Candidate Information

If, after filing a nomination for an office, a candidate decides to run for a different office on council or school board, the proper documentation must be filed with the Clerk during the nomination period. 

If the nomination fee is the same for the new office, no extra payment is required. If the nomination fee is different for the new office, the candidate either must pay the difference or they will receive a refund of the difference.

Depending on the office that the candidate decides to run for, the candidate may need to keep the campaigns separate, including filing of a Financial Statement for each campaign, as required under the Act. 

A withdrawal of nomination must be done in person at the Clerk's Office. If a candidate decides they no longer wish to run in the municipal election, they must complete the Withdrawal of Nomination/Registration Form and bring the proper proof of identity. If a person who has been nominated for an office is nominated for another office, the first nomination shall be deemed to have been withdrawn at the time the second nomination is filed.

The last day for a candidate to withdraw their nomination is 2:00 p.m. on Nomination Day, August 21, 2026. If a candidate withdraws their nomination, they must submit a Financial Statement showing all contributions and expenses from the day the nomination paper was filed until the day of withdrawal from office. This financial statement is due by 2:00 p.m. on March 31, 2027.

If you wish to withdraw your nomination, please contact the Clerk's Office to ensure you have the correct documentation. 

If a candidate has a deficit at the end of the campaign period, they can extend their campaign for an additional six months to attempt to erase the deficit. To extend a campaign, a candidate must: 

• File a Notice of Extension of Campaign Period on or before December 31, 2026
• Submit the form in person to the Clerk's office during regular office hours 

A campaign period will continue until the earliest of the following:  

• June 30, 2027
• The day the candidate notifies the Clerk in writing they are no longer accepting any contributions
• The deficit is erased 

Prior to 4:00 p.m. on August 24, 2026, the Clerk shall examine each nomination filed, and if satisfied the person is qualified to be nominated and that the nomination complies with the Municipal Elections Act, the Clerk shall certify as such on the nomination filed. The Clerk will notify any candidate who has a rejected nomination. 

You cannot raise or spend money on your campaign until you file your nomination paper. The earliest you can file your nomination paper is May 1, 2026.

Campaign contributions are any money, goods or services that are given to a candidate for use in their campaign, including money and goods that a candidate contributes to their own campaign. Candidates must issue a receipt for every contribution they receive. The receipt should show who made the contribution, the date, and the value of the contribution.

Contributors may contribute a total of $1,200.00 to a candidate in relation to their campaign. The maximum total amount that a contributor can give to candidates registered in the Municipality of Trent Lakes is $5,000.00.

Contributions greater than $25.00 may not be made in cash. All contributions above $25.00 must be made by cheque, money order, or by a method that clearly shows where the funds come from. The name and address of every contributor who gives more than $100.00 must be listed in your financial statement. 

Candidates are required to inform each of their contributors of these contribution limits.

All candidates must file a financial statement. For details, please review the Municipal Elections Act or the Candidates' Guide from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing. It is good practice for candidates to review the Financial Statement prior to incurring any contributions or expenses, and arrange their accounts, spreadsheets, and ledgers according to the various categories that are required to be reported on the form.

Candidates' financial statements must be filed on or before March 30, 2027 at 2:00 p.m. The financial statement covers the period from the day the candidate filed their nomination until December 31, 2026. 

A candidate must notify the Clerk, in writing, of any Court extension by 2:00 p.m. on March 30, 2027. 

Candidates have a 30-day grace period if they miss the deadline to file their Financial Statement. The candidate may file until April 29, 2027 at 2:00 p.m. if their filing is accompanied by a $500.00 late filing fee to the municipality. 

Penalties 

If a candidate fails to file a required Financial Statement or auditor's report (or any other document required under Section 78 or 79.1 of the Municipal Elections Act), fails to pay over a surplus to the Clerk or exceeds the spending limit for the office, the candidate forfeits any office to which they were elected and the office is deemed to be vacant. The penalties will take effect on the deadline for the filing of the documents. If the candidate applies to the Ontario Court of Justice for an extension of the time to file the financial statement and fails to file the documents on the date established by the Court, the penalties will take effect at the end of the period of extension.

Public record

The entire Financial Statement is considered a public document. These documents may be inspected by any person upon request at the Clerk's Office during normal office hours. Any person may make extracts from the documents and is entitled to copies of the documents upon payment for their preparation. Clerks are required to make the documents available electronically, at no cost to the requester.

All financial reports will be posted on the Municipal website. This includes a listing of the names and address of all contributors. You may wish to consider advising contributors that their personal information will be public and displayed on the Municipal website after the election. The information remains on the website until after the next municipal election.

The Municipal Elections Act has provisions for extending your campaign period and supplementary filing dates. Candidates are responsible for following the rules outlined in the legislation if they are applicable to your campaign.

Below are some additional resources that may provide a better understanding of the role of Council and assist you during your campaign:

• 2026 Candidate Information Package - Trent Lakes
• 2026 Candidates' Guide - MMAH
• Municipal Elections Act 
• 2026 Accessibility Plan - Trent Lakes
• Accountability and Transparency Policy
• AMCTO Candidates' Guide to Accessible Elections 
• Council Code of Conduct 
• Council Conferences and Expense Claims Policy
• Council-Staff Relations Policy 
• County of Peterborough Election Sign By-law No. 2022-29
• Mileage Rates for Compensation of Employees and Members of Council By-law B2022-028
• Municipal Conflict of Interest Act
• Municipality of Trent Lakes Election Sign By-law B2026-014
• Procedure By-law B2025-030
• Remuneration of Council By-law B2022-027
• Use of Corporate Resources for Election Purposes Policy