Item - 2018.EX30.16

The Executive Committee recommends that:  

1.  City Council approve the updated "Use of City Resources during an Election Period Policy", in Attachment 1 to the report (January 9, 2018) from the City Clerk.

2.  City Council direct the City Manager to implement the "Use of City Resources during an Election Period Policy" at the City.

The recently amended Municipal Election Act, 1996 now requires municipalities to establish rules and procedures for the use of municipal resources during an election period and prohibits municipalities from making a contribution (including money, goods and services) to any candidate, registered third party advertiser or political party.

This report recommends that City Council approve an updated Use of City Resources during an Election Period Policy ("Policy").  City Council approved the original Policy in July 2012, which was implemented for the 2014 general municipal election. 

The Policy has been updated to include registered third party advertisers, realigned for simplicity and readability, and amended to recognize that political activity provisions for public servants are now in effect through Toronto Municipal Code, Chapter 192, Public Service.  This Policy applies to municipal (including school board), provincial or federal elections or by-elections, as well as to questions on the ballot.