To learn about the Township of Georgian Bay and representing our community, be sure to read the Council 101 Guide.
Council 101 Guide
⇒ Nominations Open on Friday, May 1, 2026 at 8:30 AM
⇒ Nominations Close on Friday, August 21, 2026 at 2:00 PM
Township Council
Qualifications for Council
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:
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Entitled to be an elector under the Municipal Elections Act (MEA) s.17(2):
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A Canadian citizen;
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At least 18 years old;
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A resident in the local municipality, or the owner or tenant of land in the local municipality, or the spouse of such a person;
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Not prohibited from voting under any law;
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Not disqualified for violation of financial requirements or violations of requirements for filing financial information;
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Not disqualified by any Act from holding such office; and
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Not disqualified under the provisions as outlined in the MEA s.90(2) and 91(1).
Note: For an upper-tier municipality, a person must be entitled to be an elector under MEA s.17 in a lower-tier municipality within the upper-tier municipality.
Offices for Nomination for Council
Aspiring candidates can only be nominated for one (1) office in the municipality from the following offices:
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Mayor (also serves as a District Councillor)
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District Councillor – Wards 1 and 3
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District Councillor – Wards 2 and 4
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Ward 1 Councillor
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Ward 2 Councillor
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Ward 3 Councillor
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Ward 4 Councillor
Filing Requirements
Filing of a nomination takes place in person at the Township’s Administration Office (99 Lone Pine Road, Port Severn) filed by the candidate or their agent.
The following is required to file a nomination for Council:
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Nomination Paper (Form 1)
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Endorsement of Nomination (Form 2)
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Minium twenty-five (25) original signatures of qualified voters in Georgian Bay
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Voter identification per Ontario's O. Reg. 304/13
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Proof of qualifying address
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Nomination filing fee, payable by cash, cheque, or debit/credit
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$200 for Mayor
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$100 for Councillor
Persons filing a nomination are encouraged to schedule an appointment to ensure staff are readily available to assist with the nomination process. Please contact elections@gbtownship.ca or 705-538-2337 x 333.
Endorsement of Nomination
A person endorsing a nomination must be an eligible voter within the Township of Georgian.
A minimum of 25 endorsement signatures is required on the prescribed form (Form 2). Original signatures are to be collected by the candidate. It is best practice to obtain more than the minimum number of signatures in the event an endorsement is deemed unqualified.
Election Signs
Township of Georgian Bay By-law 2025-021 regulates the size, type, location, and time frame election signs may be posted. Elections signs are not permitted on municipal land.
The first day election signs may be posted is Monday, August 24, 2026, and must be removed no later than 72 hours following the close of voting (Thursday, October 29, 2026).
Use of Municipal Resources
No candidate or Member of Council is permitted to use Township resources (including facilities, services, and staff) for their election campaign.
The Township's Use of Municipal Resources in Municipal Elections Policy establishes guidelines for the use of corporate resources during elections.
School Board Trustees
Qualifications for School Boards
A person is qualified to be elected or hold office as a school board trustee only if, as of the day they file their nomination, they are:
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Entitled to be an elector under the MEA s.17:
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A Canadian citizen;
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At least 18 years old; and
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Not prohibited under the Act from voting or otherwise by law.
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Qualified to be a member of the school board in accordance with the Education act, s.219:
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A resident within the school board’s area of jurisdiction; and
- Qualified to vote for members of that school board (a supporter of that school board).
Offices for Nomination for School Boards
For more information on nomination processes for school board trustees, please contact the lead municipality noted for each office below.
English Public |
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| School Board | Trillium Lakeland District School Board |
| Trustee Area | Gravenhurst, Muskoka Lakes, Georgian Bay |
| Lead Municipality | TBC by April 7, 2026 |
English Public |
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| School Board | Near North District School Board |
| Trustee Area | TBC |
| Lead Municipality | TBC by April 7, 2026 |
French Public |
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| School Board | Conseil scolaire du Nord-Est de l'Ontario |
| Trustee Area | Muskoka and other regions |
| Lead Municipality | TBC by April 7, 2026 |
English Separate |
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| School Board | Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board |
| Trustee Area | Huntsville, Muskoka Lakes, Lake of Bays, Bracebridge, Gravenhurst, Georgian Bay, Parry Sound |
| Lead Municipality | TBC by April 7, 2026 |
French Separate |
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| School Board | Conseil scolaire catholique MonAvenir |
| Trustee Area | Simcoe, Muskoka |
| Lead Municipality | TBC by April 7, 2026 |
Note: As of December 1, 2025, Near North District School Board's Board of Trustees is under supervision of the Minister of Education.
Note: Candidates from the Township of Georgian Bay may file with the local clerk if the lead municipality is further than 100km in distance.
