Government Advertising Act goes into effect in Ontario
By Adnews Staff
A new law called the Government Advertising Act went into effect in Ontario yesterday which requires the provincial Auditor General to screen government advertising to ensure it does not contain partisan content. Material for review will include paid television, radio, billboard and print advertising, as well as print material distributed by the government to households in Ontario by unaddressed bulk mail. The act stipulates that any advertising aimed at Ontario audiences must not include the name, voice or image of government cabinet ministers or MPPs. Also, advertising must not create a positive impression of the governing party as a primary objective or create a negative impression of those critical of the government. Advertising must be intended to inform the public of government policies, programs or services, inform the public of their rights and responsibilities under the law, encourage or discourage specific social behaviour in the public interest, or promote the province itself. All ads must declare that they are paid for by the Government of Ontario. Arms-length provincial agencies, including the Liquor Control Board of Ontario, the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board and the Royal Ontario Museum, are exempt from the legislation. Ads concerning urgent issues of public health or safety and certain other forms of communication are also exempt. The Auditor General, currently Jim McCarter, will report annually on the cost of government advertising and any breach of the advertising law. "We believe this is the first legislation in North America that prevents governments from using public money for partisan purposes," said Ontario Government Services Minister Gerry Phillips. "No longer will government advertising be used to further the interests of politicians and political parties or to attack groups critical of the government."