Candidates & Third Party Advertisers
Become a Third Party Advertiser
Third Party Advertisers' Guide for 2022
The Province of Ontario releases a guide with information on registering as a third-party advertiser, advertising rules, financial filing requirements, and more.
Please use the 2022 guide until an updated version is made available.
A person, corporation or trade union must register with the City Clerk from May 1 to October 23, 2026 if they spend money on advertisements or other materials that support, promote or oppose a candidate in the municipal election, or question on the ballot.
The Municipal Elections Act, 1996 sets out rules for third party advertising:
- A third party advertisement is an advertisement in any broadcast, print, electronic or other medium that has the purpose of promoting, supporting or opposing a candidate in the election, or a “yes” or “no” answer to a question on the ballot.
- Individuals, corporations and trade unions who wish to conduct third party advertising in a City of Hamilton election must be registered with the City Clerk.
- A third-party advertiser cannot spend money on their campaign, accept contributions or begin advertising until their registration is certified by the City Clerk.
- Advertisements must identify the name of the registered third-party advertiser, the municipality where they are registered and contact information.
- Candidates cannot register as a third-party advertiser and cannot direct a third-party advertiser.
Third Party Advertiser
How to Register
To become a third-party advertiser, you must file a Notice of Registration in person or by an agent. This Notice of Registration must be certified by the City Clerk before any money can be raised or spent on advertising. Third party advertisers must be registered in each municipality where they want to advertise.
There is no fee required to register as a third-party advertiser.
Appointments must be made with the Office of the City Clerk to register.
- Appointments available weekdays from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.
- You can also contact The Office of the City Clerk at 905-546-4365 or email [email protected] to schedule your appointment.
- For more information on the registration process, review the Third Party Registration Procedure.
If you require accommodation to submit your registration, please contact us.
Registration Forms & Declaration of Qualifications
At time of filing, this documentation must be provided:
Download Notice of Registration Form
Download Declaration of Qualification - Individual
You will need acceptable identification showing your name and qualifying Ontario address.
At time of filing, this documentation must be provided:
Download Notice of Registration Form
Download Declaration of Qualification - Individual
You will need:
- copy of the individual registrant’s acceptable identification, showing name and qualifying Ontario address
- acceptable identification showing your name.
At time of filing, this documentation must be provided:
Download Notice of Registration Form
Download Declaration of Qualification - Corporation
Download Declaration of Qualification - Trade Union
You will need:
- board resolution from the corporation or trade union authorizing you to act on behalf of the corporation or trade union
- acceptable identification showing your name
Information Consent
All third party advertisers are asked to complete a consent form regarding contact information to be listed on the City of Hamilton’s website. Please note there is no obligation on the part of a third party advertiser to authorize the release of this contact information.
In accordance with subsection 88.27 of the Municipal Elections Act, 1996, the following individual, corporation or trade union is not entitled to register in relation to a subsequent election in the municipality until after the next regular election has taken place. Notice of default was provided through registered mail.
These third-party advertisers are not eligible to register for the 2026 municipal election:
| Third-Party | Election | Reason for Inelegibility |
|---|---|---|
| 2780552 Ontario Ltd. | 2022 Municipal Election | Failed to submit financial statement in accordance with s. 88.29(1) MEA |
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