Why government ads were still running after federal election call

Government of Canada advertising was supposed to stop the moment Stephen Harper called the election on Sunday, butit couldtake up to five days to cancel all publicity, according to a notice on advertising posted by the Department of Public Works and Government Services Canada.

That would help explain why an anti-drugad purchased by Health Canada was still airing in prime time Monday night during the evening news on Radio-Canada, CBC's French-language counterpart or why an ad from Heritage Canada promoting Canada's 150th birthday was still running on television onTuesday.

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"As soon as the election was called,the government of Canada contacted its media-buying agency and instructed them to contact all media outlets to cancel all government of Canada advertising," said the notice on advertising during the federal electionposted on the Public Workswebsite.

And depending on wherethe ad was placed, "itcan take up to five days to cancel advertisements."

The notice was posted on Aug. 3 the dayafter the election was calledbyPublic Works, which is responsible forcontacting the agency that purchases the ads.

"TV advertisements should all be pulled within the next 48 hours," the notice said.

All stations were informed as soon as the election was called. However, since Monday was a holiday for some stations, some spots ranMondayandTuesday.Simon Rivet, Department of Canadian Heritage spokesman

The federalhealth agency spent $1.5 millionto run the adson TV and online until Aug. 8, but on Wednesday, itcould not say whether the anti-drug adhad been pulled from all platforms,referring CBC News to Public Works.

Also, a spokesmanfor Heritage Canada confirmed to CBC News on Wednesdaythat Public Works "removed all the government of Canada ads"including theTVads promoting Canada's 150th birthday.

"All stations were informed as soon as the election was called,"said Simon Rivet, a media relations officer for the Department of Canadian Heritage.

"However, since Monday was a holiday for some stations, some spots ranMondayandTuesday," said Rivetin anemailto CBC News.

Monday was a statutory holiday for many workers ina handful ofprovinces,including Ontario.

'Result of delays'

A different notice posted on the main government of Canada website acknowledged that it wasn't just government of Canada ads that should have ceasedwith Harper's election call on Sunday, but also news releases touting government announcements including funding investments.

"It has come to our attention that some government of Canadanews releases and supporting social media were shared on Monday August 3, 2015," said the government notice posted on a page that was edited Wednesday.

Some news releases and notifications only appeared online today as a result of delays in posting regular web updates over a long weekend.-Notice posted on the government of Canada website

For instance, a statement byRonaAmbrose in her capacity as health minister was issued on Monday announcing that she had "directed Health Canada to create a task force to crack down on illegal marijuana advertising."

"Some of these government of Canada announcements were made before the election was called," the government notice said.

It appeared to clear government MPs for announcements being issued after the election was called, noting it's the responsibility of public servants to post the information online.

"Some news releases and notifications only appeared online today as a result of delays in posting regular web updates over a long weekend.News releases and notifications by government of Canada departments are posted by public servants," the government of Canada noticesaid.

Exceptions apply

While most government ads will stop running soon enough, some exceptions may apply,said a spokesperson for theTreasury Board of Canada Secretariat pointing to the following examples.

Advertising during a general electionis only permitted when:

• An institution is required by statute or regulation to issue a public notice for legal purposes.
• An institution must inform the public of a danger to health, safety or the environment.
• An institution must post an employment or staffing notice.

"Otherwise, advertising plans and activitiesmust not resume until the day the newly elected government is sworn into office, saidLisa Murphy, amedia relations spokeswomanfor theTreasury Board, in an email to CBC News on Wednesday.

On Thursday, the Treasury Board told CBC News in an email the agency responsible for buying the ad spacehad "confirmedall government of Canada advertising has been cancelled."

While Canadians willstop seeing any further government ads during the election period, the real barrage of political ads byfederal parties and third-party organizations has only just begun,asCBC reported on Monday.