Election signs may be regulated
By Chris Simon

Signs, signs, every size isn't fine.

Innisfil council could be implementing restrictions on all federal, provincial, regional and municipal election signs that are put up within the town.

If approved, the guidelines would restrict signs to one square metre in area. Erection of signs would also be prohibited until 45 days before an election, and would have to be removed within seven days after the vote.

The bylaw would apply solely to private land, since postings on public property and roads require the consent of the town.

"Many municipalities regulate election signs, in order to apply a level of control over visual nuisance without restricting the ability for candidates to advertise," said planning and development director Rob McAuley.

"In the past, Innisfil has not regulated (the erection of) election signs."

The regulation comes after a Superior Court of Ontario case earlier this year, where the ability to regulate election signs in Vaughan was challenged as a violation of free speech. The city's bylaw was upheld, however the court recommended Vaughan conform with standard election period legislation.

In Innisfil, municipal candidate signs have previously been posted up to 10 months before an election, said McAuley.

However, provincial and federal signs are posted within 45 days before an election, he said.

"This timeframe appears reasonable to staff, and is included in many other municipal sign bylaws," said McAuley. "In order to avoid confusion, staff are suggesting a similar time constraint."

But some councillors say the regulations should also prohibit the number of signs displayed.

"Can we put a limit to the number of signs?" Said councillor Paul Wardlaw. "That seemed to be the number one concern during the last municipal election was the number of signs."

Restrictions on the distance between signs could also be included in the regulations.

During the last municipal election, the number of signs along roadways throughout the municipality created a driving distraction, said councillor Lynn Dollin.

"This visual pollution, or whatever you want to call it, much of it was on public roadways," she said. "I'd like us to at least consider a limit per property."