2026 Information for Candidates

A person is entitled to be a candidate for Mayor, Deputy Mayor or Councillor if they:

• are an area resident of the Township of Edwardsburgh Cardinal, or an owner or tenant of land, or the spouse of such an owner or tenant;
• are a Canadian citizen;
• are at least 18 years old; and
• are not legally prohibited from voting by law.

A person is entitled to be a candidate in the 2026 municipal election if they are an eligible elector. A candidate must be eligible as of the day they are nominated and must remain eligible throughout the election period and, if elected, throughout the term of office.

The following people are disqualified from being elected as a member of council or from holding office as a member of council:

• a person who is serving a sentence of imprisonment in a penal or correctional institute
• a corporation
• a person acting as an executor or trustee or in any other representative capacity
• a person who ceases to be a Canadian citizen
• a person who is not a resident, the owner or tenant of land (property) or the spouse of an owner or tenant of land (property) in the municipality
• an employee of the municipality or local board unless he or she takes an unpaid leave of absence beginning the day the employee is nominated and resigns if elected to the office
• a judge of any court, a member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario or the Senate or House of Commons of Canada
• a person who is prohibited from voting in an election according to the Municipal Elections Act, 1996 or the Municipal Act, 2001
• a person who has violated financial requirements for filing financial information in a previous election

Despite the above disqualification, MPs, MPPs and Senators may be nominated for municipal office without having to resign their current seat in parliament. However, by 2:00 p.m. on Nomination Day, MPs, MPPs and Senators will be required to resign their current seat should they wish to continue to seek municipal office, otherwise the Clerk will not certify the nomination. 

A person is entitled to be a candidate at an election held in a local municipality if, on voting day, he or she,

• a resident within the jurisdiction of the board;
• a supporter of the board ("supporter" refers to the individual's support for one of the four publicly funded school systems.);
• a Canadian citizen;
• at least 18 years old;
• Roman Catholic (if running for a Catholic school board);
• not legally prohibited from voting; and
• not disqualified by any legislation from holding school board office.

The following people are disqualified from being elected as a school board trustee or from holding office on any school board:

• an employee of the school board unless he or she takes an unpaid leave of absence beginning the day they are nominated and resign if elected to the office.
• a clerk, treasurer, deputy-clerk or deputy-treasurer of any municipality within the area of jurisdiction of the school board except those on an unpaid leave of absence.
• 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. Proof of resignation must be provided by the close of nominations.
• a candidate who failed to file the necessary financial statement(s) in the last municipal election or by-election.

Additional information about school board candidate requirements will be available from the Ontario Education Services Corporation.

Join an upcoming information session to learn more about the process and what to expect. These sessions are open to anyone considering running for Council and offers the opportunity to hear directly from experienced municipal professionals, ask questions, and network with others considering running.

Sessions are presented by Sandra MacDonald, AMCT, AOMC, CMO (CAO) and Yvonne L. Robert, AMCT, AOMC, CMO (Retired).

• Saturday, April 25 – 9:00 am to 12:00 pm. Elgin Hall, 47 Main St, Elgin.
  Hosted by: The Township of Rideau Lakes
• Thursday, April 30 – 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Brockville Public Library, 23 Buell St.
  Hosted by: The City of Brockville
• Thursday, May 7 – 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. 1 Jessie St. Lansdowne.
  Hosted by: The Township of Leeds and the Thousand Islands
• Thursday, May 14 – 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. The Grant Room, 360 Dibble St. W.
  Hosted by: The Town of Prescott
• Thursday, May 21 – 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. North Grenville Municipal Centre, 285 County Rd 44, Kemptville.
  Hosted by: The Municipality of North Grenville
• Wednesday, June 24 - 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Town Hall Council Chambers 2nd Floor, 30 King Street, East, Gananoque 
  Hosted by: The Town of Gananoque.

Lead Where You Live is AMO’s essential guide for anyone considering running in the 2026 municipal election. It explains the role of municipal councils, what it means to serve your community, and how to organize a campaign. The guide provides tips, tools and insight to help you along the way.

This program is designed to equip candidates with the tools, resilience, and confidence to meet today’s political challenges head-on.

The series is offered in two streams: one for first-time candidates and one for candidates considering re-election. The courses provide a supportive, skills-focused environment to strengthen your leadership foundation and reconnect with the values that guide public service. Each stream includes four sessions.

For more information or to register, visit: AMO’s Healthy Democracy Project.

Focused specifically on underrepresented candidates, this 90-minute workshop provides valuable insights and strategies to support you in getting your name on the ballot.

To learn more or to register, visit the AMO website.

You can find additional resources online:

• Municipal Act 
• Municipal Elections Act 
• MMAH Candidate Guide 
• Ontario Municipal Elections