York Region will not be taking action against candidates in the Federal Election who may have broken the by-law that regulates election signs – where they can go up and when.  

Conservative candidate, Lois Brown, had erected signs on Regional Roads which clearly flouted the rules. During the election she was forced to remove a number of them. The Liberal turned Conservative MP for Aurora-Oak Ridges-Richmond Hill, Leona Alleslev, also put signs on Regional roads before 23 September 2019, after which date signs were permitted.

The Region says there is no by-law review scheduled which rather surprises me given the by law was widely ignored by the Conservatives. The Region says it:

“addressed non-compliant signage that was a safety issue and did not lay any charges.”

Local municipalities can also enforce the election signs by-law.

Penalty

After last year’s municipal election in Newmarket, the newly elected York Regional Councillor, Tom Vegh, incurred a sign penalty from the Town of $1,995.69. Vegh’s Financial Statement and Auditor’s Report filed on 27 March 2019 shows that he spent $11,472.30 on election signs (including the sign deposit) during the campaign. This is just under half the amount spent on brochures and flyers ($25,359.68).

Seems to me there is probably a case for the Region and Town doing an automatic formal review after all elections. It would keep candidates – and their campaign managers – from believing that by-laws are made to be broken and hang the consequences.

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

From the window display in the Comic Store in Newmarket's Main Street South. Their take on Tom: