Council Candidates

A person is eligible to be a candidate if they are,

• a resident of the Loyalist Township, or an owner or tenant of land in the Township, or the spouse of such an owner or tenant;
• a Canadian citizen;
• at least 18 years old; and
• not legally prohibited from voting or disqualified from being elected/holding office as a member of Council (see below).

A person is eligible to be a candidate in a municipal election if they are an eligible elector. A candidate must be eligible as of the day they are nominated and must remain eligible throughout the election period and, if elected, throughout the term of office.

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

• an employee of the municipality unless they take an unpaid leave of absence beginning the day they are nominated and resign if elected to the office;
• 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 will not certify the nomination; or
• a candidate who failed to file the necessary financial statement(s) in the last municipal election or by-election.

A candidate's campaign period begins on the day they file their nomination and ends on December 31, 2026 unless PR-6, Notice of Campaign Extension is filed.

Candidate campaign advertising means an advertisement in any broadcast, print, electronic, or other channels, that has the purpose of promoting or supporting the election of a candidate, and is subject to regulations established by the Clerk's Procedures and the Election Signs By-law 2026-9. Examples include lawn signs, brochures, posters and print, radio, and electronic advertisements. 

It is best practice that campaign advertisements do not contain any logo, crest, symbol, trademark, or insignia, in whole or in part, that is not owned by the Candidate or Registered Third Party. 

No, candidates may not use the Township's logo or other corporate images (including Town-owned photos) on their own websites (including social media), campaign literature, lawn signs, buttons, clothing, or other campaign material. 

Candidates may re-share a Town social media post or share a link from Township websites on their own websites including social media. Candidates wishing to share information/pages from the Town's official websites must do so by providing links rather than screen captures. 

Please refer to Use of Corporate Resources for Election Purposes Policy for further information. 

You may not campaign at events that are hosted by the Township. Wearing a campaign t-shirt, hat, button, or other apparel is considered campaigning.

You may campaign at private events held on private property. Additionally, a private organization or candidate may rent a permittable Town space for a campaign or other event and permit campaigning if they choose, so long as all campaigning activity and signage is limited to the interior space. 

Refer to the Use of Corporate Resources for Election Purposes Policy for further information.

Candidates are required to open a separate bank account for campaign expenses. All contributions – including contributions candidates make themselves – must be deposited into the campaign bank account. All expenses must be paid for from the campaign account (with the exception of the nomination fee).

All candidates, including - those not elected, those who withdraw their nomination, and those whose nomination is rejected by the Town Clerk - must disclose and report their contributions and expenses, using the Financial Statement - Auditor's Report - Candidate Form 4.

A Candidate's campaign period starts on the date the nomination is filed and ends on December 31, 2026, or, if the nomination is withdrawn, on the date of withdrawal.

Financial Statements are to be filed with the Town Clerk no later than 2:00PM on March 26, 2027.

Yes, contributions can be accepted from an individual who is normally resident in Ontario. If a spouse of a candidate is not normally a resident in Ontario, they can still make a contribution but only to the candidate's campaign and not any other candidate.

Contributions that are $25 or less can be made in cash. All contributions above $25 must be made by cheque, money order, or by a method that clearly shows where the funds came from. All cheques must come from personal accounts and not from a business account, ex. Smith & Sons Co.

Candidates shall keep a list of names and addresses of every contributor who gives more than $100 total to their campaign in the financial statement. Candidates should keep a record of the names and addresses of each contributor regardless of the value of their contribution. Candidates should refer to the MMAH Candidates' Guide for Ontario Municipal Council and School Board Elections and the Municipal Elections Act, 1996 for more information regarding their campaign contributions and expenses records.

Yes, candidates must issue a receipt for every contribution they receive. The receipt should show who made the contribution, the date, and the value. If the contribution was in goods or services, candidates must determine the value of the goods or services and issue a receipt for the full value.