Council seeks clearer rules for election signs in Strathmore

By Melissa Crispin-Piche Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Strathmore council is considering changes to its election sign rules following concerns and questions that surfaced during the 2025 municipal election.

Proposed amendments to the town’s election signs bylaw were presented during the Sept. 9 Committee of the Whole meeting.

Administration said the changes are intended to bring the bylaw in line with provincial legislation while also providing clearer direction on sign placement.

Administration told council that the most common concerns were regarding distance from the curb and distance from intersections.

New maps are expected to be included to provide additional clarification.

The proposed bylaw also reflects provincial changes that limit how municipalities can regulate signage during provincial elections and referendums.

Council spent much of the discussion looking at whether several sections of the bylaw need clearer wording.

Coun. Claude Brown raised concerns about election signs being placed near pedestrian crossings.

“The last election there were a lot of signs that were placed right at crosswalks,” he said. “It’s a bit of a safety concern if you’ve got election signs right at a crosswalk.”

Brown suggested the town consider stronger language allowing signs near crosswalks to be removed quickly where they create a safety concern.

He also asked administration to clarify how the proposed 15 metre setback from intersections should be measured, particularly at curved corners.

Administration said both issues could be reviewed before the bylaw returns to council.

Coun. Melissa Langmaid raised several other concerns with the draft, including the proposed maximum height for election signs.

The bylaw currently proposes that signs may not exceed 1.5 square metres in area or be more than one metre above ground level.

Langmaid said there is some confusion on the size of election signs once they are in a frame. She suggested measuring the one metre height limit from the ground to the bottom of the sign instead of the top, which would allow signs to be placed on a frame without being installed excessively high.

Council also discussed language preventing candidates from using town branding or imagery in a way that could imply municipal endorsement.

Langmaid also questioned wording that said signs “should not” be placed near provincial or federal offices, suggesting stronger language would make enforcement clearer.

“Should is a hard thing to actually comply with,” she said. “It doesn’t mean I can’t. It just means I shouldn’t.”

The proposed bylaw was not approved during the Committee of the Whole meeting. Administration is expected to consider council’s feedback before bringing it forward for formal consideration.