To qualify as a candidate for Municipal Council, you must be:

• A Canadian citizen;
• At least 18 years old;
• A resident in the Municipality of Dysart et al; or
• A non-resident of Dysart et al and you or your spouse own or rent property in the Municipality; and
• Not legally prohibited from voting; and
• Not disqualified by any legislation from holding municipal office.

The following individuals cannot run for Council:

• employees of the Municipality of Dysart et al, unless they are on an unpaid leave of absence from their employment at the time of nomination and are able to provide copies of documentation showing the unpaid leave and the effective date. As per section 30(7) of the Municipal Elections Act, 1996, volunteer firefighters shall not be considered employees of the Municipality;
• 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 member of the Executive Council of Ontario or a federal Minister of the Crown;
• individuals prohibited from voting in the municipal election under subsection 17(3) of the Municipal Elections Act, 1996, as amended;
• a former candidate who failed to file the necessary financial statement or exceeded the prescribed spending limit in the last municipal election.

 To qualify as a School Board Trustee candidate, you must be:

• A Canadian citizen;
• At least 18 years old;
• A resident in the school board area of jurisdiction;
• An eligible voter for members of the school board for which you are seeking office;
• Not legally prohibited from voting; and 
• Not disqualified by any legislation from holding municipal office.

The following individuals cannot run for the office of School Board Trustee:

• employees of any district school board (including supply teachers) or school authority, unless they are on an unpaid leave of absence as provided for by section 219 (5) of the Education Act, 1990, as amended, and section 30 of the Municipal Elections Act, 1996;
• a clerk, treasurer, deputy-clerk or deputy-treasurer of any municipality within the school board's area of jurisdiction, unless they are on an unpaid leave of absence as provided for by section 219 (5) of the Education Act, 1990, as amended, and section 30 of the Municipal Elections Act, 1996;
• 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 member of the Executive Council of Ontario or a federal Minister of the Crown;
• individuals prohibited from voting in the municipal election under subsection 17(3) of the Municipal Elections Act, 1996, as amended;
• a former candidate who failed to file the necessary financial statement or exceeded the prescribed spending limit in the last municipal election.

These secure and fillable PDF forms are provided by the Province of Ontario and require free Adobe Acrobat Reader software.

1. Nomination Paper – Ontario Form 1
2. Endorsement of Nomination – Ontario Form 2 (with the original signatures of at least 25 voters eligible to vote in the Municipality of Dysart supporting your nomination)
3. Notice of Registration – Third Party – Ontario Form 7 (Declaration of Qualification)

Please note: The requirement to submit Form 2 with 25 nomination signatures does not apply to school board trustee candidates.

Additional forms will be completed upon scheduling a nomination filing appointment with the Elections Coordinator at the Dysart municipal office.

You as a Candidate must open a bank account exclusively for your campaign if you accept any contributions of money (including contributions from yourself or your spouse) or incur any expenses.

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. All contributions — including contributions you make to yourself — must be deposited into the campaign bank account. All expenses must be paid from the campaign account.

The Municipal Election Act refers to the requirement of a “Campaign Bank Account” not a Business or Commercial Account.

When an individual, corporation or trade union pays for advertisements or other materials that support, promote or oppose an election candidate or issue, they are considered a third party advertiser. Individuals, corporations or trade unions that intend to spend money on advertising must register with the Municipality as a Third Party Advertiser between May 1st, 2026 to October 23rd, 2026.  Third party advertisers cannot spend money on the campaign, accept contributions or begin advertising under their registration is certified.

For more information, please check out the Ministry of Municipal Affairs Guide for Third Party Advertisers. Please use the table of contents in the top centre of the table to navigate the guide.   

You're eligible to register as a third party advertiser if you are:

• A resident of Ontario
• A corporation carrying on business in Ontario
• A trade union that holds bargaining rights for employees in Ontario

You are not eligible to register as a third party advertiser if you are:

• A candidate in the municipal or provincial election;
• A group, association or business that is not a corporation;
• A federal or provincial political party; or
• The Crown in right of Canada or Ontario, a municipality or local board.

You, or a representative from your corporation or trade union, will need to complete a Notice of Registration form and submit it, along with all of the required documents, to the Municipal Clerk at the Municipal Office located at 135 Maple Avenue in Haliburton, Ontario between May 1st to October 23rd, 2026. Forms are available below.

Individuals

If you're registering as an individual, you must provide:

1. A completed Notice of Registration Form (Form 7); and
2. A piece of identification showing your name, your qualifying Ontario address and signature.

If you're registering on behalf of another individual registrant, you must provide:

1. A completed Notice of Registration Form;
2. A copy of the registrant's identification showing their name, Ontario address and signature; and
3. A copy of your identification showing your name and signature.

Please note that there is no restriction against family members or campaign staff of candidates registering to be third party advertisers. However, third party advertising must be done independently of the candidate.

Corporations

If you’re registering on behalf of a corporation, you must provide:

1. A completed Notice of Registration Form (Form 7);
2. A copy of your identification showing your name and signature; and
3. Proof that the corporation operates in Ontario and that you are a director or officer of the corporation. This could include a corporate search or incorporating documents (letters patent); or
4. If the corporation has more than one director, provide a resolution from the board authorizing you to act as the corporation’s representative.

If the same people or person own or control multiple corporations, or if one corporation controls another, only one corporation can register as a third party advertiser.

Trade Unions

If you are registering on behalf of a trade union, you must provide:

1. A completed Notice of Registration Form (Form 7);
2. Proof the trade union exists; and
3. A resolution from the board authorizing you to act as the trade union’s representative.

These links will take you to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing Central Forms Repository website. 

1. Form 7: Notice of Registration – Third Party
2. Form 8: Financial Statement – Auditor’s Report Third Party

• Community members considering a run for municipal office in 2026
• First-time or returning candidates seeking confidence and clarity
• Civic leaders exploring if elected office is right for them

• Clarity of purpose and authentic leadership values
• Tools for managing conflict and communication
• Strategies to sustain wellbeing and prevent burnout
• Practical campaign resources and peer connections

• 2022 Certified Election Results
• 2022 Election Results Report
• 2022 Unofficial Election Results
• 2022 List of Certified Election Candidates
• 2022 List of Acclamations to Office
• 2022 Municipal and School Board Election Accessibility Plan
• 2022 Post-Election Accessibility Report
• 2014-2022 Election Expenses
• Report of Compliance and Candidate Financial Statements - 2022 Municipal and School Board Election

• 2018 Election Results
• 2014 Election Results
• Combined Candidate Financial Statements for the 2018 Election
• Combined Candidate Financial Statements for the 2014 Election