Want to serve the people? City election nominations open

Anyone interested in running to be a candidate in the 2018 municipal and school board election on October 22, can begin submitting their nomination papers to the city clerks office on Tuesday.

Municipal, regional and county clerks will accept applications until July 27at 2 p.m. This year, the nomination process comeswith a number of new requirements including a shortened campaign period and new funding rules forthird party advertisers.

Kris Fletcher, director of council and administrative services with the Region of Waterloo, said changes made to the Municipal Act in Ontario, may lead to better visibility with respect to municipal elections.

"Before, the nomination time frame went from January 1st of an election year to September of the election year [and]nomination day wasmid-September," said Fletcher.

"That'sa veryvery very long nomination time frame."

"We are certainly at a very different pace with respect to the election time frame...this is something the candidates need to be aware of before they come in to register," he said.

Changes to Municipal Elections Act include:

• Shortening the campaign period as candidates can now file their nominations between May 1 and July 27 at 2 p.m.
• Collecting 25 signatures endorsing their nomination for candidates for municipal council in municipalities with more than 4,000 electors
• Increasing the limit for campaign contributions to a candidate from $750 to $1,200
• Limiting the amount that a candidate for municipal council and their spouse can contribute to the candidate's own campaign
• Banning campaign contributions to candidates from corporations and trade unions.

Campaign funding

Once the candidates are nominated, they can start making expenditures for their campaign. As well, they can raise donations, organize fundraising events and begin campaigning door to door.

Kris Fletcher said lawn signs can be posted 45 days before the October 22 election day which flips the calendar to September 7.

As for third party advertising, Fletcher said they must register to do that at the area municipality they want to support.

"If you want to support a candidate and your a trade union, or you're a corporation, or a group ofpeoplewho have banded together with respect to and want to spend money on some campaign, you need to register with the local municipalities," said Fletcher.