2026 Campaign School

Learn the skills, strategy, and confidence to run a winning municipal or school board campaign.

What You’ll Learn

Campaign Strategy & Organization

Funding & Budgeting

Media Training & Public Speaking

Policy Development & Voter Outreach

Digital Campaigning & Social Media

Speakers & Coaches

Our faculty includes experienced municipal councillors, campaign managers, communications professionals, and policy experts. 

TBD

Format & Schedule

Sessions run from February to October 2026, with weekend intensives, virtual workshops, and hands-on campaign planning.

Elected Women Mixer

February 2026 (Date TBD)

Women’s Campaign School - Day 1

March 2026 (Date TBD)

Women’s Campaign School - Day 2

April 2026 (Date TBD)

Nominations Open

May 2 – August 19, 2026 

Waterloo Region Candidate Information Night

April 23rd, 2026 

Location: Ken Seiling Museum in Kitchener

The event will include:
  • An overview of the Municipal Elections Act,
  • Municipal Government 101
  • A panel discussion of past elected officials from across the Region
  • Meet with your local Clerk to ask questions about filing nomination papers
Women Running Mixer

October 2026 (Date TBD)

Election Day

October 26th, 2026

Are you registered to vote?
Check, update or add your information to the voters list for provincial, municipal and school board elections in Ontario at RegisterToVoteON.ca.

Eligibility

The Municipal Campaign School is open to women and individuals from underrepresented communities who want to run or support a campaign. To run in a municipal election in Waterloo Region, you must meet the eligibility requirements under Ontario’s Municipal Elections Act.

Candidate Eligibility

You must be:

  • A resident of the municipality, or a non-resident owner or tenant of land in the municipality (or the spouse of a non-resident owner/tenant)

  • A Canadian citizen

  • At least 18 years old

  • Not legally prohibited from voting

  • Not disqualified by any legislation from holding municipal office

Nomination Requirements

To file your nomination, you will need:

  • 25 eligible voter signatures on your nomination form

  • A filing fee of $100
    (or $200 if running for Mayor)

Non-Partisan Elections

Municipal candidates do not run under political parties. You are elected to represent your community — not a party.

Application Process

Submit your application online by the end of February 2026. Bursaries and financial assistance are available