Restrictions for election signs may be implemented
By Chris Simon

Restrictions could be placed on all election signs set up on within the town.

Innisfil council has asked staff to develop a policy that will restrict the posting of municipal, provincial and federal election signs on both town-owned and private property, during a recent meeting.

If approved, candidates would be required to seek written permission from the town before placing election signs along roadsides and in front of municipally-owned buildings.

There could also be restrictions on the number of signs placed on private property, and the total number allowed within a municipal ward, says planning and development director Rob McAuley.

The policy would be similar to restrictions already in place in Barrie.

"The restrictions would go a long way to matching what Barrie has," said McAuley.

"It was the direction of council to control the signage on roads."

The policy would also place restrictions on the size and allowable distance between signs, said McAuley.

Councillors say they've received complaints about the number of signs posted during the last municipal election.

"The comments I got definitely dealt with the volume of signs," said councilor Paul Wardlaw. "I'd like to see us put a limit on signs."

Some even suggest that some of the signs are unnecessary.

"I prefer to see none on any roadway," said councilor Lynn Dollin. "I'd prefer to see none at all, but none on roadways is a good place for us to go."

According to the proposed policy, the 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 regulation comes after a Superior Court of Ontario case last 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 to standard election period legislation.

In Innisfil, election signs have been posted up to 10 months prior to an election, said McAuley.

While agreeing with the proposed policy, Dollin does worry the bylaw could prevent some candidates from getting noticed.

"Does that give candidates seeking re-election an advantage over candidates seeking election for the first time?" Asked Dollin. "A candidate seeking for the first time is going to have a harder time getting permission on private property."