Use of Board Resources for Election Purposes

Policy No:
01/18
Date Approved:
Legislative Authority:

Municipal Elections Act, 1996

Purpose

This policy provides direction on the appropriate use of Board resources during an election campaign in accordance with the Municipal Elections Act. This ensures that all candidates are treated fairly and consistently and preserved the integrity of the electoral process.

Application

This policy applies to all candidates running for election including Board members, registered third parties and Board employees which includes York Regional Police (“YRP”).

Legislative Authority

The Municipal Elections Act prohibits a municipality or local board from making contributions towards the promotion of or opposition to the candidacy of a person for an elected office in any form or in support of or opposition to a question on a ballot.  This includes assets, resources, services and employees.

Terms

“Act” means the Municipal Elections Act, 1996, as amended, and includes any regulation made there-under.

“Campaigning” means a municipal election-related activity for the purpose of supporting or opposing the election of a Candidate or a question on the ballot.

“Campaign-related materials” means those materials that promote or oppose the candidacy of a person for elected office.

“Employees” includes full-time, part-time or contract personnel employed by the Regional Municipality of York Police Services Board including York Regional Police.

“Registered Third Party” means an individual, corporation or trade union that is registered with a local municipality under s. 88.6 of the Act.

Policy Statement

1. Board Facilities and Resources

No person shall use Board/YRP facilities, equipment, supplies, services and employees or other Board resources for election campaign or any campaign-related purposes. No person shall undertake campaign-related activities at Board/YRP facilities including displaying campaign signs or materials at any Board/YRP facility.

2. Board Event

No person shall campaign and/or distribute campaign-related materials during any event hosted by the Board or York Regional Police regardless of location.

3. Communications

  1. Photographs and videos produced for and/or owned by the Board and YRP shall not be used by candidates, Board members, registered third parties or Board employees.
  2. The Board’s and YRP’s logo, brand and other marks shall not be used in campaigning or included on any campaigning website.
  3. The Board’s voicemail system and YRP’s voicemail system shall not be used to record campaigning messages.
  4. Websites and social media sites that are funded, owned and operated by the Board and by YRP shall not include any election-related campaign material.
  5. The Board’s and YRP’s communication materials shall not profile (name or photograph), make reference to and/or identify any individual as a candidate; advocate for or against a particular candidate.
  6. Candidates, Board members, registered third parties and Board employees shall not print or distribute any election campaign materials using board funds or resources.

4. Technology

Candidates, Board members, registered third parties and Board employees shall not use Board or YRP devices for any election-related purposes including computers, cell/smartphones, tablets, printers, scanners, applications, photocopiers, email, social media accounts, telephone systems, network and file storage.

5. Contact Information

The Board’s and YRP’s contact information including facility addresses, telephone numbers and email addresses are not to be used by a candidate or registered third party as their election campaign contact information.

6. Board Employee Involvement in Elections

Board employees may participate in election-related activities provided that employees do not engage in any political activity during working hours or use the Board’s resources in accordance with this policy.  And that employees do not identify themselves as Board employees when engaged in political activity.