Complaints about advertising done by several avowed mayoral candidates has prompted a “reminder” from the city clerk’s office about the Municipal Elections Act.

Conspicuous advertisements from Paul Cheng and Paul Paolatto, both of whom have publicly stated their intention to run for mayor in the 2018 civic election, earned both men an email from the city clerk alerting them to complaints made by Londoners.

The Municipal Elections Act prohibits candidates from campaigning, or spending any money on a campaign, before the nomination period opens on May 1.

Television ads featuring Cheng and Paolatto criticizing London projects such as bus rapid transit have drawn complaints from many on social media. Paolatto ran billboards and bus shelter ads for his “civic affairs” blog -- advertising he said has now ended -- and Cheng has opened an office.

Their efforts exclude any mention of their plans to run for mayor.

Paolatto said he won’t run any ads until May 1 in light of the complaint to the clerk’s office, though he’ll continue to write blog posts and use social media. He characterized the email as “information sharing” on the part of the clerk.

“I don’t apologize for advertising my blog, but I’m not interested in making Londoners uncomfortable,” he said. “The fact that someone has formally complained, I want to respect the fact they’re uncomfortable with it.”

Cheng said the email doesn’t change his plans to advertise or work out of his office, noting his messaging doesn’t include any reference to a mayoral campaign, nor does it ask for votes or money.

“We have obeyed the law, and the spirit of the law,” he said. “They’re saying ‘Watch it buddy,’ so my response is, ‘What are you accusing me of?’”

The email from the clerk’s office did not contain an accusation, he added, just a reminder of the Municipal Elections Act.

The city clerk previously told The Free Press the Municipal Elections Act regulations, such as the requirement not to campaign or incur any campaign expenses, hinge on a person’s status as a candidate.

“A person cannot become a candidate prior to being nominated during the nomination period. A candidate cannot expend monies unless the individual is a candidate,” city clerk Cathy Saunders said in a statement to The Free Press.

The Municipal Elections Modernization Act in 2016 bumped the nomination period from Jan. 1 to May 1 of an election year.