Candidate Nomination Period for 2026 River District Board of Management Election Begins August 28

The River District Business Improvement Area is notifying the public that the nomination period for the upcoming River District Board of Management Election officially begins on Friday, August 28, 2026. The nomination period ends on Friday, September 25, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. 

Offices to be Elected: Eight Directors 

The River District Board of Management consists of nine (9) Directors: eight (8) elected members and one appointed by City Council. Once appointed by Council, Directors will serve a four-year term expiring November 14, 2030.  

Who is Eligible to Run? 

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 business operating in the River District. 

Nomination Procedure 

Nomination packages are available for pick up at the front counter at City Hall or are available at OwenSoundRiverDistrict.ca. Candidates who wish to file their nomination are requested to make an appointment with the River District Election Manager by email at riverdistrictelection@owensound.ca or by phone at 519-376-4440 ext. 1235.  

Who is Eligible to Vote? 

All members of the River District Business Improvement Area. Under the Municipal Act, 2001, members are persons 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 of Owen Sound, and tenants of such property [s.204(4)]. A corporate member may nominate in writing one individual to vote on behalf of the corporation [s.204(7)]. You must also be at least 18 years of age to vote. 

Voters’ List 

During the nomination period, the River District Election Manager will be preparing the official Voters’ List. Please verify you are on the Voters’ List, beginning September 25, 2026. If your property is listed under your name, you will be automatically on the Voters’ List. If you are the owner of a business or a property listed or managed by a corporation, you must complete the Declaration of Tenancy Form and provide ID linking you to the property/business. 

Election 

If a greater number of candidates are certified than are required to fill the eight (8) Director offices, an election will be held using a paper ballot. Members will be able to cast their ballot in person in the City Hall Council Chambers on Monday, November 9, 2026, from 8:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. 

An Advance Voting Day will also be provided and will be held in the City Hall Council Chambers on Saturday, November 7, 2026, from 3:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.  

Quick Facts: 

• Interested individuals can review the Candidate Information Package. 

• All information related to the 2026 River District Board of Management Election is available at OwenSoundRiverDistrict.ca.  

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