45. Are there limits on online media advertising spending in relation to election campaigns?

"Election messages communicated over the Internet are election advertising only if:  they meet the general criteria for election advertising (see What is election advertising? above), and  they have, or would normally have, a placement cost (such as sponsored or boosted content) For greater certainty, the following are not election advertising:  messages sent or posted for free on social media platforms such as Twitter and Facebook  messages sent by email or through other messaging services (including texts sent through a cellular or mobile network)  videos posted for free on social media platforms such as YouTube and Instagram  content posted on the candidate’s website (the ongoing expenses for creating and maintaining a website are not placement costs) However, any associated expenses are election expenses. See the Websites and web content section below."

p. 64 of of Elections Canada Political Financing Handbook for Candidates and Official Agents.