Loyalist Township Emergency Services is launching its 2026 recruitment campaign for Paid On-Call Firefighters. If you're passionate about serving your community, learning new skills, and being part of a dedicated team, this is your opportunity to get involved. Applications will be open from October 14 until November 5, 2025

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Canada Post Strike

Mail disruption

The Canadian Union of Postal Workers has launched a national strike effective September 25, 2025. During the Canada Post labour strike, Loyalist Township encourages residents to consider alternative methods for accessing and submitting essential services, such as property tax, utility, and court-related payments. The Township remains dedicated to ensuring continuity of services for residents, despite possible mail delays.

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Lottery Licences

Licensed lottery events help charities and non-profit organizations raise funds to support local programs and services. 

A lottery event contains three elements:

  1. Consideration or fee
  2. Chance (to win a prize)
  3. Prize

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) manages the charitable lottery licensing program. Licensed charitable, religious and non-profit organizations must organize and manage their lottery events according to these licensing policies and the licence’s terms and conditions, and meet all necessary reporting requirements.

Information on how to manage lottery events can be found in the AGCO’s Lottery Licensing Policy Manual. The manual outlines the legal and policy framework and administrative procedures for lottery licensing purposes.

You can apply for a lottery licence in Loyalist Township if you belong to a charitable or religious organization. The Government of Ontario and the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) regulate lottery licences in Ontario.

For more information, please contact the Clerk's Division at 613-386-7351, ext. 107.

We issue licences for the following types of lotteries:

  • Bingo events with prizes up to $5,500
  • Media bingo events with prizes up to $5,500
  • Raffle lotteries for total prizes up to $50,000
  • Break open ticket lotteries where tickets are sold within the municipality, and are not conducted in conjunction with another licensed gaming event. 

Several games do not require a licence. These include

  • Silent auctions/auctions (with a licensed auctioneer)
  • House or garden tours
  • Guess how many candies in the jar type games/games of skill
  • Photo, baby, spelling, trivia contests

How to apply for a lottery licence

If this is your first time receiving lottery licensing in Loyalist Township, please complete the Lottery Licensing Eligibility Review Application and provide supporting documents to the Clerk’s Division.

Once eligibility is determined, you can complete the application to conduct a lottery. The following Lottery Licence application forms are available on the AGCO website:

  • Raffle Licences
  • Bazaar Licence
  • Break Open Ticket Licence
  • Bingo Licence

Qualified organizations that have held a lottery licence with the Loyalist Township within the past two years can expect a licence within 10 business days of submitting their application. Applications from new organizations take about 20 business days. We are required to conduct a qualification review process to determine eligibility.

All information, including appropriate documentation and fees, must be included with your application. Incomplete packages will be returned to your organization. Your organization cannot print or sell tickets until you are licensed, and all tickets must indicate the licence number. It is your responsibility to notify the licensing office of any changes to your organization, such as changes to your board of directors, signing officers, programs, and services.

FAQ

Lottery licence fees are set at 3 per cent of the total value of the prize(s).

Only charities and religious organizations are permitted to conduct lotteries to raise funds for charitable or religious purposes according to the issued lottery licence. Typically, these include bingos, raffles, break open tickets and social gaming events held by charitable and religious organizations. Charities are regulated by licensing policies and the terms and conditions of licences issued by the Province or Municipality.

Organizations must demonstrate a charitable or religious mandate to qualify. 

"Charitable" refers to organizations which provide programs and services to Ontario residents for: 

  1. The relief of poverty
  2. The advancement of education
  3. The advancement of religion
  4. Other charitable purposes beneficial to the community

To be eligible for a lottery licence, organizations must:

  1. Have been in existence for at least one year
  2. Have a place of business in Ontario
  3. Have, as their primary purpose, the aim to provide charitable or non-profit services in Ontario
  4. Use the proceeds of any lottery scheme for objects or purposes which benefit Ontario residents
  5. Assume full responsibility for the conduct and management of their lottery events

An individual is not eligible for a lottery licence. 

Organizations that only promote the private interests of their members do not qualify for lottery licensing. This may include but is not limited to:

  • social clubs
  • professional associations, unions, employee groups
  • elected representative groups, including municipal, regional, provincial and federal governments
  • government ministries, agents or bodies
  • political lobby groups and those attempting to persuade the public to adopt a particular view on a political issue
  • political parties
  • adult hobby groups
  • private sports club (e.g., golf/curling)
  • adult sports teams or hobby groups

Lottery reports are due 30 days after a lottery event is finished. Reports are to be submitted on time to clerk@loyalist.ca

Contact Us

Loyalist Township
Box 70, 263 Main Street
Odessa, Ontario K0H 2H0
Tel: 613-386-7351
info@loyalist.ca

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