Thinking of Running for Council… Now What?

Join one of these upcoming candidate information sessions!

• Tuesday May 19, 2026

• Wednesday May 20, 2026
  

Experienced and Knowledgeable trainers from Clerks On Call will guide prospective election candidates through the essential information they need before deciding to run for municipal office.

This includes:

• Reasons to run or not run for council
• Personal and financial considerations before running
• Roles and responsibilities of council and staff
• Powers and influence of municipal government and council members
• Governance, legislative, and decision making process
• Transparency and accountability in local government
• General campaign information
• Media and public engagement strategies

Hosted by Hastings County Clerks and Treasurers Association.

AMO’s Healthy Democracy Leadership Series: Strong Leaders, Stronger Communities

• Stream 1 – Considering Re-Election in 2026
  For municipal elected officials preparing their path forward and looking to renew clarity, confidence, and resilience.
  • February 19, 2026
  • March 26, 2026
  • April 23, 2026
  • May 7, 2026

• Stream 2 – First-Time Candidates for 2026
  For community members exploring a run for municipal office and wanting to build confidence, understanding, and support before launching a campaign.
  • March 10, 2026
  • April 7, 2026
  • April 28, 2026
  • May 19, 2026

Learn more and register:
Visit AMO’s website for full details and registration: AMO’s Healthy Democracy Leadership Series – Stronger Leaders, Stronger Communities

AMO’s Running for Municipal Office – Everything You Need to Know as an Underrepresented Candidate

This 90-minute session offers practical strategies, confidence-building tools, and guidance on preparing an effective municipal campaign.

What you’ll learn:

• What to expect when running as a diverse or underrepresented candidate
• Key strategies for a successful municipal campaign
• Understanding the steps involved in becoming a candidate
• Identifying your target audience and voter base
• Developing strong messaging and personal branding
• Using community engagement to build visibility and support
• Additional tips, tools, and real-world insights

Upcoming 2026 Dates:

• April 8, 2026 – 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Learn more and register:

• https://www.amo.on.ca/running-municipal-office-everything-you-need-know-underrepresented-candidate
• https://event.amo.on.ca/event-information?id=a0lOG000002QEsbYAG

Questions: events@amo.on.ca

Information Session for Youth Considering Running for Municipal Office

Youth who are interested in running for municipal council in the October 2026 Municipal Election are invited to attend a series of free information sessions offered by the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO).

These workshops are designed to help young people build their understanding and confidence around becoming a municipal candidate and running a successful campaign. Sessions will provide practical insights into the municipal election process and what to expect when running for local office.

The sessions will be facilitated by current municipal leaders:

• Natasha Salonen, Mayor, Township of Wilmot
• Cam Wales, Councillor, City of Brockville
• Aidan Kallioinen, Councillor, Town of Espanola

Topics Include:

• What to expect when running as a candidate and serving as a young municipal councillor
• Key strategies for running a successful municipal campaign
• Understanding candidate requirements and the nomination process
• Engagement and communication strategies
• And more

Sessions:

• Wednesday, February 18, 2026 | 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
• Wednesday, March 11, 2026 | 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
• Wednesday, April 15, 2026 | 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.

Registration: Free

For full workshop details and registration information, please visit the AMO website.

Filing Nominations

If a person wishes to run as a candidate in the 2026 Township of Limerick municipal election, they must file a nomination form along with Nomination Package with the Elections Office.

The first day to file a nomination for the next municipal general elections will be May 1, 2026 and ending on August 21, 2026 at 2:00pm. Appointments are required. Call (613)-474-2863 or email: clerk@township.limerick.on.ca

A person cannot raise or spend money on an election campaign until they have officially filed their nomination with the Township.

To file a nomination, you must provide:

• Nomination Paper
• Current applicable identification and proof of Canadian Citizenship
• Nomination filing fee (paid by cash, debit, credit, certified cheques, money orders and bank drafts made payable to: The Township of Limerick – 89 Limerick Lake Rd., Gilmour, ON K0L 1W0)
• The filing fee is $200.00 for candidates running for Mayor and $100.00 for Councillors or School Board Trustee candidates
• Election Sign Deposit Application Form
  • Candidates/School Board Trustees/Registered Third Party ($100.00)
• Nomination fees are refunded to candidates once they file the required financial statement

If an agent is filing a nomination on your behalf, they must provide the above documents and their own identification/

If candidates do not file the required financial statement by the deadline as per the Municipal Elections Act, 1996, they are not eligible to receive a refund.

Eligibility for Nomination

For the position of Mayor or Councillor, on the day the nomination paper is filed, you must be:

1. A Canadian citizen
2. At least 18 years of age
3. A resident of the Township of Limerick or an owner or tenant of the land in the Township of Limerick, or the spouse of the owner or tenant
4. Not legally prohibited from voting
5. Not disqualified by any legislation from holding Municipal Office

You must not be:

1. A judge of any court
2. A member of the Provincial Legislature, the Federal House of Commons or Senate who has not resigned from their office by the close of nominations or the Clerk will not certify the nomination
3. A candidate who failed to file the necessary financial statement(s) in the last municipal election or by-election in any municipality

Withdrawing a Nomination

If you no longer wish to run the Township of Limerick Municipal Election, you must advise the Clerk in writing before the end of the nomination period. Candidates cannot withdraw after the nomination period has closed.

Candidates who have withdrawn their nomination are still required to file a financial statement.

Fundraising

You cannot raise or spend any money on your campaign until you file your nomination paper. The earliest you can file your nomination paper is May 1, 2026. Any evidence of such activity may require a Compliance Audit Investigation.

Once the nomination paper has been accepted, open a bank account in the name of the campaign in order to accept contributions and to incur expenses.

You may accept contributions or incur campaign expenses during your campaign period only. Your campaign period begins on the day the clerk receives your nomination. In most cases, your campaign will end on December 31, 2026. Exceptions are if you:

• withdrew your nomination, your campaign ends on the date you informed the clerk in writing that you wanted to withdraw (this also applies to candidates who die during the campaign); or
• were not certified as a candidate and your name did not appear on the ballot, your campaign ends on nomination day (August 21, 2026)

Campaign Finances

A person cannot raise or spend money on an election campaign until they have officially filed their nomination with the Township.

• If you plan to incur campaign expenses or accept contributions, you must open a separate bank account for each campaign
• A contributor’s total contribution cannot exceed $1200.00 for campaigns for Mayor, councillors or school board trustee candidates

Financial Statements

Financial statements from candidates and third party advertisers in the 2026 municipal election are available on this page, in accordance with section 88 (9.1) of the Municipal Elections Act, 1996.

All candidates and third party advertisers must file their financial statement and auditor’s report (if required) on or before March 30, 2027, at 2:00pm.

In accordance with section 88.23(4) of the Municipal Elections Act, the Clerk shall make available to the public the following report setting out all candidates in an election and indicating whether each candidate complied with section 88.25.

If you have reasonable grounds to believe that a candidate or third party advertisers has violated the campaign finance rules, please request a compliance audit.

Failure to Submit

Failure to submit a financial statement will find the candidate in default of the Municipal Elections Act. Penalties include:

• The candidate forfeits the office to which they were elected and the office shall be deemed to be vacant; and

• Until the next regular election has taken place, the candidate is ineligible to be elected or appointed to any office to which the Municipal Election Act applies.

If a candidate fails to file a required financial statement or auditor’s report (or any other document required under Section 78 or 79.1 of the Municipal Elections Act, 1996), fails to pay over a surplus or exceeds the spending limit for the office, the candidate forfeits any office to which he or she was elected and the office is deemed to be vacant. The penalties will take effect on the deadline for the filing of the documents. If the candidate applies to the Ontario Court of Justice for an extension of the time to file the financial statement and fails to file the documents by the date established by the Court, the penalties will take effect at the end of the period of extension.

Penalties

Sections 91 and 92 of the Municipal Elections Act, 1996 set out penalties with respect to violations under the Act as follows:

91. (1) If a person is convicted of a corrupt practice under this Act, or of an offence under the Criminal Code (Canada) in connection with an act or omission that relates to an election to which this Act applies, then, in addition to any other penalty provided for in this Act,

(a) Any office to which the person was elected is forfeited and becomes vacant; and

(b) The person is ineligible to be nominated for, or elected or appointed to, any office until the next two regular elections have taken place after the election to which the offence relates.

Exception:

(2) However, if the presiding judge finds that the person committed the corrupt practice or offence under the Criminal Code (Canada) without any intent of causing or contributing to a false outcome of the election, clause (1) (b) does not apply.

92.(3) If the expenses incurred by or on behalf of a candidate exceed the amount determined for the office under section 76, the candidate is liable to a fine equal to the excess, in addition to any other penalty provided for in this Act.

92.(5) A candidate is guilty of an offence and, on conviction, in addition to any other penalty that may be imposed under this Act, is subject to the penalties described in subsection 80(2) if he or she,

(a) Files a document under section 78 or 79.1 that is incorrect or otherwise does not comply with that section; or

(b) Incurs expenses that exceed what is permitted under section 76.

Financial Reports as Public Documents

The entire Financial Report is considered a public document. These documents may be inspected by any person upon request at the Office of the Clerk during regular office hours (Monday to Thursday 8:00am to 4:00pm) and will also be available online (link to follow). Any person may make extracts from the documents and is entitled to copies upon payment of applicable preparation fees, as determined by the Clerk. In accordance with legislative requirements, the Clerk will make the documents available electronically at no cost to the requester.

All financial reports will be posted on the Township of Limerick’s website (link to follow). This includes a listing of the names and addresses of all contributors. Contributors should be advised that their personal information will become public and will be displayed on the Township’s website following the election.

Assistance

Candidates seeking advice on completing their financial statements should consult:

• The Municipal Elections Act (section 88)

• The 2022 Ministry of Municipal Affairs Candidates Guide (Page 29) (2026 Guide coming in Apr/26)

• External advice (accountant, auditor, lawyer)

• Your previous campaign’s financial statement

The Municipal Clerk’s Office may assist candidates by showing where to find assistance, not how to complete your financial statement. It is ultimately the candidate’s responsibility to submit a financial statement that is to the best of their knowledge, true and correct. The Municipal Clerk’s Office may review the final financial statement for completion, not accuracy.

Third Party Advertisers

The Municipal Elections Act, 1996, includes rules for third party advertising.

A third party advertiser is:

• Any individual, corporation or trade union that causes an election campaign advertisement to appear
• Required to register with the Clerk of the municipality where they wish to advertise
• An advertisement in any broadcast, print, electronic or another medium that has the purpose of promoting, supporting or opposing a candidate in the election, or a “yes” or “no” answer to a question on the ballot.

The Third Party Advertisers Guide from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs provides information about voting in Municipal and School Board Elections.

Eligibility for a Third Party Advertiser

Registration shall be restricted to the following persons and entities:

• An individual who is normally resident in
• A corporation that carries on business in
• A trade union that holds bargaining rights for employees in

The following persons and entities are deemed ineligible to register:

• A candidate whose nomination has been filed
• A federal political party registered under the Canada Elections Act or any federal constituency association or registered candidate at a federal election endorsed by that party
• A provincial political party, constituency association, registered candidate or leadership contestant registered under the Election Finances Act
• The Crown in right of Canada or Ontario, a municipality or local board.

A Candidate whose nomination has been filed shall not direct any third party advertisements.

Registering as a Third Party Advertiser

To become a third party advertiser, you must file a completed notice of registration (Form 7) in person at a Municipal Office in the Clerk’s Department, as original signatures are required.

Appointments are required. Call (613)-474-2863 or email clerk@township.limerick.on.ca

If an agent is filing a nomination on your behalf, the agent must provide the above documents as well as their own identification.

Understanding the Rules of Campaigning

Important Dates

What is the Role of Council?

The role of council is outlined in the Municipal Act section 224:

224. It is the role of council,

a) to represent the public and to consider the well-being and interests of the municipality;

b) to develop and evaluate the policies and programs of the municipality;

c) to determine which services the municipality provides;

d) to ensure that administrative policies, practices and procedures and controllership policies, practices and procedures are in place to implement the decisions of council;

d.1) to ensure the accountability and transparency of the operations of the municipality, including the activities of the senior management of the municipality;

e) to maintain the financial integrity of the municipality; and

f) to carry out the duties of council under this or any other Act.

The role of head of council/chief executive officer (mayor/reeve) is outlined in the Municipal Act section 225 and 226.1:

225. It is the role of the head of council,

a) to act as chief executive officer of the municipality;

b) to preside over council meetings so that its business can be carried out efficiently and effectively;

c) to provide leadership to the council;

c.1) without limiting clause (c), to provide information and recommendations to the council with respect to the role of council described in clauses 224 (d) and (d.1);

d) to represent the municipality at official functions; and

e) to carry out the duties of the head of council under this or any other Act.

226.1 As chief executive officer of a municipality, the head of council shall,

a) uphold and promote the purposes of the municipality;

b) promote public involvement in the municipality’s activities;

c) act as the representative of the municipality both within and outside the municipality, and promote the municipality locally, nationally and internationally; and

d) participate in and foster activities that enhance the economic, social and environmental well-being of the municipality and its residents.

The role of staff is outlined in the Municipal Act section 227:

227. It is the role of the officers and employees of the municipality:

a) to implement council’s decisions and establish administrative practices and procedures to carry out council’s decisions;

b) to undertake research and provide advice to council on the policies and programs of the municipality; and

c) to carry out other duties required under this or any Act and other duties assigned by the municipality.

Important Resources – Please read:

• Municipal 101 (AMO)
• Role of council, councillor and staff (Ontario.ca)

Are You Eligible to be a Candidate?

You are eligible to be a candidate if you meet the following criteria:

• You are 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;
• You are a Canadian citizen and at least 18 years old;
• You are not legally prohibited from voting; and not disqualified by any legislation from holding municipal office.
• You will need 25 signatures on your nomination form and must pay a fee of $100 ($200 for mayor).

When you think about candidates for federal or provincial elections, you usually think about the political party that each candidate represents. In municipal elections in Ontario, candidates are not elected to represent a political party.