The appellant challenged a provincial election-law registration requirement as an unjustified limit on freedom of expression under s. 2(b) of the Charter when applied to sponsors spending less than $500 on election advertising.
The Court held that the statutory definition of sponsor captures persons or organizations receiving advertising services from others, not individuals engaging in solitary political self-expression such as homemade signs, bumper stickers, or T-shirts.
On that interpretation, the impugned limit was narrow and justified under s. 1 given the objective of electoral transparency, accountability, and an informed electorate.
The registration scheme was rationally connected, minimally impairing, and proportionate in effects.
The appeal was dismissed.
