When A Candidate Can File Their Nomination Paper
To become a Candidate for Mayor, Councillor, or School Board Trustee you must file a nomination paper with the Municipal Clerk or designate, in person. Nomination papers may be filed from Friday, May 1, 2026, to Friday, August 21, 2026, at 2:00 pm. Appointments can be made to file Nomination Papers during the Nomination Period. Walk in appointments will not be guaranteed.
Who Can Be A Candidate?
- Candidates must be a resident of the municipality or a non-resident owner or tenant of land in the municipality or the spouse of such non-resident owner or tenant;
- a Canadian citizen and at least 18 years old;
- not legally prohibited from voting; and not disqualified by any legislation from holding municipal office;
- You will need to pay a fee of $100 for Councillor, $200 for mayor.
AMO Information Sessions
The Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) offers a series of workshops for those considering running for municipal office in the 2026 election. These include:
Resources for Candidates
The Province of Ontario has the following resource guides available:
- 2026 Candidates' Guide - Ontario Municipal Council and School Board Elections
- 2026 Third-Party Advertisers' Guide - How to Register in the Ontario Municipal Council and School Board Elections
- Municipal Councillor's Guide
- 2026 Candidates’ Guide — Ontario Municipal Council and School Board Elections
The Guides above provides an overview of the roles and responsibilities of an elected member of council in Ontario.
The Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) offers a guide to running for municipal council, titled Lead Where You Live 2026. This PDF is free to download.
You can find more election information on the AMO Municipal Elections website.