Becoming a candidate in the 2025 Osgoode By-election

The City of Ottawa’s Elections Office created a Becoming a candidate in the 2025 Osgoode By-election to provide information to those considering becoming a candidate.

A person is eligible to be a candidate for City Councillor in Ward 20 Osgoode 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 (ending November 15, 2026).

Who cannot be a candidate for City Councillor in Ward 20 Osgoode?

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.

To run for the office of City Councillor for Ward 20 Osgoode, candidates must:

• File a completed Nomination Paper - Form 1
• File a completed Endorsement of Nomination - Form 2 (that includes a declaration of qualification from at least 25 eligible electors endorsing their nomination)
• Pay the filing fee of $100
• Provide proof of identity

Note: Nomination forms are public documents and are available for inspection at the Elections Office.

Nomination period

• March 27 is the first day for candidates to file their nomination forms for the office of City Councillor for Ward 20 Osgoode at the Elections Office during regular office hours. Nominations for the 2025 Osgoode By-election will take place at the Elections Office (1221 B Cyrville Road with the City Clerk or her designate).
  • Candidates or their agents are encouraged to schedule an appointment to file their nomination and may contact the Elections Office by phone at 613-580-2660 or by email at elections@ottawa.ca in order to do so. Appointments will be reserved on a first come, first serve basis.
• May 2 at 2 pm is the deadline for candidates to submit their nomination forms for the office of City Councillor for Ward 20 Osgoode at the Elections Office.
• May 2 at 2 pm is the deadline for candidates for the office of City Councillor for Ward 20 Osgoode to withdraw their nomination at the Elections Office.

Endorsement of Nomination – Form 2

At least 25 eligible electors must endorse a candidate’s nomination for the office of City Councillor. Individuals who provide a signature endorsing a nomination will have to sign a declaration stating they are eligible to vote in the municipality as of the day they sign the endorsement.

The nomination forms of a candidate running for the office of City Councillor must be submitted with a declaration of qualification from each of the eligible electors endorsing their nomination.

Filing fees

Candidates must pay a filing fee of $100 at the time of filing (by cash, debit, credit card, certified cheque or money order) their nomination forms.

Nomination filing fees are refundable if the candidate’s initial financial statement and auditor’s report (if applicable) are filed on or before September 2, 2025, at 2 pm.

Withdrawal of nomination

A candidate may withdraw their nomination by notifying the City Clerk in writing before 2 pm on May 2.

Candidates who withdraw their nomination are still required to submit an initial financial statement by May 2, at 2 pm that covers all financial transactions up to the time of the withdrawal.

For more information, we recommend consulting the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing's 2022 Candidates’ Guide - Ontario municipal council and school board elections. This guide was created to provide candidates with general information in plain language concerning the rules and constraints of the Municipal Elections Act, 1996 and other legislation and regulations.