St. Catharines is the latest city to remove a political ads on private property that were purchased by the Association for Reformed Political Action to promote its “Let Kids Be” campaign in opposition to some transgender medical treatment policies.
This follows the removal of the same advertisement in Hamilton. On August 9, the City of Hamilton ordered the removal of the ad from a private billboard on municipal property.
The City of Hamilton has refused to respond to questions regarding how or who made the decision. The City has confirmed that Mayor Andrea Horwath did not order the removal, stating there was no Mayoral Directive. (The Municipal Act requires any direction issued by the Mayor to staff must be in writing as a Directive.)
ARPA states it will filing a legal challenge regarding the Hamilton removal.
St. Catharines Mayor Mat Siscoe is quoted by Torstar/Metroland as stating he ‘respectfully’ requested the private company remove the billboards. The company was not required to remove the ads by any municipal bylaws or policies.
Simcoe’s Chief of Staff Brianne Whitty wrote in emails posted by Pride Niagara that the Mayor “reached out to the third-party advertising company and request the billboard be reviewed due to the divisive nature of the content.”
Whitty also wrote that she and Mayor Siscoe “are looking into potential future tools” regarding
One of the purchases was on a digital sign near the QEW and the other was a traditional posterboard billboard on Geneva Street.
ARPA issued a statement regarding the St. Catharines removal expressing concerns regarding political censorship.
ARPA did not response to a request for comment regarding the Hamilton legal action.
Production Details
v. 1.0.0
Published: September 7, 2025
Last updated: September 7, 2025
Author: Joey Coleman
Update Record
v. 1.0.0 original version
Correction, September 8, 2025 13:43: The original version mispelt St. Catharines Mayor Mat Siscoe's name as Mat Simcoe. I regret the error.