Ontario Municipal Election Resources - 2010 Kingston Election

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The next regularly scheduled Municipal Election is Monday, November 8, 2010
(Provincial legislation is under consideration that would result in the moving of election day to October 25, 2010)

Municipal Elections Act, 2001

On May 18, 2006 Bill 81, the Budget Measures Act, 2006, received Royal Assent. It includes an amendment to the Municipal Elections Act, 1996 to establish a four-year term of office for council members and school trustees. Four year terms began for new councillors and trustees began on December 1, 2006. The next regular municipal election will be November 8, 2010 for a term of office beginning December 1, 2010.

Key Election Dates for 2010:

January 4, 2010: Official Nominations Open

September 24, 2010: Nominations Close

November 8, 2010: Election Day (legislation is under consideration to move the election date forward to the fourth Monday of October - October 25, 2010)

The following are sites of interest with respect to the 2010 Municipal Election

Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (http://www.mah.gov.on.ca/Page219.aspx)

Municipal Elections Act (http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/html/statutes/english/elaws_statutes_96m32_e.htm#BK90)

Elections to School Boards- Representation Calculation (http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/html/regs/english/elaws_regs_000412_e.htm)

Association of Municipalities of Ontario - Your Local Government:

http://www.yourlocalgovernment.com/

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Ontario proposes changes to municipal elections

28/10/2009

CBC News

The Ontario government has introduced a series of reforms that could change the way elections are held in municipalities.

Some of the proposed changes are designed to make the process more open to first-time candidates.

For example, sitting councillors would no longer be able to carry over campaign surpluses from one election to another. Under the new rules, any surpluses would be handed over to the city clerk.

There would also be a $5,000 limit on total campaign contributions from individuals, corporations or unions.

Some Toronto councillors say the new rules don't go far enough.

"We need to reduce the limit of $5,000 per donor," said Coun. Cliff Jenkins. "Like, that is an excessive amount and allows one donor to spread a lot of money around council."

Other proposed changes include moving municipal elections to the last Monday in October.

If the changes pass, as the provincial government expects will happen in the new year, it would mean that in 2010, municipal voters will go to the polls on Oct. 25 instead of Nov. 8.

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Reforming Municipal Elections in Ontario
http://www.mah.gov.on.ca/Page6913.aspx

October 27, 2009

A bill introduced in the Ontario Legislature today would, if passed, streamline local government elections.

The proposed legislative changes would:

make local elections more transparent, accountable and efficient.
create a more level playing field for all candidates.
promote greater accessibility for voters and candidates with disabilities.
apply to the election of municipal officials and school board trustees.
Proposed Reforms

Specifically, the legislation would:

move the election date forward to the fourth Monday of October (October 25, 2010).
improve the accuracy of voters’ lists by providing the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation and municipalities with potential access to additional information.
require voters to provide identification at a voting place.
ensure that each voting place is accessible to voters with disabilities.
The financing of municipal elections would be reformed through these measures:

a new contribution limit of $5,000 per contributor in each jurisdiction, in addition to the existing limit of $750 per candidate.
for future elections, candidates would not be able to keep surplus campaign funds - surpluses instead would go to municipalities.
expenses related to a candidate’s disability would be campaign expenses excluded from candidate’s spending limit.
If the legislation passes, there would be strengthened compliance and enforcement measures:

a firm deadline for filing financial statements.
municipalities and school boards required to appoint audit committees to hear and decide on applications for compliance audits.
strengthened penalties for contravention of the Act (up to $25,000 fine for individuals and up to $50,000 for corporations and trade unions).
Review

Stakeholders and the general public were consulted as part of a review of the 2006 municipal election and the Municipal Elections Act, 1996.

The Act is reviewed after each municipal election.

To learn more about the proposed reforms see Schedule 21 of the proposed Good Government Act (http://www.ontla.on.ca/web/bills/bills_detail.do?locale=en&BillID=2235&detailPage=bills_detail_the_bill&Intranet=).

LEARN MORE

About the proposed Good Government Act.
Adam Grachnik
Minister's Office
416-585-6492

Ralph Walton
Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing
416-585-6320

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Queen’s Park Report
BILL 212 PROPOSES AMENDMENTS TO THE MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS ACT

On October 27, 2009, the Ontario Government introduced Bill 212, The Good
Government Act, 2009. The Act would make changes to the Juries Act and the
Public Inquiries Act as well as to the Municipal Elections Act.

Municipal Elections Act

Proposed amendments to the Municipal Elections Act would, if passed, strengthen the integrity of local elections and would:

• Move the election date forward to the fourth Monday of October, beginning October 25, 2010
• Create a new contribution limit of $5,000 per contributor in each jurisdiction, in addition to the existing limit of $750 per candidate
• Clarify campaign spending limits
• Eliminate the carrying forward of surplus campaign funds by candidates from one election to the next (current surpluses will be maintained for the
next election)
• Improve the accuracy of voters' lists
• Require voters to provide proof of identity and residence
• Strengthen compliance and enforcement measures through firm deadlines for submitting financial statements and harmonized penalties.

Along with these proposed changes, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing will continue to review the municipal elections process and the Municipal Elections Act after every municipal election.

F.U.N. Comment: The Federation of Urban Neighbourhoods of Ontario has repeatedly called for changes to the Municipal Elections Act in its many positions
papers and letters, some of which are included in Bill 212. However the most important reform long advocated by us and others, the elimination of contributions from corporations or trade unions, is missing. As a result, Bill 212 will do nothing to diminish the financial influence of developers over municipal governments in this province.

Also, Bill 212 does not address the following improvements suggested by F.U.N.:

• Matching grants as a replacement for the flawed rebate program
• Naming the shareholders of numbered company donors
• Election year office literature from incumbents deemed a campaign expense
• Enforcement of the act during the election
• Shortening the campaign period to seven months
• Elimination of nuisance candidates
• Permitting landed immigrants to vote in municipal elections

The F.U.N. position paper, Suggestions for Improving the Ontario Municipal Elections Act, is available for download on the F.U.N. website at
www.urbanneighbourhoods.ca.

It is hoped that the government and the opposition members will amend Bill 212 to address these concerns. Without an effective Municipal Elections Act, the ability of the public to influence government decisionmaking at the municipal level will continued to be diminished and special interest groups such as developers and suppliers of services will continue to have undue influence on the decisions which influence how our municipalities are planned and how are services are provided.

FEDERATION OF URBAN NEIGHBOURHOODS OF ONTARIO
www.urbanneighbourhoods.ca
An Umbrella Group of Community Associations throughout Ontario
Communities count. Civic matters.
Guelph Hamilton Kingston London Ottawa Toronto Sudbury Thunder Bay Unionville

Archie Campbell, President
33 Rochester Street, Unit 6
Ottawa, Ontario K1R 7L3
613-231-7470
campbera@gmail.com