Burgess Dam Situation Update

If you received a Voyent Alert! on April 20, please be assured the Burgess Dam in Bala is stable, operating as designed and remains well within manageable limits.

Evacuation is not required. Our crews are actively monitoring conditions and prepared to respond as needed.

For residents in low-lying areas downstream of the Moon River are encouraged to take standard precautions to protect their properties from flooding. 

This information is intended to keep the community informed and prepared should conditions change.

For questions or concerns, please call us at 705-765-3156 or visit the link below.

Flood Information & Preparedness

Third-Party Advertising

Hand holding a speakerphone and muskoka lakes votes logo

A third-party advertiser is an individual, corporation, or trade union that wants to place advertising to support or oppose:

      • a candidate, or
      • a “yes” or “no” response to a question on the ballot

Third-party advertising is separate from a candidate’s campaign and must be conducted independently.

Before participating, third-party advertisers must register with the Clerk. Find registration steps below.

If you are unsure whether your planned activity qualifies as regulated advertising, please contact the Clerk before proceeding.

Who can register? 

  • An individual who is a resident in Ontario
  • A corporation carrying on business in Ontario
  • A trade union

Who cannot register?

  • A candidate who has filed a nomination for municipal council or school board office
  • Federal or provincial political parties
  • Groups, associations, or businesses that are not corporations

Information & Resources

2026 Third-Party Advertisers Guide

Source:
Province of Ontario

Download the guide

Registration Window: May 1 to October 23, 2026

You must register with the Clerk before you accept contributions or spend money on advertising in the municipality.

Filing Deadline: March 30, 2027 at 2 p.m.

All registered third-party advertisers must file a financial statement, even if they did not raise or spend much.

How to Register

Registrations must filed in person BY APPOINTMENT ONLY with the Clerk during regular business hours (Monday to Friday 8:15 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. excluding Statutory holidays). The deadline to register or withdraw is October 23, 2026. Third party registrations will not be accepted after the deadline.

Printed forms are available at the Township Office upon request (1 Bailey St., Port Carling).

Step 1: Confirm that you need to register

If you plan to spend money on advertising that supports or opposes a candidate, or a “yes” or “no” ballot question, you should review the rules before doing anything else.

Step 2: Review By-laws

Step 3: Complete all forms

Forms coming soon!

Step 4: Book an appointment to file

Registration opens on May 1, 2026 and closes on October 23, 2026. 

To book an appointment, contact: 

Crystal Best-Sararas, Clerk
crystal.best-sararas@muskokalakes.ca 
705-765-3156 x211

Step 5: Wait for confirmation

Your campaign begins when the Clerk certifies your registration.

Do not accept contributions or spend money before that happens.

Step 6: Open a separate bank account

There must be a separate bank account for each advertising campaign. Third-party advertisers cannot use an existing personal bank account for campaign finances.

Step 7: Keep records from day one

Keep records of contributions, expenses, invoices, and ad placements.

If your ads are broadcast or published, you will also need details for your financial statement.

Important Dates

  • May 1, 2026
    Registration opens. The restricted period for third-party advertising begins.
  • October 23, 2026
    Last day to register as a third-party advertiser.
  • October 14 - 26, 2026
    Voting Period. The restricted period ends at the close of voting.
  • December 31, 2026
    Your advertising campaign must end, unless it has a deficit and you extend it in writing with the Clerk.
  • March 30, 2027 at 2 p.m.
    Financial statement due.
  • September 24, 2027 at 2 p.m.
    Supplementary financial statement due for extended campaigns.

Frequently Asked Questions

You can only advertise to voters in the municipality where you are registered. If you want to advertise in more than one municipality, you must register in each one.

Ads can be placed in any medium: broadcast, print, digital

Signs, ads, and other materials must identify the third-party advertiser as registered in that municipality. Broadcast or published ads must include the advertiser’s name and contact information.

The spending limit is based on the number of eligible electors in the municipality: $5,000 plus $0.05 per elector, up to a maximum of $25,000.

If your campaign expenses or contributions total more than $10,000, your financial statement must be reviewed by an auditor.

After the campaign ends, close the campaign bank account and file your financial statement by the deadline.

You can only accept contributions after registering. Ontario’s guide says the general contribution limit is $1,200 per contributor, and corporations and trade unions may contribute to third-party advertisers, including goods and services.

No. A candidate who has filed a nomination for municipal council or school board office cannot register as a third-party advertiser.

Yes. Registered third-party advertisers must file the required financial statement with the Clerk by the deadline.

Contact & Support

For more information about municipal elections at the Township of Muskoka Lakes including historical election data, please contact:

Crystal Best-Sararas, Director of Legislative Services/Clerk

Telephone: 705 765-3156 Ext. 211
Fax: 705-765-6755
Email the Clerk

Cheryl Hollows, Manager of Legislative Services/Deputy Clerk 

Telephone: 705 765-3156 Ext. 212
Fax: 705-765-6755
Email the Deputy Clerk 

Contact Us

Township of Muskoka Lakes
1 Bailey St., P.O. Box 129,
Port Carling, ON, P0B 1J0
T: 705-765-3156 F: 705-765-6755

Office Hours: 8:15 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

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