Candidate Information

How to Register as a Candidate and Registration Documents

If you're interested in becoming a candidate in Richmond Hill's 2022 By-election, please make an appointment with the Office of the Clerk to file your nomination paper and review important documents and materials. The last day to file a nomination is Friday, December 10, 2021 at 2 p.m.

The Municipal Elections Act, 1996, requires that a Candidate or the candidate’s agent file a nomination in-person. Due to COVID-19, appointments are required for all nomination meetings. To schedule a meeting, please contact the Elections Team at 905-747-6526 or candidates@richmondhill.ca.

Meetings are held at the Office of the City Clerk located at 225 East Beaver Creek Road in Richmond Hill Monday to Friday, between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m., and take 30 to 45 minutes. 

Registration Documents

To file a nomination, you must complete and provide the following:

• Nomination Paper - Form 1
• Endorsement of Nomination - Form 2 (it is recommended to get more than the minimum required number of endorsements in case any endorsements are incomplete, illegible, or otherwise cannot be accepted)
• Declaration of Qualifications
• Current identification (e.g. driver's licence or other government-issued photo identification with a qualifying address and signature)
• Nomination filing fee of $200 payable by debit, credit, cash, certified cheque or money order to the City of Richmond Hill  (Note: electronic payment, such as debit or credit, is strongly preferred due to COVID-19 precautions)

COVID-19

The Municipal Elections Act, 1996, requires that a Candidate or the candidate’s agent file a nomination in-person. Due to COVID-19, health and safety protocols are in place for any person filing a nomination.

No person who:

• has COVID-19;
• is quarantined or in any form of mandatory self-isolation under the authority of any Canadian federal or provincial law, or public health authority order; or
• or who has any of the COVID-19 symptoms (please see the York Region Public Health website for symptoms and other information)

will be allowed to file a nomination form in-person. Candidates who meet one of these criteria are required appoint an agent to file the nomination on their behalf (see "Appointing an Agent to file a Nomination" under "How to Register as a Candidate and Registration Documents"). When choosing an agent, make sure that they will be allowed to file the form in-person.

Any person who files a nomination in-person will be required to comply with York Region’s requirements to wear masks or face coverings.

Mayor Role and Responsibilities

The Mayor's role is defined by the Municipal Act, 2001, section 225. According to this legislation, it is the role of the Mayor (referred to as "Head of Council" in the legislation):

• to act as chief executive officer of the municipality;
• to preside over Council meetings so that its business can be carried out efficiently and effectively;
• to provide leadership to Council;
• to provide information and recommendations to the Council with respect to the role of Council in:
  • ensuring that its decisions are implemented through administrative and/or controllership policies, practices and procedures;
  • ensuring the accountability and transparency of the operations of the municipality, including the activities of the senior management of the municipality;
• to represent the municipality at official functions; and
• to carry out any other duties of the Mayor under the Municipal Act or any other act.

Candidate Eligibility

To be eligible to be nominated as a candidate for Mayor in the 2022 By-election, you must meet the following qualifications of electors, as set out in section 17.(1) of the Municipal Elections Act:

• a Canadian citizen; 
• at least 18 years old on or before Voting Day (January 24, 2022); 
• a resident of the City of Richmond Hill, an owner or tenant of land in the City of Richmond Hill, or the spouse of an owner or tenant of land in Richmond Hill;
• and not prohibited from voting under any law.

Disqualified Candidates

The following people are disqualified from being elected as a Mayor.

• Any employee of the City of Richmond Hill or the Richmond Hill Public Library Board, except for those on unpaid leave of absence
• 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
• A judge of any court
• A candidate who received a notice of default with respect to any 2018 Municipal Election or any municipal by-election that occurred since the 2018 Municipal Election
• A candidate who is ineligible under the Municipal Elections Act, 1996 or any other Act or otherwise prohibited by law to be nominated for or to hold the office.

Campaign Finance

Candidates are subject to spending limits in accordance with the Municipal Elections Act, 1996. The limits are shown in the Certificate of Maximum Campaign Expenses issued on December 3, 2021.

Click here to view the Certificate of Maximum Campaign Expenses

Candidates are responsible for complying with all applicable campaign finance rules under the Municipal Elections Act, 1996. City staff are not able to interpret rules or legislation for a candidate, so if you are unsure about any of your obligations you may wish to consult a legal professional.

Sign Permits and Fees

Prior to erecting or displaying any election related signage, all Candidates and Third Party Advertisers are required to fill out the application for Election Signs and pay the associated fee of $273 through the Community Standards Division. Details and applications are available online through Community Standards.