Smiths Falls mayoral candidate Nate Morris told Hometown News on Sunday, May 31 that he will not remove election signs placed on private property despite receiving a notice from the town regarding the municipality’s updated election signage policy.
The issue centres around the Town of Smiths Falls’ consolidated election signage policy, updated in March 2026 through By-law 10677-2026, which states that no election signs shall be erected or displayed before Labour Day during a municipal election year.
While the policy broadly states that election signs may not be erected or displayed before Labour Day, Morris argues the enforcement language specifically references municipally owned property and municipal road allowances.
Morris maintains the policy does not clearly outline how the restriction applies to signs placed on private property with the permission of property owners.
In correspondence to the town, Morris said he believes the bylaw enforcement notice was issued in error after reviewing the municipality’s policy.
“I do not see language in the policy that specifically states this restriction applies to signs placed on private property,” Morris wrote.
The policy states campaign materials found on municipally owned property or road allowances that do not comply with the policy may be removed after a candidate has been notified and given sufficient time to remove them.
Morris also raised concerns about political expression protections under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
“Election signs on private property are an established form of political expression,” Morris wrote. “It is my understanding that any attempt to restrict or remove this form of expression from private property, without clear legal authority and a Charter-compliant justification, would be unlawful.”
Municipal Law Enforcement Officer Daisy Serson told Hometown News council has directed staff to take a voluntary compliance approach regarding election signage matters.
“Where signage is identified prior to the permitted timeframe outlined in the policy, the town is contacting candidates to request voluntary compliance,” she said.
However, Morris disputes the characterization of the original notice as voluntary.
Morris said he does not plan to remove signs placed on private property with the permission of property owners.
He also disputed the town’s description of the notice as voluntary compliance, saying the notice directed that the signs be removed within one week and stated the town “may proceed with removal in accordance with the By-Law” if they remained in place.
The town’s 2026 municipal election procedures manual states the clerk may establish procedures necessary for conducting an election where matters are not otherwise provided for in legislation. Election principles outlined in the manual include fairness, consistency and maintaining the integrity of the election process.
For more on this Hot Topic, make sure to check out our 2026 municipal election coverage.
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This article appears to show a language issue with the policy /by law for candidate signage . Thus leaving open interpretation of the signage issue . Private property is just that “private” . Mr Nate could be within his rights as a Mayoral candidate . The town clerk seems to have a lot of power though if he/she can establish procedures outside the manual, do not know if that is fair and equitable. Good luck to Mr Nate.