The 2022 Municipal Election will be held on Monday, October 24, 2022.

Information on this page will be updated as it becomes available.

Candidate Information 

Nominations for Mayor, Pelham Regional Councillor, Ward Councillor, School Board Trustee - DSBN: Nominations can be filed in-person or through an agent. Faxed or electronic submissions are not acceptable. Nominations will be received by the Town Clerk from May 2 to August 19, 2022, at:

Office of the Town Clerk
Town of Pelham Municipal Office
20 Pelham Town Square
Fonthill ON

*Appointments preferred. Please contact Holly Willford, Town Clerk: hwillford@pelham.ca or at 905-892-2607 ext. 315.

 

What is the role of a Council Member or Head of Council?

The Municipal Act, Section 224 outlines the following responsibilities for the role of a Councillor:

  1. To represent the public and to consider the well-being and interests of the municipality;

  2. To develop and evaluate the policies and programs of the municipality;

  3. To determine which services the municipality provides;

  4. To ensure that administrative policies, practices and procedures and controllership policies, practices and procedures are in place to implement the decisions of council;

    (d.1) To ensure the accountability and transparency of the operations of the municipality, including the activities of the senior management of the municipality;

  5. To maintain the financial integrity of the municipality; and

  6. To carry out the duties of council under this or any other act.

The Municipal Act, Section 224 outlines the following responsibilities for the role of a Head of Mayor (Head of Council):

  1. To act as the chief executive officer of the municipality;

  2. To preside over council meetings so that its business can be carried out efficiently and effectively

  3. To provide leadership to the Council; 
    (c.1) Without limiting clause (c), to provide information and recommendations to the council with respect to the role of council described in clauses 224 (d) and (d.1);

  4. To represent the municipality at official functions; and

  5. To carry out the duties of a head of council under this or any other Act.

How often do Council Meetings occur?

Regular meetings of Council & Committee occur on the first and third Monday of every month, beginning at 5:30 pm. Public meetings under the Planning Act are held on the second Monday of the month, as required, and Special Meetings are called as deemed necessary by the Mayor.

 

On average, how many hours are needed to prepare for bi-weekly Council and Committee meetings?

Councillors identified the preparation time for regular meetings as a minimum of 2 hours and a maximum of 10 hours, depending on agenda volume.


On average, how much time is spent with residents (over the phone or in person) every week?

Councillors identified spending anywhere from 0 to 10 hours per week with residents, depending on the decisions required of Council and current issues. 

 

On average, how much time is spent with staff members (over the phone or in person) every week?

Councillors identified spending anywhere from 0 to 10 hours per week with staff members, depending on the decisions required of Council. 

 

What are the rates of remuneration for Members of Council?

In 2016, the rates were: 
- Councillor: $15, 090

- Mayor: $32,924 + car allowance

 

How many advisory committees are Councillors typically a part of?

Councillors may participate in between 1 and 4 advisory committees which provide advice and assistance to Council on a variety of special interest areas. 
For a current listing of our Advisory Committees of Council, please click here.

Qualifications and Nominations Requirements

 

  • Every person is qualified to be elected or hold office for the Mayor, Ward Council and School Board Trustee, if on the day the nomination paper is filed, the person is:
    • At least 18 years of age; 
    • A Canadian Citizen; 
    • A resident of the Town of Pelham, or an owner or tenant of land in the Town of Pelham, or the spouse of an owner or tenant;
    • Not legally prohibited from voting;
    • Not disqualified by any legislation from holding municipal office; 
    • Entitled to be an elector within the Town of Pelham. 
  • A nomination paper must be signed by 25 eligible voters supporting the nomination. The individuals providing signatures must sign a declaration stating they are eligible to vote in the municipality on the day they sign the endorsement. This endorsement becomes a public record. 
  • Each candidate must provide proof of Canadian citizenship in a form acceptable to the Town Clerk. It is the responsibility of the candidate to file a bona fide nomination paper. 
  • Nomination forms will be made available spring of 2022 or sooner, once released by the Province;
  • Employees of the Town of Pelham or its local boards who wish to run for office must take an unpaid leave of absence as of the day the employee is nominated and ending on voting day, before submitting the nomination paper. Employees must provide a copy of the documentation showing this leave of absence and effective date are complete, and must resign their position if elected. 

 

The following are disqualified from being elected or holding office on a municipal 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 Town Clerk will not certify the nomination;
  • A candidate who failed to file the necessary financial statement in the last municipal election or by-election; 
  • An inmate serving a sentence under the Municipal Elections Act and Municipal Act. 

 

A full list of disqualifications is available under the Municipal Elections Act and Municipal Act, found here.

Filing Fees

  • Filing fee for nomination to the position of Mayor is $200.00.
  • Filing fee for nominations to Ward Councillor or School Board Trustee is $100.00.
  • Filing fee for the Pelham Regional Councillor is $100.00.
  • Payment must be by cash, certified cheque, debit or money order payable to the Town of Pelham.
  • Nominations for English Catholic Trustee are filed with the Town of Grimsby Clerk, and the fee is $100.00.
  • Nominations for both French Public and French Catholic School Trustees are filed with the City of Welland City Clerk, and the fee is $100.00.

 

Withdrawal of Nomination

 If a candidate decides they no longer wish to run for Office, the following must occur: 

  • File a written Withdrawal of Nomination form, in person, with the Town Clerk;
  • Provide identification; 
  • File a financial statement by the deadline date.

 

Last day to withdrawal: Friday, August 19, 2022 between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m.

 

Reasons to Reject a Nomination by the Clerk

Prior to 4:00 p.m. on August 22, 2022 (Monday following Nomination Day) the Town Clerk must examine each nomination filed. If satisfied and the nomination complies with the Municipal Election Act, 1996, the person is qualifies to be nominated and the Town Clerk shall certify the nomination. If not satisfied, the Town Clerk shall reject the nomination and give notice to the person who sought to be nominated and all other candidates for that office. The Town Clerk's decision to reject a nomination is final. 

The Town Clerk may consider the following criteria in the decision to reject or certify nominations:

  • The candidate has refused or declined to provide proof of qualifications or identification suitable to the Town Clerk; 
  • The candidate does not meet the eligibility requirements set out under Section 29(1) of the Municipal Elections Act, 1996;
  • The nomination form is not complete in its entirety or the filing fee has not been paid; 
  • The necessary financial statement was not filed for the previous regular election for any new election in which the individual may have been a candidate. 

 
 Election Overview

Offices to be Elected

At this election, members will be elected for the period commencing November 15, 2022 for the following offices:

  • Mayor 
  • Regional Councillor 
  • Councillors (two to be elected in each of the three (3) wards) 
  • School Board Trustees:
    • English Public and English Catholic
    • French Public and French Catholic 
Information for Voters 

 
Voting Methods
*New in 2022 - Alternative Voting Available*
 
Important Dates

Click here for the 2022 Municipal Election Key Dates. 


Click here for the list of polling stations and advance voting dates. 

Click here for Restricted Acts Provisions (known as Lame Duck Council)
Important Forms

*The following information will be updated as it becomes available. 

 
Campaign Information 
Candidates cannot raise or spend any money on their campaign until the appropriate nomination paper is filed with the Town Clerk. Contributions are considered to be any money, goods or services given to and accepted by, or on behalf of, the candidate for their campaign. The candidate's campaign period begins on the date the candidate files the nomination papers. It is the responsibility of each candidate to ensure they are qualified to run for office. 
Compliance Audit Committee
 
Third Party Campaigns

Third Party Advertiser - Declaration of Qualifications

Form 7 - Notice of Registration - Third Party
Maps
 
External Resources
Please visit the links below for helpful information on the 2022 Municipal Elections:

The Town Clerk's staff are pleased to assist you with any questions you may have concerning the Municipal Election. For any questions, concerns or further information, please contact Holly Willford, Town Clerk, at 905-892-2607 x315 or via email at hwillford@pelham.ca.

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