Want to make a difference in your community? Interested in becoming more involved in the day-to-day business of your local government? Are you thinking about running for a seat on the Clearview Township Council?

Voting Day is Monday, October 24, 2022. Nomination for candidates for the 2022 Municipal Election opens on Monday, May 2, 2022. You can register in-person at the Office of the Clerk (217 Gideon Street, Stayner), by appointment only, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. The Nomination Period closes on Friday, August 19, 2022 at 2 p.m.

Interested Candidates are asked to fill out the Form 1 and Form 2 prior to attending their Nomination appointment where additional candidate information will be provided in Clearview Township's 2022 Candidate Package.

Eligible Clearview voters will elect a number of different positions on Voting Day, including:

• One (1) Mayor
• One (1) Deputy Mayor
• Five (5) Ward Councillors (one for each of Wards 1 to 5)

The four (4) year term of office for the next Council begins on Tuesday, November 15, 2022.

Additional Resources

• Municipal Elections Act, 1996
• Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing Website
• 2022 Clearview Township Municipal Election Procedures
• 2022 Municipal Election Accessibility Plan
• Sign By-law
• Use of Corporate Resources Policy
• 2022 Candidates' Guide
  • • Simcoe County information sheet for Mayor and Deputy Mayor Candidates
    • Form 1 – Nomination Form
    • Form 2 - Endorsement Signatures (Council positions)
    • Form 4 - Candidate Financial Statement
    • Preliminary Estimate - Maximum Campaign Expense Amounts
    • Preliminary Estimate - Maximum Contributions to Own Campaign
    • Preliminary Estimate - Maximum Expenses for After Voting Party

What is the role of a Council Member or Head of Council?

Section 224 of the Municipal Act, 2001 outlines the following responsibilities for the role of a Councillor:

1. To represent the public and to consider the well-being and interests of the municipality;
2. To develop and evaluate the policies and programs of the municipality;
3. To determine which services the municipality provides;
4. 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;

1. To maintain the financial integrity of the municipality; and
2. To carry out the duties of Council under this or any other act.

Section 225 outlines the following responsibilities for the role of the Head of Council (Mayor):

1. To act as the chief executive officer of the municipality;
2. To preside over Council meetings so that its business can be carried out efficiently and effectively;
3. 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);
4. To represent the municipality at official functions; and
5. To carry out the duties of a head of Council under this or any other Act.

How often do Council Meetings occur?

Regular Council meetings are held on Monday (usually twice a month) and generally start at 5:30 p.m. Meetings are held in the Council Chambers of the Clearview Township Administration Centre located at 217 Gideon Street in Stayner. All upcoming meetings will appear on the Council Meeting Calendar.

Public meetings under the Planning Act are generally held on the fourth Wednesday of the month, as required, and Special Meetings are called as deemed necessary by the Mayor in coordination with the Clerk.

Due to COVID-19, Council meetings are currently being held virtually until further notice.

On average, how many hours are needed to prepare for Council meetings?

It is estimated that the preparation time for regular meetings is 2 to 10 hours per meeting, depending on agenda volume and complexity of agenda items. For an example of a Clearview Council agenda and supplementary information included on an agenda, please visit the Council Agendas & Minutes Page.

What are the rates of remuneration for Members of Council?

In 2021, the remuneration rates were: 

• Councillor: $21,130 annually
• Deputy Mayor: $27,986 annually
• Mayor: $36,778 annually 

The Mayor and Deputy Mayor also receive remuneration as Councillors for the County of Simcoe.

Council is also provided with the following benefits and expense allowances as per Corporate policies:

• Health Care Spending Account in the amount of $1,250 – as administered through the Corporate benefit provider;
• Mayor and Deputy Mayor receive a corporate cell phone for their term; 
• Training and Development – as budgeted through the yearly budget cycle; and,
• Attendance at Conferences – as budgeted through the yearly budget cycle

How many Boards and/or Committees are Councillors typically a part of?

Council Members will also be members of between one (1) to four (4) Boards and/or Committees during their term. These appointments are made at the beginning of the term in consultation with individual members and the Mayor.

A Councillor’s role on each Board/Committee includes:

• Representing the interests of the Board/Committee to Township Council,
• Reporting on regular Council deliberations that maybe of interest to the Board/Committee, 
• Representing the broader interests and responsibilities of the Township of Clearview,
• Acting as a resource to the Board/Committee pertaining to Township policies, by-laws, and accountabilities to ensure Board/Committee practices and procedures are aligned with those of Clearview Township, and
• Acting as a liaison between the Board/Committee and the Township Staff where opportunities for additional support and collaboration are identified. 

For a current listing of our Boards and Committees of Council, please visit the Clearview Township’s Board and Committees page.

Qualification and Nomination Requirements

• Every person is qualified to be elected or hold office for the Mayor, Deputy Mayor, Councillor, and School Board Trustee, if on the day the nomination paper is filed, the person is:
  • At least 18 years of age; 
  • A Canadian Citizen; 
  • A resident of Clearview Township, or an owner or tenant of land in the Township of Clearview, or the spouse of an owner or tenant;
  • Not legally prohibited from voting;
  • Not disqualified by any legislation from holding municipal office; and
  • Entitled to be an elector within Clearview Township.
• A nomination paper must be signed by 25 eligible voters supporting the nomination. The individuals providing signatures must sign a declaration stating they are eligible to vote in the municipality on the day they sign the endorsement. This endorsement becomes a public record. 
• Each candidate must provide proof of Canadian citizenship in a form acceptable to the Township Clerk. It is the responsibility of the candidate to file a bona fide nomination paper. 
• Nomination forms will be made available in the Spring of 2022 or sooner, once released by the Province.
• Employees of the Township of Clearview or a local Board who wish to run for office must take an unpaid leave of absence as of the day the employee is nominated and ending on voting day, before submitting the nomination paper. Employees must provide a copy of the documentation showing this leave of absence and effective date and must resign their position if elected. 

The following individuals are disqualified from being elected or holding office on a municipal Council:

• A judge of any court.
• 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. Proof of resignation must be provided by the close of nominations or the Township Clerk will not certify the nomination.
• A candidate who failed to file the necessary financial statement in the last municipal election or by-election.
• An inmate serving a sentence under the Municipal Elections Act and Municipal Act, 2001. 

A full list of disqualifications is available under the Municipal Elections Act and Municipal Act, 2001 found online here.

Filing Fees

• Filing fee for nomination to the position of Mayor is $200.00.
• Filing fee for nominations to Deputy Mayor, Ward Councillor or School Board Trustee is $100.00.
• Payment must be made by cash, certified cheque, debit, or money order payable to the Township of Clearview.

Withdrawal of Nomination

If a candidate decides they no longer wish to run for Office, the following must occur: 

• File a written Withdrawal of Nomination form, in-person, with the Township Clerk;
• Provide identification; and,
• File a financial statement by the deadline date.

Last day to withdraw: Friday, August 19, 2022 between 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.

Reasons to Reject a Nomination by the Clerk

Prior to 4:00 p.m. on August 22, 2022 (Monday following Nomination Day), the Township Clerk must examine each nomination filed. If satisfied and if the nomination complies with the Municipal Election Act, 1996, the person is qualified to be nominated and the Township Clerk shall certify the nomination. If not satisfied, the Township Clerk shall reject the nomination and give notice to the person who sought to be nominated and all other candidates for that office. The Township Clerk's decision to reject a nomination is final. 

The Township Clerk may consider the following criteria in the decision to reject or certify nominations:

• The candidate has refused or declined to provide proof of qualifications or identification suitable to the Township Clerk.
• The candidate does not meet the eligibility requirements set out under Section 29(1) of the Municipal Elections Act, 1996.
• The nomination form is not complete in its entirety, or the filing fee has not been paid.
• The necessary financial statement was not filed for the previous regular election for any new election in which the individual may have been a candidate.

Have your say. Make sure you are on the list to vote in the 2022 Municipal and School Board Elections on October 24th.

Are you on the list to vote for the upcoming municipal election?

Register to vote in the 2022 Ontario Municipal and School Board Election

If you are an Ontario resident over the age of 18, you can visit Online Voter Registration to confirm or update your information in a few easy steps.

The upcoming year will be a busy one for Ontario voters, with the Ontario Provincial Election and Municipal and School Board Elections happening just a few months apart. Make sure you are on the list to vote in the 2022 Municipal and School Board Elections on October 24th.

Register at Online Voter Registration

Make sure you’re on the Voters List!

Please be advised that names cannot be removed from the Voter’s List using this method.

Updating this information will help to ensure that municipal Voters’ Lists are accurate and up-to-date in preparation for Municipal and School Board Elections taking place on October 24, 2022.

Find out ahead of time if you are eligible to vote. Visit Online Voter Registration or call 705-428-6230 ext. 274. Have your say. Log on today.

Who Can Vote?

A person is entitled to vote in a municipal election if, on Voting Day, they:

• Reside in the local municipality, or are the owner or tenant of land in the municipality, or the spouse of such owner or tenant; and
• Are a Canadian citizen;
• Are at least 18 years old; and
• Are not prohibited from voting under the Municipal Elections Act or otherwise prohibited by law. 

Acceptable Voter Identification

Resident Elector

A resident elector is a person who lives in and is eligible to vote in that municipality’s election. A person is only allowed to have one residence.

 person’s residence is the permanent lodging place to which, whenever absent, he or she intends to return.

The following rules apply in determining a person’s residence:

1. A person may only have one residence at a time;
2. The place where a person’s family resides is also their residence, unless they moves elsewhere with the intention of changing their permanent lodging place;
3. If a person has no other permanent lodging place, the place where they occupy a room or part of a room as a regular lodger, to which they habitually return, is their residence.

Non-Resident Elector

If a person lives in one municipality but owns or rents property in another municipality, then they are a non-resident elector and able to vote in that municipality’s election. 

Spouse of Non-Resident Elector

If a person lives in one municipality and qualifies as a spouse of a non-resident elector, then they are able to vote in that municipality’s election.

People Without Housing

Persons without a permanent residence may also qualify to be added to the Voter’s List during the revision period by submitting an application to the Clerk. If a person has no permanent residence or lodging place, the following rules apply in determining their residence:

1. The place to which the person most frequently returned to sleep or eat during the five weeks preceding the determination is their residence.
2. If the person returns with equal frequency to one place to sleep and another to eat, the place to which they return to sleep is their residence.
3. Multiple returns to the same place during a single day, whether to eat or to sleep, shall be considered one return.
4. A person’s affidavit regarding the places to which they returned to eat or sleep during a given time period is conclusive, in the absence of evidence to the contrary.

MPAC is not required to include a person without housing's name on the Preliminary List of Electors. As persons without housing are entitled to be electors, they are also eligible to be candidates provided they meet the citizenship and age requirements and are not otherwise prohibited by law.

Students

A person may have residences in two local municipalities at the same time if the person lives in one of the local municipalities in order to attend an education institution but not with the intention of changing their permanent lodging place, and the person’s permanent lodging place is in the other local municipality.

Therefore, students can vote in the municipality where they attend school and they can also vote in the municipality where they live.

Trailer Owners – Campgrounds

Trailer owners in campgrounds are tenants of the campground – therefore, they are potentially eligible electors. Under a timeshare contract, to be eligible, the person must be entitled to use the land on Voting Day, or for a period of six weeks or more during the calendar year in which the election is held.

Who Cannot Vote?

The following cannot vote:

• A person who is serving a sentence of imprisonment in penal or correctional institution.
• A corporation.
• A person acting as executor or trustee or in any other representative capacity, except as a voting proxy in accordance with section 44 of the Municipal Elections Act.
• A person who was convicted of the corrupt practice described in subsection 90(3), if Voting Day in the current election is less than five years after Voting Day in the election in respect of which he or she was convicted.

Clearview's Ward Boundaries 

What ward do you live in? For information on Clearview's Ward Boundaries, including maps, and a ward search tool, visit our Know Your Ward webpage: 

Know Your Ward

Voting Methods in the 2022 Municipal Election

In 2022, Voters in Clearview Township will be able to cast their vote in the Municipal Election from the comfort of their own home – or anywhere they can access the internet. In addition to Internet Voting, Voters will also be able to cast their vote in-person using traditional ballots on Advance Voting dates. On Election Day electronic Voter Help Centres will be available to vote by internet and to make any revisions to the Voter’s List. 

Options to Cast a Vote Include:

• Internet voting via Desktop or laptop computer, Smart Phone (mobile device), Tablet Device; or
• Traditional Paper Ballots.

Benefits of Internet Voting

Accessibility: Whether you are away on personal travel, suffering from illness, working days or nights, have a disability, or just have difficulty travelling, you can cast your ballot from anywhere with an internet connection.

Convenience: Remotely cast your vote from anywhere using a computer, smart phone, or tablet device, 24 hours a day over an extended voting period.

Environmentally Friendly: Reduction in greenhouse gas emissions as voters no longer need to travel to polling locations.

Additional Resources

• Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing Website
• Municipal Elections Act, 1996
• 2022 Clearview Township Municipal Election Procedures
• 2022 Municipal Election Accessibility Plan 
• Use of Corporate Resources Policy

Do you need Assistance for the 2022 Municipal Election?

Meeting the needs of Electors with disabilities

The Clearview Township Clerk’s Office is committed to having regard to the needs of electors with disabilities and consideration to the Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2001, as amended, while providing all eligible electors full access and the right to vote during the 2022 Municipal Election. 

Voting locations have been selected based on their accessibility and access to Voters. If you have specific need(s) or a disability and require additional assistance, please contact the Clerk’s Office at 705-428-6230 ext. 274 or email election@clearview.ca. Note that this email is only monitored during the election period. If you have general accessibility inquiries, please email clerks@clearvew.ca. 

Additional Resources

• 2022 Municipal Election Accessibility Plan 

Effective May 1, 2018, new rules have been placed on advertisements during municipal election periods. From May 1, 2022, to October 24, 2022, no paid advertisements can be made to support or oppose a candidate or a question on the ballot for the municipal election unless that person is a registered candidate or registered third party advertiser. 

Third Party Advertiser Information & FAQ's

Who can register as a Third Party Advertiser?

A registered third party advertiser is an individual, corporation, trade union, or other body that advertises to support or oppose a candidate or a question on the ballot for the municipal election. A registered third party is subject to many of the same requirements as that of a candidate, including filing registration papers, expense limits and financial statements, and is subject to the Township's Election Sign By-law and other legislation and by-laws. 

No election advertising outside of a candidate or registered third party is permitted. 

A third party may register with the Clerk's Office from May 2, 2022 to October 21, 2022. Registered third party packages will be available in the Spring of 2022, or sooner. There is no registration fee for third party advertisers, but the Clerk must examine the registration, and then certify the notice of registration if deemed compliant, or reject the registration.

The following are not permitted to register:

• Municipal election candidates.
• Federal and Provincial political parties, constituency associations, registered candidates and leadership contestants.
• A Federal and Provincial government, municipality, or local board.

If third party advertisers want to advertise in more than one municipality, they will be required to register in each municipality. This includes newspaper publications that originate in one municipality but are delivered to multiple municipalities.

List of Certified Third Party Advertisers

A list of third party advertisers will be available and updated as required between May 2, 2022, and October 21, 2022.

What is considered a paid advertisement?

The following are not considered as paid advertisements:

• An advertisement by and under the direction of a candidate.
• Where no expenses are incurred by the person/entity in relation to the advertisement; and
• When given or transmitted by an individual to employees, by a corporation to its shareholders, directors, members or employees or by a trade union to its members or employees.

Advertising that does not cost money to post or to broadcast, such as comments made on social media, will not be considered as third party advertising.

Rules for Broadcasters and Publishers

Broadcasters and publishers are responsible for ensuring that all qualifying advertisements comply with the Municipal Elections Act.

Restricted Campaign Period

Broadcasters and publishers may only permit third party advertisements to appear between May 2, 2022, and October 24, 2022 (Election Day).

Mandatory Information

A registered third party advertiser must provide the following information to the broadcaster or publisher in writing before the third-party advertisement appears:

• The name of the registered third party.
• The name of the business address and telephone number of the individual who deals with the broadcaster or publisher under the direction of the registered third party; and
• The municipality where the registered third party is registered.

All third-party advertisements must contain the following information:

• The name of the registered third party.
• The municipality where the registered third party is registered; and
• The telephone number, mailing address or email address at which the registered third party may be contacted regarding the advertisement

Maintaining Records

The broadcaster or publisher of a third party advertisement must maintain records for four (4) years after the date the advertisement appears. These records must contain:

• Mandatory information described in section 1 (above), as outlined under section 88.5(2) of the Act.
• A copy of the advertisement, or the means of reproducing it for inspection; and
• A statement of charge made for its appearance.

The public must be permitted to inspect the records during normal business hours.

Charges and Contributions

The broadcaster or publisher may not charge a third party advertiser more or less than their normal advertising rate. If less is charged, the difference is deemed to be a contribution to the third party advertiser. Providing free advertising is considered a contribution towards the third party advertiser, unless all third party advertisers are offered the same service.

Broadcasters or Publishers as Registered Third Party Advertisers

Broadcasters or publishers, who wish to conduct third party advertising, must register as a third party advertiser and follow the requirements of the Act. A ‘Third Party Advertisers’ Guide', published by the Government of Ontario, will be provided upon registration.

Additional Resources

• Municipal Elections Act, 1996
• Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing Website
• 2022 Third Party Advertisers' Guide
• Form 7 – Notice of Registration
• Form 8 – Financial Statement

2018 CERTIFIED ELECTION RESULTS
To view the certified election results, please click here

2018 Election

Welcome to the 2018 Clearview Township Election information page. Municipal elections in Ontario are held every four years and are governed by the Municipal Elections Act. The next election for Clearview Township will be held on Monday, October 22, 2018.

Financial Statements

Voter Information - Archived 

Candidate Information - Archived 

List of Certified Candidates - Archived 

List of certified Third Party Advertisers - Archived 

What Ward Do You Live In?

WARD MAP

Are You On The Voters List?

Please contact the Clerks department at 705-428-6230 ext. 246 or ext. 254,
or come in and see us at the Administration Building at 217 Gideon Street, Stayner. 

Important Dates:

• Nomination start date: May 1, 2018
• Nomination end date: July 27, 2018, 2 pm
• Election Day: October 22, 2018
• New term of Council begins: December 1, 2018
• End of campaign period: December 31, 2018

Documents

List of Certified Candidates - Archived 

Municipal Election Accessibility Plan 2018

Election Nomination Period Change of Date

Please be advised that the Nomination Period for the 2018 Municipal Election has been shortened due to recent changes to the Municipal Elections Act. Nominations will not be accepted until May 1, 2018. The deadline for nominations will be 2 p.m. on July 27, 2018. Forms and candidate information packages will be available Spring 2018.