By Shane O'Neill

Signs, signs everywhere there’s signs, but no rules in sight

Sep 20, 2016 | 11:58 AM

For weeks, election signs have been popping up on both public and private property across the city, but it’s unclear if the advertising meets election rules, if there are any regarding signage at all.

Former mayor and current Ward 4 councillor, Don Cody, said election signs on public property were never much of a problem until recently.

“It’s really a phenomenon that’s happened in the last three or four years,” he said. “Prior to that, you hardly ever saw signs that weren’t on people’s private property, but now, they’re on public property all over the place.”

Typically, elections in Canada have strict guidelines on the period of time campaign signs and advertising can be displayed during an election. The Canada Elections Act, for example, outlines that candidates campaigning in a federal election can only display signs on public property from the time an election is called, to the day after the election is over. While a minimum campaign period of 36 days is required by law, there is no maximum number of days by which a federal campaign can take place. This was most evident in the 2015 federal election, which lasted an almost unprecedented 11 weeks.

Locally, the case is different.

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Prince Albert’s municipal election is on Oct. 26. Technically, the nomination period for those looking to run for city council or the in-city school boards opened on Sept. 6 and closes tomorrow, Sept. 21.

For residents of Prince Albert hoping to run for office, a handy website was created to help the public know the rules on campaigning. On the ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ page, under the ‘when can I start campaigning?’ tab, information is provided to prospective candidates in three bullet points.

Before campaigning, potential candidates are asked to thoroughly consider the following:

• The criteria for nomination.
• That nomination papers submitted between Sept. 6 and Sept. 21; and,
• All advertising and campaigning requirements outlined in ‘Candidates Guide’.

The ‘Candidates Guide’ makes reference to election signs not obscuring views for motorists and pedestrians on public property. It also states that all campaign advertising must have the name and address of the person who authorized the sign, usually the candidate themselves.

What the ‘Candidates Guide’ doesn’t outline is the period of time election signs may be displayed on public property, either before, during or after the official campaign period.

Cody said he believes the city should consider putting restrictions on election advertising.

“I think there’s room here for debate on whether or not we should continue on with signs on public property,” he said.

City clerk Sherry Person is responsible for municipal elections in Prince Albert as a returning officer. She said municipal election signs are covered under the city’s portable sign bylaw, but beyond not impeding vehicular or pedestrian traffic and not obscuring views on roadways, candidates are free to display signs on public property for as long as they wish.

While this is Person’s first civic election as city clerk and returning officer, she said she heard complaints regarding signs for the recent federal and provincial elections and that residents may be more aware of the issue now, with three election campaigns in a row.

“Through the provincial and federal elections, this year has been quite an election year,” Person said. “We have had those concerns of when an election sign can go up, when an election sign should be taken down and the length of time they are up.”

In regards to the current municipal election though, Person said she hasn’t had any problems addressed to her yet. She believes that it’s only a matter of time before either a resident, or council, begins to raise concerns over election signs.

“I do see it as something council may want to look at, moving into the future,” she said.

Cody said he did not believe anything from council is in the works regarding election signs, but he wouldn’t rule out leading the discussion in the future.

“I’d certainly be one who’s in favour of saying there should be a period of time where you have signs and when you haven’t got signs,” he said.

shane.oneill@paNOW.com

On Twitter: @stroneill