First of all, did you know that municipal elections will be held on November 2, 2025? Have you ever thought of running for city councillor or mayor? Of course, the community needs you! Do you enjoy working for the common good and want to put your experience and skills to work for your community? Now is the time to prepare your candidacy for the municipal elections of 2025. It all sounds very complicated, but don’t worry, I’ll try to simplify things for you through a series of articles to be published over the next few weeks. Of course, be sure to do your own research to ensure compliance.
First of all, here are two guides to help you run for municipal office in 2025 and prepare your campaign.
- https://cdn-contenu.quebec.ca/cdn-contenu/adm/min/affaires-municipales/publications/elections/GUI_candidates_candidats.pdf
- https://docs.electionsquebec.qc.ca/MUN/8f9c07d0fa39f/DGE-1038.1-VF.pdf
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IMPORTANT: For the general election on November 2, 2025, you can file your nomination papers between September 19 and October 3, 2025.
You may file your nomination paper between the 44th and 30th day before the election. You must submit your nomination paper to the office of the returning officer. The days and hours of operation of this office are specified in the public notice of election. On the last day, you must submit your form before 4:30 p.m.
Reference: https://www.electionsquebec.qc.ca/simpliquer/devenir-candidate-ou-candidat/#municipal
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Female candidates
Did you know that women are still under-represented on municipal councils in Quebec? It’s essential that we get more candidates and elected representatives on our municipal councils to ensure the democratic health and representativeness of our institutions.
Why not apply? All the tools are available to help you. There’s nothing complicated about it.
Youth application
Young people aged 18 to 34 are the least represented among elected municipal officials on Quebec city councils. There’s no need to be afraid of running for office. It’s an opportunity to quickly learn how to develop your leadership, management and mobilization skills. In fact, there are no young people under the age of 34 among North Hatley’s elected officials. It’s essential that the municipality be represented by different age groups, especially young people, in order to adapt the vision to future generations.
Why not apply? All the tools are available to help you. It’s not complicated.
Entrepreneur application
If you’re a business owner or entrepreneur, you’re eligible to run in the 2025 municipal elections. Your business experience will be an asset to your municipality, and will ensure that businesses are well represented on municipal council.
In fact, despite what you might think, entrepreneurs can run in municipal elections:
be the owner of a building or the occupant of a business establishment located on the territory of the municipality for at least 45 days, i.e. since September 18, 2025 at the latest (for example, be the owner of a cottage);
As I understand it, the occupant is a building tenant. To be verified.
Reference : https://www.quebec.ca/gouvernement/gestion-municipale/organisation-municipale/democratie-municipale/elections-municipales/conditions-eligibilite
The following conditions apply:
- be 18 years of age or older.
- be a Canadian citizen,
- not be disqualified from voting;
- not have been convicted of a corrupt electoral practice,
- be in one of the following situations
- Have been domiciled in the municipality and in Quebec for at least six months, i.e. since May 2, 2025 at the latest,
- be the owner of a building or the occupant of a business establishment located on the territory of the municipality for at least 45 days, i.e. since September 18, 2025 at the latest (for example, be the owner of a cottage);
- must be a resident of the municipality at the time of application;
- must not be in a situation of ineligibility.es situations suivantes :
It’s your responsibility to check whether you meet the eligibility requirements for a position on your municipal council.
To run for councillor or mayor in North Hatley, you need 5 signatures from citizens.
Are you ready to run for mayor in 2025?
You must now obtain your nomination paper. This official document is available from the office of the returning officer in your municipality.
The document allows you to :
- establish your identity as a candidate;
- specify the elective office for which you are running;
- identify, if applicable, the recognized party or team you represent;
- present the number of supporting signatures required for your candidacy by law.
You must choose between the positions of councillor and mayor. You cannot run for both positions at the same time.
Once your candidacy has been submitted and accepted by the returning officer, with the exception of your personal mailing address, your candidacy becomes accessible to anyone who requests it.
Don’t worry, I’m going to be publishing a series of articles that will attempt to simplify and break down the steps involved in running for office in your municipality.
On that note, enjoy reading about preparing to run in the 2025 municipal elections.
