Quinte West is rolling out some new rules regarding election signs.
During Wednesday’s council meeting, council discussed upcoming planned changes to the election by-law, regarding election signage.
The new regulations would require candidates and registered third parties to pay $250 for a permit to put up election signs during election season. The fee is to offset the cost of enforcing election sign regulations, which limit where and how many signs can be put up. With the new laws, signs must be placed at least 100 metres apart from a sign for the same candidate, and can only be placed starting from the last day available to register as a candidate. Signs in violation could lead to fines of up to $5,000 under the proposed by-law.
The proposal prompted debate among the councillors. Councillor Leslie Roseblade said the signs themselves are already expensive for candidates, without adding more fees.
“It is an inhibitor for someone who’s going to run for council,” said Councillor Roseblade. “We’re trying to get people to run for council, and this is just something that’s going to stop people from putting money out of their own pocket, as we all do and have done, to run.”
After some debate, council amended the motion to remove the permit fee, and reduce the maximum fines to $2,500. The motion was passed as amended.
