New Procedure for All Candidates Events at Municipal Facilities

While the Township recognizes that all-candidates meetings and similar events are organized by independent third-party groups, we have the responsibility of ensuring that these events are conducted in a fair, respectful, and impartial manner when they are held in municipal facilities during an election period.

To provide greater clarity and consistency for organizers and participants, the Township has implemented a new procedure for all-candidates events held at municipal facilities

Under this procedure, organizers will be asked to acknowledge their commitment to conducting events in a fair and non-biased manner, ensuring candidates and electors are treated fairly and consistently, and complying with the Principles of the Municipal Elections Act[1], applicable Township policies and facility rental requirements. Organizers will be required to complete a declaration confirming their understanding of these expectations.

The intent of this new procedure is to support a positive and respectful environment for candidates, electors, organizers, and members of the public, while helping to maintain the neutrality of the Township and municipal facilities throughout the election period.

For more information, please read the Township’s:

• Use of Corporate Resources for Election Purposes Policy,

• Declaration for Use of Municipal Facilities for All-Candidate Events During an Election , or

• contact the Clerks Department at 905-349-2822 x 25 or by email.

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation as we implement this process and look forward to working with event organizers to ensure future events are held respectfully within Township facilities.

Thank you.

[1] These principles are generally recognized as being that: (a) The secrecy and confidentiality of the voting process is paramount; (b) The election shall be fair and non-biased; (c) The election shall be accessible to the voters; (d) The integrity of the voting process shall be maintained throughout the election; (e) There is to be certainty that the results of the election reflect the votes cast; (f) Voters and candidates shall be treated fairly and consistently; and (g) The proper majority vote governs by ensuring that valid votes are counted and invalid votes are rejected so far as reasonably possible.‍‍