Information for Candidates

To run for Municipal Office, on the day the nomination paper is filed, a person must be: 

• A Canadian citizen
• At least 18 years of age
• A resident of the Town of Fort Erie, or
• An owner or tenant of land in the Town of Fort Erie, or the spouse of the owner or tenant
• Not legally prohibited from voting
• Not disqualified by any legislation from holding municipal office

The following people are disqualified from being elected as a member of Council, or from holding office as a member of Council:

• 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 candidate who failed to file the necessary financial statement in the the last municipal election or by-election

• Employees who wish to run for Mayor, City Council or Regional Council must take an unpaid leave of absence before filing a nomination paper
• The employee must provide a copy of the documentation showing that they have taken the leave of absence and the effective date

Those interested in running for the Regional Council should visit the Niagara Region website to learn more about the services it provides

In person filing: Due to the requirement of original signatures, you must file your nomination in person. We ask all prospective candidates to please make an appointment with the Clerk's department by calling Town Hall (905) 871-1600), or by emailing: elections@forterie.ca

Required documents: 

• Please bring your Nomination Paper (Form 1); 
• Endorsement of Nomination (Form 2) - at least 25 persons endorsing the nomination who are eligible to vote in an election for an office within the municipality. It is recommended to obtain more than the required 25 endorsements in case some are not eligible electors, which may result in the nomination to not be certified;
• Proof of identity and residence as prescribed in O. Reg. 304/13, as amended; and
• Prescribed nomination filing fee of $200.00 for Head of Council and $100 for all other offices - the filing fee for the Town of Fort Erie shall be paid by cash, credit card, debit card, certified cheque or money order payable to the Town of Fort Erie.

Candidate forms/package

To receive a candidate package, please contact the Clerk's office. 

The following Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing forms are required:

• Form 1: Nomination Paper
• Form 2: Endorsement of Nomination
• Form 4: Financial Statement - Auditor's Report
• Form 5: Financial Statement - Subsequent Expenses
• Form 6: Notice of Extension of Campaign Period

All candidates are required to file a Financial Statement - Form 4 for their campaign, even if they did not spend any money or if they withdrew their nomination.

Candidates are responsible for keeping records of all financial activities related to their campaign. Financial statements must be completed using the prescribed form and must include all financial activity from the day your nomination paper is filed until the end of the campaign period (December 31, 2026). 

If you withdraw your nomination, you must still file a financial statement. It must cover the period from the day your nomination was filed until the day your withdrawal was filed. 

Candidate guide

The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing publishes a guide for candidates in Ontario municipal and school board elections. While this guide does not replace provincial legislation, it provides helpful, general information about the rules in laws such as the Municipal Elections Act, the Municipal Act, and the Education Act. The 2026 candidates’ guide — Ontario municipal council and school board elections provides essential information for individuals seeking office in the 2026 municipal and school board elections.

Please review the following information regarding when you are allowed to display election signs, size specifications, where you can display and when to remove. Election signs are regulated by municipal, regional, and provincial legislation (Municipal Elections Act regarding signs around the voting place). 

By-law 119-2017, as amended, regulates the erection and display of signs within the Town of Fort Erie.

Section 8 of By-law 119-2017 pertains to Election Signs and is simplified below, please refer to the by-law for further details.

Election sign compliance is the responsibility of the respective candidate. You, as the Candidate, are also responsible for ensuring that your campaign signs are removed after voting day. 

Election signs may be erected or displayed on private property, provided that such signs:

• Are to not be displayed earlier than 45 days before Election Day (municipal);
• Are to be removed within five (5) days following Election Day;
• If on residential lands, shall not exceed 1.2 square metres (12.9 square feet) in display area;
• If on non-residential lands, shall not exceed 3.0 square metres (32.3 square feet), with the exception of billboard signs where permitted.
• Election signs may be erected or displayed on the untraveled portion of a street (excluding medians and islands) provided that no sign shall be erected or displayed in front of a lot which is not a vacant lot, unless the lot owner's permission therefore has been obtained

Election signs are not to be displayed

• On public property, including trees and fences on public property, parks and cemeteries, and street medians and islands;
• On utility poles, light standards, or traffic signal standards;
• On property upon which an election polling station is located;
• Vehicles displaying election signs shall not be parked or driven on the property of a polling station nor an abutting street, throughout Election Day or during an advance poll. If found in violation, the sign or vehicle may be removed without notice to the candidate or their representative.

By-Election

• In the event of a municipal Ward by-election, election signs shall not be erected or displayed outside the boundary of the Ward.

Regional Municipality of Niagara By-law No. 122-2013 provides Regional expectations that must be abided.

The Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) is offering free workshops to individuals considering running in the 2026 Municipal Election. Select a workshop below or visit the AMO website for more information and to register. 

• Supporting Local Leadership in run up to the 2026 Municipal Elections
• Running for Municipal Office-Everything You Need to Know as an Underrepresented Candidate
• An Information Session for Youth Considering Running for Municipal Office
• An Information Session for Urban Indigenous Peoples’ Considering Running for Municipal Office

Another resource for potential candidates: Lead Where You Live: A guide to running for municipal council by AMO