerk Meaghen Reid wrote in her report.
“As such, the time period for municipal election signs for the 2018 municipal election to be affixed, erected or displayed in other municipalities will be longer then the permitted time for municipal election signs within the Township of Guelph-Eramosa.”
Council chose to align the township bylaw with surrounding municipalities and election signs are not permitted until after nomination day.
Lame duck period
Because the nomination period concludes earlier than it has in past years, Reid said council could be in a “lame duck” period longer than previous elections.
The new term of council is to commence on Dec. 1, however, in the 2022 election the new term is set to begin Nov. 15, “which will shorten the lame duck period,” Reid said.
A lame duck period will occur if:
– less than three quarters of the current council are not running for re-election; and
– between Oct. 22 and Nov. 30 if the election results in less than three quarters of incumbent councillors returning.
If council is in a lame duck period, councillors will not be able to:
– appoint or remove township staff;
– hire or dismiss municipal employees;
– dispose of real or personal property of the municipality, which has a value exceeding $50,000; and
– make any expenditure or incur any other liability that exceeds $50,000.
Council will find out the first meeting after nomination day if it is in a lame duck period.
Reid recommended council delegate the authority to CAO Ian Roger to:
– address unforeseen issues during nomination day;
– appoint or remove any officer of the municipality;
– hire or dismiss any municipal employee;
– dispose of any real or personal property of the municipality valued at more than $50,000; and
– make any expenditures or incur any other liability exceeding $50,000.
Council approved the appointment between July 27 and Dec. 3.
