WHEREAS the Town of Oakville has declared a Climate Emergency;
WHEREAS Election signs that are placed on municipal property are overwhelmingly made with plastics having a negative impact on our environment;
WHEREAS Election signs have become a visual clutter on our roadways often distracting drivers and causing blight;
WHEREAS neighbouring municipalities including Burlington, Mississauga, Brampton and the Region of Halton have all banned election signs from the public right of way;
WHEREAS election sign bylaws are often broken and enforcement cannot keep up with infractions;
WHEREAS section 11 of the Municipal Act, 2001 S.O. 2001 c. 25, as amended authorizes municipalities to pass by-laws respecting signs;
WHEREAS subsection 63(1) of the Municipal Act, 2001 S.O. 2001, c. 25, as amended provides that a By-law may prohibit or regulate the placing or standing of an object on or near a highway, and may provide for the removal and impounding or restraining and immobilizing any object placed or standing on or near a highway;
WHEREAS Council deems it necessary and in the public interest to regulate election signs; and
WHEREAS a stand-alone by-law to regulate election signs will help candidates, campaign teams, and the public readily access election sign provisions;
THERFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT:
No person shall display an Election Sign at any location other than entirely on private property;
No person shall display an Election Sign on private property without the permission or consent of the owner of the property;
No person shall display, or permit to be displayed, an Election Sign which is in a state of disrepair so as to be unsafe or unsightly; and
THAT staff develop a comprehensive set of rules that ensure signs are installed safely so as not to cause harm or hazard to residents on private property.