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 City of Thorold, or
• An owner or tenant of land in the City of Thorold, or the spouse of the owner or tenant
• Not legally prohibited from voting
• Not disqualified by any legislation from holding municipal office

Who cannot be a Council candidate?

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 last municipal election.

Employees of the City of Thorold and the Niagara Region

• 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.

To run for any of the four school boards, on the day the Nomination Paper is filed, a person must be:

• A Canadian citizen
• At least 18 years of age
• A resident in the area of jurisdiction of the board
• Not legally prohibited from voting
• Not disqualified by any legislation from holding municipal office

For more information about being a School Board Trustee and being a candidate, please visit the 2022 Ontario Municipal and School Board Election website. 

Who cannot be a School Board Trustee candidate?

The following people are disqualified from being elected as a school board trustee, or from holding office on any school board:

• A clerk, treasurer, deputy-clerk or deputy-treasurer of any municipality within the area of jurisdiction of the school board except those on unpaid leave of absence.
• 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 last municipal election or by-election.

School board employees

• Employees of any school board (including supply teachers) are disqualified from being elected as a school board trustee or from holding office on any school board, except during a leave of absence.
• The employee must be on a leave of absence before filing their nomination paper.
• They must provide the Clerk with documentation showing that they have taken the leave of absence and the effective date.

Types of school boards

1. District School Board of Niagara
2. Niagara Catholic District School Board
3. Conseil scolaire Viamonde (French Public)
4. Conseil scolaire catholique MonAvenir (French Separate)

Areas of jurisdiction

If you wish to run for school board trustee, you must live in the jurisdiction.

The City of Thorold trustee position for the District School Board of Niagara is shared with the City of Pelham and the Niagara Catholic District School Board City of Thorold trustee position is shared with the City of St. Catharines (Merritton). Those interested in running for the French Public school board, must register with the City of Welland. Those interested in running for the French Separate school board, must register with the City of St. Catharines.

Filing your nomination

• In-person filing: You must file your nomination in person because original signatures are required.
• Required documents: Bring the following:
1. Nomination Paper (Form 1) 
2. Endorsement of Nomination (Form 2) – For Mayor, City, and Regional Council candidates, you will need at least 25 endorsements from eligible electors.
3. Valid identification
• Please note that Forms 1 and 2 are prescribed forms from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, and the most up-to-date forms should be available by April 2026. 

If you are sending an agent to file for you, they must provide these documents along with their own ID. Incomplete documents won’t be accepted.

Nomination fees:

• Pay by cash, debit card, or certified cheque or money order made out to 'City of Thorold.'
• $200.00 for Mayor
• $100.00 for City Council, Regional Council or School Board Trustee

Where do I file?

• Before visiting City Hall, please schedule an appointment with the Clerk’s Department by calling 905-227-6613 or making an appointment online (link will be available closer to the opening of nominations).
• File your nomination at the Office of the City Clerk at Thorold City Hall, 3540 Schmon Parkway.

If you decide you no longer wish to run, you must:

• File the Withdrawal of Nomination form in person (City Clerk's Office)
• Provide identification
• File a financial statement by the deadline date

You can change the office you're running for even after you have filed your papers. To do so, you must file a Nomination Paper for the new office. For Mayor, City Council or Regional Council candidates, you do not have to submit additional declaration of endorsements - what you submitted for the first office is transferred to the second office.

Nomination filing fee

• If the nomination filing fee is the same for the new office, no extra payment is required.
• If the nomination filing fee differs for the new office, the difference must be paid, if applicable.
• Please Note: the filing fee is not refunded until you file the financial statement by the deadline date. 

Campaign finances

• If you decide to run for a different office on the same council or school board, and both offices are elected at large, everything (contributions, expenses, etc.) from your first campaign is simply transferred to your second campaign. You will only file one financial statement.
• A contributor's total contribution cannot exceed $1,200.00 for both campaigns.

The Municipal Elections Act requires every candidate to file a financial statement.

Filing deadline

• Deadline: The deadline to file for the 2026 election is March 26, 2027, at 2 p.m.
• Grace period: A candidate who misses the deadline may file within a 30-day grace period, provided that a $500.00 late filing fee is paid to the municipality.

Complete the required form

• Every municipal or school board election candidate must complete the Financial Statement-Auditor’s Report Candidate Form 4, available on the Government of Ontario’s Central Forms Repository website.

Audit requirements

• If your campaign contributions and total expenses exceed $10,000, you must have your financial statement audited by a licensed auditor. Submit the auditor’s report along with your financial statement to the Clerk.

Public access to financial statements

• Public records: All financial statements are public documents. The Clerk will keep them until the new council takes office after the next election. Anyone can obtain copies, but they can only be used for election purposes.
• Access online: Financial statements will be posted to the City website after the election.

Nomination fee refund

• Eligibility: Candidates are entitled to a refund of their nomination filing fee if all required documents are filed by 2 p.m. on the deadline date. Source: Municipal Elections Act, section 34, subsection 88.25 (1).

Below are some keys dates for candidates and third party advertisers.

Friday, May 1, 2026

• First day for candidates to file a nomination paper for the Office of Mayor, City Council, Regional Council or School Board Trustee.
• First day for an individual or entity to file a notice of registration as a third party advertiser.
• Campaign period begins once a nomination paper or notice of registration is filed.
• Preliminary expense limit and other legislative documentation provided to candidates and third party advertisers on the day they file.

Friday, August 21, 2026

• Last day for a candidate to file or withdraw a nomination.
• Nominations or withdrawal cannot be accepted beyond 2 p.m.

Monday, August 24, 2026

• Certification of nomination papers to be completed by 4 p.m.
• Declaration of acclamation provided after 4 p.m.
• After the certification of the candidates, Proxy appointment forms will be available for electors who can not vote on any of the voting days.

Tuesday, September 1, 2026

• Voters' list available to certified candidates.
• Revision period begins - Electors may update or add their name to the voters' list.

Thursday, October 1, 2026

• Final expense limits provided to candidates and third party advertisers.

Friday, October 23, 2026

• Last day for an individual or entity to file a notice of registration as a third party advertiser.

Monday, October 26, 2026 – VOTING DAY

• Voting Day - Voting locations are open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Tuesday, November 17, 2026

• Inaugural Council Meeting of new term of City Council

Thursday, December 31, 2026

• Campaign period ends for candidates and registered third parties.
• Last day for candidate or registered third parties to file an Extension of campaign period (Form 6).

KEY DATES - 2027

Thursday, March 25, 2027

• Last day for candidate or registered third party to apply to Superior Court of Justice to extend the time to file the financial statement.

Tuesday, March 30, 2027

By 2 p.m.

• Last day to file financial statement for reporting period - applies to all candidates and registered third parties.
• Last day for candidate or registered third party to notify Clerk of filing extension received from the Superior Court of Justice.

After 2 p.m.

• 90-day compliance audit period begins
• Start of 30-day grace period and $500.00 late filing fee.

Thursday, April 29, 2027

• Last day (by 2 p.m.) for candidate or registered third party to file a primary financial statement and pay $500.00 late filing fee.
• Penalties take affect at 2:01 p.m.