Election rules, guidelines and advice offered over two-hour session

Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing senior advisor Spencer Fitzpatrick speaks at an election education session in Essex last Wednesday. Michelle Casavecchia-Somers and Michelle Smibert (seated) from Clerks on Call followed Fitzpatrick’s presentation with one of their own.

Those interested in running for office in the Oct. 26 municipal election got a chance to learn more about the process last week.

The 2026 pre-election municipal candidates information session was held last Wednesday night at the County of Essex Administration Building in Essex with potential candidates from around Essex County, Windsor and Pelee Island welcome to attend.

A large crowd was in the county council chambers for the presentations, with members of the clerk’s departments from around the region, including Amherstburg, being on hand afterward for those interested in picking up election packages in their municipality.

A pair of presentations took place over two hours, with Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH) senior municipal advisor Spencer Fitzpatrick and Clerks on Call representatives Michelle Smibert and Michelle Casavecchia-Somers addressing the crowd.

Fitzpatrick noted those eligible to run include a resident/owner/tenant of a municipality or the spouse of an owner or tenant, a Canadian citizen at least 18 years of age who is not prohibited from voting or disqualified from holding municipal office. Ineligible to run are people not able to vote in the municipality they want to run in, an employee of the municipality, a judge of any court, a member of the Ontario Legislature, Senate or House of Commons or a person who was a candidate in the previous election and didn’t file a campaign financial statement by the deadline.

Nominations open May 1 and continue until Aug. 21 at 2 p.m. Withdrawals must be filed with the clerk’s office before 2 p.m. Aug. 21. The cost to run is $200 for the head of council and $100 for all other offices. Candidates may choose to withdraw from running from one office and seek another during the nomination period (May 1-Aug. 21).

Fitzpatrick pointed out candidates must set up a specific bank account to handle all election revenue and expenses.

Those running must get 25 signatures. People endorsing a nomination must be eligible to vote in an election for an office within the municipality if a regular election was held on the day that the person endorses the nomination. Contributions can be accepted from individuals who are normally residents of Ontario, the candidate and their spouse. Third party advertisers are welcome as long as they comply with provincial rules.

Contributions over $25 may be made by cheque or money order or by a method that clearly shows where funds originated. Fitzpatrick said if goods are sold to raise funds for $25 or less, that amount is campaign income, not a contribution. Donations under $25 at fundraising events are not contributions, he said, adding no anonymous contributions are allowed except for “pass the hat” collections, limited to $25.

The limit on contributions to any one candidate or third party advertiser is $1,200. Self-funding limits are based on the number of electors voting for the office, to a maximum of $25,000 per candidate.

Fitzpatrick recommended that receipts be stored in a safe place and that receipts are sequentially numbered.

Regarding campaign advertising, candidates and third-party advertisers can’t place an ad unless they provide the name of the candidate and/or third-party advertiser; the name, business address and phone number of the person dealing with the publisher or broadcaster; and the third party advertiser must include the name of the municipality where the third party is registered. 

Fitzpatrick’s presentation added: “No broadcaster or publisher shall cause a campaign or third-party advertisement to appear unless this information has been provided.”

Candidates and third-party advertisers in the 2026 municipal election must file their financial statement on or before 2 p.m. March 30, 2027. Fitzpatrick noted that if a candidate or third-party advertiser feels they can’t meet that deadline, they may apply to the courts for an extension prior to the March 30, 2027 deadline.

Clerks on Call also went over election rules and what potential candidates can expect if they follow through and run. Smibert spent over 30 years as a CAO and municipal clerk, she is an instructor at the Municipal Clerks Institute and is now deputy mayor of the Municipality of Thames Centre. Casavecchia-Somers has over 30 years as a clerk and CAO and is also an instructor at the Municipal Clerks Institute.

Casavecchia-Somers and Smibert went over the Municipal Act and Smibert noted each municipality requires a Code of Conduct. Casavecchia-Somers noted candidates and members of council should hold themselves to a higher standard both inside and outside of a council chambers. Every municipality must also appoint an integrity commissioner, though council ultimately makes decisions on sanctions.

The Clerks on Call representatives added confidentiality in the case of in-camera matters – which include property, legal and personnel – must be maintained. 

Casavecchia-Somers pointed out individual members of council do not have decision-making power outside the council chambers and should bring matters of concern to the council table. If a council member does not like a decision the body has arrived at, they are still expected to respect and support it publicly, the crowd at the information session was told April 8.

Smibert added members of council have a responsibility to represent everyone, not just those who voted for them. 

The head of council is there to work with the CAO to ensure policies and programs adopted by council are implemented, with the Clerks on Call reps adding the head of council does not independently direct staff except where authority is delegated by council or statute. Council members are also not to direct day-to-day operations or individual staff, they added.

The crowd, which also included council members from Essex County municipalities, were also advised on how to deal with the media. They were also advised on how to deal with social media, with recommendations including sticking to policies and evidence when making decisions and not litigating matters on the Internet but rather to de-escalate and document.

Clerks on Call added that municipal council members spend at least 15-20 hours per week on council-related business. Smibert acknowledged “councils across Ontario are increasingly facing hostility. This is a reality we can’t ignore.” Being respectful and staying ahead of issues was recommended.

Council members and candidates are not expected to have all the answers, the Clerks on Call reps added, but they can be honest about that and pledge to get those answers. Smibert added being a council members is “a growth experience” and can give a person a voice in shaping how municipal services are delivered. 

Election rules - guidelines and advice offered over two-hour session

By Ron Giofu