Nominations are Now Open

Nominations may be filed during regular office hours by appointment only.

Contact the Clerks Office at elections@gbtownship.ca to schedule your in-person appointment.

Masks are mandatory. 

Candidate Qualifications

A person is qualified to be elected or hold office as a member of council only if, as of the day they file their nomination they are:

• Entitled to be an elector:
  • Is a Canadian citizen,
  • Is at least 18 years of age,
  • Resides in the Township of Georgian Bay, or is the owner or tenant of land in the local municipality, or the spouse of such a person, and
  • Is not prohibited from voting as noted or otherwise, by law.
  • For an upper-tier municipality they must be entitled to be an elector, in a lower-tier municipality within the upper-tier municipality.
  • Not disqualified for violation of financial requirements or violations of requirements for filing financial information.
  • Not disqualified by any Act from holding such office. 
  • Not disqualified under the provisions as outlined in MEA, s. 90(2) and 91(1).

Offices for Nomination:

For more information, please see the Council 101 Guide or contact the Georgian Bay Clerk's Office at elections@gbtownship.ca. 

• Mayor (Also serves as a District Councillor)
• District Councillor (Wards 1 and 3)
• District Councillor (Wards 2 and 4)
• Councillor Ward 1
• Councillor Ward 2
• Councillor Ward 3
• Councillor Ward 4

School Board Trustees 

For more information, please contact the lead municipality noted below. 

• English Public – Trillium Lakelands District School Board - Town of Gravenhurst
• English Public - Near North District School Board - Town of Parry Sound
• French Public – Viamonde - Municipality of East Ferris*
• English Separate – Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board - Town of Bracebridge 
• French Separate – MonAvenir - City of Barrie

*Candidates from the Township of Georgian Bay may file with the local Clerk as the municipalities are greater than 100km in distance.  

Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH) Resources

Candidate & Third Party Advertiser Information Session Recording of April 5, 2022

Candidate & Third Party Advertiser Information Session Presentation Material 

Use of Municipal Resources

The purpose of this policy to clarify that all election candidates, including Members of Council are required to follow the provisions of the Municipal Elections Act, and that:

• No candidate shall use the facilities, equipment, supplies, services, staff or other resources of the Township of Georgian Bay (including Councillor newsletters and Councillor budgets) for any election campaign or campaign related activities.
• No candidate shall undertake campaign-related activities on Township property.
• No candidate shall use the services of persons during hours in which those persons receive any compensation from the Township.

Filing Requirements 

• Form 1 - Nomination Paper
• Form 2 - Endorsement of Nomination (minimum 25 signatures required) 
• Voter Identification per O.Reg. 304/13
• Proof of Qualifying Address
• Nomination Filing Fee $100 ($200 for Mayor)
• Sign Deposit Fee $100

Note: If you are unable to open the PDF of Form 1 or Form 2, please contact the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing directly by completing the submission form on their Contact Us page. 

 Nominations Close on Friday, August 19, 2022 at 2:00 PM

VoterLookup.ca

The Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) is responsible for compiling information from eligible Ontario voters to create a Preliminary List of Electors for municipal and school board elections.

To make sure you are on the list and your information is accurate, visit voterlookup.ca to register, confirm details, and update any information that may not be current.

Voting Method

Voting will take place via internet and telephone. Voter information letters will be mailed to all qualified voters on the voters’ list.

Voter Qualifications

A person is entitled to be an elector at an election held in a local municipality (unless prohibited by the Municipal Elections Act or any other Act) if on Voting day (Monday, October 24, 2022) they are:

• A Canadian citizen,
• At least eighteen (18) years of age,
• Resides in the municipality, or the owner or tenant of land in the municipality, or a spouse or same-sex partner of such a person, and
• Not prohibited from voting as noted below or otherwise by law.

It is the responsibility of the elector to ensure they are qualified.

A tenant of land in the municipality would be required to provide proof of residence. For example, copy of their rental/lease agreement and another piece of identification showing their name and address.

A tenant or owner of property under a fractional or time share contract are not entitled to vote unless the person(s) are entitled to use the land:

• On voting day, or
• For a period of six (6) weeks or more during the calendar year in which voting day of the election is held.

Revisions to Voter Information

During the revision period, electors may make application to be added to or amend their information on the Voter’s List up to and including Voting Day.

Electors will be able to utilize the Voter Registration Portal on the Township’s website to complete and submit electronically to the Clerk an online Application to Amend or Correct the Voters’ List (Form EL-15). Proper identification illustrating the name and qualifying address of the elector is required to process all applications.

Electors will be able to visit the Voter Help Centre to make an application to be added or to amend their information. Details of process will be included in future election procedures as required by the Municipal Elections Act.

Acceptable Documents for Voter Identification

Applicants must present one (1) of the following documents showing your name and address from the list produced by the Province of Ontario below:

Province of Ontario Website – Acceptable Documents for Voter Identification

The Clerk has the authority to review any materials provided and grant or deny inclusion on the Voters’ List. 

Registrations are Now Open

Registrations may be filed during regular office hours by appointment only.

Contact the Clerks Office at elections@gbtownship.ca to schedule your in-person appointment.

Masks are mandatory. 

Third Party Advertiser (TPA) Qualifications

A third party advertisement is an advertisement in any medium that has the purpose of promoting or supporting or opposing a candidate(s) or a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to a question on a ballot.

Does not include:

• An advertisement by and under the direction of a candidate;
• Where no expenses are incurred by the person/entity in relation to the advertisement;
• When given or transmitted by an individual to employees, by a corporation to its shareholders, directors, members or employers or by a trade union to its members or employees.

Advertising that does not cost money to post or to broadcast, such as comments made on social media will not be considered to be a third party advertising.

Individuals, corporations or trade unions are eligible to register as a third party advertiser provided that they have formally registered with the Clerk.

The following are not permitted to register:

• Municipal election candidate;
• Federal and Provincial political parties, constituency associations, registered candidates and leadership contestants;
• The Crown in right of Canada or Ontario, a municipality, or a municipal local board. 

Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH) Resources

Candidate & Third Party Advertiser Information Session Recording of April 5, 2022

Candidate & Third Party Advertiser Information Session Presentation Material 

Filing Requirements 

• Form 7 - Notice of Registration - Third Party
• Voter Identification per O.Reg. 304/13 or Proof of Corporation
• Sign Deposit $100

Note: If you are unable to open the PDF of Form 7, please contact the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing directly by completing the submission form on their Contact Us page.

For more information, please see the Council 101 Guide or contact the Georgian Bay Clerk's Office at elections@gbtownship.ca.  

Registrations Close on Friday, October 21, 2022 at 4:00 PM

Muskoka Votes  - The citizens of Muskoka are heading to the polls. 

Interactive Ward Map - Find your ward and nominees. 

Thank you to the District of Muskoka for creating these interactive tools for the member municipalities. 

Frequently Asked Questions

When is election day?

Voting day is on Monday, October 24, 2022.

What is the voting method?

Voting will take place by internet and telephone.

Where do the election rules come from?

The Municipal Elections Act is the legislation that outlines the rules and regulations of municipal and school board elections.

I'm a tenant, how do I add myself to the voters' list? 

If you are a qualified voter who resides in Georgian Bay on voting day (October 24, 2022) or if you are present for a minimum of six (6) weeks cumulatively in 2022, you may add yourself to the voters' list using VoterLookup.ca. 

Want to learn more about the municipal elections? 

Please see the Council 101 Guide or contact the Georgian Bay Clerk's Office at elections@gbtownship.ca.