Are you considering running in the 2026 Municipal Election? 

Join this workshop to gain useful insights and strategies focused on underrepresented communities

The Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) is offering a series of workshops for people thinking about running for municipal office in the October 2026 elections. Focused specifically on diverse candidates, this free 90-minute workshop provides useful insights and strategies to support you in getting your name on the ballot. While these workshops do offer a focus on individuals from underrepresented communities, all are welcome. 

Facilitated by former municipal councillors Steve Anderson and Jasvinder Sandhu, you will be taken through:

• what to expect running as a diverse candidate
• critical strategies for successfully campaigning for municipal office
• understand what it takes to become a candidate
• identifying your target audience
• developing effective messaging and branding
• utilizing community engagement practices to enhance visibility and support

And more!

Registration is free.

Dates:

• February 4, 2026 - 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
• April 8, 2026 - 10 to 11:30 a.m.

Location:

Virtual

More information: Running for Municipal Office - Everything You Need to Know as an Underrepresented Candidate | AMO

Registration: Meeting registration - Zoom

If you are a youth interested in running for municipal council in October 2026, we have a workshop for you! The Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) is offering a series of workshops for young people 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.

Facilitated by three current municipal leaders, Natasha Salonen – mayor of the Township of Wilmot, Cam Wales – councillor, City of Brockville and Aidan Kallioinen – councillor, Town of Espanola, you will gain firsthand insight into:

• what to expect running as a candidate and as young person 
• critical strategies for successfully campaigning for municipal office
• understand what it takes to become a candidate
• strategies for engagement including communication

And more!

Dates:

• Wednesday, February 18, 6:30 to 8 p.m.
• Wednesday, March 11, 6:30 to 8 p.m.
• Wednesday, April 15, 6:30 to 8 p.m.

Registration: free

Additional details: An Information Session for Youth Considering Running for Municipal Office | AMO

Registration link: Meeting Registration – Zoom

If you would like to learn more about becoming a candidate in Dufferin County, we encourage you to attend an information session. All prospective candidates are welcome to attend. The sessions are free and no pre-registration required. 

Want to know more before the sessions?  Consider reviewing the Prospective Municipal Candidate Workbook.

SESSION DATES:

Virtual 

Hosted by Dufferin County's lower-tier municipalities and facilitated by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing 

Wednesday, April 29, 2026  @ 6:30 p.m.   
Registration Link: orangeville.ca/CandidateSession

In-Person 

Hosted by Dufferin County's lower-tier municipalities and facilitated by Clerks on Call.  Attend either date.  Stay after the session to connect with the trainers and ask questions.

• Wednesday - May 6, 2026 at 7 p.m.
  Monora Park Pavilion - 500 Monora Park Pavilion Road, Mono, On L9W 0E1 
• Thursday, May 7, 2026 at 10 a.m. 
  Centre Dufferin Recreation Complex
  200 Fiddle Park Lane, Shelburne, ON L0N 1S0

Information Contact: 

Meghan Townsend, CAO/Clerk
Town of Grand Valley 
519-928-5652 ext. 222 / mtownsend@townofgrandvalley.ca 

Mayor

Steve Soloman (acclaimed)

Deputy Mayor

Philip Rentsch (acclaimed)

Council (3 positions)

Lorne Dart                         411 votes
James W Jonker               396 votes
Paul Latam                        461 votes
Rashaad Nauth-Ali            334 votes

Election Statistics and Reports

Vote Count Summary Report

Results Analyses

Event Participation - 22.7% voter turnout.

*Where participation does not match number of votes cast, it reflects voters declining to vote or spoiling their ballot in a given race. Refer to the Vote Count Summary Report for details.

List of Certified Candidates

Mayor
Steve Soloman - elected by acclamation

Deputy Mayor
Philip Rentsch - elected by acclamation

Councillor
Lorne Dart
James W Jonker
Paul Latam 
Rashaad Nauth-Ali

English Public - Upper Grand District School Board
Dr Raymond J Seto
Lynn Topping

English Separate - Dufferin Peel Catholic District School Board
Paula Dametto-Giovannozzi
Domenic Maggi
Vince Manzella
Sheralyn Roman

French Public - Conseil scolaire Viamonde
Saveria Caruso
Eric Lapointe

French Separate - Conseil scolaire de district catholique Centre-Sud
Genevieve Grenier
Patrick O'Neil

For a campaign period ending December 31, 2022, ​​Financial Statements must be filed by all candidates on or before 2:00 p.m. on Friday, March 31, 2023,  There is a 30 day grace period for late filing that includes a late filing fee of $500. If a candidate is not able to meet the deadline, he/she may apply to the Superior Court of Justice prior to the March 31st deadline for an extension. 

Candidate Financial Statements

Report of the Clerk

Steve Soloman

Philip Rentsch

Lorne Dart

James Jonker

Paul Latam

Rashaad Nauth-Ali - not filed, default

Municipal Election Accessibility Plan 2022

Municipal Election Accessibility Report 2022 Election

Each municipality and school board must appoint a Compliance Audit Committee (CAC). The role of the Compliance Audit Committee is to receive and make decisions on applications for compliance audits of candidates' and registered third party election campaign finances. The CAC is also responsible for reviewing reports submitted by the Clerk with respect to any contributor who appears to have contravened any of the contribution limits to a candidate's election campaign or to a registered third party election campaign.

• Financial Statement – auditor’s Report Candidate – Form 4
• Association of Municipalities Ontario (AMO) - Municipal Elections
• AMO – Lead Where You Live: AMO’s Guide to Running for Municipal Election
• Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH) - Municipal Elections and Governance
• MMAH 2022 Candidates' Guide - Ontario municipal council and school board elections
• MMAH 2022 Third Party Advertisers' Guide 
• MMAH 2022 Voters' Guide - Ontario municipal and school board elections