Here you will find everything you need to know about being a candidate, from filing your nomination papers and meeting eligibility criteria to navigating the campaign finance rules and deadlines.
Candidate Resources
The Government of Ontario publishes two main resources for prospective municipal council members.
The Ontario Municipal Councillor’s Guide is a guide that covers topics that are important to know throughout your term of office as a municipal councillor or head of council. It covers the role of council and the councillor, accountability and transparency, governance and law-making in the municipal setting, the fiscal context, land use planning and housing. It can help you meet your responsibilities and the municipality’s goals and objectives, and provide continued high-quality service to the residents of your community.
Candidates’ Guide
The province of Ontario also releases a Candidates’ Guide. This guide provides information to candidates for the 2026 municipal and school board elections.
Legislation and Regulations
Requirements to run for City Council
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 Sault Ste. Marie, or
- An owner or tenant of land in the City of Sault Ste. Marie, 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 Sault Ste. Marie
Employees who wish to run for Mayor or City 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.
Requirements to run for School Board Trustee
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
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
How do I file a nomination and pay fees?
Nominations may be filed in the Office of the City Clerk during regular business hours from May 1 to August 21, 2026. Please note: Nominations are only accepted from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on August 21, 2026.
In-person filing
You must file your nomination in person with original signatures.
Required documents
Bring the following:
- Nomination Paper (Form 1)
- Endorsement of Nomination (Form 2) – For City Council candidates, you will need at least 25 endorsements from eligible electors.
- Valid photo identification and proof of qualifying address (e.g. a driver’s licence can be used for both)
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 Sault Ste. Marie’
- $200.00 for Mayor
- $100.00 for City Council or School Board Trustee
Where do I file?
Appointments are recommended but not required. To book an appointment or find out more information about filing a nomination contact 705-759-5388 or by email at election@cityssm.on.ca
File your nomination with the City Clerk’s office at Ronald A. Irwin Civic Centre, 99 Foster Drive, Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6A 5X6
Withdrawing your nomination
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
How to file financial statements
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.