2026 Municipal Elections

Notice of Nomination - Candidate Information Packages Now Available

Municipal Elections Act, 1996 (s. 31, s.32 (5)

Are you interested in running in the upcoming 2026 Municipal Election?

Municipal and School Board Elections will be held on Monday October 26, 2026. 

The term of office will be November 15, 2026 to November 14, 2030. 

A Candidate Nomination Package has been prepared for individuals considering running for office. The package includes important details about the nomination process, key dates, and required forms. Printed copies are available at the Municipal Office, Monday to Friday, from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The document provides important information on the nomination requirements, candidate qualifications and resources. 

Please contact the Clerk/Returning Officer to schedule an appointment to file your nomination. 

All Nomination forms must be filed, either in person or by your agent, with the Clerk/Returning Officer during normal office hours between May 1, 2026 to Thursday, August 20, 2026, and between 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. on Friday, August 21, 2026 (Nomination Day).

Nominations for the positions listed below must be submitted on the prescribed form (FORM 1) and must include endorsement signatures from at least 25 eligible electors (eligible electors within the municipality) endorsing the nomination on the prescribed form (FORM 2). 

Nomination documents shall be accompanied by the prescribed nomination filing fee; the fee for the Head of Council is $200.00, and all other offices are $100.00. The fee shall be paid by cash, debit, certified cheque or money order payable to the Municipality of French River. Proof of identification will be required (ie., Driver’s licence, health card, passport, etc.).

Municipal Offices for which persons may be nominated:

• Mayor (1)
• Councillor Ward 1 (1)
• Councillor Ward 2 (1)
• Councillor Ward 3 (1) 
• Councillor Ward 4 (1) 
• Councillor Ward 5 (1) 
• Councillor Ward 6 (1)

 

Full details on the procedures to be followed may be obtained from the Clerk/Returning Officer:

Mélanie Bouffard, Clerk

44 St. Christophe Street, Suite 1, Noëlville, Ontario   P0M 2N0

Tel.: 705-898-2294 ext. 210

E-mail Clerk

Am I Eligible to Vote?

If you meet all of the following conditions, you are eligible to vote in a municipal election:

• a Canadian citizen
• at least 18 years old at the time of election
• a resident in the Municipality of French River 
• a non-resident of French River and you or your spouse own or rent property in the city
• not otherwise prohibited under the Municipal Elections Act, 1996 or by law

You can only vote once in a municipal election. You must vote in the Ward that you are registered in as a voter on Election Day.

Are you on the Voters List?

New for 2026, Elections Ontario is providing the voters' list for municipalities. Your name must be on the Voters’ List in order for you to cast a ballot and it is your responsibility to ensure your name appears on the list. Click on the following button to check if you are on the list, update or correct your information, add yourself to the list or remove yourself from the list.

2026 Voters' Guide

The 2026 Election Guides published by the Government of Ontario provides information to voters about the rules contained in the Municipal Elections Act and other legislation and regulations. 

School Support

Property owners in Ontario are required to support a school board, even if they do not have children, or their children are not currently attending school. In the case of a residential property occupied by tenants, the tenants can direct the school support for that property. It is your responsibility to ensure your school support information is correct on your tax bill and on the voters' list.

While Elections Ontario maintains the Permanent Register of Electors in Ontario for provincial, municipal, and school board elections, MPAC (Municipal Property Assessment Corporation) is legislatively responsible for collecting school support designation information.  

Learn more or update a school support designation, visit mpac.ca/schoolsupport. 

How to Cast your Votes

Voting for the 2026 Municipal and School Board Elections will occur by internet and telephone. This allows the Municipality to offer voters an extended voting period and the flexibility to participate in the election process at their convenience, without the need to attend a physical polling location. Voting online or by telephone is a fast, convenient, and secure way to vote, which has been previously used successfully by many municipalities. 

• 2022 Municipal Clerk's Compliance Report
• 2022 Election Results
• 2018 Election Results 
• 2015 By-Election Results
• 2014 Election Results
• 2010 Election Results
• 2006 Election Results
• 2003 Election Results

Nomination Package

The Nomination Package is now available, or printed copies are available at the Municipal Office, Monday to Friday, from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The document provides important information on the nomination requirements, candidate eligibility and resources. 

Nominations must be submitted on the prescribed form (FORM 1) and must include endorsement signatures from at least 25 eligible electors (eligible electors within the municipality) endorsing the nomination on the prescribed form (FORM 2). 

Nomination documents shall be accompanied by the prescribed nomination filing fee for the Head of Council is $200.00 and all other offices are $100.00. The fee shall be paid by cash, debit, certified cheque or money order payable to the Municipality of French River. Proof of identification will be required (ie. Driver’s licence, health card, passport, etc.).

Candidate Information Session

The Municipalities of French River, Killarney, Marsktay-Warren and St.-Charles are jointly hosting a Candidate Information Session in partnership with the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing on Thursday, June 18, 2026 at 6:30pm in Noelville. This session is a great opportunity to gain better understanding of municipal elections, the roles and responsibilities of elected officials and staff, third party advertisers, nomination process, campaign finances, etc. This Notice provides additional information, including instructions on how to register. 

Candidate Guide

The Province of Ontario through the Ministry of Municipal Affairs produces a Candidates' Guide, which provides information on registering as a candidate, campaign rules, financial filing requirements, and more.

Eligibility

You are responsible for determining whether or not you are eligible to run for and hold a municipal office. The Municipality of French River is not able to provide advice to those individuals who are proposing to run for office, and encourages all potential candidates to obtain a copy of and review the Municipal Elections Act, 1996 (MEA) and consult with their own independent legal counsel for more information with respect to candidate eligibility, obligations and responsibilities.

You may run for municipal office if you are eligible to vote in the election and fulfill all of the following requirements:

• A Canadian citizen;
• At least 18 years old;
• A resident of the municipality, a non-resident owner or tenant of land in the municipality or the spouse of such non-resident owner or tenant;
• Is not legally prohibited from voting; and
• Is not disqualified by any legislation from holding municipal office.

You cannot be elected as a member of council, or hold office as a member of council if you are:

• 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 or exceeded the prescribed spending limit in the last municipal election or by-election.