Please be advised that The Town of Gananoque has been made aware that the following provision under Sign By-law Amendment No. 2022-075 (amending By-law 2005-041), has been deemed a likely violation of freedom of expression under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (the “Charter”):
4.1 f) Public election lists, public election signs, and candidate signs subject to the following:
a) Municipal Election Signage
i) A maximum of forty (40) signs shall be permitted for each Municipal Candidate.
As such, upon advice of the Corporation’s Legal Representation that it is not recommended that the Town enforce the restrictions on municipal signage (number of signs), this clause will not be enforced during the 2026 Election Period.
To address this issue on a go forward basis, the By-law be amended to clarify restrictions on election signs generally, as well as restrictions of signs being placed on municipal property. A draft of the Election Sign provisions will be presented for consideration of the incoming Council (term 2026 to 2030), to be adopted upon legal review.
For further information, please contact the Returning Officer, at clerk@gananoque.ca or Deputy Returning Officer at deputyclerk@gananoque.ca
