The nomination period for the 2022 municipal election is now closed. Nominations were to be filed in person or by an agent beginning on Monday, May 2, 2022 until Thursday, August 18, 2022, during regular business hours (Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) and on Nomination Day, Friday, August 19, 2022 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Candidates
Information for Candidates
Campaign Finances and Campaign Period
Each candidate who runs in a municipal election must file a Financial Statement with the Clerk. These statements will be made public. The prescribed Financial Statement – Form 4 issued by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing can be accessed below.
Your campaign period begins on the day the Clerk receives your nomination.
In most cases, your campaign will end on January 3, 2023. Exceptions are if you:
- withdrew your nomination, your campaign ends on the date you informed the clerk in writing that you wanted to withdraw
- were not certified as a candidate and your name did not appear on the ballot, your campaign ends on nomination day (August 19, 2022)
- know you will not have any more financial activity, you can end your campaign at any time after voting day and before January 3, 2023
If you have extended your campaign to pay down a deficit, the end date for the extended campaign period will be the earliest of:
- the day you notify the clerk in writing that you will be ending your campaign and not accepting any more contributions
- June 30, 2023
Notice of Extension of Campaign Period - Form 6
Please see the 2022 Candidates' Guide - Ontario municipal council and school board elections for more information regarding campaign finances.
Election campaigning or the distribution/posting of election campaign advertising at municipally owned or leased facilities is not permitted.
The use of corporate resources is not permitted by Candidates for election purposes (i.e. staff, electronic devices, supplies, candidate photos taken in/on municipal property, etc.).
Candidates are prohibited from offering electronic equipment to electors to vote (ex. cell phone, laptop).
Candidates are prohibited from verifying whether an elector appears on the Voters’ List or not, to the elector or any other person. Electors’ questions must be directed to the Clerk.
Campaigning, including campaign advertising, are permitted no earlier than the filing of Nomination Papers by the Candidate unless otherwise stated in the local municipal bylaw.
The Municipality of West Grey regulates the use and erection of signs and other advertising devices at or near West Grey entrance signs, and the County of Grey regulates the use and erection of signs and other advertising devices within the County. These regulations shall be posted on the Election page of the municipal website.
Any poster, banner, or signs for a candidate in a municipal, federal or provincial election do not require a permit.
a) Election signs on streets
In any zone, unless otherwise stated, election signs may be erected on any street which is under the jurisdiction of the municipality, subject to the following:
i) No such sign greater than 1m2 (10.76ft2) in area or 2m (6.56ft) in height.
ii) No sign is located within any parks owned by the municipality.
iii) The sign does not impede pedestrian or vehicular traffic.
b) Election signs on lots
In any zone, unless otherwise stated, election signs may be erected on any lot provided that:
i) Consent from the owner or occupant is obtained.
ii) No such sign is greater than 1m2 (10.76ft2) in sign area or 2m (6.56ft) in height.
c) All election signs shall be removed within one (1) week after such elections have taken place. Signs that have not been removed within one (1) week after the elections have taken place shall be removed and disposed of by the municipality.
d) Election signs shall not be illuminated.
e) Elections signs shall comply with the Grey County sign bylaw and provincial policy with respect to the posting of campaign advertising on provincial road allowances.
The investigation or prosecution for any acts of vandalism to campaign advertising of the candidates should be referred to the local police force by the complainant. The municipality or any of its municipal servants, employees or agents shall not be responsible.
If a municipality is satisfied that there has been a contravention of section 88.3 (candidates’ election campaign advertisements), 88.4 (third party advertisements) or 88.5 (mandatory information in third party advertisements), the municipality may require a person who the municipality reasonably believes contravened the section or caused or permitted the contravention, or the owner or occupier of the land on which the contravention occurred, to remove the advertisement or discontinue the advertising.
Municipal Election Information Session
An election information session for candidates and third party advertisers took place on April 13, 2022. A recording of the session and the slide deck are available below.
Grey County Compliance Audit Committee
The Grey County Compliance Audit Committee (GCCAC) makes decisions on applications for compliance audits of campaign finances for candidates and third party advertisers in a municipal election or by-election. The committee also considers reports from municipal clerks that identify contributors who appear to have contravened election contribution limits.
Section 88.37 of the Municipal Elections Act, 1996 (MEA) requires all municipalities to establish a compliance audit committee of not fewer than three members and not more than seven members. The municipalities of Grey County established a joint committee of members who will serve on retainer. Subcommittees (sitting committees) will be established to address each application for a compliance audit and each instance of identified over-contribution.
For more information, refer to the GCCAC Terms of Reference and Rules of Procedure by clicking the buttons below.
Guides and Resources for Candidates
Candidate Information
Notice of Nomination for Office - Candidate and Third Party Advertiser Registration
Bylaw 09-2022 - Schedule A - Use of corporate resources during an election
Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH) 2022 Candidates' Guide
The MMAH's 2022 Candidates' Guide provides information to candidates for the 2022 municipal and school board elections. The guide outlines rules as described in the Municipal Elections Act and other legislation and regulations.
Daily Voter Strike-off lists are available to candidates by request. Lists may be requested by contacting the office at 519-369-2200 or emailing election@westgrey.com
Candidate FAQs
Candidates can submit any election questions to the Clerk. Questions must be submitted to the Clerk in writing by letter, email or through the online form below.
All questions submitted by candidates will be added to the candidate FAQs. All personal information will remain anonymous and confidential.
How do candidates ask questions or access corporate information?
Candidate questions or requests can be submitted to election@westgrey.com. We will then upload the information here to ensure every candidate has the opportunity to receive the same corporate information.
Can I have access to municipal budgets?
Yes, annual Municipal budgets are available on our budget page.
Where can I access digital maps of West Grey?
For the most up-to-date mapping visit the Grey County GIS page at maps.grey.ca. Additional key county maps can be accessed at madeingrey.ca/maps.
How do I access the voters list?
The voters list is currently available for pickup by candidates. To pick up a paper or electronic version of the voters list please call the West Grey municipal office at 519-369-2200.
How can electors vote in the 2022 municipal election?
The Municipality of West Grey has elected to use the internet and telephone voting method for the 2022 municipal election. Electors will be able to cast their vote online or by telephone from anywhere they have an internet or telephone connection.
Electors will receive a Voter Information Letter in the mail, providing instructions and a secure Person Identification Number (PIN) to use to vote by either the internet or telephone.
When will electors receive their Voter Information Letters?
Electors on the voters list will receive their Voter Information Letters in the mail between October 5 to October 11.
What should an elector do if they don't receive their PIN in the mail?
If an elector does not receive their Voter Information Letter in the mail, they can visit one of our voter assistance centres to receive their PIN to vote. Electors can also visit voter assistance centres to be added to the Voters List, receive assistance and obtain access to the internet to vote.
What are the rules for campaigning at community centres or community events?
Section 2.1.1 of the Use of Corporate Assets bylaw 09-2022, pursuant to the Municipal Elections Act, section 88.18, states that campaigning on municipal property is not permitted. Key points to know:
1. Examples of campaigning
a. distributing brochures or material promoting your candidacy
b. handing out pins, buttons or other items promoting your campaign
c. wearing clothing that identifies you as a candidate: “Vote for Me” buttons, t-shirts, hats, etc.
d. parking a vehicle at a municipal event or on municipal property that is wrapped with campaign messages, images, or slogans
e. for current elected officials, wearing a West Grey name badge while soliciting votes or engaging in campaign/election conversations
f. posting photos or videos of yourself on or at municipal property for campaign purposes
2. Municipal property includes
a. All municipal facilities, arenas, parks, community centres, and infrastructure like parking lots, bridges, municipal yards, vacant land, libraries, police and fire stations, etc.
i. All campaign material – printed and online – must not show or include images of municipal property
b. Municipal events are also considered in this category
i. For example, absolutely no campaigning can occur at the Halloween Movie night on September 30.
3. The only exception to this bylaw is
a. Events held by, booked by, and paid for by third parties (private entities, service groups) who allow every candidate the opportunity to distribute materials, pursuant to bylaw 09-2022, section 2.2.3.
i. For example, the Chamber of Commerce has booked and paid for the use of the Durham hall for an all-candidates meeting. The Chamber is responsible to advise all candidates if campaigning is allowed. However, campaigning shall not be permitted in the parking lot or in any other areas of the Durham facility. Campaign materials cannot be distributed or left in other areas of the Durham facility and will be discarded.
Candidates shall not use the municipal logo or images in any format, or municipal facilities, for campaigning purposes. Therefore, candidates are not allowed to take photos of themselves at any events held at municipal facilities, including third-party events, and post them on campaign online sites or use them in printed materials.
4. Important to note:
Section 94 of the Municipal Elections Act provides that: A person who contravenes any provision of this Act or a regulation under this Act or a by-law passed by a municipality under this Act is guilty of an offence. Information regarding offences and penalties was provided to every candidate at the time of submitting nomination papers.
You are responsible to be aware of the relevant election law – municipal and provincial – and satisfy yourself that you are in compliance with it. You may wish to seek legal advice on this matter.
What do I do if I have concerns about the activities of candidates?
An individual with concerns about the conduct of a candidate may seek legal counsel or contact West Grey Police Services if the matter relates to an offence under the Criminal Code (Canada).
The Municipal Elections Act, 1996 does not provide the clerk with any investigative or enforcement powers. If you have concerns regarding election rules or processes, you can contact the clerk.
The clerk performs a statutory role in the conduct of an election and must follow the provisions of the Act. Any complaints against the provisions of the Act are referred to the Minister of Municipal Affairs who has ministerial responsibility for the Act.
Do residents have to be Canadian citzens to vote in the election?
Pursuant to the Municipal Elections Act, 1996 section 17:
Qualifications of electors
17 (1) Repealed: 2002, c. 17, Sched. D, s. 5 (1).
Qualifications
(2) A person is entitled to be an elector at an election held in a local municipality if, on voting day, he or she,
(a) resides in the local municipality or is the owner or tenant of land there, or the spouse of such owner or tenant;
(b) is a Canadian citizen;
(c) is at least 18 years old; and
(d) is not prohibited from voting under subsection (3) or otherwise by law. 2002, c. 17, Sched. D, s. 5 (2); 2005, c. 5, s. 46 (1).
Persons prohibited from voting
(3) The following are prohibited from voting:
1. A person who is serving a sentence of imprisonment in a penal or correctional institution.
2. A corporation.
3. A person acting as executor or trustee or in any other representative capacity, except as a voting proxy in accordance with section 44.
4. A person who was convicted of the corrupt practice described in subsection 90 (3), if voting day in the current election is less than five years after voting day in the election in respect of which he or she was convicted. 1996, c. 32, Sched., s. 17 (3); 2006, c. 9, Sched. H, s. 4.
Are there any rules against campaigning after voting starts on October 14?
What are the rules and responsibilities for voters?
One Person, One Vote - It's the Law
The Municipality of West Grey takes its responsibility to run fair and secure democratic elections seriously and has processes in place to do so. The 2022 Municipal Elections will offer a choice of internet or telephone voting.
Voting online or by telephone is a fast, convenient and secure way to vote. It has been previously used successfully by many municipalities, including West Grey for the 2018 municipal and school board elections.
Voter eligibility
To be eligible to vote in the municipal elections you must be:
- A Canadian citizen;
- At least 18 years of age on or before Voting Day (October 24, 2022);
- A resident, owner or tenant of land in the Municipality of West Grey, or the spouse of such tenant or owner; and
- Not otherwise prohibited by law from voting.
Note: only residents are eligible to vote for a School Board Trustee.
Whether eligible voters choose to vote online or by telephone, the following important information applies:
Only open your own Voter Information Letter (VIL)
Voter Information Letters (VIL) will be sent by early October to individuals on the Voters’ List. The Voters’ List is created from a Preliminary List of Electors provided to the municipality by the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC), which municipalities are required to use.
It is a Criminal Code offence to tamper with mail, which includes opening a VIL other than your own. If your household receives a VIL for a former resident who is no longer an eligible voter, such as a family member who moved, do not open or forward it. Mark the envelope “Return to Sender” and drop it in a mailbox. You can also drop it off at the West Grey police station or municipal office.
Keep your information secure
Eligible voters should not share their VIL or Voting PIN with anyone, including any candidates or municipal staff. Candidates and are not permitted to assist a voter in using the internet or telephone voting system.
In addition to the information in the VIL, additional steps are required to validate your identity when voting online. Voters will also be required to make a legal Declaration of Qualification confirming their eligibility, similar to in-person voting. It is illegal to vote when you are not eligible to do so.
It is illegal to vote more than once
Under law, eligible voters can only vote once in the municipal elections regardless of how many properties they own or rent in that municipality. The internet and telephone voting system used by the municipality can flag irregular voting occurrences for further investigation. The municipality will pursue individuals who commit voter fraud. Anyone with evidence of voter fraud should contact West Grey Police Services. On conviction, any individual found to have voted more than once can face a fine of up to $25,000 and imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months.
Requests to be added to the Voters’ List require identification
If an elector does not receive a VIL by October 14, 2022, please submit a request to be added to the Voters’ List by visiting the municipal office or emailing election@westgrey.com. Applications to be added to the Voters’ List must include identification that shows both name and address.
All requests are reviewed by an Election Official to determine if a VIL should be issued. Election staff have the authority to decline any application to amend the Voters’ List if they are not satisfied that the person making the application is permitted to do so, or if they are not satisfied that the person is an eligible voter.
Anyone submitting false information, on conviction, can face a fine of up to $25,000 and imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months.
Do candidates need to return strike-off lists after the voting period closes?
Candidates are required to return strike-off lists that were provided to them during the voting period. Strike-off lists must be returned to the municipal office by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, October 25, 2022.
Elected Offices
One (1) to be elected by all electors in the Municipality of West Grey.
One (1) to be elected by all electors in the Municipality of West Grey.
Five (5) to be elected by all electors in the Municipality of West Grey.
English language public school board trustee
One (1) to be elected by all language public school board electors in the Municipality of West Grey and Town of Hanover.
English language separate school board trustee
One (1) to be elected by all English separate school board electors in the Municipality of West Grey, Town of Hanover, Municipality of Grey Highlands, Township of Southgate.
French language public school board trustee
One (1) to be elected by all french language public school board electors in the counties of Bruce, Grey, Simcoe and Dufferin.
French language separate school board trustee
One (1) to be elected by all french language separate school board electors in the counties of Oxford, Perth and Grey.
Contact Us
Municipality of West Grey
402813 Grey Road 4
Durham, ON N0G 1R0
info@westgrey.com
519-369-2200
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