Pamela McCarthy is a candidate in Ward 2.
She is up against Glenn Marais and Brian Andrews.
An elector in Ward 2 has just been in touch with me to draw my attention to Ms McCarthy’s website which features her standing next to two uniformed York Regional Police officers. He is concerned this may be a breach of the YRP Board’s policy which states in section 3(b):
“The Board’s and YRP’s logo, brand and other marks shall not be used in campaigning or included on any campaigning website.”
On the face of it, this appears to be a clear breach of the rules and she should take down the photograph without any further delay.
Voting begins on 17 October 2026.
I have emailed her about my concerns, copying it to the two other candidates.
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The Ward 2 elector today wrote to the Police Board:
"I am writing to request your consideration of the application of the Board's Policy on Use of Board Resources for Election Purposes, to a photograph currently appearing in the "Priorities" section of the campaign website of Newmarket municipal candidate Pamela McCarthy.
The photograph shows Ms. McCarthy standing between two uniformed York Regional Police officers. The officers are wearing YRP uniforms with clearly visible YRP insignia and other identifying markings.I am particularly interested in section 3(b) of the Board's Policy which states:“The Board’s and YRP’s logo, brand and other marks shall not be used in campaigning or included on any campaigning website.”
The principal question that comes to mind is:
Does the YRP insignia, crest and other identifying markings appearing on the uniforms of the two YRP officers in this photograph constitute the Board's or YRP's “logo, brand and other marks” for purposes of section 3(b), such that their appearance in a photograph on a candidate's campaigning website is prohibited by that provision?
If the answer is in the affirmative will the Board be requesting the candidate to remove the offending photograph? Thank you for your assistance. An emailed response will be fine."
