TORONTO – Ontario’s Liberal government is looking to limit the influence of third parties during elections, a year after election advertising by those groups topped $8 million.
The province is currently the only jurisdiction in Canada – of those that regulate third-party advertising – in which those groups don’t face advertising spending or contribution limits.
READ MORE: Ontario Budget 2015: Five things you need to know
The government promised in the recent provincial budget to strengthen rules around election-related, third-party advertising.
Treasury Board President Deb Matthews’ office says they will be developing specific proposals to limit contributions to third parties, regulate third-party election spending and increase reporting requirements.
Ontario’s chief electoral officer has for years been calling for third-party advertising to be reined in during election campaigns.
According to Greg Essensa’s report on the 2014 general election, the number of third parties has more than tripled since 2007 and spending has increased by more than 400 per cent to $8.4 million.
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