Significance of the Municipal Election
Author: Paul Bootsma- Policy Advisor for CFFO
“ Even though it seems that the provincial government calls the shots, municipal councils do in fact make decisions that affect you at home. Learn what the candidate’s, including the mayoral candidate’s, opinion is on land use, growth and development, how they will manage agricultural areas..”
Significance of Municipal Election
This October, Ontarians vote for local municipal councils, for some reason the 2026 municipal election is attracting more attention than in past years, which is a good thing. There seems to be more partisanship recognition of candidates. This election is close to home, the elected officials from this election are those who make decisions that impact our properties and neighbourhoods. Here is their role.
Copied from the councillor guide.
Municipal councils are responsible for governing local municipalities, managing municipal finances, setting local policies, and providing essential daily services.
Specific responsibilities and roles include:
o Essential Services: Overseeing fire and emergency services, water and sewer systems, waste collection and recycling, and local roads (including winter snow removal).
o Planning and Development: Directing strategic land use, building approvals, and zoning.
o Community and Recreation: Operating and maintaining public parks, recreation facilities, libraries, and arts and culture programs.
o Finance and Administration: Setting annual municipal budgets (operating and capital) and determining property tax rates.
o Lawmaking: Passing local regulations known as by-laws regarding issues like noise, animal control, and parking enforcement.
A municipality is a geographic area within a province such as a town, city, village, county, or region.
These geographical areas are divided into wards, who generally have two councillors each. Candidates are required to reside in the municipality, not necessarily the ward they plan to campaign in, they or their spouse must own property there, but do not have to reside there. I would want my representatives to live in my ward, to experience life there and realize the impact their decisions have.
Most CFFO members are landowners in their municipality, which is why they should be involved in this election process, simply by taking time to get to know the candidates in their area. Even though it seems that the provincial government calls the shots, municipal councils do in fact make decisions that affect you at home. Learn what the candidate’s, including the mayoral candidate’s, opinion is on land use, growth and development, how they will manage agricultural areas. The Ontario government defines agricultural areas as Prime Agricultural Areas, which are large, contiguous blocks of land designated for long-term agricultural use. These lands are protected under the Provincial Planning Statement to support normal farming practices and prevent land use conflicts. [1, 2]
Talk to the candidates about the agri-food industry and ensure they recognize this industry as a leading economic sector, creating many jobs. As fewer farmers are on municipal councils it is important that this industry has representation at the council table, this can be done by establishing agriculture advisory committees or agricultural action planning committees that discuss items related to agriculture and report back to council. Offer your time to sit on these committees as well.
Ask about how the staff will function under the newly elected council,
section 227 sets out the role of staff:
227. It is the role of the officers and employees of the municipality:
to implement council’s decisions and establish administrative practices and procedures to carry out council’s decisions;
to undertake research and provide advice to council on the policies and programs of the municipality; and
to carry out other duties required under this or any Act and other duties assigned by the municipality.
To help with this, district boards should either host or participate in candidate information events. This is a great way of learning where they stand on the many important issues that they will be influencing over the next four years. CFFO is preparing election kits to assist with setting up information meetings and what questions to ask on relative topics. Once the new council is installed, keep in contact with them, share opinions and invite them to district and CFFO events.
We see the trend that is happening across the province, fewer farmers but larger farm businesses. The importance of neighbourhood relationships will be a significant factor in keeping agriculture as an acceptable industry in rural areas. The potential for more ‘other’ land uses in the countryside could increase over the years. We need food production to be that well respected and understood, primary industry, and have the right to function there.
In November, CFFO will be hosting its 2nd annual CFFO Education Day, one topic on the agenda is the future of rural Ontario, an opportunity to strengthen our place in the province. The second item on the agenda, is closing the gap between producer and customer and what can we as producers do to do that. A well-timed event, at the beginning of a new session of councils across the province.
Confirm that you are registered and those who are 18 years of age are also eligible to vote.
Be sure to vote on October 26, 2026.
Paul Bootsma - Policy Advisor for CFFO Long-Term Thinking for Today’s Issues
The CFFO Commentary represents the opinions of the writer and does not necessarily represent CFFO policy.