Candidate Election Information

Caledon Votes Election Webpage header

Candidate Eligibility and Qualifications 

To qualify as a candidate, you must be:

  • A Canadian citizen
  • At least 18 years old
  • A resident in the Town of Caledon, or
  • A non-resident, and you or your spouse owns or rents property in Caledon.

You do not qualify to run as a candidate if you:

  • Are serving a sentence of imprisonment in a penal or correctional institution
  • Are a corporation
  • Are acting as executor, trustee, or in any other representative capacity
  • Were convicted of the corrupt practice described in the Municipal Elections Act, 1996, less than five years ago

For information on what it means to be a member of visit, [Caledon Council Composition].

Candidate Nominations

The nomination period for the 2026 municipal election will begin on May 1, 2026, and end on August 21, 2026, at 2:00 p.m.

Nomination submissions will be received in-person at Town Hall during regular office hours. Scheduling an appointment with the Clerk is strongly recommended. To book an appointment please e-mail elections@caledon.ca or call 905-584-2272 ext. 3528.

Individuals submitting their nomination will be required to bring a filled out Form 1 Nomination Paper and Form 2 Endorsement of Nomination for those running for the offices of Councillor or Mayor.

Form 2 requires 25 signatures from Town of Caledon eligible voters endorsing your nomination. It is recommended to obtain 5 to 10 more signatures than the minimum 25.

Form 1 - Nomination Paper

Form 2 - Endorsement of Nomination

Additional forms will be required for candidate signature, including:

  • Appointment of Agent Form, if necessary,
  • Declaration of Qualification for Council,
  • Notice to Returning Officer – Candidate Proper Name (name on the ballot),
  • Declaration of proper access and use of Voter’s List,
  • Release of Personal Information form
  • Review of Candidate Information Package Acknowledgment

Additional resources will be provided in the candidates package as aids, including but not limited to:

Council Job Description

Council is the municipality's decision-making body. The role of council is covered in Section 224 of the Municipal Act, 2001.

The role of the mayor is covered in Section 225 & 226.1 of the Municipal Act, 2001, with additional special powers and duties under Part VI.1.

Other Roles for Members of Council:

  • Attendance at municipal functions, ceremonies and flag raisings
  • Community group meetings and charity groups
  • Constituent meetings
  • Be appointed to as members or liaisons in advisory or standing Committees of Council, Conservation Authorities, the Caledon Public Library Board, Downtown Bolton Business Improvement Area Board of Management, or other external Councillor appointments.

 A local Councillor fixed time commitment will average between 25 to 30 hours of meetings per month, including meeting preparation of reading agendas and varies depending on number of additional appointments to Committees or Boards.

Meeting dates are set annually by Council and usually occur on a Tuesday. Regular Council meetings for next Term of Council will meet at 10:00 a.m. Committees consisting of all of Council will be held at 2:30 p.m. Public meetings are held at 7:00 p.m.

Councillor’s can expect additional variable time commitments dependent on level of involvement working on constituent issues, self-research on topics of interest, attendance at conferences, events or training opportunities.

Council Remuneration for the next Term of Council is outlined through By-law 2026-017 and the 2026-2030 Council Expense Policy.

Regional Councillors and the Mayor include additional time commitments with their roles at the Region of Peel and are separately remunerated by Peel Region.

 Candidate information sessions

The Town of Caledon and Caledon Public Library will hold a series of drop-in, in-person candidate information sessions on:

  • April 13, 2026 - Caledon East Branch from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.        
  • April 14, 2026 - Caledon Village Branch from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.       
  • April 15, 2026 - Alton Branch - 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
  • April 16, 2026 - Inglewood Branch from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
  • April 20, 2026 - Albion-Bolton Branch from 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.
  • April 22, 2026 - Southfields Village Branch from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
  • April 23, 2026 - Margaret Dunn Valleywood Branch from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

These information sessions are intended to provide prospective candidates with the information they need to understand the process and requirements to run in the 2026 Municipal Election.

The sessions are open to anyone interested in running for office or learning more about the upcoming election and will cover:

  • Key election rules under the Municipal Elections Act
  • Eligibility requirements and the nomination process
  • The Use of Municipal Resources during the 2026 Regular Election Campaign Period By-law

No registration is required for the drop-in sessions at the library.  A virtual candidate information session will be held on May 7, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. with a representative from Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH) to conclude Candidate Information Session offerings at the Town of Caledon. More details to come to this information session will be provided once available.

Workshops for potential candidates

Attend one of these workshops run by the Association of Municipalities of Ontario:

 For underrepresented candidates

Running for Municipal Office: Everything You Need to Know as an Underrepresented Candidate

Gain insights and strategies to help get your name on the ballot.

  • April 8 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Learn more and register for the Running for Municipal Office workshop.
 Healthy democracy leadership series

Healthy Democracy Leadership Series: Supporting Local Leadership in the run-up to the 2026 Municipal Elections

All workshops are online and run from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Stream 1: For elected officials at the municipal level across Ontario who are considering re-election.

  • April 23
  • May 7

Stream 2: For community members considering a run for municipal office and first-time candidates.

  • April 7 and 28
  • May 19

Learn more and register for the Healthy Leadership Series.
 Healthy democracy leaders series

Healthy Democracy Leaders Series: Stronger Leaders, Stronger Communities

All workshops are online and run from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Stream 1: For elected officials at the municipal level across Ontario who are considering re-election.

  • April 23
  • May 7

Stream 2: For community members considering a run for municipal office and first-time candidates.

  • April 1, 7 and 28
  • May 19

Learn more and register for the Stronger Leaders Series.
 An information session for youth

An Information Session for Youth Considering Running for Municipal Office

 

What to expect when running for office as a young person.

 

All sessions run from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

  • April 15

Learn more and register for the Youth Information Sessions.
 An information session for Indigenous Peoples

An Information Session for Urban Indigenous Peoples Considering Running for Municipal Office

Facilitated by Melanie Pilon, the first Indigenous Mayor of the Municipality of Wawa and member of Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory and William Morin, member of Michipicoten First Nation and founder and leader of The First Peoples National Party of Canada (2004-2013).

All sessions run from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

  • April 9
  • May 6
  • June 3

Learn more and register for the Indigenous Peoples Information Sessions.

Financial Requirements

The Province sets rules with respect to campaign finances, including:

  • who can contribute to a campaign;
  • how much can be contributed;
  • the period in which it can be contributed; and 
  • the maximum expenses a campaign can incur.

Candidates are required to file a financial statement and auditor's report with the Clerk reflecting all election campaign finances by March 31, 2027.

Learn more about candidate and third party advertiser financial requirements

Legislation & Policy Resource Centre

Please refer to the following legislation and policy for provisions related to Municipal Elections​:

Ontario Municipal Election Reminders

Key Dates

  • May 1, 2026 - Candidate nomination and third party advertiser registration periods begin
  • August 21, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. - End of candidate nomination period
  • September 1, 2026 - Check if you're on the Voters' List and where to vote
  • September 11, 2026 - Campaign signs permitted
  • Early October 2026 - Advance Voting and Home Voting Service
  • October 23, 2026 - End of third party advertiser registration period
  • October 26, 2026 - Voting Day!
  • October 29, 2026 - Removal of campaign signs
  • November 15, 2026 - New term of Council begins
  • December 31, 2026 - End of campaign period
  • March 30, 2027, at 2:00 p.m. - Deadline to submit financial statements
  • April 29, 2027, at 2:00 p.m. - End of grace period for filing financial statements
  • September 24, 2027, at 2:00 p.m. - Deadline to submit supplementary financial statements
  • October 25, 2027, at 2:00 p.m. - End of grace period for filing supplementary financial statements