Information for Candidates

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.