Durham Region recently hosted a virtual information session led by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH) for individuals interested in running for local office or registering as a third-party advertiser in the 2026 Municipal Election. View the recording from the March 25 Candidate Information Session.
Information for Candidates
Filing your nomination
Nominations must be filed in person or by an authorized agent with the Office of the City Clerk, 1st Floor of Oshawa City Hall during regular business hours (Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) and on Nomination Day, Friday, August 21, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Candidates must provide photo identification which includes their name and qualifying Oshawa address. Learn more about acceptable documents for identification.
If the nomination is being filed on behalf of a candidate by an agent, they must provide a letter authorizing the agent to file on their behalf and the letter must be commissioned or notarized by a person authorized under the Commissioners for Taking Affidavits Act or Notaries Act. The agent must also present the candidate's identification that meets the acceptable identification requirements noted above.
In accordance with the Municipal Elections Act, 1996, the following fees are payable at the time you file your nomination:
- $100 for candidates for Council or School Board Trustee
- $200 for candidates for Mayor
Payment must be made at the time you file your nomination paper by cash, debit, credit card, certified cheque or money order made payable to the City of Oshawa. Payment by personal cheque or e-transfer is not accepted.
Nominations for an office on Council must be endorsed by at least 25 eligible voters. Anyone providing an endorsement signature must be eligible to vote in Oshawa on the day that they signed the endorsement. In addition to their endorsement, they will also be required to sign a declaration that they are eligible to vote in Oshawa.
Note: Only an original copy of the Nomination Paper – Form 1 and Endorsement of Nomination Form – Form 2 will be accepted.
Nomination Paper – Form 1 Endorsement of Nomination – Form 2
Note: PDF Forms will no longer work with older versions of Adobe Reader including Adobe Reader XI. Please update your free Adobe Reader to the latest version from the Acrobat Reader download page so that you can continue to access these forms.
The first day to register as a candidate in the Municipal and School Board Election is May 1, 2026.
Book an appointment to file
Please book an appointment to file your nomination paper to become a candidate in the 2026 Municipal and School Board Election. Walk-ins will be accepted; however, booking an appointment is strongly encouraged to ensure timely service.
View the appointment calendar Book an appointment to file a nomination
Qualifications
The qualifications to become a candidate for municipal office in the City of Oshawa are established by the Municipal Act, 2001 and the Municipal Elections Act, 1996.
To be eligible as a candidate for municipal office, a person at the time of being nominated must be:
- a Canadian citizen;
- at least 18 years of age;
- a resident in the City of Oshawa or the owner or tenant of land in the City of Oshawa, or the spouse of such owner or tenant; and,
- not legally prohibited from voting
- not disqualified by legislation from holding municipal office.
A person who is qualified to be elected for municipal office may run to represent any ward, they do not have to reside in that ward.
The following people are disqualified from being elected as Mayor or Councillor:
- 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
- A candidate who failed to file the necessary financial statement or exceeded the prescribed spending limit in the last municipal election or by-election
City of Oshawa employees
Employees of the City of Oshawa who wish to run for Mayor or Councillor must take an unpaid leave of absence before filing a nomination paper. Documentation proving leave of absence is required.
Offices for Election
| Position | Number to be elected |
| Mayor | One to be elected by all electors in the City of Oshawa. |
| Regional and City Councillor | Five to be elected, one from each of the five wards in the City of Oshawa, by electors in the respective wards. |
| City Councillor | Five to be elected, one from each of the five wards in the City of Oshawa, by electors in the respective wards. |
| Trustee, Durham District School Board | Three to be elected by all English Public School electors in the City of Oshawa. |
| Trustee, Durham Catholic District School Board | Two to be elected by all English Catholic School electors in the City of Oshawa. |
| Conseiller(ère), Conseil scolaire Viamonde | One to be elected by all French Public electors in the areas of the Region of Durham, County of Haliburton, County of Northumberland, County of Peterborough, City of Peterborough, City of Kawartha Lakes and City of Quinte West.* |
| Conseiller(ère), Conseil scolaire catholique MonAvenir | One to be elected by all French Catholic electors in the Regional Municipality of Durham, Counties of Northumberland and Peterborough and Cities of Kawartha Lakes, Peterborough and Quinte West.* |
*Nominations will be received at the Office of the City Clerk, 1st Floor Oshawa City Hall.
Resources
Urban Indigenous peoples’ considering running for municipal office information session
The Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) is offering a series of workshops for urban Indigenous peoples’ thinking about running for municipal office in the October 2026 elections. These sessions will provide insights and strategies to build your understanding and confidence around how to become a candidate and running a campaign. Attend just one or both sessions. Registration is free.
Dates:
- Wednesday, May 6 at 6:30 p.m.
- Wednesday, June 3 at 6:30 p.m.
Running for Municipal Office - Everything you need to know as an underrepresented candidate
Offered by the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO), this virtual workshop will prepare you for municipal office and equip you with what to expect running as a underrepresented candidate as well as key strategies for running a successful campaign. Registration is free.
Youth considering running for municipal office information session
The Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) is offering a workshop for young people thinking about running for municipal office in the October 2026 elections on Tuesday, June 2 at 6:30 p.m.
Register today!
AMO’s Healthy democracy leaders series: Stronger leaders, stronger communities
Join AMO’s new online workshop series for leaders seeking re-election or first-time aspiring candidates offered at no charge for participants.
This workshop series is being offered for no charge in two streams:
- Stream 1: For elected officials at the municipal level across Ontario who are considering re-election in 2026 and preparing their path forward.
- Stream 2: For community members considering a run for municipal office in 2026—first-time candidates who want to build confidence before launching a campaign. Civic-minded leaders who want to explore whether elected office is right for them.
