If you have ever contemplated a run for municipal office, you are certainly not alone in that ambition. The Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) is now offering a series of complimentary online workshops specifically designed for aspiring city councillors, as well as separate sessions for those considering a return to public service.
Timely Initiative for the 2026 Election Cycle
These educational sessions are strategically timed to coincide with the upcoming municipal election cycle. Ontarians will be heading to the polls on October 26, 2026, to select their mayors and local councillors. The workshops aim to demystify the electoral process and make participation more accessible to a broader range of citizens.
Addressing a Decline in Civic Engagement
Petra Wolfbeiss, the director of AMO’s Membership Centre, explained that this new program is partly a response to concerning trends observed in recent elections. "We wanted to make running for municipal office accessible and easy," Wolfbeiss told the Toronto Sun. "There’s a world of difference between being really good at campaigning and winning an election, and being good at governance and understanding your role. So we’re doing both of those things."
Statistical data from AMO reveals a persistent decline in candidate numbers and voter participation across Ontario:
- The number of municipal candidates has decreased from 8,039 in 2010 to 6,325 in 2022.
- Voter turnout has similarly fallen from 44% to 36% over the same period.
- Acclamations, where candidates win seats uncontested, have risen significantly, with 553 such instances in 2022, up from 477 in 2018.
Workshop Details and Specialized Sessions
The free workshops will be conducted via Zoom, with links and detailed information available on the AMO website. In addition to general sessions, the association is offering specialized workshops for candidates from under-represented groups and an information session tailored for youth considering a political run.
Wolfbeiss emphasized that these trends are not confined to any particular region. "It was a trend that’s been going in the same direction since at least 2014 … by and large, people are losing interest and certainly not considering running," she noted. "A lot of people don’t really understand what municipal governments do and how important they are to them."
First-Hand Perspective from a New Councillor
Rachel Chernos Lin, one of Toronto’s newest city councillors who won a byelection in late 2024, shared her insights on the challenges of entering municipal politics. Despite previous experience running for the Toronto District School Board, she found a council campaign to be "much bigger" in scope.
"I think that encourages democracy and encourages people who might not feel confident doing this to think about doing this," Chernos Lin said regarding AMO’s initiative. "Because I will tell you, it’s intimidating." She highlighted that unlike previous seminars offered during election periods, AMO’s early workshops provide prospective candidates with valuable preparation time.
Additional Resources and Future Plans
Beyond the candidate workshops, AMO plans to release a civility and anti-harassment guide for municipal councils in the coming weeks. The association’s Healthy Democracy Project offers further online resources aimed at strengthening local governance and encouraging broader civic participation.
This comprehensive approach seeks to reverse the troubling decline in municipal election engagement across Ontario, providing potential candidates with the tools and knowledge needed to successfully navigate the political landscape.
