Election Update
With the federal election set for Monday, Apr. 28, we remind you all about your obligations during the election period.
Advertising:
Election advertising is not allowed on election day before the close of all polling stations in that district. PLEASE NOTE: Unlike in provincial elections, this applies regardless of your regular publication day.
All election advertising by registered parties, candidates and third parties must have a tagline stating who authorized the ads.
Third parties are defined as “a person or group that wants to participate in or influence elections other than as a political party, electoral district association, nomination contestant or candidate.”
Third party taglines must state the name of the individual or organization that placed it, its telephone number, either its civic or its Internet address and an indication in or on the message that it has authorized its transmission.
Third parties cannot collude with any registered political party (or vice versa) with regards to partisan advertising.
It is up to the political party, candidate or third party buying the ads to include a tagline and monitor their spending.
Advertising cannot be accepted from foreign individuals and/or groups.
Ad rates cannot exceeds the lowest rate charged for an equal amount of equivalent advertising space in the same issue or in any other issue published or distributed during the election period.
Members are required to create a registry of election-related online advertising if their websites have at least three million unique visitors in Canada a month (if the platform mainly publishes in English), one million unique visitors in Canada a month (if the platform mainly publishes in French) or 100,000 unique visitors in Canada a month (if the platform mainly publishes in a language other than English or French). If you accept online election ads and are required to create a registry under the Act you can find more information at
https://www.elections.ca/content.aspx?section=pol&dir=regifaq&document=index&lang=e.
Editorial:
You cannot publish a previously unpublished opinion poll on election day.
If you conduct a “streeter” or unofficial poll, you are required to indicate that the survey is not based on recognized statistical methods. Also, if you publish someone else’s unofficial poll within 24 hours of its first publication, you must include a statement that it is not based on recognized statistical methods.
Only voters, election officers, candidates, candidates’ representatives and other observers authorized by the Chief Electoral Officer may enter the room where voting is taking place. If space allows, media may shoot photos or video footage from the door of the room, if they do not impede voters or compromise the secrecy of the vote.
References:
Elections Canada Media Guide for the 45th General Election:
https://www.elections.ca/med/guide/guide_e.pdf
If you have any questions feel free to contact AWNA or reach out to Elections Canada directly at media@elections.ca.