Judge upholds Ontario rules limiting third-party election ad spending

AnOntariojudge has upheld the province's restrictionson third-party election advertising, ruling the measures do not infringe on voters' right to meaningfully participate in the election process.

In a decision issued last week,OntarioSuperior Court Justice EdMorgan threw out the challenge brought forward by a group of labourorganizations calling itself the Working Families Coalition.

The coalition challenged the election advertising rules on grounds that they infringe on the right to vote by limiting the ability of third parties to share information on matters of public policy for a year before an election.

Morgan found, however, that the rules meet the legal requirement to allow for broad and egalitarian participation in the campaign.

He notes such restrictions are only required to leave room for third parties to lead informational campaigns not to ensure thatthey can put on an expensive, effective one.

In an earlier court challenge, Morgan struck down the spending limits portion of the Election Finances Act on grounds that they infringed on the right to free speech.