A “No Signs or Advertising Permitted” sign has been posted on the east side of Notre Dame Catholic Elementary School in Cobourg after unauthorized advertising, including an election campaign sign, was placed along the school’s fence line facing Tim Hortons.
Cobourg By-law Enforcement contacted the school last week after becoming aware of what it described as “unauthorized signs” on the property.
The Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington (PVNC) Catholic District School Board confirmed the school had not given permission for any election or advertising signs to be placed on its property.
“To answer your question directly: no, the school did not give permission for any election or advertising signs to be posted along the fenceline. Any signs placed on school property were done so without authorization,” said Mark Giunta, Communications Manager for PVNC Catholic.
Giunta said the school board has strict policies governing election-related activity on Board property.
“As outlined in Administrative Procedure (AP) 605, all candidates are prohibited from election activities on Board property, including distribution of election related signs, pamphlets or buttons and the use of school resources or school communication tools,” he said.
The policy also prohibits election-related signs in windows or offices on Board premises.
Once school officials were made aware of the unauthorized signs by Cobourg By-law Enforcement, staff took immediate action to remove them.
A new “No Signs or Advertising Permitted” notice has now been posted along the fence as a reminder that the property is not available for election advertising or other unauthorized signage.
The incident also serves as a reminder during the municipal election campaign that political signs are subject to rules governing where they can—and cannot—be placed.
In this case, the message from the Catholic school board is clear: school property is not campaign property.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
