INFORMATION FOR CANDIDATES

Offices for Election in 2026 

• Mayor - 1
• Councillors - 4
• Trustee, English Public Board - 1
• Trustee, English Separate Board - 2 
• Trustee, French Public Board - 1
• Trustee, French Separate Board - 1 

Key Date - Nominations

Nomination Period: 

Friday, May 1, 2026 to Friday, August 21, 2026 during normal office hours BY APPOINTMENT.

Between May 1, 2026 at 9 AM to August 21, 2026 at 2 PM SHARP, nomination papers can be filed BY APPOINTMENT. with the Municipal Clerk (or designate) during regular municipal office hours being 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, excluding Statutory holidays.

Nomination Day:

Friday, August 21, 2026

On Nomination Day, nomination papers can be filed BY APPOINTMENT with the Municipal Clerk (or designate) between 9:00 am and 2:00 pm.

Important Information - Nomination Filing

To run for the office of Mayor, Councillor or School Board Trustee, a person must file a nomination paper and provide proof of qualifying address within the Township of McGarry or the school board jurisdiction and the appropriate filing fee.

Note: The nomination paper must have original signatures.

Important Information - Campaigns 

Campaigning must not commence until a candidate files their nomination papers with the Clerk.

Until a nomination paper is filed, a person cannot raise or spend any money on their campaign. Between now and the time a person files for office, this is what this means: 

What you can do:

• Publicly announce your intent to run.
• Talk to family, friends, community groups, and stakeholders about your potential candidacy.
• Build awareness through personal conversations, media interviews, and social media posts.
• Recruit volunteers, advisors, and team members (unpaid).
• Develop campaign strategies, platforms, and branding ideas.

WHAT YOU CANNOT DO:

• Spend or raise money for campaign purposes. (which includes your money, someone else’s money for the purchase of anything related to your campaign, including election signs)
• Distribute or display election signs.
•  Advertise or promote your candidacy in a way that involves campaign funding.

KEY DATES

• Friday, May 1, 2026 – Nominations open for the Office of Mayor or Councillor
  
  
• Friday, August 21, 2026 – Nomination Day. Last day to submit nomination papers (9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.).
  Withdrawal of nomination must also be in writing by 2:00 p.m.
  
  
• Tuesday, September 1, 2026 – Voters’ list available to candidates until Election Day.
  
  
• Saturday, October 17, 2026 – Advance voting (10 a.m. – 5 p.m.) at the Community Centre, 1 - 27th Street, Virginiatown, Ontario. Voting by paper ballot only. 
  
  
• Monday, October 26, 2026 – Election Day (10 a.m. – 8 p.m.) at the Municipal Community Centre, paper ballots only. 
  
  
• After Election Day – Official declaration of results by the Clerk.
  
  
• Thursday, December 31, 2026 – End of campaign period; deadline to request an extension if needed.
  
  
• Tuesday, March 30, 2027 – Deadline to file financial statements for the campaign (by 2 p.m.).

FILING YOUR NOMINATION

• Nominations open Friday, May 1, 2026
• Deadline: Friday, August 21, 2026 at 2 p.m.
• Nomination forms must be filed with the Clerk a Township of McGarry Township Office during normal business hours.
• Nomination fees:
• Mayor: $200
• Councillor: $100
  
• Payments accepted by debit, certified cheque, or money

 CAMPAIGNING AND EXPENSES

• You may begin campaigning after filing your nomination
• Candidates must track all campaign expenses and file a financial statement by March 30, 2027
• The campaign period ends December 31, 2026 (extension may be requested to cover a deficit)

 WITHDRAWING A NOMINATION

• Last day to withdraw: Friday, August 21, 2026 (9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.)
• File a Withdrawal Form with the Clerk at the Township Office
• Identification and financial statements must still be submitted

Candidate Education, Training and Resources 

For more information, please check out the 2026 Candidates' Guide  prepared by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing.

Qualifications:

As of the day you file your nomination you're:

• Entitled to be an elector under Municipal Elections Act (s.17)
• Are a Canadian citizen;
• Are at least 18 years of age;
• Reside in the local municipality, or is the owner or tenant of land in the local municipality, or the spouse of such a person;
• Are not prohibited from voting as noted or otherwise, by law;
• Not disqualified for violation of financial requirements or violations of requirements for filing financial information;
• Not disqualified by any Act from holding such office; and
• Not disqualified under the provisions as outlined in MEA s.90(2) and 91(1).

The following persons are disqualified for Mayoral or Councillor candidacy:

• Except in accordance with MEA, s.30 (Leave of Absence), an employee of the municipality or a person who is not an employee of the municipality, but who is the Clerk, Treasurer, Integrity Commissioner, Auditor General, Ombudsman or registrar referred to in s.223.11 of the Municipal Act or an investigator referred to in s.239.2(1) of the municipality or a person who is not an employee of the municipality, but who holds any administrative position of the municipality.
• A judge of any court.
• A Senator, a Member of Parliament, a Member of Provincial Parliament.
• A person who is serving a sentence of imprisonment in a penal or correctional institution, including a sentence being served in the evening or on weekends (this does not include a person serving a sentence at home).
• A corporation.
• A person acting as executor or trustee or in any other representative capacity.
• A person who was convicted of the corrupt practices described in MEA, s.90(3) if Voting Day in the current election is less than 5 years after Voting Day in the election in respect of which he or she was convicted.
• A person disqualified for violations of financial requirements or violations of requirements for filing financial information.

The following persons are disqualified for School Board Trustee candidacy:

• An employee of any district school board or school authority, except as provided in MEA s.30 (Leave of Absence), unless he or she takes an unpaid leave of absence, beginning no later than the day the person is nominated and ending on Voting Day.
• A Clerk, Treasurer, Deputy Clerk or Deputy Treasurer of a municipality or an upper-tier municipality, all or part of which is included in the are of jurisdiction of the district Board or school Authority unless he or she takes an unpaid leave of absence, beginning no later than the day the person is nominated and ending on Voting Day.
• A Senator, Member of Parliament, a Member of Provincial Parliament.
• An inmate of a penal or correctional institution under sentence of imprisonment including a sentence being served in the evening or on weekends (this does not include persons serving house arrest).
• A corporation.
• A person acting as executor or trustee or in any other representative capacity.
• A person who was convicted of the corrupt practice described in MEA, s.90(3) if Voting Day in the current election is less than 5 years after Voting Day in the election in respect of which he or she was convicted.
• A person disqualified for violations of financial requirements or violations of requirements for filing financial information.
• Otherwise ineligible or disqualified under the Education Act or any other Act.

Forms for voters:

• Declaration of Identity (PR Form 9)
• Voter ID Requirements (Form TD40)
• Appointment of Voting Proxy (PR Form 3)

• Nomination Form (PR Form 1) 
• Endorsement of Nomination (PR Form 2)
• Appointment of an Agent to File a Nomination (TD Form 20)
• Financial Statement - Auditor's Report Candidate  (PR Form 4)
• Appointment of Scrutineer by Candidate  (Form TD22)

Nomination Paper Timelines, Filing & Fees:

A person can only become a candidate during the Nomination Period. The Nomination Period starts on Friday, May 1, 2026 at 8:00 a.m.  and ends on Friday, August 21, 2026 at 2:00 PM. Nomination papers will not be accepted after the deadline.

Nomination papers must be signed by the candidate and filed in person or by an agent (no fax or email).  Potential candidates must make an appointment with the Municipal Clerk to ensure availability to receive the nomination. Please call 705-634.2145 Ext. 223 or email kpelletier@mcgarry.ca to make an appointment to file your nomination paper.

Nominations must be filed at the Municipal Office during the following periods:

Friday, May 1, 2026 through to Thursday, August 20, 2026 during regular business hours (except holidays) between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. 

Friday, August 21, 2026 (Nomination Day) between 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. On Nomination Day, candidates must make their presence known to the Municipal Clerk prior to 2:00 PM. Nomination papers will not be accepted after the deadline.

Nominations may be made by completing and filing nominations on the prescribed form(s)  and accompanied by the Declaration of Qualification in the Municipal Clerk's Office, including acceptable identification (must be valid and contain the candidate's name, qualifying address and signature), the prescribed nomination filing fee ($200 for the Office of Mayor, $100 for all other offices), and such other documentation as required for the filing process. The filing fee is payable by cash, debit, certified cheque, bank draft or money order payable to the Township of McGarry.

If, after having filed a nomination form, a candidate wishes to file a nomination for a different office in the same election, the first nomination shall be deemed to have been withdrawn at the time the second nomination is filed. The filing fee is deemed to have been paid with the latest filing if the two nominations are for the same council/board unless changing offices.

If a greater number of candidates are certified than are required to fill the said office, there will be an election. If the number of nominations for an office is less than the number of candidates to be elected an additional Notice of Nomination will be advertised on the website only and additional nominations may be filed between 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.  on the Monday following Nomination Day (August 26, 2026).

The nomination period commences on May 1, 2026 for the 2026 Municipal until Nomination Day - August 21, 2026.

The filing fee must accompany the nomination. The prescribed nomination fee is $200 for the head of council (Mayor) and $100 for all other offices. The filing fee is payable by cash, debit, certified cheque, bank draft or money order.

A candidate is entitled to receive a refund of the nomination filing fee if they file the documents under s.88.25(1) - the Financial Statements and Auditors Report (if applicable), on or before 2:00 PM on the filing date. In the case of the 2026 regular election, the filing date is Tuesday, March 30, 2027 for the reporting period ending December 31, 2026.

Lead Where You Live: AMO’s Guide to Running for Municipal Election

The Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) understands there are many moving parts and things to know when it comes to running for municipal council.

With the October 2026 election in mind, AMO has assembled an easy-to-use guide that provides all the information you need when preparing to run for council. What you will find in AMO’s guide are important considerations on managing your campaign like:

• 2026 municipal election key dates
• What you can expect once you step into the spotlight
• Important considerations on campaign finances
• Campaign rules; and
• Election day and alternative voting

Although the Lead Where You Live guide doesn’t get into the ins and outs of council and council meetings, it does highlight things you will want to get familiar with during your campaign so you are prepared should you be elected.

After the election, AMO will be providing a range of training and resources to help incoming Councillors navigate the ins and outs of Council meetings, legislation, staff-council relationships, conflict of interest and so much more.

This new and refreshed guide replaces AMO’s 'So You Are Thinking of Running for Council'.

Get your copy of Lead Where You Live here.