Click here for a list of third parties registered to advertise during the 41st provincial general election in Nova Scotia held on August 17, 2021.
Nova Scotia's Elections Act has rules for the registration, regulation and reporting of third party advertisements.
According to the Elections Act, a third party is an individual or group that is not a candidate, registered political party, or registered electoral district association. A third party is not directly involved in an election. For example, a third party can be a corporation, a trade union or another group.
A third party must register with Elections Nova Scotia after it spends more than $500 on election advertising.
A third party election advertisement is a message that promotes or opposes:
It can advertise a position on a certain political issue, such as taxes.
A third party advertisement can be for radio, television, newspaper, the Internet or any other type of media. Campaign buttons, clothing, or other things that identify the users as supporters or opponents of any recognized party or candidate also can be types of third party advertising.
Many communications that appear during an election are not third party advertisements, for example:
You must appoint a person to act as an financial agent for the third party if it spends more than $500 on election advertising.
The financial agent accepts contributions made to the third party for election advertising purposes. He or she must authorize every election advertising expense incurred by the third party.
Then, you should apply to register as a third party with Elections Nova Scotia.
Send your application to the Chief Electoral Officer, and include:
NOTE: The name of the group must not be easily confused with the name of a recognized political party or election candidate.
IT'S A FACT: The total contributions by an individual to all registered third parties must not exceed five thousand dollars in any calendar year.
You or your official agent must file an election advertising report with Elections Nova Scotia, including:
NOTE: If you had no election advertising expenses, then clearly write that in your advertising report.
What else can Elections Nova Scotia ask me to provide?
You might be asked for an original bill, receipt or voucher for any advertising expense greater than $50.
Do I have to identify the third party in my advertisements?
Yes. A third party election advertisement must clearly identify the name of the third party that has paid for the advertisement. For example, the ad must clearly state the name of a person, business, trade union, or other group.
Who can I not choose as financial agent?
The Elections Act does not allow any of the following people to be a financial agent:
What if I receive an anonymous donation?
A third party cannot use money if it does not know the name or address of the person who contributed.
When can I run third party advertising?
In general, third party election advertising runs during an election campaign, but it can start before an election is called.
How much can I spend on third party advertising?
A third party can spend up to approximately $2,000 on advertising that promotes or opposes the election of one or more candidates in an electoral district.
In total, you can spend up to approximately $10,000 on advertising during a general election. See candidate and party spending limits and reimbursements for the 41st provincial general election.
A third party cannot subdivide or join together with another third party in order to sidestep the spending limits.
Why does Elections Nova Scotia monitor third party election advertising?
The public needs to know who is sponsoring an election advertisement and the interest that lies behind any publicly stated position.
Can I run third party election advertising on election day?
Third party election advertising on election day was once banned, but that section of the Elections Act has been repealed. Election advertising is now allowed on election day.
EXAMPLE:
Wanda is head of a union which is shooting television ads to promote its support for one political party. She is official agent for her union. The day after the election was called, Wanda applied to register the union as a third party advertiser with Elections Nova Scotia. Her union cannot spend more than $10,000 to advertise its support for the party.