2026 Municipal Election

If you voted in a Provincial or Federal Election, it does not guarantee that you are on the Voters' List for a Municipal Election. Elections Ontario manages a single register of electors for both provincial and municipal elections in Ontario. You can check to see if your name is on the voters' list or manage your information through the voter registration service.

Are you 16 or 17 years old and interested in voting? If you are 16 or 17 years old, a Canadian citizen, and a resident of Ontario, you can add your name to the Register of Future Voters.

Ensure your School Support Designation is up-to-date before the next election 

To ensure your correct school support designation is provided to Elections Ontario in time for the next municipal and school board elections on October 26, 2026, it should be reviewed and, if needed, updated by June 1, 2026. 

While Elections Ontario maintains the Permanent Register of Electors in Ontario for provincial, municipal, and school board elections, MPAC (Municipal Property Assessment Corporation) is legislatively responsible for collecting school support designation information.  

What is school support? 

Whether you own or rent your home, your property is linked to a school board – even if you don’t have children or your children aren’t currently attending school. While you’re not required to make a designation, you do have the option to choose which school board you support. If you don’t make a choice, your support will default to the English-Public school board.  
 

How to update school support designations

Property owners can change their school support designation online using MPAC AboutMyProperty™ or our online portal for tenants. To get started, choose the option that applies to you:  

• I am a property owner 
• I am a tenant 

A step-by-step guide is available in English or French. 

Please note: Registration may take up to 24 hours to activate. 

You can submit a paper Application for Direction of School Support form in English or French and mail or email it to MPAC. 

To learn more or update a school support designation, visit mpac.ca/schoolsupport. 

To become a candidate for Mayor, City Councillor, or School Board Trustee you must file a nomination paper with the City Clerk, in person, on the first floor of City Hall, 500 Donald Street East. Nomination papers may be filed from Friday May 1, 2026 to Friday, August 21, 2026 at 2:00 pm. By appointment only.  Walk in appointments will not be guaranteed.

Appointments  for the nomination period (May 1-August 21) will be available to be booked online or by calling 807-625-2230 beginning April 17, 2026.

The deadline to file a nomination is 2:00 p.m. on Friday, August 21, 2026.

A person cannot raise or spend money on an election campaign until they have filed their nomination paper. 

What do I need to file my nomination?

Nomination must be filed in person and include:

• Form 1 - Nomination Paper, it is the responsibility of the person being nominated to make sure their nomination paper is complete and accurate
• Form 2 - Endorsement of Nomination, endorsed by at least 25 people who are eligible to vote in our municipal election. Endorsements are required only if running for Mayor or City Councillor, not School Board Trustee
• Declaration of qualifications
• Consent to release personal personal information
• Identification showing name, qualifying address and signature
• Applicable filing fee, $200 for Mayor, $100 for all others. The fee must be paid in cash, debit card, certified cheque or money order

Nomination packages may be picked up from the Office of the City Clerk on the first floor of City Hall, 500 Donald Street East, or you can download and print your nomination package using the links below: 

Nomination Package - Mayor and Councillor

Nomination Package - School Board Trustee - English

Nomination Package - School Board Trustee - French 

Appointments to file nomination papers (May 1-August 21) will be available to be booked online or by calling 807-625-2230 beginning April 17, 2026. 

A person cannot raise or spend money on an election campaign until they have filed their nomination. 

To run for Mayor or City Councillor, on the day the nomination paper is filed, a person must be:

• a Canadian citizen
• at least 18 years old
• a resident of the City of Thunder Bay, or an owner or tenant of land in the City of Thunder Bay, or the spouse of such person
• not legally prohibited from voting
• not disqualified by any legislation from holding municipal office 

To run for School Board Trustee, 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

If you wish to run for School Board Trustee for one of the following boards, you must live within the jurisdiction of that board. 

• Lakehead District School Board
• Thunder Bay Catholic District School Board
• Conseil scolaire public du Grand Nord de l’Ontario
• Conseil scolaire de district catholique des Aurores boréales
  
  

Who is disqualified from running?

The following people are disqualified from being elected or holding office as Mayor or City Councillor: 

• a judge of any court;
• a Senator, Member of Parliament or Member of Provincial Parliament who has not resigned from their office by the close of nominations; 
• a candidate who failed to file the necessary financial statement or exceeded the prescribed spending limit in the 2022 municipal election; or
• City of Thunder Bay employees, unless the candidate takes an unpaid leave of absence before filing a nomination paper.
  
  

The following people are disqualified from being elected or holding office as a School Board Trustee:

• 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 Senator, Member of Parliament or Member of Provincial Parliament who has not resigned from their office by the close of nominations;
• a candidate who failed to file the necessary financial statement or exceeded the prescribed spending limit in 2022 municipal election; or
• employees of any school board, unless the candidate takes a leave of absence before filing a nomination paper.

Candidates filing a nomination must present identification showing their name, photo, qualifying Thunder Bay address and signature.

One piece of ID or a combination of two pieces of ID as specified here will meet the ID requirement.

Acceptable ID includes:

• Ontario driver’s licence
• Ontario health card
• Canadian passport
• Certificate of Canadian Citizenship
• Certificate of Indian Status
• Veterans Affairs Canada Health Card
• Social Insurance Number Card
• Old Age Security Card
• Credit card
• Debit card
• Ontario motor vehicle permit, plate portion
• Cancelled personalized cheque
• Property tax assessment
• Mortgage, lease or rental agreement 
• Insurance policy
• Insurance statement
• Loan or financial agreement with a financial institution
• Employee Identification card
• Student Identification card issued by a post-secondary institution
• Union Identification card or professional licence card
• Income tax assessment notice
• Child Tax Benefit Statement
• Statement of Employment Insurance Benefits Paid T4E
• Statement of Old Age Security T4A  OAS 
• Statement of Canada Pension Plan Benefits T4A  P
• Canada Pension Plan Statement of Contributions
• Statement of Direct Deposit for Ontario Works
• Statement of Direct Deposit for Ontario Disability Support Program
• Workplace Safety and Insurance Board Statement of Benefits T5007
• Credit card, bank account, RRSP, RRIF, RHOSP or T5 statement
• CNIB Card or a card from another registered charitable organization which provides services to persons with disabilities
• Hospital card or record
• Document showing campus residence issued by the office or officials responsible for student residence at a post-secondary institution
• Utility bill for hydro, water, gas, telephone or cable TV or a bill from a  public utilities commission
• Cheque stub, T4 or pay receipt issued by an employer
• Transcript or report card from a post-secondary school
• Document issued or certified by a court in Ontario
• Any other document issued by the government of Canada, Ontario or a municipality in Ontario or from an agency of such a government
• Any document from a Band Council in Ontario established under the Indian Act, Canada

It is the policy of the City of Thunder Bay that no candidates in a municipal election or by-election shall utilize any resource of the Corporation of the City of Thunder Bay in support of an election campaign.

Policy 08-01-06 Use of Corporate Resources: Municipal Elections was updated on April 4, 2022 to further allow the City to balance the need for freedom of expression and assembly of candidates and its responsibility to ensure that no candidate or registered third party advertiser is provided with an unfair advantage. 

The following are some highlights of the policy:

• Email addresses and telephone numbers issued to Members of City Council shall not be advertised or promoted as a means of contacting a member of Council as a candidate in an election.
• No member of Council shall conduct a Ward/Townhall meeting beyond June 30th in an election year.
• No members of Council shall use any portion of any budget to which they have access to in support of the election campaign activities of any candidate.
• At no time shall a candidate solicit the support of any member of the administrative staff of the City of Thunder Bay for any activity in support of their election campaign.
• The City’s media releases or materials will not reference the name of a Member of Council.
• The City’s logo, crest, slogans, etc., may not be printed, posted or distributed on any election-related campaign materials.
• No Member of Council may campaign while in attendance at City-organized events or events held at City facilities.

Friday, May 1, 2026

First day to file a nomination paper for the offices of Mayor, City Councillor and School Board Trustee. Once the nomination paper is filed with the City 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 City Councillor, does not apply to School Board Trustee candidates
  
  

Friday, August 21 at 2 p.m.

Deadline for candidates to file a nomination, withdraw a nomination or change office

Monday, August 24

Last day for the City Clerk to certify candidate nomination papers

Tuesday, September 1

Voters’ List available to candidates

Thursday, October 1

Final spending limits provided to candidates

Final self-contribution limit provided to candidates running for Mayor and Councillor, does not apply to School Board Trustee candidates

Monday, October 26

Election Day

Sunday, November 15

New term of office commences

Thursday, December 31

End of campaign period for candidates and third party advertisers

Last day to file a Notice of Extension, Form 6, to continue campaigning to erase a deficit

Tuesday, March 30 at 2 p.m.

Deadline for candidates to file the initial financial statement

Wednesday, June 30

End of extended campaign period

Friday, September 24 at 2 p.m.

Deadline for candidates and third party advertisers to file the supplementary financial statement, applies only to those who extended their campaign period

A campaign bank account must be opened for election campaign purposes prior to spending money or accepting contributions. All contributions of money, including contributions from yourself, must be deposited in the campaign account.  All campaign expenses must be paid from the campaign account.

You do not have to open a campaign bank account if you do not spend any money and do not receive any contributions of money. If you receive contributions of goods or services, but no contributions of money, you do not have to open a campaign bank account.

You cannot use your personal bank account for campaign finances, even if you are planning a very small campaign.

Candidates must keep records of:

• receipts issued for every contribution
• value of every contribution
• whether contribution is in form of money, goods or services
• contributor’s name and address
• every expense, including the receipts obtained for each expense

All campaign financial records must be retained until after November 15, 2030, when the next new council has been sworn in.

Money, goods or services given to a candidate for their campaign are considered to be contributions. Candidates can accept contributions from:

• individuals who normally reside in Ontario
• the candidate and their spouse

Contributions to candidates from trade unions and corporations are prohibited in municipal elections.

Cash contributions may be accepted up to $25. Contributions over $25 must be by cheque or money order, or by a method that clearly shows where the funds came from. Receipts must be issued for each contribution and should include the name and address of the contributor, the amount and date of the contribution.

'Pass the hat' donations of under $25 received at fundraising events, may be given anonymously and the candidate is not required to issue receipts. These donations are still considered campaign income and the total amount must be reported on the candidate's financial statement.

The ticket price for a fundraising event is a contribution and the candidate must issue a receipt for the full amount.

The maximum amount an individual can contribute to a candidate's campaign is $1,200. Contributors may donate up to an aggregate total of $5,000 to any number of candidates running for the same council or school board.  

Candidates are required to inform contributors of contribution limits.

There is a limit on the amount that a candidate and their spouse can collectively contribute to the candidate's own campaign for a municipal council office.

The limit is based on the number of electors voting for the office, and is calculated as follows:

• $7,500 + $0.20 per elector for head of council, to a maximum of $25,000
• $5,000 + $0.20 per elector for other council offices, to a maximum of $25,000

Upon filing their nomination, a candidate will receive a certificate from the Clerk with a preliminary calculation of maximum self-funding amounts, based on the voters' list as of September 15, 2022.  On or before September 30, 2026, the Clerk shall provide a final certificate. The number of electors used in the final calculation will be the greater of the number on the voters' list on September 15, 2022 or September 15, 2026.

A candidate's general spending limit applies only to expenses incurred until the end of Voting Day.  The limit is based on the number of electors voting for the office, and is calculated as follows:

• Head of council: $7,500 + 85 cents per elector
• All other offices: $5,000 + 85 cents per elector

There is a separate spending limit for parties and expressions of appreciation after Voting Day, and that limit is 10% of the above calculated amounts.

The Clerk will provide candidates with two certificates of maximum campaign expenses:

• preliminary estimate – when filing a nomination form, based on the 2022 voters’ list
• final certificate, by September 30, with the higher of the calculated amount based on the 2026 voters’ list, or the amount on the preliminary certificate, noted above. 

A candidate may appoint scrutineers to represent them during voting and counting of the votes. Each candidate may appoint one scrutineer per ballot box in a voting place. A candidate is not required to appoint that many scrutineers, or any scrutineers at all.

Scrutineers may observe, but they are not allowed to interfere with voters, attempt to influence how they vote, or ask a voter how they voted.

The form and process for appointing a scrutineer will be updated once available. 

The Association of Municipalities of Ontario produces Lead Where You Live 2026: A Guide to running for municipal council. 
 

The Province of Ontario publishes a Municipal Councillor's Guide that provides an overview of the roles and responsibilities of an elected member of council.  

The Province of Ontario has released the 2026 Candidates' Guide - Ontario municipal council and school board elections to provide information on how to run as a candidate in Ontario municipal council and school board elections.

Candidate Information Session - Hosted by: City of Thunder Bay and Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing

Thursday, April 16
6:30 – 8:30 pm
City Hall:  500 Donald Street
Council Chambers

The City of Thunder Bay is hosting a Candidate Information Session on Thursday, April 16th for potential candidates to receive information about running in the 2026 Municipal and School Board Election.

 The evening will include:

• a presentation provided by City Clerk Krista Power and a representative from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing;
• an opportunity to ask questions for those attending in-person; and
• printed resources to take home.
  
  

 This session will be live-streamed for those unable to attend.

 Registration is required for in-person attendance – please email ThunderBayVotes@thunderbay.ca to register.

The Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) is offering a series of workshops for people thinking about running for municipal office in the October 2026 elections:

Running for Municipal Office - Everything You Need to Know as an Underrepresented Candidate

AMO’s Healthy Democracy Leaders Series: Stronger Leaders, Stronger Communities

An Information Session for Youth Considering Running for Municipal Office

An Information Session for Urban Indigenous Peoples Considering Running for Municipal Office 

The Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association (NOMA) is holding it's annual Conference & Annual General Meeting,  April 22–24, 2026 in Thunder Bay, under the theme “Resilience.”  

 electHER Now is offering an Online Campaign School running every Tuesday in April 7:00 - 8:30 pm. 

Role of Municipal Council: Resources

The Ontario Municipal Councillor's Guide

Municipal Councils' Occupational Health & Safety Roles and Responsibilities

City of Thunder Bay Council Code of Conduct

City of Thunder Bay Current Budget

City of Thunder Bay Committees and Boards

Accessibility: Resources

Candidates in the municipal election must consider the needs of electors with disabilities. Campaign offices, election materials and canvassing should all be revied in order to ensure that they are full accessible. The Accessibility Directorate of Ontario has released several quick reference documents to assist candidates with accessible elections considerations: 

Quick Reference Guide to Accessible Constituency, Riding Association, Central Party and Campaign Offices

Quick Reference Guide to Accessible Campaign Information and Communication

Quick Reference Guide to Accessible All Candidates Meetings

After the end of the campaign period, candidates must file a financial statement and auditor’s report (if required) disclosing all contributions and expenses for their campaigns. The deadline to file financial statements was March 31, 2023 at 2 p.m.

As per the Municipal Elections Act, 1996 s.88.23(2), any candidate who does not file a financial statement by the March 31, 2023 deadline is in default and subject to the following penalties: 
(a) the candidate forfeits any office to which he or she was elected and the office is deemed to be vacant; and
(b) until the next regular election has taken place, the candidate is ineligible to be elected or appointed to any office to which this Act applies. 

The following financial statements were prepared by candidates, themselves. Municipal staff have not verified or amended the information contained in the statements.

All nominated candidates are listed. Only those who have submitted financial statements will appear linked.