River District Board of Management Election

For further information or assistance, the Election Manager can be reached by emailing riverdistrictelection@owensound.ca or by calling 519-376-4440 ext. 1229.

Voter Information 

The River District Board of Management 2022 Election will be held at City Hall from 8:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Monday, November 14, 2022 by paper ballot. An Advance Voting Day will be held at City Hall from 3:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 12, 2022. *Certified candidates were acclaimed by the Election Manager for all seven (7) Director offices, and therefore, there will be no election for the River District Board of Management.*

Eligibility

A person is entitled to be a Member for the 2022 River District Board of Management Election and vote if, on Voting Day, they are: 

  • Assessed, on the last returned assessment roll, with respect to rateable property in the River District that is in a commercial property class prescribed by the City,
  • or tenants of such property

and are at least 18 years old.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who am I voting for? 

Unless acclaimed, you will be voting for seven (7) Director offices.

The official list of candidates and acclamations can be found near the bottom of this webpage.
How can I vote? 

Members will be able to cast their vote in person at City Hall from 8:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Monday, November 14, 2022 (Voting Day) or in person at City Hall from 3:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 12, 2022 (Advance Voting Day).

If, for any reason, a Member is unable to personally cast their ballot on Advance Voting Day or Voting Day, the Member can appoint a voting proxy to cast a ballot on their behalf. The voting proxy must attend City Hall in person on Advance Voting Day or Voting Day to cast the ballot. The member must complete "Form RD13 - Appointment of Voting Proxy" and the voting proxy must submit this form to the Election Manager for certification prior to Voting Day.

If a Member is a legal entity, it is entitled to one vote regardless of the number of shareholders or partners that the Member has. The legal entity must nominate in writing one delegate to vote on its behalf by completing "Form RD14 - Nomination of Delegate on Behalf of Corporation" and the delegate must submit this form to the Election Manager or Assistant Election Officer at the time the ballot for that Member is requested. 

The Election Manager has developed a full set of procedures for the River District Board of Management election.
What do you need to vote? 

Members need to provide satisfactory identification in accordance with the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing list of "Acceptable Documents for Voter Identification" and the identification provided must match the Member's qualifying address. If the Member does not have satisfactory identification, then they must complete and submit "Form RD19 - Declaration of Identity".

Members also need to have a Voter Information Card (VIC) in order to vote. VICs will be sent via Canada Post Lettermail to everyone on the Voters' List no later than Friday, October 14, 2022. Members can vote without a VIC if:

  • they request to be added to the Voters' List on Advance Voting Day or Voting Day and their application is approved by the Election Manager or Assistant Election Officer (Form RD15),
  • they do not receive a VIC in the mail (Form RD18),
  • they lose or misplace their VIC (Form RD18),
  • they forget their VIC at home (Form RD18), or
  • they claim their VIC has been stolen and/or already voted by someone else (Form RD17).

For each of the above scenarios, the corresponding form must be completed and submitted to the Election Manager or Assistant Election Officer:
Can I vote more than once if I own or lease more than one property?

No. Every Member is permitted to one vote regardless of the number of properties that the Member may own or lease in the River District.

Should a Member receive more than one Voter Information Card (VIC), they may only vote once and must return the other VIC to the Election Manager or Assistant Election Officer.
What if I do not receive a Voter Information Card? 

If you do not receive a Voter Information Card (VIC) in the mail, please contact the Election Manager by emailing riverdistrictelection@owensound.ca or by calling 519-376-4440 ext. 1229 to schedule an appointment. You must complete "Form RD18 - Application for Re-Issue of a Voter Information Card" and submit it at the appointment along with providing either identification that includes your qualifying address or a completed "Form RD19 - Declaration of Identity" to receive your VIC.
What if I require assistance voting? 

The Election Manager or Assistant Election Officer may provide assistance on Advance Voting Day or Voting Day if requested by the Member, only after the appropriate oath has been taken.

Members may also bring a friend or interpreter with them to assist in voting after taking the appropriate oath.
Candidate Information 

Please book an appointment with the Election Manager to submit a nomination package by emailing riverdistrictelection@owensound.ca or by calling 519-376-4440 ext. 1229.

Eligibility

A person is qualified to hold office as a Director of the River District Board of Management if they are at least 18 years of age and are:

  • the owner or tenant of land in the City, or
  • an employee of a corporation operating in the River District.

Download the Candidate Information Package

Board Information:

The River District Board of Management has nine (9) Directors, seven (7) of which are elected at large by the Members to represent the River District Business Improvement Area. The Board holds a minimum of six (6) meetings per year on a bi-monthly basis starting in January that all Directors are expected to attend to ensure quorum.

The Board as a whole is responsible for:

  • making decisions on policy affecting itself and the River District, and
  • managing the affairs of itself and the River District

Every Director of the Board shall:

  • exercise the powers and discharge the duties of the office honestly, in good faith, and in the best interests of the River District,
  • exercise the degree of care, diligence, and skill that a reasonable and prudent person would exercise in comparable circumstances,
  • follow the City's Code of Conduct,
  • declare interests in accordance with the City's Procedural By-law,
  • observe the laws, policies, and practices governing all matters related to confidentiality, privacy, and access to information, and
  • act in accordance with applicable City policies including but not limited to the City's Purchasing By-law, Records Management By-law, Indemnification By-law, and Procedural By-law.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I file a nomination package? 

Nominations can be filed starting Friday, September 9, 2022 and ending Friday, October 7, 2022 at 2:00 p.m.

You must file in person with the Election Manager. Appointments to submit nomination packages can be scheduled by emailing riverdistrictelection@owensound.ca or by calling 519-376-4440 ext. 1229. If you would prefer to submit your nomination package on Nomination Day (October 7), you may do so with the Election Manager at the City Hall Service Counter between 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.

You must complete the following forms:

You will also need to provide proof of identity and proof of ownership or tenancy.
When can I start campaigning? 
You can only start campaigning after you file your nomination package and it has been certified by the Election Manager. 
Can I put up signs?
Election campaign signs are not permitted to be erected. 
How do I withdraw my nomination?
Candidates may withdraw their nomination in person or by an agent by filing a "Form RD5 - Withdrawal of Nomination" with their original signature with the Election Manager prior to 2:00 p.m. on Nomination Day (Friday, October 7, 2022).
Important Dates 

Nomination Period Opens - Friday, September 9, 2022

The nomination period is from September 9, 2022 to October 7, 2022. Please book an appointment with the Election Manager to submit your nomination package by emailing riverdistrictelection@owensound.ca or by calling 519-376-4440 ext. 1229.

Voters' List Revision Period Begins - Friday, September 30, 2022

Eligible River District Members may schedule an appointment with the Election Manager by emailing riverdistrictelection@owensound.ca or by calling 519-376-4440 ext. 1229 to check if they are on the Voters' List, amend the Voters' List, be added to the Voters' List, or request a new Voter Information Card (VIC) if they never received their VIC in the mail or have lost or misplaced their VIC.

Nomination Day - Friday, October 7, 2022 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

This is the last day to submit your nomination package. Please do so with the Election Manager at the City Hall Service Counter between 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.

Voter Information Cards in the Mail - Friday, October 14, 2022

Voter Information Cards will be sent via Canada Post Lettermail no later than Friday, October 14, 2022, so keep an eye on your mailbox for this important document. The VIC will contain all pertinent information for voting in the River District election. If you do not receive a VIC in the mail, please contact the Election Manager by emailing riverdistrictelection@owensound.ca or by calling 519-376-4440 ext. 1229.

Advance Voting Day - Saturday, November 12, 2022 from 3:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Eligible River District Members can attend City Hall in person from 3:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. to cast their paper ballot if they are unable to attend on Voting Day.

Voters' List Revision Period Ends - Monday, November 14, 2022

Eligible River District Members may attend City Hall in person on Voting Day, from 8:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., to check if they are on the Voters' List, amend the Voters' List, be added to the Voters' List, or vote if they have lost or misplaced their VIC.

Voting Day - Monday, November 14, 2022 from 8:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Eligible River District Members can attend City Hall in person from 8:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. to cast their paper ballot. The unofficial election results will be posted on the City's website and the River District website as soon as possible after the close of voting. 
Official List of Candidates & Acclamations

Nominations closed on Friday, October 7, 2022 at 2:00 p.m.

The following is a list of certified candidates running for Director in the 2022 River District Board of Management Election. The candidates listed were certified by the Election Manager on October 7, 2022.

The candidates are listed in alphabetical order and have provided authorization to release their contact information as indicated below.

Director 

Ron Cole
519-373-2081
dr.cobbler@hotmail.com
www.drcobbler.com 

Allegra Deen
519-496-4345
bodyscienceforall@gmail.com
www.bodyscienceforall.com  

Kathy Hannen
519-376-9911
kathy@gbbs.ca 
www.gbbs.ca 

Denis Langlois
519-379-1380
denislanglois1981@hotmail.ca 

David Parsons
519-376-0330
dparsons7746@gmail.com 

Matthew Quade
mquade.redken@gmail.com 

Winnifred M Walcott
226-664-0407
info@healthcoachwinnie.com
www.owensoundwellness.com

Declaration of Acclamation to Office

The certified candidates listed above have been acclaimed to the office of Director of the River District Board of Management. The candidates listed were acclaimed by the Election Manager on October 7, 2022 as per the Declaration of Acclamation to Office.

*Please note that all appointments are subject to City Council approval.
Forms

If you have difficulty with any of the forms, please contact the Election Manager at riverdistrictelection@owensound.ca.
Resources
Election News & Notices
Accessibility

All Board election information and documents are available in various accessible formats or with communication support, on request.

The Election Manager will consult with the person making the request to determine the suitability of the format or communication support. The Election Manager will provide the accessible format in a timely manner and, at no additional cost. To request information in an alternate format, please contact the Election Manager by emailing riverdistrictelection@owensound.ca or by calling 519-376-4440 ext. 1229.

More information on the accessibility of the Board election can be found in Sections 53 through 61 of the River District Board of Management Election Voting Procedures manual.

Voting Place Accessibility

Advance Voting Day and Voting Day will both be held at City Hall, located at 808 2nd Avenue East, Owen Sound.

There is a municipal parking lot located behind City Hall, and this includes two designated accessible parking spaces by the entrance doors. There is also on-street parking located along 2nd Avenue East, in front of City Hall. 

The back entrance to City Hall is level with the building and has automatic doors with push buttons. The front entrance to City Hall has a ramp with handrails leading up to the automatic doors with push buttons. Once inside, there is an accessible elevator to gain access to the voting area within City Hall.

Seating will be available in the voting area. Access to the voting booths will be level and will be wide enough to allow individuals using mobility aids to vote independently and secretly.

Persons with disabilities may be accompanied by a support person within the voting both, or the Election Manager or an Assistant Election Officer can assist a Member in casting their vote. The Election Manager or Assistant Election Officer will, in conjunction with the person with the disability, determine the extent to which they need assistance and the best way to provide assistance.

 

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