What offices can I run for?
The next municipal election to elect a Mayor, Town Councillors, and School Board Trustees will be held on Monday, October 24, 2022. Eligible individuals may consider running for one of the following offices:
- Mayor - one, elected at large
- Deputy Mayor – one, elected at large
- Councillor – seven, elected at large
- School Board Trustees:
- (1) School Board Trustee – English Public
- (1) School Board Trustee – English Separate
- (1) School Board Trustee – French Public
- (1) School Board Trustee – French Separate
Public Notice - Notice of Nominations for 2022 Municipal Elections - March 25, 2022
Eligibility
Who can be a candidate for Mayor, Deputy Mayor or Councillor?
A person is eligible to be a candidate if they are:
- a resident of the Town of Midland, or an owner or tenant of land in the Town of Midland, or the spouse of such an owner or tenant;
- a Canadian citizen;
- at least 18 years old; and
- not legally prohibited from voting.
Who cannot be a candidate for Mayor, Deputy Mayor or Councillor?
The following people are disqualified from being elected as a Member of Council, or from holding office as a Member of Council:
- an employee of the municipality unless they take an unpaid leave of absence beginning the day they are nominated and resign if elected to the office.
- a judge of any court.
- 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 or the Clerk will not certify the nomination.
- a candidate who failed to file the necessary financial statement(s) in the last municipal election or by-election.
Town of Midland employees
Employees of the Town of Midland who wish to run for Councillor must take an unpaid leave of absence before filing their nomination papers. The employee must provide the Clerk with a copy of the documentation showing that they have taken the leave of absence and the effective date.
Who can be a School Board Trustee candidate?
A person is eligible to be a candidate for School Board Trustee if they are,
- a Canadian citizen;
- at least 18 years old;
- a resident within the board's area of jurisdiction;
- a supporter of that school board; and
- not legally prohibited from voting.
Who cannot be a School Board Trustee candidate?
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 they take 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.
School board employees
Employees of any school boards (including supply teachers) are disqualified from being elected as a School Board Trustee or from holding office on any school boards, except during a leave of absence. The employee must take an unpaid leave of absence before filing their nomination papers.
The employee must give written notice to the school board, in advance of their intention to take unpaid leave. This notice should be forwarded to the appropriate school board’s Director of Education who should endeavour to ensure that it is forwarded to the Board of Trustees before the date upon which the unpaid leave is to commence.
How do I become a candidate?
You can make an in-person appointment with the Clerk’s office commencing May 2, 2022 at 8:30 a.m. up until 2:00 p.m. on August 19, 2022. Electronic filing will not be permitted. More information will follow as we approach May 2.
You will be required to provide:
- Identification suitable to the Clerk
- Nomination Paper (Form 1)
- 25 Endorsement Signatures on the prescribed form (Form 2) from eligible electors
- Application filing fee ($200 for Mayor, $100 for all other offices)
If an agent is filing the Nomination Paper on behalf of a candidate, the candidate's declaration must be commissioned prior to the agent filing it with the Town.
Once you have filed your Nomination Paper, you are officially able to begin campaigning for office and incurring campaign expenses.
Candidate Nomination Package
Candidate Information Guide
Candidate Information Session
2022 Municipal Election Candidate Information Session
Anyone interested in running for office in the 2022 Municipal Election is encouraged to attend this session.
This session, hosted in partnership with the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, will provide attendees with information on topics such as:
- nomination process
- financial filing & requirements
- candidate duties and responsibilities
The in-person session will begin with a presentation from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing followed by a “Question and Answer” period. New and seasoned candidates are encouraged to attend this informative session.
Municipal staff from the Towns of Midland and Penetanguishene and the Townships of Tay and Tiny as well as the County of Simcoe will be present.
Monday, April 25, 2022
7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Community Hall - North Simcoe Sports and Recreation Centre
527 Len Self Blvd, Midland
If you require special accommodations, please contact Sherri Edgar at (705) 526-4275.
2022 Municipal Election - Candidate and Third Party Advertiser Information Session - Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing
Public Notice - Candidate Information Session - 2022 Municipal Elections - March 25, 2022
Withdrawing a Nomination
If you decide you no longer wish to run in the 2022 Municipal and School Board Elections, you must file the Withdrawal of Nomination Form (coming soon) with the Clerk. The last day to file a withdrawal is Friday, August 19, 2022 before 2:00 p.m.
Reasons to Reject a Nomination by the Clerk
Prior to 4:00 p.m. on August 22, 2022 (Monday following Nomination Day), the Town Clerk must examine each nomination filed. If satisfied and if the nomination complies with the Municipal Election Act, 1996, the person is qualified to be nominated and the Town Clerk shall certify the nomination. If not satisfied, the Town Clerk shall reject the nomination and give notice to the person who sought to be nominated and all other candidates for that office. The Town Clerk's decision to reject a nomination is final.
The Town Clerk may consider the following criteria in the decision to reject or certify nominations:
- The candidate has refused or declined to provide proof of qualifications or identification suitable to the Town Clerk.
- The candidate does not meet the eligibility requirements set out under Section 29(1) of the Municipal Election Act, 1996.
- The nomination form is not complete in its entirety, or the filing fee has not been paid.
- The necessary financial statement was not filed for the previous election by the candidate.
Time Commitment
The following regular meetings occur at the Town:
- Council/Committee of the Whole – every third Wednesday at 6:00 p.m.
Meeting dates and times may vary, and special meetings can be called within the rules of the Procedure By-law. Members of Council should expect to come prepared to meetings, having read their agendas.
Additional duties may include attending town or community events, corresponding with constituents through various means, participation on advisory committees, and more.
New Candidates
The Association of Municipalities in Ontario (AMO) provides a guide for Candidates considering running for council. The guide includes key steps for running for office, expert advice, a feel for life on municipal council, and links to important resources. The guide is now available on AMO's e-learning portal. For more information, please visit:
https://municipaleducation.skillbuilder.co/catalog/35/1.
Election Signs
Details regarding use of election signs can be found in By-law 2011-80.
Campaigning and Expenses
Candidates cannot spend or raise funds for their election campaign until their nomination has been filed with the Clerk.
The Clerk will provide interim and final maximum campaign expense limit notices to registered candidates at the appropriate time.
On or before March 31, 2023, each candidate shall file the necessary financial reports with the Clerk.
The Joint Election Compliance Audit Committee reviews applications for compliance audits of the election campaign finances of candidates and registered third-party advertisers and considers report(s) from the Clerk on apparent contraventions of contribution limits.
Third Party Advertisers
Joint Election Compliance Audit Committee
The Joint Election Compliance Audit Committee reviews applications for compliance audits of the election campaign finances of candidates and registered third-party advertisers and considers report(s) from the Clerk on apparent contraventions of contribution limits.