Richmond Hill Updates Election Sign Rules

In response to changes to the Municipal Elections Act and the Municipal Act, Council approved amendments to section 6.6 of Richmond Hill’s sign by-law, which governs the placement and timing of election signs. In upcoming elections, candidates will be permitted to post election signs four weeks (28 days) prior to Voting Day. In addition, with the Municipal Elections Act now regulating third-party advertisers and requiring them to register with the Town Clerk before incurring expenses, definitions for registered third-party advertiser and third-party advertisement have been added to Richmond Hill’s sign by-law. Third-party advertisers are those that support, promote or oppose a candidate, or support, promote or oppose a “yes” or “no” question on the ballot. These amendments will ensure that third-party advertisers are subject to the same rules for election sign placement as candidates. For more information, contact Jeff Baker, Acting Manager, By-law, Licensing and Enforcement at 905-747-6491 or jeff.baker@richmondhill.ca.

Richmond Hill Declines Cannabis Retail Location

Council passed a motion to notify the provincial government that Richmond Hill is not a willing host of a cannabis retail location. Recreational cannabis will be legal in Canada beginning in July 2018. Retail sales in Ontario will be handled by stand-alone stores and online ordering, both controlled by a subsidiary of the LCBO and cannabis will only be sold to individuals 19 and older. The Province has identified Richmond Hill as a location for one of the first 40 retail stores to be open in July 2018. Richmond Hill Council is concerned that the role of the municipality and the Region, including by-law enforcement, policing, public health, zoning and funding are not yet clearly defined and therefore Richmond Hill wants to decline the opportunity for a retail location in July 2018. For more information please contact Mayor Dave Barrow at 905-771-2493 or officemayor@richmondhill.ca.

The next Committee of the Whole Meeting is scheduled for Monday, January 22 at 4:30 p.m. and the next Council Meeting is Monday, January 29 at 7:30 p.m. Both meetings will be held in Council Chambers.