Who can be a candidate for Mayor or City Councillor?
A person is eligible to be a candidate for Mayor or City Councillor if they are:
- a resident of the City of Ottawa, or an owner or tenant of land in the City of Ottawa, or the spouse of such an owner or tenant.
- a Canadian citizen.
- at least 18 years old.
- not legally prohibited from voting.
A candidate must be eligible as of the day they are nominated and must remain eligible throughout the election period and, if elected, throughout the term of office.
City of Ottawa employees
Employees of the City of Ottawa are required to take an unpaid leave of absence prior to filing their nominations forms with the City Clerk.
Who cannot be a candidate for Mayor or City Councillor?
The following individuals are ineligible from being elected as a member of council, or from holding office as a member of council:
- an employee of the municipality unless they take an unpaid leave of absence beginning the day they are nominated and resign if elected to the office.
- 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 City Clerk will not certify the nomination.
- a candidate who failed to file the necessary financial statement(s) in the last municipal election or by-election.
Who can be a candidate for School Board Trustee?
A person is eligible to be a candidate for School Board Trustee if they are:
- a Canadian citizen.
- at least 18 years old.
- a resident within the board's area of jurisdiction.
- a supporter of that school board.
- not legally prohibited from voting.
A candidate for School Board Trustee must be eligible as of the day they are nominated and must remain eligible throughout the election period and, if elected, throughout the term of office.
School board employees
Employees of any school boards (including supply teachers) are required to take an unpaid leave of absence before filing their nomination forms with the City Clerk.
Who cannot be a candidate for School Board Trustee?
The following people are ineligible from being elected as a School Board Trustee or from holding office on any school board:
- an employee of the school board unless they take an unpaid leave of absence beginning the day they are nominated and resign if elected to the office.
- a clerk, treasurer, deputy-clerk or deputy-treasurer of any municipality within the area of jurisdiction of the school board except those on an 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. Proof of resignation must be provided by the close of nominations.
- a candidate who failed to file the necessary financial statement(s) in the last municipal election or by-election.