Wainfleet sets election policy for October vote
Wainfleet politicians have approved a policy that will ensure there’s a firewall between municipal resources and municipal election candidates’ efforts to win over voters.
To comply with provincial legislation requiring municipalities to establish rules and procedures related to the use of municipal services during an election period, new policy was approved March 27 to guide both candidates and staff members who may wish to become involved in candidates’ campaigns.
Having a clear policy that clarifies expectations reduces the chance of candidates inadvertently violating provincial law, corporate services manager and treasurer Adam Cross said in a report.
The policy says that no candidate shall use facilities, equipment, supplies, services, staff or other township resources including letterhead, township business cards or email accounts, or municipal computers for any campaignrelated activities.
Candidates are also barred from campaign-related activities on any township property, and are barred from using services during business hours of any person receiving compensation from the township.
Campaign-related signs or other campaign material, including a vehicle identifying a candidate, can’t be displayed at municipal facilities, and candidates aren’t allowed to campaign or distribute campaign literature at any function hosted by the township — regardless of whether it’s on township property or not.
The policy also contains restrictions on campaignrelated materials on websites, domain names and social media handles funded by the township.
Candidates are also banned from using a township logo or variation of it on any campaign material, election signs or social media or campaign websites, and cannot use the township’s voice mail system or cellphones to record or broadcast campaign-related messages.
The policy also places restrictions on township staff, ensuring those involved in political activities must take care to separate those personal activities from their official positions.
Staff can participate in political activity at the federal, provincial and municipal levels provided that activity doesn’t take place during work hours or use township assets, resources or property, said Cross.
The policy says staff are forbidden from canvassing or actively working in support of a candidate or political party while wearing a uniform, badge or logo identifying them as a township employee, or using a vehicle owned or leased by the township.
Staff are also forbidden from canvassing or actively working in support of a candidate or party during normal working hours unless they are on a leave of absence without pay, on lieu time or a float day or on vacation leave.