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Want one of these on your property? Call first.

There are signs of an upcoming municipal election across Sault Ste. Marie. Literally.

There are signs of an upcoming municipal election across Sault Ste. Marie.

Literally.

After the deadline for candidates to file their nomination papers to run in the October 27 election came and went, those seeking election (or re-election) to city council or boards of education are encouraging voters to support them with visual reminders in the form of election signs.

Municipal officials enforce laws regarding placement of election signs on city property, but if you’re a private property owner, there are a few things you should know before you put an election sign on your front lawn.

One of them is to make certain you don’t hit a gas line before you pierce your lawn with an election sign.

You could also accidentally hit a city of Sault Ste. Marie public works and transportation line connected to traffic signals, PUC electrical lines or cable lines.

“If you have a sign that pierces the ground, provincial legislation dictates that you must get a locate before you install a sign,” said City Clerk Malcolm White.

Candidates, or residents placing election signs on their own private property, need to contact Ontario 1 at 1-800-400-2255 or by going online at on1call.com in order to get a locate.

“It’s a one stop place where you get all the locates you need,” White said.

White said there has not been a high level of incidents locally in regards to pierced gas lines, but “there have been problems with that overall across Ontario, which is why the Ontario government came out with legislation that made sure people complied with it, not only with election signs but any activity that pierces the ground.”

It is also a criminal offence to deliberately damage an election sign.

Sault Police Service Staff Sgt. Jane Martynuck told SooToday.com such an offence is classified as mischief under $5,000 (or over $5,000, depending on how many signs are involved) and punishable by fine and/or imprisonment.

As far as municipal laws are concerned, White said “we (the city) only regulate signs that are on public property or public rights of way.” 

“Any election sign that’s up must not obstruct or impede vehicle or pedestrian traffic or block their view, and are prohibited from being on traffic islands or utility poles.”

Signs are also not permitted on the property of voting locations, such as schools or churches.

Public Works officials are the ones who enforce the law in regards to any violations concerning election signs on city property.

“Where we get complaints, or if our staff see something that’s not in compliance, they take action,” White said.

Public Works officials will merely remove a sign that is in the wrong place, with no penalty involved.

White said election signs on city property must also be taken down within 72 hours after election day.

Signs on private property are permitted of course, as long as candidates seek permission from the property owner.

Property owners are reminded, however, to ‘call before you dig’ and contact Ontario 1.

 

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Darren Taylor

About the Author: Darren Taylor

Darren Taylor is a news reporter and photographer in Sault Ste Marie. He regularly covers community events, political announcements and numerous board meetings. With a background in broadcast journalism, Darren has worked in the media since 1996.
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