Marmora Matters: Could you be a candidate for Marmora and Lake council?

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Council met on Nov. 4.

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There was a presentation from Alto, a Crown corporation tasked with stakeholder engagement regarding a proposed high-speed rail line. The line will run between Toronto and Quebec City. Council also received reports from staff before going into a closed session to discuss personal matters, the fire department succession plan, and to receive a union update. The next council meeting was scheduled for Nov. 18, with an agenda that included interesting notices of motion regarding the Lions’ agreement and the library’s phone and utility expenses.

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Have you ever thought about running for municipal office?

If you’re unhappy with the way the municipality is managed, or if you think you have what it takes to do better, perhaps you would consider running for office. Municipal elections are held every four years — the next being Oct. 26, 2026 — so there’s a little less than a year to prepare.

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To run in a municipal election. candidates must be:

• A Canadian citizen and at least 18 years old;
• A resident of the municipality, a non-resident owner or tenant of land in the municipality, or the spouse of such non-resident owner or tenant;
• Not legally prohibited from voting; and,
• Not disqualified by any legislation from holding municipal office.

Candidates must also pay a fee of $100 ($200 for head of council). In municipalities with more than 4,000 electors like Marmora and Lake, candidates must also obtain 25 endorsement signatures when they submit their nomination.

Candidates are not elected to represent a political party. Nominations usually open in May and remain open until late-August. They are then examined and certified by the clerk.

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Go to www.ontario.ca/page/municipal-elections to see the Candidates’ Guide. The 2026 guide has not been posted yet, so have a look at the 2022 guide to get an overview of what is involved in running for office.

It’s also wise to get a clear idea of what it’s like being on the council of a small, rural municipality. Speak to a current councillor, here or in another jurisdiction close by. I think you will find that — if done well — the job is more work than you think, and the remuneration isn’t anywhere near sufficient to compensate for the complaints and insults you will endure. Those with thin skin be forewarned!

If you are ready and willing to learn (and there is a lot to learn), to work diligently, and make well-informed decisions in the best interests of the community as a whole, you might be a good fit.

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Your first task is to make yourself known in the community, perhaps you’ll be competing with incumbents who have name-recognition advantage. Watch a half a dozen council meetings on YouTube to get a sense of procedure and to assess members’ performance.

The Nov. 18 meeting promises to be a particularly enlightening initiation.

Coming events

• The Lions third-annual Festival of Trees runs from Friday through Sunday, Nov. 21-23, at the community centre. On Friday and Saturday the hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., and on Sunday they are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Entry fee is $5. Come and celebrate the festive season at this spectacular event!
• The Santa Claus Parade of Lights will be held on Saturday, Dec. 6. The parade leaves the Fairground at 6 p.m. and follows the usual route along Madoc to Forsyth, to Linn and Bursthall, and north to Town Hall.
• Tuesday, Dec. 2 is Giving Tuesday, a global generosity movement unleashing the power of people to transform their communities and the world. It’s a day that encourages people to do good, to put aside consumerism and give to those in need. Choose to make your holiday gift-giving meaningful by giving to local charity this Giving Tuesday. There are many to choose from, all worthy and in need of your support. Go to Canadahelps.org to give online.

Give your time! Give your money! Give of yourself!

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