Accessibility Election Policy
GENERAL ELECTION INFORMATION
Notice of Nomination
West Parry Sound Joint Election Compliance Audit Committee
The changes in the Municipal Elections Act, 1996, as amended, stipulate that "a council or local board shall, before October 1 of an election year, establish a committee for the purposes of Section 81 of the Act". Section 81 stipulates that "an elector who is entitled to vote in an election and believes on reasonable grounds that a candidate has contravened a provisionof this Act relating to election campaign finances, may apply for a compliance audit of the candidate's election campaign finances."
Since the Act says that there shall be three or more members appointed to an election Compliance Audit Committe, many of the West Parry Sound municipalities have agreed to form a joint committee to share expenses should an application be submitted.
The Terms of Reference for this joint committee are part of By-law 2010-5489, which was passed by Parry Sound Council on July 20, 2010. WPS Joint Election Compliance Audit By-law
Accessibility in the 2010 Municipal Election
The accessibility goal of the Town of Parry Sound's Election Team for the 2010 Municipal Election is to establish objectives and actions to ensure the needs of electors and candidates with disabilities have been addressed. The 2010 Municipal Election Accessibility Plan has been prepared to assist with meeting this goal. (Please note: this is a working document and may be updated from time to time.)
Section 45(2) of the The Municipal Elections Act, 1996, as amended, states: "In establishing the locations of voting places, the clerk shall ensure that each voting place is accessible to electors with disabilities." All advance polls and the YMCA Election Day Voting place will be physically accessible.
Please click Election Accessibility for more information about accessible voting.
Bullentin 3:
Good Government Act 2009 (Bill 212)
The Good Government Act, 2009 (Bill 212) has been enacted by the Ontario Legislature. This Act makes several amendments to the Municipal Elections Act, 1996. Changes include, but are not limited to; key dates in the election calendar, the needs of candidates with disabilities, campaign financing rules and candidate contribution limits. The Act will require voters to show identification when they vote and all voting locations must be accessible to voters with disabilities.
Nominations open on January 4, 2010. If you are interested in becoming a candidate in the 2010 election please click on the "Canadidates" Tab. If you have questions about where and how to vote, click on the "Voters" Tab. If you are interested in working during the election, please click on the "Election Employment" Tab. If you are a member of the media, please click on the "Media" Tab.
This site will be updated on a regular basis.
MUNICIPAL ELECTION 2010 IS MONDAY OCTOBER 25, 2010
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Bullentin 2:
December 4, 2009 - Update on Good Government Bill - Election Changes
Good Government Act Receives 3rd Reading
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Bulletin 1:
Good Government Bill Proposes Municipal Election Changes
Issue: On October 27, 2009 the Honourable Chris Bentley, Attorney General, introduced a bill which would amend the Municipal Elections Act, 1996.
Quick Summary:
After each municipal election, the provincial government reviews the Act which governs the conduct of elections to determine any changes to improve the administration of elections. The government has completed its review and proposes a number of changes to existing election practices. Proposed changes include, but are not limited to:
Date Change - The legislation would move the election date forward to the fourth Monday of October. The next municipal election would be held on October 25, 2010.
Campaign Financing - Campaign surpluses in future elections would go to the municipality. Existing surpluses could be used by candidates for the election of 2010 only. Fundraising limits would be increased from 70 cents per elector to 85 cents. The bill would establish new contribution limits of $5,000 per contributor in each jurisdiction in addition to the existing limit of $750 per candidate. The proposal provides for more detailed reporting requirements of election expenses for all campaigns. In addition, municipal clerks would make all financial filings available in electronic format.
Compliance Audits and Financial Accountability - Responsibility for Compliance Audits would be shifted from Councils to an arms-length Compliance Committees of 3-7 citizens appointed by all Councils. This would replace the current system in which Council’s may appoint or delegate such duties.
Accessibility - The proposed changes would have regard for the needs of disabled voters and candidates.
Voters List - The change would permit municipalities and MPAC to use additional sources of personal information to improve the accuracy of the voters list.
STATUS OF THIS BILL: Bill 212, the Good Government Act, which is proposing these amendments has received first and second reading in the Provincial Legislature. It is hoped that the third reading and royal assent will take place sometime in December 2009.
