Political Elections Policy | Haldimand County Public Library

In this policy

1. Definitions

“The Library” means Haldimand County Public Library;
“The Board” means the Haldimand County Public Library Board;
“Campaigning” means any activity that may directly or indirectly benefit or oppose an Election Campaign;
“Candidate” means any person who has filed the prescribed nomination form to run in a Municipal, Regional, School Board, Provincial or Federal Election or By-Election or for a position in a political party;
“Election Campaign” means any campaign related to an election or by-election, at the municipal, provincial, and federal level of government, or a campaign related to the submission of a question on the ballot;
“Registered Third Party” or “Registered Third Party Advertiser” means those parties registered that incur a cost to support, promote or oppose a candidate, or support, promote or oppose a “yes” or “no” question on the ballot.

2. Policy Statement

This policy applies to Board members, employees and volunteers of Haldimand County Public Library regarding their dealings with candidates and political parties, and the use of Library resources during campaign periods for municipal, provincial and federal elections.

3. Purpose

The Library must act and appear to act in a non-partisan way at all times, especially during elections, while supporting the democratic process, freedom of expression and informed discussion on political issues. The Library must comply with legislation relating to elections. These regulations are included in the Municipal Elections Act, 1996 as amended by Bill 181, the Municipal Elections Modernization Act, 2016. Specifically Clause 88.18 Use of municipal, board resources states:

“Before May 1 in the year of a regular election, municipalities and local boards shall establish rules and procedures with respect to the use of municipal or board resources, as the case may be, during the election campaign period.”

4. Responsibilities

Public libraries in Ontario are governed by the Public Libraries Act, R.R.O. 1990 which establishes governance by independent Boards. In facilitating the expression of a wide range of ideas, public libraries also play an important role in encouraging democratic participation and awareness. The Library Board encourages staff to support non-partisan activities that promote political participation and voter awareness.

Approval for using the library space or website for non-partisan actives requires approval of the Library CEO or designate.

Campaign contributions

In accordance with the Municipal Elections Act, Section 70(4), the Election Finances Act, R.S.O 1990 Section 16(1), and Canada Elections Act, Section 404(1), the Board may not make a contribution to the campaign of any candidate or political party in the form of money, goods or services.

USE OF LIBRARY RESOURCES AND PROPERTY

Candidates and Registered Third Parties may not rent any Haldimand County Public Library meeting room for campaigning purposes, including Candidate debates;
Candidates may not use equipment, supplies, staff or other operational resources of the Library, nor may they use the Library’s logo, images, photographs or promotional items in any campaign material;
Candidates cannot be featured or promoted in association with any library program or event;
No election sign, badge, button, poster or logo specific to a candidate or political party may be posted on any library premises. The Library may provide awareness of the election and general information on elections.

Employee and volunteer participation in elections

Any library employee running as a candidate in a municipal election will comply with Section 30 of the Municipal Elections Act. This Act speaks to employees of local Boards running in municipal elections. The Act refers to the definition of local boards as defined in the Municipal Act, 2001 where the definition of a local board includes the public Library Board;

A Library employee or volunteer involved in a political campaign must be politically neutral in carrying out their Library duties and must not participate in campaign activities during their working hours.

Library Board members as candidates

Board members may continue their Library Board responsibilities when they are running for office.

Requests for information about the Library

The Library CEO will coordinate requests for information about the Library received from candidates or political parties; information that is provided by the Library to one candidate or political party will be provided to all other candidates and political parties upon request during an election.

5. Related References

5.1 Canada Elections Act, 2000

5.2 Haldimand County Use of Corporate Resources for Election Campaign Purposes Policy

5.3 Ontario Election Finances Act, 1990

5.4 Ontario Municipal Elections Act, 1996

5.5 Ontario Municipal Elections Modernization Act, 2016

5.6 Ontario Public Libraries Act, 1990

6. Revision History

6.1 Date Last Reviewed: April 2026

6.2 Board Motion: 26-16