City politicians will address a committee item that has been on the agenda since 2011 at Tuesday’s meeting.
A proposal banning election signs from municipal property has been on the general government docket for six years, pre-dating the current council. The discussion could be limited and the proposal could have little support due to the length of time that has elapsed since it was tabled and the change in councils.
In 2011, then and current Coun. Daryl Vaillancourt broached the subject, saying that signs for candidates in municipal, provincial and federal elections should be restricted from being erected on City of North Bay property.
A report prepared in 2011 outlined approaches to take to regulate election signs that cause the City to “receive numerous complaints from residents,” regarding the sheer number of placards. Signs placed in residents yards without consent was another issue raised six years ago and was included in the report.
Some of the notable recommendations included in the report:
- Election signs shall not be erected or displayed on any road allowances or public property under the jurisdiction of The Corporation of the City of North Bay (billboards on leased lands would be excluded).
- Election signs shall not be erected or displayed on a public utility pole, light pole, bridge, official sign or overhanging a public highway.
- The use of the municipal logo on any election signs, brochures or other election materials is prohibited.
- Election signs shall not be placed in or on a vehicle that is parked on any premises used as a Voting Place for elections or within 100 metres of a Voting Place.
- All elections signs shall be removed within seven days after the completion of voting on Voting Day. The candidate shall be responsible for the removal of his or her signs within the prescribed time.
