Town of St. Marys and Other Local Municipalities Host Election Candidate Information Session on March 25

The Town of St. Marys, Municipality of North Perth, Municipality of Perth East, Municipality of West Perth, Township of Perth South, and the City of Stratford are jointly hosting an Election Candidate Information Session for residents who are considering running for municipal office. This session is designed to provide prospective candidates with essential information to help them make informed decisions before entering the municipal election process.

Participants will learn about reasons to run or not run for municipal council, key personal and financial considerations, and the roles and responsibilities of council members and municipal staff. The sessions will also include an overview of the powers and influence of municipal government and council members, including strong mayor powers, as well as governance, legislative, and decision making processes. The importance of transparency and accountability in local government will be discussed, along with general campaign information and strategies for engaging with the media and the public.

The session will be led by experienced trainers from Clerks On Call. Representatives from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH) will also be present to provide guidance on the roles and responsibilities of elected officials and staff, eligibility requirements, the nomination process, campaign finances, compliance audits, and other election-related topics.

The session will take place on Wednesday, March 25, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Perth East Recreation Complex, 40 Temperance Street in Milverton. Those wishing to attend virtually can register by emailing elections@pertheast.ca by 4:30 p.m. on March 25.

“Hosting this session is an important way to help residents understand what it means to serve in municipal government,” said Jenna McCartney, Clerk for the Town of St. Marys. “Our goal is to provide clear, practical information about the role of council and what’s involved in running for office, so people can feel confident and informed if they’re considering stepping forward to serve their community.”

The Election Candidate Information Session is open to residents of all participating municipalities. No prior political experience is required.  For more information, residents are encouraged to visit their local municipal website or contact their municipal Clerk’s Department.

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 For media inquiries:

Lauren Thomson-Vernooy, Corporate Communications Coordinator
519-284-2340 ext. 432 | lthomson@town.stmarys.on.ca