Candidate Information

The following is required to file a nomination:

• Nomination Paper - Form 1
• Endorsement of Nomination - Form 2 (Requires 25 original signatures from eligible Owen Sound voters)
• Prescribed nomination filing fee ($200 for Mayor, $100 for all other offices)
• Provide Proof of Identification and Residence as prescribed in O.Reg. 304/13
• Declaration of Qualifications - Council Candidates (Form OS21A)
• Declaration of Qualifications - School Board Candidates (Form OS21B)
• Release of Campaign Information (Form OS11)
• Voters' List Request and Declaration (Form OS42)

PLEASE NOTE:

FORMS: Forms 1 and 2 are Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH) forms. If you have difficulty opening these forms, please try saving the form and then opening it in Adobe Reader. If you have difficulty with any other forms, please contact elections@owensound.ca. Paper copies of the candidate package, including all necessary forms, are available for pickup at the front counter at City Hall.

BOOKING AN APPOINTMENT: To file your nomination papers, please book an appointment with the Elections Team by emailing elections@owensound.ca, or by phone at 519-370-7350.

PUBLIC DOCUMENTS: The Municipal Elections Act (the "Act") states that documents and materials filed with or prepared by the clerk or any other election official under the Act are public records and, until their destruction, may be inspected by any person at the clerk's office at a time when the office is open. This includes the names and qualifying addresses of electors who have endorsed a nomination.

NOTICE: Once a candidate has filed their nomination, the candidate's name is added to the list of registered candidates, available on the Registered Candidates webpage.

START OF CAMPAIGNING: Campaigning is not permitted until your nomination papers have been officially filed.

2026 Candidate Information Guide

Please Note:

This guide has been prepared for the purpose of supplying information which will be of assistance to persons intending to stand for elected office.

Candidates for School Board offices are encouraged to contact the office of the Director of Education of the appropriate School Board to obtain information on the duties and responsibilities of a trustee. Candidates for the position of representative on the French language section of a School Board should contact the Clerk of the municipality responsible for the election of persons to that office.

It is most important to note that the contents of this document are intended only as a guide to certain provisions of relevant legislation and do not purport to recite all applicable statutory references.

Prospective candidates must satisfy themselves through their own determination that they have complied with the election financing regulations and that they are in fact qualified, and not disqualified by law, to seek elected office. Candidates must make themselves aware of the penalty sections of the Municipal Elections Act, 1996 (“MEA”) respecting campaign finances.

This document is subject to revisions. Please check the revision history to confirm you are working from the most recent version of this document.

All procedures in this guide are subject to change based on public health guidelines.

The following Council Orientation Dates have been scheduled for following the 2026 election, this schedule is subject to change.