THUNDER BAY — Leap Thunder Bay, a left-leaning community-based group that last spring said it had big plans to shake up the city's political landscape, still hopes to play an influential role in the municipal election campaign.
It won't field a slate of candidates under the Leap banner, but it will advocate for those whose platforms fall within its own 10-point vision for the city.
If that advocacy includes advertising, Leap must first register with the city clerk's office as a third-party advertiser, which spokesperson Dave Cryderman says it is in the process of doing.
Registration is a new requirement for Ontario municipal council and school board elections.
Third-party advertising previously was not regulated, meaning those who wanted to advertise or distribute materials supporting or opposing a candidate did not have to identify themselves, were able to spend unlimited funds, and did not have to report their advertising or financial activities.
In an interview with Tbnewswatch, Cryderman said Leap is "definitely still pursuing having a big influence in the municipal election. We've had to sort of slow down a bit and re-tool around the new municipal election regulations."
He said the group met with city clerk John Hannam to get clarification of what it needs to do in order to be able to "be an actor" in the election.
Cryderman feels the new rules for third-party participants "are fairly unclear and untested in terms of what's going to be counted as advertising."
Leap has billed itself as having "a bold vision to transform city council" by mobilizing voters to "elect a strong, unified team."
In an announcement about a community meeting last April, it said it had already raised $25,000 to support that effort.
After incorporating and registering at the clerk's office, Cryderman said, the group will become much more active in the weeks ahead.
"We're definitely going to be supporting and working with certain candidates. We've put out some surveys to try to get a sense of where everyone's at. We obviously have our own vision and issues that are important to us."
The first item in Leap's 10-point manifesto calls for the building of relationships with Indigenous communities "that centre and uphold their inherent treaty rights and title to their land."
The manifesto also calls for shifting the community to 100 per cent renewable energy, ending homelessness and advocating for a guaranteed annual income.
According to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs, third-party advertising refers to ads "or other materials" that support, promote or oppose a candidate, and which are put out by a person or entity who is not a candidate.
Advertisements include traditional ads in the media as well as materials such as brochures and signs.
A description on the ministry's website clarifies that "Activities that do not involve spending money, such as discussions or expressing an opinion about a candidate are not considered third-party advertising."
Examples include:
- speaking to friends and neighbours
- posting on social media
- sending an email to a group or mailing list.
Advertising about an issue, rather than a candidate, does not constitute third-party advertising, even if a candidate has made that issue part of his campaign.
The law sets limits for contributions to third parties and spending by third parties.
Spending is capped at $5,000 plus five cents for each eligible elector. Using that formula, the city clerk's office has estimated that, in Thunder Bay, registered third party advertisers will be allowed to spend a maximum of $9,318.
Thunder Bay voters will elect the next city council on Oct. 22.
