Who Pays For The Ads?

I was reading my local weekly paper the other day and was struck by the number of politicians ads. It's not the first time I've noticed them or wondered who paid for them, but given the current election campaign I thought the question was quite relevant.

These ads, which appear every week, post the contact details for my local MP, MPP and city councilor - none of which I have a particular problem with. What I do have a problem with is the size (approximately 3 x 2 inches) and the fact that they include their picture in it.I would really like to know is why Maria Minna (MP-Liberal), Michael Prue (MPP-NDP) and Sandra Bussin (City councilor) insist on including their picture in their ad. Are they worried that we won't recognize them when they walk down the street?

Are they relying on us to find them by sight in order to ask them to help us? I really think that this is yet another example of the average politician having an overly inflated sense of self and absolutely no concern for how they spend the public's money.

Hello all three of you - I am more than capable of finding your contact info in the phone book. Please cease and desist in wasting my money.