Information for candidates

Monday, May 2, 2022

First day to file a nomination paper for the offices of Mayor, City Councillor and School Board Trustee. Once the nomination paper is filed with the City Clerk:

• the candidate can start raising and spending money on their campaign
• preliminary spending limit provided to candidates
• preliminary contribution limit provided to candidates running for Mayor and City Councillor, does not apply to School Board Trustee candidates

Friday, August 19 at 2 p.m.

Deadline for candidates to file a nomination, withdraw a nomination or change office

Monday, August 22

Last day for the City Clerk to certify candidate nomination papers

Thursday, September 1

Voters’ List available to candidates

Friday, September 23

Final spending limits provided to candidates

Final self-contribution limit provided to candidates running for Mayor and Councillor, does not apply to School Board Trustee candidates

Monday, October 24

Election Day

Tuesday, November 15

New term of office commences

Tuesday, January 3, 2023

End of campaign period for candidates and third party advertisers

Last day to file a Notice of Extension, Form 6, to continue campaigning to erase a deficit

Friday, March 31 at 2 p.m.

Deadline for candidates to file the initial financial statement

Friday, June 30

End of extended campaign period

Friday, September 29 at 2 p.m.

Deadline for candidates and third party advertisers to file the supplementary financial statement, applies only to those who extended their campaign period

A campaign bank account must be opened for election campaign purposes prior to spending money or accepting contributions. All contributions of money, including contributions from yourself, must be deposited in the campaign account.  All campaign expenses must be paid from the campaign account.

You do not have to open a campaign bank account if you do not spend any money and do not receive any contributions of money. If you receive contributions of goods or services, but no contributions of money, you do not have to open a campaign bank account.

You cannot use your personal bank account for campaign finances, even if you are planning a very small campaign.

Candidates must keep records of:

• receipts issued for every contribution
• value of every contribution
• whether contribution is in form of money, goods or services
• contributor’s name and address
• every expense, including the receipts obtained for each expense

All campaign financial records must be retained until after November 15, 2026, when the next new council has been sworn in.

Money, goods or services given to a candidate for their campaign are considered to be contributions. Candidates can accept contributions from:

• individuals who normally reside in Ontario
• the candidate and their spouse

Contributions to candidates from trade unions and corporations are prohibited in municipal elections.

Cash contributions may be accepted up to $25. Contributions over $25 must be by cheque or money order, or by a method that clearly shows where the funds came from. Receipts must be issued for each contribution and should include the name and address of the contributor, the amount and date of the contribution.

'Pass the hat' donations of under $25 received at fundraising events, may be given anonymously and the candidate is not required to issue receipts. These donations are still considered campaign income and the total amount must be reported on the candidate's financial statement.

The ticket price for a fundraising event is a contribution and the candidate must issue a receipt for the full amount.

The maximum amount an individual can contribute to a candidate's campaign is $1,200. Contributors may donate up to an aggregate total of $5,000 to any number of candidates running for the same council or school board.  

Candidates are required to inform contributors of contribution limits.

There is a limit on the amount that a candidate and their spouse can collectively contribute to the candidate's own campaign for a municipal council office.

The limit is based on the number of electors voting for the office, and is calculated as follows:

• $7,500 + $0.20 per elector for head of council, to a maximum of $25,000
• $5,000 + $0.20 per elector for other council offices, to a maximum of $25,000

Upon filing their nomination, a candidate will receive a certificate from the Clerk with a preliminary calculation of maximum self-funding amounts, based on the voters' list as of September 15, 2018.  On or before September 26, 2022, the Clerk shall provide a final certificate. The number of electors used in the final calculation will be the greater of the number on the voters' list on September 15, 2018 or September 15, 2022.

A candidate's general spending limit applies only to expenses incurred until the end of Voting Day.  The limit is based on the number of electors voting for the office, and is calculated as follows:

• Head of council: $7,500 + 85 cents per elector
• All other offices: $5,000 + 85 cents per elector

There is a separate spending limit for parties and expressions of appreciation after Voting Day, and that limit is 10% of the above calculated amounts.

The Clerk will provide candidates with two certificates of maximum campaign expenses:

• preliminary estimate – when filing a nomination form, based on the 2018 voters’ list
• final certificate, by September 26, with the higher of the calculated amount based on the 2022 voters’ list, or the amount on the preliminary certificate, noted above. 

A candidate may appoint scrutineers to represent them during voting and counting of the votes. Each candidate may appoint one scrutineer per ballot box in a voting place. A candidate is not required to appoint that many scrutineers, or any scrutineers at all.

There is no requirement for a scrutineer to be a qualified elector. There are no age restrictions to be a scrutineer, nor any provision that a scrutineer cannot be related to the candidate.

Each scrutineers must be appointed in writing using Form EL12A - Appointment of Scrutineer by Candidate. Scrutineers will be required to show their appointment document to election officials at the voting place.

Scrutineers may observe, but they are not allowed to interfere with voters, attempt to influence how they vote, or ask a voter how they voted.

Municipal Elections Act, 1996.