BACKGROUND:

• Feb. 2021 report to CoW reviewed options – siting, size, number per candidate, type of material, safety/sightlines, infrastructure damage, visual & environmental damage, formalize protection of logo
• Measured approach:
  • establish sign zones
  • limit number, size, and height
  • include safety provisions
  • protect infrastructure
  • allow on private property
• Clarify use of logo

PROPOSED BYLAW NO. 989 AMENDMENTS:

• Applies to federal, provincial, local government elections or similar voting events (by-elections, referenda, plebiscites, recall or initiative campaigns)
• Safety:
  • cannot be illuminated, animated, rotating, flashing, have moving lights, or other electrical features
  • cannot have attachments like balloons, kites, electronic message centre or inflatable devices
  • cannot obstruct, simulate of detract from visibility of regulatory signs or other traffic control devices
  • cannot interfere with traffic sightlines at intersections
  • cannot interfere with safety of Roadway users
  • must not be closer than 0.61m (2 ft.) from Roadway and 5m (16.4 ft.) from fire hydrant

PROPOSED BYLAW NO. 989 AMENDMENTS (cont’d):

• Cannot put on vehicle or trailer attached to vehicle
• Signs up no sooner than 30 days before last day & down within 48 hours
• Place & remove in a way to not damage Public Land or infrastructure
  • responsibility for repair costs
• Signs are to be self-supporting with supporting structures to be no deeper than 0.3 metres (1 ft.) below grade
• Signs to have no more than 2 sign faces
• 7 Sign Zones – large and small
• Election signs permitted on private property with consent of owner or occupant of the property but cannot overhang Public Land
• Signs can be removed and would be stored for one week after the election then disposed of if not claimed
• Town logo is not to be used on election signs or in election advertising

LOGO USE:

• Logo is the brand or visual identity
• TVR logo registered July 2020 with Cdn. Intellectual Property Office (Innovation, Science & Economic Development Canada)
• Town’s Code of Conduct reinforces use for municipal purposes only
• Best practice elsewhere: to not allow unauthorized use of logo or similar representations – coat of arms or stylized logo
• Instead, used for official business only; not for personal or political purposes
• Proposed Bylaw amendment reinforces current messaging

PROPOSED BYLAW NO. 989 AMENDMENTS (cont’d):

• In Large Sign Zone:
  • 1 large sign/zone to maximum of 5 in Town
  • each sign face no larger than 1.22m X 1.22m (4ft. X 4ft.)
  • height not to exceed 2.45m (8 ft.) from grade of site to top of sign or support structure (whichever is greater)
• In any sign zone:
  • maximum of 3 signs with each sign face no larger than 0.61m X 0.61m (2ft. X 2 ft.)
  • height not to exceed 1.1m (3.6 ft.) from grade of site to top of sign or support structure (whichever is greater)

Election Signs – Permitted Zones Key Map

Zone 1 – Island Hwy. at Four Mile Heights

Zone 2 – NW Corner of Helmcken Rd & Island Hwy.

Zone 3 – Helmcken Rd at Centennial Park

Zone 4 – Watkiss Way at Eagle Creek Park

Zone 5 – Burnside Rd W at Watkiss Way

Zone 6 – Atkins Rd at Six Mile Rd

Zone 7 – Chilco Rd at Six Mile Rd

ZONES FOR FUTURE CONSIDERATION:

• 3 possible zones omitted due to construction:
  • Island Hwy. at Atkins Road
  • Island Hwy. at Dukrill
  • Frontage near 2401 Burnside Road W.
• Can consider in future and amend bylaw then if appropriate

CONCLUSION:

• Input incorporated into draft Bylaw amendment
• Logo use follows best practices and Code of Conduct
• Applies to all elections
• Any new changes to election sign requirements would be distributed to candidates once candidate information becomes known
• MTI amendment will be developed though continued graciousness/respect anticipated

RECOMMENDATION:

THAT Council receive the Director of Corporate Administration/Deputy Corporate Officer’s April 5, 2022 report entitled “Election Procedures Bylaw No. 989, 2018 – Proposed Amendments: Elections Signs and Logo Usage”.