Candidate Information

FILING A NOMINATION

If a person wishes to run as a candidate in the Township of O’Connor Municipal Election, they must file a nomination paper with the Clerk-Treasurer. The first day to file a nomination paper for the 2022 Municipal Election will be May 2, 2022.  A person cannot raise or spend money on an election campaign until they have filed the nomination paper.

Nominations must be filed in person at the Township of O’Connor Municipal Office as original signatures are required. To file a nomination, you must provide:

• nomination paper
• current acceptable identification (one piece of ID showing name, qualifying O’Connor address and signature, or two pieces of ID, first ID showing name and signature and second ID showing name and qualifying O’Connor address)
• nomination filing fee (paid by cash, certified cheque, or money order, payable to Township of O’Connor
  • the filing fee is $200 for candidates running for Mayor and $100 for Councillor or School Board Trustee candidates
  • nomination fees are refunded to candidates that receive 2% of the votes cast in the election and once they file the required financial statement

If an agent is filing a nomination on your behalf, the agent must provide the above documents as well as their own identification.

MUNICIPAL COUNCILLOR ROLE

Your role as a Councillor is intricate and involved. You will find yourself dealing with complex and sometimes contentious issues. Even the most seasoned Councillor will encounter new questions.  Knowing where to go for information on the roles, requirements and relationships of local government will help you to fulfil your role.  Please visit The Government of Ontario website for a guide that covers topics that are important to know throughout your term of office as a Municipal Councillor or Head of Council.

QUALIFICATIONS FOR MAYOR & COUNCILLOR

To run for Mayor or Councillor, on the day the nomination paper is filed, a person must be:

• a Canadian citizen
• at least 18 years of age
• a resident of the Township of O’Connor, or
• an owner or tenant of land in the Township of O’Connor, or the spouse of the owner or tenant
• not legally prohibited from voting
• not disqualified by any legislation from holding municipal office

Who cannot be a Mayor or Council candidate

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

• 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-Treasurer will not certify the nomination
• a candidate who failed to file the necessary financial statement or exceeded the prescribed spending limit in the last Municipal Election

Township of O’Connor Employees

• Employees of the Township of O’Connor who wish to run for Mayor or Councillor must take an unpaid leave of absence before filing a nomination paper.
• The employee must provide a copy of the documentation showing that they have taken the leave of absence and the effective date.

QUALIFICATIONS FOR SCHOOL BOARD TRUSTEES

To run for any of the school boards on the day the nomination paper is filed, a person must be:

• a Canadian citizen
• at least 18 years of age
• a resident in the area of jurisdiction of the board
• not legally prohibited from voting
• not disqualified by any legislation from holding municipal office

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:

• 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 or the Clerk-Treasurer will not certify the nomination
• a candidate who failed to file the necessary financial statement or exceeded the prescribed spending limit in the last Municipal Election

School board employees

• Employees of any school board (including supply teachers) are disqualified from being elected as School Board Trustee or from holding office on any school board, except during a leave of absence.
• The employee must be on a leave of absence before filing their nomination paper.
• They must provide the Clerk-Treasurer with documentation showing that they have taken the leave of absence and the effective date.

School Boards

• Lakehead Public School Board
• Thunder Bay Catholic District School Board
• Conseil scolaire de district catholique des Aurores boreales
• Conseil scolaire de district du Grand Nord de L’Ontario

WITHDRAWING A NOMINATION

If you no longer wish to run in a Municipal Election, you must file a Withdrawal of Nomination form in-person before the end of the nomination period. Candidates cannot withdraw after the nomination period has closed.  Candidates who have withdrawn their nomination are still required to file a financial statement.