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Frequently Asked Questions - Election

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Welcome to the official website for the City of Kawartha Lakes 2010 municipal Election.

Democracy is based on the fundamental right of the individual to vote.

The City of Kawartha Lakes Municipal Government provides you with a multitude of services that may affect your daily lives such as roads, water, sewer, landfill, fire, ambulance, home for the aged, social services, transit, licensing, parks, recreation, libraries, planning, building, by-law enforcement, economic development, business development, agricultural development, social housing, and municipal airport.

The next City of Kawartha Lakes Municipal Election will be held on Monday, October 25, 2010.

The City Clerk is responsible for conducting the municipal election as well as any by-election as required for municipal and school trustee offices.

For more information on the upcoming 2010 City of Kawartha Lakes Municipal Election:

Election Office|
City Hall, 2nd Floor
26 Francis Street
Lindsay, Ontario
K9V 5R8

Note: Some information may change due to amendments to the legislation. The website will be updated to reflect any changes that may occur.

What is Council, and the responsibilities of the Mayor and Councillors?

Council is the city’s decision-making body.

Role of Council (Section 224 of the Municipal Act):

It is the role of council,

(a)    to represent the public and to consider the well-being and interests of the municipality;

(b)    to develop and evaluate the policies and programs of the municipality;

(c)     to determine which services the municipality provides;

(d)    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;

(e)    to maintain the financial integrity of the municipality; and

(f)     to carry out the duties of council under this or any other Act.

What offices comprise Council?

Council is made up of 1 Mayor and 16 Councillors. The Mayor is elected city-wide and 1 Councillor is elected per ward.

What is the role of the Mayor?

Role of Mayor (Section 225 of the Municipal Act):

It is the role of the head of council,

(a)    to act as chief executive officer of the municipality;

(b)    preside over council meetings so that its business can be carried out efficiently and effectively;

(c)     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);

(d)    to represent the municipality at official functions; and;

(e)    to carry out the duties of the head of council under this or any other Act.

What other authorities do members of council choose to participate in?

  • Attendance at City functions, such as; Communities in Bloom
  • Ward meetings
  • Community groups
  • Constituent meetings
  • Committees of council – councillors determine the number of committees they wish to participate in. The average is approximately 8/councillor and the time commitment to each varies.
  • Acting Mayor responsibilities appointments approved by Council.

Potential Time Commitments (average):

  • Bi-monthly agenda review 4-6 hours/agenda package
  • Committee meetings – varies 6 hours/month
  • Constituent issues – varies 20 hours/month
  • Purchasing bid openings – 1 hour/month depends on availability
  • Special Council meetings and information sessions – 2-6 hours/month
  • Processing emails, phone calls, research – 10 hours/month
  • Attendance at conferences

How much does a member of Council get paid?

The City of Kawartha Lakes provides up-to-date information on Council salaries & benefits and training allowances.

What is a school board?

A school board operates the province’s publicly funded schools.

There are four types of school boards in Ontario:

  • English Language Public School Board
  • English Language Catholic School Board
  • French Language Public School Board
  • French Language Catholic School Board

The four school boards covering the area of City of Kawartha Lakes are:

  • Trillium Lakelands District School Board
  • Peterborough-Victoria, Northumberland & Clarington Catholic District School Board
  • Conseiller(er), le Conseil scolaire de district du Centre-Sud-Quest
  • Conseiller(er), Conseil scolairede District Catholique Centre-Sud

Who makes up a school board?

Elected Trustees make up a school board. The number of Trustees on a board is based on the population in the board’s area of jurisdiction.

What is the role of a school board?

Refer to Education Act for more detailed information on the school board’s responsibilities.

What is the role of a School Board Trustee?

Contact the local school board or visit their website for details.

What are the areas of jurisdiction for each of the four school boards?

The following is a brief description of the area of jurisdiction for each school board:

The Trillium Lakelands District School Board includes the entire City of Kawartha Lakes, the District of Muskoka, and the County of Haliburton.

The Peterborough-Victoria, Northumberland & Clarington Catholic Dictrict School Board includes the City of Kawartha Lakes, City and County of Peterborough, County of Northumberland, and the Municipality of Clarington.

The Conseiller(er), le Conseil scolaire de district du Centre-Sud-Quest includes the City of Kawartha Lakes, Haliburton, Northumberland, Peterborough and Durham.

Conseiller(er), Conseil scolairede District Catholique Centre-Sud includes the City of Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland-Clarington-Peterborough.

What qualifications do I need to become a candidate?

For the position of Mayor or Councillor you must be:

  • A Canadian citizen
  • At least 18 years of age
  • A resident of the City of Kawartha Lakes, or
  • Own or lease property in the City of Kawartha Lakes (or be the spouse of the owner or lessee)
  • Eligible to vote, and
  • Not disqualified to hold office by any legislation

For the position of School Trustee you must be:

  • A Canadian citizen
  • At least 18 years of age
  • A resident in the area of jurisdiction* (see question: What are the areas of jurisdiction for each of the four school boards?)
  • Eligible to vote for the school board and
  • Not disqualified to hold office by any legislation

Voter Eligibility

To vote in the municipal election, you must be a qualified elector.

If you are a qualified elector and your name is on the voters’ list. The voters’ list is compiled from information received from Ontario’s Municipal Property Assessment Corporation and is made available for review at the City’s Elections Office, and Municipal Service Centres approximately two months prior to voting day.

If in the period between elections a person has reason to re-assess their school board support please refer to the MPAC information in regard to enumeration.

Candidate Eligibility

A person who is qualified to be a voter in the municipal election is also eligible to be a candidate for office.

Do I have to live in the ward that I want to run?

To run for Mayor or Councillor you must live, own or lease property in the City of Kawartha Lakes. If you wish to run for Councillor, you do not have to live in the ward you want to run.

To run for School Trustee you must live in the area of the jurisdiction*. (see question: What are the areas of the four school boards?)

How and when can I become a candidate?

In order to become a candidate you must file a:

  • “Nomination Paper” and a
  • “Declaration of Qualification” with the City

The earliest you can file is January 4, 2010.

Can I start raising and spending money on my campaign now?

You cannot raise or spend any money on your campaign until you file your nomination paper. The earliest you can file your nomination paper is January 4, 2010.

Do I need to be nominated by other people?

No. In the past, potential candidates had to be nominated by a number of people who signed a nomination paper. That is no longer needed.

A nomination paper must be complete and signed by the person running for office and a Commissioner of Oaths.

The City of Kawartha Lakes provides a Commissioner of Oaths when you file your nomination paper. If an agent is filing the paperwork for the candidate, the candidate is responsible for having the forms signed by a Commissioner of Oaths prior to the agent bringing the forms into the City and providing Photo ID of the candidate.

How much does it cost to become a candidate?

There is a $200 filing fee for Mayoralty candidates and a $100 filing fee for Councillor or School Trustee candidates.

The filing fee must be paid when you file your nomination paper and the payment must be:

  • Cash
  • Certified cheque or money order payable to “Treasurer, City of Kawartha Lakes”
  • NO Personal Cheque will be accepted

What do I need to bring in when I wish to file my nomination paper?

You must bring the filing fee (cash, certified cheque or money order), the nomination form and other documents can be completed at the time of filing.

When can I file my nomination paper?

Starting January 4, 2010 you can file your nomination paper at:

City of Kawartha Lakes Clerks Office
City Hall
26 Francis Street
Lindsay, Ontario

What are some things I can do before becoming a candidate?

Some suggestions are:

  • Become involved in the community
  • Research and understand the role of a Mayor, Councillor or School Trustee
  • Review the 2010 Candidates Guide (PDF)
    • Understand the
      • Financial responsibilities
      • Financial reporting requirements
      • Campaign roles
  • Review the relevant legislation such as the:

What are the financial reporting requirements?

All candidates must file a financial statement.  For details, please review the Municipal Elections Act or the Candidates Guide on the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing web site.

How can I get more information on how to become a candidate?

  • Read the 2010 Candidates Guide
  • Review the information contained in this website
  • Research other websites and publications (see below)
  • Email: election@city.kawarthalakes.on.ca

What other resources are available to me?

You may find information on three websites:

  • Relevant School Board website
  • City of Kawartha Lakes by-laws
  • E-Laws (allows you to view and download the Municipal Act, Municipal Elections Act, 1996; the Education Act and the City of Kawartha Lakes Act 2000)

The following publications are also available for purchase:

Municipal Elections Act, 1996
www.e-laws.gov.on.ca
Government of Ontario Book Store
880 Bay Street, Toronto, ON
Phone: 416-326-5300

Municipal Elections Law 2006
www.municipalworld.com
Municipal World Inc.
Box 339, St. Thomas, ON N5P 3V3
Phone: 519-633-0031

Candidates and Electors
www.municipalworld.com|
Municipal World Inc.
Box 339, St. Thomas, ON N5P 3V3
Phone: 519-633-0031

How to Campaign for Municipal Elected Office
www.municipalworld.com|
Municipal World Inc.
Box 339, St. Thomas, ON N5P 3V3
Phone: 519-633-0031

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