What are the 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 Municipality of Meaford, or
• an owner or tenant of land in the Municipality of Meaford, 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 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 or by-election

What are the Qualifications for School Board Trustee?

To run for any of the four 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 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 or by-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 with documentation showing that they have taken the leave of absence and the effective date.

School Boards in the Municipality of Meaford

The following is a list of the School Boards for which qualified electors will be entitled to vote unless there are acclamations.  Non-resident electors will be entitled to vote for school boards if their qualifying property is residential.  Non-residential commercial or industrial property electors are not eligible to vote for school boards but are entitled to vote for other municipal officers or questions.

• Bluewater District School Board (English public)
• Bruce-Grey Catholic District School Board (English separate)
• Conseil scolaire Viamonde (French public)
• Conseil scolaire catholique Providence (French separate)

If you wish to run for school board trustee, you must live in the jurisdiction. 

Withdrawing a Nomination

If you no longer wish to run in a municipal election, you must file a Withdrawal of Nomination (Form CAN04) in person before Friday August 19, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. Candidates cannot withdraw after the nomination period has closed.

The candidate will still be required to submit a financial statement (due no later than Friday, March 31, 2023, at 2:00 p.m.) covering all financial transactions up to the time of the withdrawal.

Scrutineers

Appointment of Scrutineers

A candidate may appoint scrutineers to represent them at polling stations, during the verification of vote by mail ballots and during the counting of the ballots.

The appointment shall be made using the “Appointment of Scrutineer” (Form CAN05). The forms to appoint scrutineers must be signed by the candidate in person at the Municipal Office. The candidate shall provide this signed form to their scrutineer.

Rights and Prohibitions of Scrutineers

Each scrutineer shall be responsible for his/her conduct, rights and prohibitions as set out on the applicable appointment form.

A person appointed as a scrutineer, before being admitted to the polling station or count centre, shall show his/her applicable appointment form and provide proof of identity and residence as prescribed in O. Reg. 304/13 to the Election official.

Not more than one scrutineer representing each candidate may attend a polling station at one time, including at the opening and the closing of the poll. The scrutineer/candidate must take an “Oral Oath of Secrecy” (Form POLL01) at the polling station.

Not more than one scrutineer representing each candidate may attend the verification of vote by mail ballots at one time. Each candidate or scrutineer present at the verification of vote by mail ballots must take an “Oral Oath of Secrecy” (Form POLL01).

Not more than two scrutineers representing each candidate may attend the count centre at one time. Additional scrutineers may be in the public areas of the building where the count centre is located.

Campaigning 

Election Signs

Candidates should refer to the Municipality’s Election Sign By-law 2018-50 and Grey County Corporate Procedure MS-TS-005-001, Advertising Sign Permit for specific details.

A sign permit or a permit application is not required for election signs.

Signs can be displayed no sooner than Friday, August 26, 2022. All election signs must be removed by the candidate or the candidate’s representative by Saturday, October 29, 2022.

No person shall display a logo, trademark or official mark on any election sign. The name of the candidate responsible for the sign must be clearly visible on the sign.

Vandalism

The investigation or prosecution for any acts of vandalism to the posters or campaign material of the candidates should be referred to the local police force by the complainant. The Municipality or any of its municipal officers, employees or agents will not be responsible.

Key Dates

Monday May 2

• First day to file a nomination paper for the offices of Mayor, Councillor and School Board Trustee
• once the nomination paper is filed with the Clerk, the candidate can start raising and spending money on their campaign
• preliminary spending limit provided to candidates
• preliminary contribution limit provided to candidates running for Mayor and Councillor (does not apply to School Board Trustee candidates)

Friday, August 19 at 2 p.m.

• Deadline for candidates to:
• file a nomination
• withdraw a nomination
• change office

Monday August 22

• Clerk will certify candidate nomination papers
• Final spending limits provided to candidates and registered third party advertisers
• Final self-contribution limit provided to candidates running for Mayor and Councillor (does not apply to School Board Trustee candidates)
• Election Day 

Friday, September 23

• Final spending limits provided to candidates and registered third party advertisers
• Final self-contribution limit provided to candidates running for Mayor and Councillor (does not apply to School Board Trustee candidates)

Monday, October 24

• Election Day 

Additional Resources for Candidates 

2022 Candidates’ Guide for Ontario Municipal Council & School Board Elections

On April 22, 2022, Grey County and its member municipalities hosted an information session for prospective candidates and third party advertisers. The session presentations and recording are available at the links below:

• YouTube link for session
• Presentation from Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC)
• Presentation from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH)
• Presentation from the County of Grey
• Candidate Info Session Q&A