Elections

South Bruce Voters will elect for the following offices:

• (1) Mayor,
• (2) Councillors for the Teeswater-Culross Ward,
• (2) Councillors for the Mildmay-Carrick Ward; and
• (2) Councillor for the At-large (all of South Bruce)
• School Board Trustees will also be elected. 

Interested in running for Council?

Candidate information session Information:

Are you interested in running as a candidate in the 2026 Municipal or School Board Election? Mark your calendars now and attend the free information session hosted by the County of Bruce and local Municipalities.

Who? Anyone interested in or thinking about being a Candidate in the Municipal Election
What? Candidate Information Session
When? May 14, 2026 at 6:00 p.m.
Where? Bruce County Office - 30 Park Street Walkerton, ON

Who can be a candidate?

• A resident of the municipality; or 
• a non-resident owner or tenant of land in the municipality; or
• the spouse of such non-resident owner or tenant;

and

• A Canadian citizen; and
• At least 18 years old; and
• Not legally prohibited from voting; and not disqualified by any legislation from holding municipal office.

How do I file my nomination papers and what do I need to bring? 

To file your nomination papers, please book an appointment with the Clerk. Appointments can be booked by calling the Municipal office at 519-392-6623. You must register in person and you need at least 25 signatures on your nomination form.

You need to bring:

• proof of identity as prescribed in O. Reg. 304/13, as amended
• payment of the fee of $100 (or $200 for Mayor).
• fully completed forms. Each Candidate must file two (2) forms:
  • Form 1 Nomination Paper 
  • Form 2 Endorsement of Nomination Print

When do I need to file my nomination papers?

The candidate nomination period is May 1, 2026 to August 21, 2026. You must register with the Clerk's office by 2:00 p.m. on August 21, 2026.

Withdrawals or Change of Office

Withdrawal or Change of office must be completed by 2:00 p.m. on August 21, 2026.

Finance

Candidates are subject to spending limits and financial reporting. It is the responsibility of the candidate to know the rules and responsibilities. The spending limits will be provided by the Clerk upon filing.

Candidate information guides

In municipal elections, candidates are not elected to represent a political party like they are in Federal or Provincial elections.

The 2026 Election Guides published by the Government of Ontario are not yet available, however, in the meantime valuable information can be found in the 2022 Guides.

The 2022 Municipal Election Guides can be found by visiting https://www.ontario.ca/page/municipal-elections.

What is Third Party Advertising?

Third party advertising is when money is spent, or costs are incurred, on advertisements or other materials to promote, support or oppose the election of a candidate during the restricted period of a municipal and school board election.

Who can advertise as a Third Party?

Eligible individuals or entities as listed below must register with the Municipal Clerk prior to advertising during the restricted period. There is no cost to register. 

• An individual who is normally resident in Ontario
• A corporation that carries on business in Ontario
• A trade union that holds bargaining rights for employees in Ontario.

You cannot register as a third party advertiser if you are:

• A candidate whose nomination has been filed under section 33.
• A federal political party registered under the Canada Elections Act (Canada) or any federal constituency association or registered candidate at a federal election endorsed by that party.
• A provincial political party, constituency association, registered candidate or leadership contestant registered under the Election Finances Act.
• The Crown in right of Canada or Ontario, a municipality or local board

When is the advertising period?

The Municipal Elections Act, 1996 sets out a restricted period for third party advertising. During this time, only registered third party advertisers shall incur expenses for a third party advertisement that appears. This restricted period runs from May 1, 2026 to the close of voting on voting day - October 26, 2026 at 8:00 p.m.

How do I register and what do I need to bring? 

To register as a third party advertiser, please book an appointment with the Clerk. Appointments can be booked by calling the Municipal office at 519-392-6623. You must register in person.

You need to bring:

• Form 7 Notice of Registration
• proof of identity as prescribed in O. Reg. 304/13, as amended
• the declaration of qualification, signed by the individual or by a representative of the corporation or trade union
• a resolution from the corporation or trade union that authorizes the person or agent to register on their behalf, if applicable 

When do I need to register?

The first possible day to register as a third party advertiser is May 1, 2026. The last day to register with the Clerk's office October 23, 2026 at the close of the business day.

Withdrawals

If a registered third party advertiser wishes to withdraw their registration, notification must be given in writing to the clerk, during the clerk's office hours by the close of the business day on October 23, 2026.

Rules

Mandatory information in third party advertisements:

No registered third party shall cause a third party advertisement to appear during the restricted period unless the advertisement contains the following information:

1. The name of the registered third party.
2. The municipality where the registered third party is registered.
3. A telephone number, mailing address or email address at which the registered third party may be contacted regarding the advertisement. 

Mandatory information for broadcaster, etc.

A registered third party shall not cause a third party advertisement to appear during the restricted period unless he, she or it provides the following information to the broadcaster or publisher in writing:

1. The name of the registered third party.
2. The name, business address and telephone number of the individual who deals with the broadcaster or publisher under the direction of the registered third party.
3. The municipality where the registered third party is registered.

Finance

Third Party Advertisers are subject to spending limits and financial reporting. It is the responsibility of the third party advertiser to know the rules and responsibilities. The spending limits will be provided by the Clerk upon registration. 

Third Party Advertisers' Guide

The 2026 Election Guides published by the Government of Ontario are not yet available, however, in the meantime valuable information can be found in the 2022 Guides.

The 2022 Third Party Advertisers' Guide can be found by visiting https://www.ontario.ca/document/2022-third-party-advertisers-guide. 

O. Reg. 304/13: Voter Identification lists the acceptable forms of voter identification under the Municipal Elections Act, 1996.

O. Reg. 304/13: Voter IdentificationMunicipal Elections Act, 1996.

You must present one of the following documents showing your name and address:

• An Ontario driver’s licence.
• An Ontario Health Card (photo card).
• An Ontario Photo Card.
• An Ontario motor vehicle permit (vehicle portion).
• A cancelled personalized cheque.
• A mortgage statement, lease or rental agreement relating to property in Ontario.
• An insurance policy or insurance statement.
• A loan agreement or other financial agreement with a financial institution.
• A document issued or certified by a court in Ontario.
• Any other document from 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).
• An income tax assessment notice.
• A Child Tax Benefit Statement.
• A Statement of Employment Insurance Benefits Paid T4E.
• A Statement of Old Age Security T4A (OAS).
• A Statement of Canada Pension Plan Benefits T4A (P).
• A Canada Pension Plan Statement of Contributions.
• A Statement of Direct Deposit for Ontario Works.
• A Statement of Direct Deposit for Ontario Disability Support Program.
• A Workplace Safety and Insurance Board Statement of Benefits T5007.
• A property tax assessment.
• A credit card statement, bank account statement, or RRSP, RRIF, RHOSP or T5 statement.
• A CNIB Card or a card from another registered charitable organization that provides services to persons with disabilities.
• A hospital card or record.
• A document showing campus residence, issued by the office or officials responsible for student residence at a post-secondary institution.
• A document showing residence at a long-term care home under the Long-Term Care Homes Act, 2007, issued by the Administrator for the home.
• A utility bill for hydro, water, gas, telephone or cable TV or a bill from a public utilities commission.
• A cheque stub, T4 statement or pay receipt issued by an employer.
• A transcript or report card from a post-secondary school.