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Safeguard local power: why the upcoming municipal elections in Ontario matter more than ever
Municipal elections in Ontario are set to take place on October 26, 2026 which is less than five months away. Municipal elections tend to be overlooked the most, with voter turnout usually significantly lower than provincial and federal elections.
In 2022, the average voter turnout for Ontario municipal elections was 32.9 per cent, a decline from 35 per cent in 2018.
As a provincial organization, ONN has always focused on nonprofit engagement in provincial elections, but not as much when it comes to local elections. But, with increased centralization of power, and a growing lack of belief in our democratic processes, this year’s local elections might matter more than ever before. As a sector, we must step up.
Sentiments for not engaging in municipal elections
Currently, there is a general feeling of hopelessness and overwhelm when it comes to our democratic processes. With governments passing legislation with minimal to no meaningful consultations and public concerns increasingly disregarded in decision-making, it’s no surprise that more and more people are becoming apathetic towards democracy.
Recent shifts in local decision-making power compounds the concerns, with a series of incremental changes on the provincial level diminishing or even disappearing local control. This may make people wonder why they should participate in local elections and voting. These feelings and concerns signal an urgent need to safeguard local power and democracy.
As nonprofits, we know many of the issues we work on require systemic changes through public policies on all levels of government to address root causes. Many of us also serve communities who face barriers when it comes to democratic engagement. However, some of us tend to shy away from election engagement work, thinking it is too risky or not within our mission. In reality, we need to do more of exactly what most of us don’t think we can or should do: advocate with and for the communities we serve, and participate in elections.
Vu Le, a nonprofit thought leader once wrote that playing safe “prevents us from engaging in political actions and systems change work that are necessary to effectively address the root causes of inequity.”
In this municipal election, nonprofits must play a more active role in demanding better from our system, candidates, and elected leaders, alongside the communities we are part of. Election engagement is not just about voter turnout, it is also about local organizing, movement building, and deepening connections with our communities.
What nonprofits should know about municipal elections
- In municipal elections in Ontario, unlike other levels of government, candidates are not elected to represent a political party.
- When it comes to third party advertising, you only need to register with your municipality if your advertisements are partisan. Under Ontario’s Municipal Elections Act, individuals and nonprofit corporations must register with their municipality only if they plan on spending money on advertising that supports, promotes, or opposes a candidate for office or ballot question. If you are considering partisan advertising, you can learn more about the general rules here.
Actions funders can take support election advocacy
There is an inherent power imbalance between funders and organizations on the receiving end of funding. This power dynamic means that funders can either facilitate or hinder nonprofits’ engagement in public policy advocacy.
It’s understandable that many nonprofits are hesitant to engage in election activities as they are worried about funder reactions. To enable more nonprofits to play an active role in elections, more funders need to step up and fund work that focuses on advocacy, democracy, and civic engagement.
Nonprofits can – and should – advocate. Collective action works!
This municipal election, let’s leverage our strength and exercise every amount of power we have to create change. The moment is now to safeguard local power -we cannot afford to be apathetic.
Resources related to election advocacy
The resources below outline activities that are nonpartisan and compliant with the federal Income Tax Act. Choose the activities that fit your organization’s capacity. Every action you take makes a difference.
- Communicating value of the nonprofit sector: There is a general lack of understanding amongst the public and elected officials about the nonprofit sector, and the municipal election is a great time to talk about the value of nonprofits to capture the attention of candidates and garner public support.
- Nonpartisan advocacy during elections: Whether you are a grassroots group, nonprofit, or charity, you have a right to participate in the democratic process, including election advocacy. Leverage your network to build a coalition around a specific issue, or connect with candidates in wards where your organization is located or offers services and programs.
- Voter engagement: An important and long-standing way nonprofits can engage in elections is by encouraging non-partisan voter engagement. You can do this in big or small ways, from providing educational information on elections to organizing voter engagement events and encouraging voting at workplaces.
- Combating misinformation and disinformation: Fighting misinformation and disinformation is increasingly important for protecting and activating a healthy democracy. Nonprofits can do this by actively debunking misinformation and disinformation, creating tools and resources to help voters understand and recognize misinformation and disinformation, and providing accurate information in multiple languages.
