Candidate Information

Candidate nominations have now closed. The List of Certified Candidates is now available.

Office of Mayor

Ward 1 Councillor

Ward 2 Councillor

Ward 3 Councillor

Ward 4 Councillor

Ward 5 Councillor

Ward 6 Councillor

York Catholic District School Board Trustee

York Region District School Board Trustee

Conseil scolaire Viamonde Trustee

Conseil scolaire catholique MonAvenir

At its meeting on November 25, 2025, Town Council adopted an amended Use of Corporate Resources for Election Campaign Purposes Policy.  The Policy sets out provisions that address:

1. Campaigning during the election period
2. Access to Town facilities during an election period. A list of Town facilities is attached.
3. Access to Town Resources during an election period
4. Responsibilities of council, candidates, and staff during the election period

The following procedures will be followed when considering complaints related to the policy: 

1. All complaints must be submitted in writing to the Town Clerk or designate by emailing elections@aurora.ca The complainant must provide evidence of violation and reference the section in the Use of Corporate Resources Policy alleged to have contravened.
2. Upon receipt, the Town Clerk will acknowledge the complaint in writing.
3. The Town Clerk conducts an initial screening to determine whether the matter falls within the scope of the policy. The Town Clerk may consult with the appropriate Director and CAO in their initial review of the complaint.
4. If needed, the Clerk conducts initial screening with the candidate allowing for opportunity to respond.
5. Following the initial screening and if appropriate, the Town Clerk provides the candidate with:
   • Written notice of the allegation
   • A summary of the relevant policy violation
   • An opportunity to respond within a reasonable timeframe. The Town Clerk will encourage voluntary corrective action where appropriate.
6. If the violation continues, the Town Clerk may complete further investigation and provide formal written notice of the allegation, summary of the relevant policy provisions, and direct the activity to cease including removal of materials or access. This will be done in consultation with the CAO and relevant Director.
7. If appropriate, the Town Clerk may at their discretion provide written notification to the complainant.

See FAQs – Use of Corporate Resources for Election Purposes

1. The Town Clerk or designate is the primary contact for candidates and third-party advertisers. 
2. All requests from candidates or third-party advertisers regarding municipal operations shall be directed to elections@aurora.ca Requests and responses should be in writing. 
3. The Town Clerk will direct all staff related requests to the Directors/Managers.  If a staff member has been contacted by a prospective Council candidate to complete a task, the staff member shall contact their supervisor and Town Clerk for support.
4. Staff shall not respond directly to candidate inquiries unless authorized by their supervisor and Town Clerk, and elections@aurora.ca should be copied on all communication.
5. Staff, through the Town Clerk, may provide:
   •    Publicly available documents (e.g., reports, budgets, policies, by laws);
   •    Factual descriptions of municipal processes and services;
   •    Historical or background information already in the public domain; or
   •    Clarification of terminology used in public reports.
6. The following are strictly prohibited:
   •    Providing advice, analysis, or strategic insight;
   •    Responding to “what if” scenarios or hypothetical outcomes;
   •    Comparing policy options or operational alternatives;
   •    Providing unpublished, draft, or confidential information;
   •    Tailoring information to support a candidate/third party advertiser’s platform or messaging; or
   •    Engaging in discussion that could be perceived as advocacy.
7. When information is provided to one candidate or registered third party, the Town Clerk will: 
   •    Make the response available to all candidates/third party advertisers and the public; 
   •    Use a centralized method of distribution; and  
   •    Maintain a record of distribution.
8. Responses will be provided within standard customer service timelines, subject to operational capacity.
9. The Clerk may decline or defer requests that: 
   •    Are repetitive; 
   •    Require disproportionate staff resources; or
   •    Seek analysis rather than factual information.
10. Answers provided to questions posed by candidates will shared with all other candidates at the end of each week via this FAQ. 

• Mayor to be elected at large 
• One Councillor for Ward 1 to be elected by the eligible electors in Ward 1
• One Councillor for Ward 2 to be elected by the eligible electors in Ward 2
• One Councillor for Ward 3 to be elected by the eligible electors in Ward 3
• One Councillor for Ward 4 to be elected by the eligible electors in Ward 4
• One Councillor for Ward 5 to be elected by the eligible electors in Ward 5
• One Councillor for Ward 6 to be elected by the eligible electors in Ward 6

Positions for which a person may file a nomination for School Board Trustee

York Catholic District School Board Trustee

• Trustee Electoral Area; Aurora, King, Whitchurch- Stouffville (1 to be elected)
• Note: Nomination Forms must be filed with the Clerk of the Town of Aurora

York Region District School Board Trustee

• Trustee Electoral Area; Aurora and Whitchurch-Stouffville (1 to be elected)
• Note: Nomination Forms must be filed with the Clerk of the Town of Aurora

Conseil scolaire Viamonde Trustee

• Note: Nomination Forms must be filed with the City of Vaughan

Conseil scolaire catholique MonAvenir

• Note: Nomination Forms must be filed with the City of Vaughan

Who can run for office?

A person is eligible to be a candidate if they are,

• a resident of the Town of Aurora, or an owner or tenant of land in the Town, or the spouse of such an owner or tenant;
• a Canadian citizen;
• at least 18 years old; and
• not legally prohibited from voting or disqualified from being elected/holding office as a member of Council (see below).

A person is eligible to be a candidate in a municipal election if they are an eligible elector. 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.

Who cannot be a candidate?

The following people are disqualified 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 Clerk will not certify the nomination; or
• a candidate who failed to file the necessary financial statement(s) in the last municipal election or by-election.

Who can run for office 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; and
• not legally prohibited from voting.

Who cannot be a School Board Trustee candidate?

The following people are disqualified 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; or
• a candidate who failed to file the necessary financial statement(s) in the last municipal election or by-election.

The Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) is offering a series of workshops for people thinking about running for municipal office in the October 2026 elections. These are virtual workshops held at various times to provide useful insights and strategies to support you in getting your name on the ballot:

• Running for Municipal Office - Everything You Need to Know as an Underrepresented Candidate | AMO
• Healthy Democracy Leadership Series: Supporting Local Leadership in run up to the 2026 Municipal Elections. 
• An Information Session for Urban Indigenous Peoples’ Considering Running for Municipal Office
• An Information Session for Youth Considering Running for Municipal Office
• 2026 candidates’ guide – Ontario municipal council and school board elections

For more event information and to register, please visit the AMO webpage directly.

York Region District School Board - Trustees Important Information

Candidate Information Session Recordings

• April 23 - Candidate Information Session
• April 13 - Election Information Session 
  Delivered Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH)
• April 20 - Municipal Election Webinar 2026
• April 20 - 2026 Municipal Election Webinar Q&A Jointly Hosted by the Town of Aurora, City of Markham, Town of Newmarket, Town of Stouffville and York Region

Thinking about running in the 2026 Municipal Election?

Start with a Candidate Information Session. These free sessions will walk you through everything you need to know before filing your nomination. From timelines and campaign rules to financial responsibilities and what to expect as an elected official.

There are no Candidate Information Sessions currently scheduled. While we don't have an active date on the calendar right now, we encourage you to check back soon. New sessions and other candidate-focused events are added periodically to ensure you have the tools and information needed for a successful campaign.