2026 Canadian municipal elections launch with Ontario nominations and BC candidate session

Nominations for Ontario's 2026 municipal elections opened in early August and will close on August 21, after which campaign activities will intensify ahead of the October 26 vote. The Association of Municipalities of Ontario will hold its annual conference in Ottawa from August 16‑19, marking the final event under President Robin Jones, who has led the organization since 2024.

In British Columbia, the District of Tofino is hosting a Candidate Information Session on August 17 for prospective mayoral and council candidates. The meeting will cover the roles of elected officials, council decision‑making, governance versus operations, financial planning, ethical responsibilities and the nomination process.

Both events signal the start of a busy election season for municipalities across Canada, with candidates and officials preparing for the upcoming polls.