The candidate's campaign commences at the time a nomination is submitted to the Clerk and ends on December 31, 2010.

Candidates must NOT receive or spend funds for their campaign until their nomination has been filed with the Clerk.

Contributions

Campaign contributions are limited to a maximum of $750 from an individual contributor to any one candidate. This does not apply to contributions made to the candidate by the candidate or his/her spouse.

A contributor may not contribute in excess of $5,000 to two or more candidates in one jurisdiction.  Each municipal council and school board is a separate jurisdiction.

Contributions of money that exceed $25 may not be made in cash.

Only the following may contribute to a candidate's campaign:

• An individual who is normally a resident in Ontario, including the candidate and his/her spouse;
• A corporation carrying on business in Ontario; and
• A trade union with bargaining rights for employees in Ontario.

The following groups may NOT make contributions:

• A registered federal or provincial political party;
• The Crown in Right of Canada or Ontario; and
• A municipality or local board.

Maximum Expenses

The maximum amount that a candidate may spend on a campaign is determined as follows:

• Mayoralty Candidates:  $7,500 plus 85 cents for every elector entitled to vote for the office;
• Council/School Board Candidates:  $5,000 plus 85 cents for every elector entitled to vote for the office.

The Clerk, on or before September 20, 2010, will determine the maximum amount for each office and deliver to each candidate a certificate specifying the permitted campaign expense. 

The Municipal Elections Act, 1996, as amended, provides that the Clerk must give each candidate an estimated spending limit upon the filing of nomination papers.  If the final limit is lower than the estimate provided upon the filing of a nomination, the higher amount becomes the candidate's official spending limit.