Councillors debate banning election signs from public property

At the January 29 General Committee meeting, committee approved a recommendation brought forward by municipal staff to prohibit all candidate election signs on public property.

Huntsville Clerk Tanya Calleja told councillors that the recommendation was being put forward by clerks throughout Muskoka and that Bracebridge and Gravenhurst councils had passed it. “The more we do together, the easier it is on candidates as well as staff,” she said.

Councillor Cory Clarke asked for a recorded vote on the issue. Clarke, Deputy Mayor Dan Armour, and Councillor Bob Stone voted against the recommendation.

“I don’t know what prompted this other than a desire to not have signs everywhere, but I worry about the first-time person running and how they’re going to let the people know that they’re putting their name forward,” said Stone, adding that the signs are only up for a short period.

Hunsville Mayor Nancy Alcock spoke to both sides of the issue. She said she understands environmental concerns related to the proliferation of election signs, which are not recyclable. “Yes, it’s clutter, but you know, this is kind of one of those moments, it’s almost emotional, it’s democracy, right, and seeing all of the signs out there, and you know that’s all part and parcel of the process,” she said. Alcock said she liked that the recommendation was a collaboration with other clerks and that Bracebridge and Gravenhurst, which she said are comparable municipalities, have adopted the change.

Alcock said some candidates do have name recognition because of who they are, whereas someone who is new to the area may not. “I think at the end of the day, if it’s a decision of this council that this makes a lot of sense, I think I would support that,” said Alcock.

Deputy Mayor Dan Armour suggested that the time when signs are allowed on certain public lands could be shortened and not during the busy summer months.

Councillor Clarke argued that prohibiting the signs on public property would give incumbents an unfair advantage because it is important that newcomers have every opportunity “to get their names out there.” He said he’d be open to allowing electoral signs to be placed for a shorter period on public property but not prohibited outright.

“I think that election signs still play a role, and I don’t want to see a policy that would put a newcomer at a disadvantage because we need to make sure that new candidates aren’t discouraged. That’s part of how we keep council fresh and new ideas, and that’s very important, I think,” said Clarke.

Councillor Scott Morrison had a different take. “First, I feel that if you’re depending on signs to get you elected, you probably shouldn’t run.” He said social media reaches many more people and has a lower environmental and financial cost. “We’re not banning signs,” said Morrison. He said he approached staff on the issue “because I was embarrassed at how many signs I had out the last election, and they’re sitting in my garage right now. They’re going to the landfill at some point,” said Morrison and pointed to the adverse methane gas produced by landfills.

“Knocking on doors is how you get your platform out. There’s nothing about a sign that says how good you’re going to be as a councillor. It doesn’t say what your platform is, who you want to serve, and what you want to do…”

Councillor Monty Clouthier said he agreed with the recommendation because signs could still be placed on private property. He said social media and “boots on the ground” are the way to get the message out.

Alcock said she does not like social media but understands that it’s important during an election.

Morrison also said banning election signs on public property would save staff time. “The amount of calls they get. The amount of time they put into dealing with this is insurmountable while they’re also doing their full-time job. And, the other thing, the public wants this,” he said.

“I just wanna say I think we’re creating an unfair playing field for those people who aren’t currently on council by this whole motion,” said Armour. “All we’re going to do is make the media outlets a little richer by buying advertisements on there…”

In the end, the majority of councillors voted in favour of banning the signs on public lands. Calleja also clarified that if the council passes the motion, it will not apply to the provincial election because it was called under the old bylaw, and council does not meet until February 24.

The proposed amendments to the bylaw include charging $50 per sign to remove the signs for those who contravene the bylaw.

All recommendations from Huntsville’s General Committee must be ratified by Huntsville Council.

Update: you can read the staff report HERE.

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