Carolina Khan, Deputy Clerk presented an overview of the proposed amendments to the Election Sign By-law and advised that the proposed update seeks to provide residents, candidates and third-party advertisers with information that is clear and easy to understand, improve compliance and be reflective of staff resources available for enforcement.
The Mayor questioned the differences between Option #1 and Option #2 presented in the report.
Ms. Khan advised that option 1 represents the current state and Option 2 would permit signs along the highways highlighted in grey.
Councillor Sherwood requested further clarification on the photos outlined in the options in the presentation as well as why the recommendation of staff is changing from the report presented to Council on October 18, 2021.
Ms. Khan indicated that the grey lines delineate roads on which signs would be permitted and indicated that the staff recommendation has changed based on the input provided by Council at the October 18, 2021 meeting.
Councillor Andrews asked if a listing of street names on which signs are permitted could be created and provided to candidates.
Ms. Khan indicated that staff is looking to provide information in that format.
Mayor Brown requested clarification of the May 2, 2022 date as well as the August 19, 2022 date.
Ms. Khan indicated that May 2, 2022 is the day that nominations open and August 19, 2022 is nomination day and the first day that election signs would be permitted in the Town.
Councillor Sherwood questioned moveable signs such as flags.
Ms. Khan confirmed that these would be considered animated signs and subject to the height and size restrictions in the by-law.
Councillor Taylor questioned the timing and commented that the period from August 19 to October 24 is a long time.
Ms. Khan indicated that the Municipal Elections Act defines the nomination period and nomination date and indicated that Council has the discretion to determine the number of days that election signs can be displayed but did caution Council to be mindful of the Charter.
Councillor Andrews asked about the impact of freedom of expression as it relates to for example, signs on vehicles.
Ms. Khan indicated that election signs on a vehicle would be permitted so long as they are not parked at a voting location or parked in a restricted area.
Councillor Andrews asked if the size restrictions are applicable to vehicles.
Ms. Khan indicated she would confirm that detail.
Councillor Peters indicated his preference would be 45 days as the length of times for signs being permitted and indicated his preference for option 2 as outlined in the presentation. Councillor Andrews also suggested limits on the number of signs permitted.
Councillor Taylor commented that signs drive name recognition and he would not want to penalize candidates that do not have name recognition by limiting the number of signs. Councillor Taylor also commented that running an election is expensive and questioned the penalty on the sign fines.
Councillor Sherwood indicated she concurs with a shorter time frame, for instance 5 weeks and questioned how it could be enforced. Councillor Sherwood also indicated that she would support Option 2 as outlined in the presentation.
Mayor Brown advised there are 243 streets in Orangeville.
Councillor Post indicated her support for option 2 as outlined in the presentation and would support a time restriction of between 35 - 45 days. Councillor Post commented that restricting the number of signs would be difficult to enforce.
Councillor Peters indicated he was suggesting a cap of 50 signs on public boulevards.
Mayor Brown advised that as incumbents they have an advantage and does not support a restriction on the number of signs.
Mayor Brown commented on the definitions and suggested that there be clarity around the sizing, for example the display of signs at a bus shelter.
Mayor Brown outlined the procedure for members of the public to submit comments.
Ms. Khan commented in response to Councillor Andrews earlier question that the size restriction of the by-law do not apply to election signs on vehicles.
Councillor Sherwood questioned the size and height restrictions of the signs.
Ms. Khan advised that a sign can not exceed 1.5 square metres and the total height from the ground to the top of the sign cannot exceed 2 m.
The chair asked for questions or comments from the public and there were none.