Politics
Ontario Municipal Election: Make your vote count
“Representation Matters: Black Voices in Municipal Politics.”
The upcoming Ontario municipal election on Monday, October 26th, 2026, is an important one. Eligible voters across Ontario will elect mayors, councillors and school board trustees. Thousands of Ontarians have already participated in advance voting. If you have not voted yet, Election Day voting in Toronto is scheduled from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Municipal elections matter because local governments make decisions affecting affordability, housing, traffic, transit, property taxes, homelessness, community safety and other services that shape our daily lives.
Photo Courtesy of Jamaican Canadian Association
To vote, you must be a Canadian citizen, at least 18 years old, meet the municipality’s residency or property-ownership requirements, and not be legally prohibited from voting. You must also be on the voters’ list. If your name is missing, contact your municipal clerk about adding it. Check your municipality’s official website for identification requirements and voting locations.
The Ontario Municipal Election Handbook was prepared to help voters understand their rights and responsibilities. Described as “A non-partisan guide to understanding your local election, making your choice, and voting with confidence.” It was published by the Democratic Engagement Exchange at Toronto Metropolitan University’s Faculty of Arts. Community partners and local leaders contributed to its development.
The handbook highlights issues important to voters, including:
- Housing and the cost of living
- Transit, roads, sidewalks and transportation
- Parks, recreation, libraries and community spaces
- Community safety and emergency services
- Water, waste, the environment and neighbourhood health
- Property taxes and local budgets
- Childcare, schools and public education
In Brampton, the article’s candidate list names 12 mayoral candidates: Bharat Jagruti, Patrick Brown, Nathaniel “Nate” Peart, Gurdeep Singh Dhother, Vidya Sagar Gautam, Prabh Gill, Wesley Jackson, Najma Khurram, Prabhjot Kaur Sidhu, Sandeep Somal, Paul Tarriwal and Gaurav Walia. Voters should consult the City of Brampton’s certified candidate list for the current information.
In Mississauga, the article identifies: Carolyn Parrish, Bonnie Crombie and Ted Adjuik as mayoral candidates. Voters can find official election information, candidate details and voting instructions at mississauga.ca/council/elections.
Toronto’s mayoral race has also drawn considerable attention. The article names incumbent: Olivia Chow, Councillor Brad Bradford and Chris Alexander, who reportedly withdrew from the race in early October. Toronto voters should consult the City’s official candidate list for the latest information.
The article also identifies 243 candidates competing across Toronto’s 14 wards. Ward 7, which includes the Humber River–Black Creek community, is particularly relevant to local residents. The three candidates named in the article are: Lorna Antwi, a community advocate and public servant; Amanda Coombs, a mental health specialist and founder of Back to Basickz; and Anthony Perruzza, a public servant with decades of experience as a school trustee and city councillor.
Photo Courtesy of Jamaican Canadian Association
Community engagement has been an important part of the election campaign. On October 13th, 2026, a municipal election town hall at the Jane/Finch Centre addressed affordability, the housing crisis, equitable access to health care and education, and food insecurity. Participants also raised concerns about the fatal shooting of a young Black man and the need for adequate community resources and services.
On October 8th, 2026, the Jamaican Canadian Centre hosted a gathering for Black candidates under the theme “Representation Matters: Black Voices in Municipal Politics.” The event offered opportunities to meet candidates for council and school board trustee positions, learn about the electoral process, discuss issues affecting Black communities and connect with fellow residents.
Photo Courtesy of Jamaican Canadian Association
Candidates included: Alethia O’Hara-Stephenson, running for councillor in Shelburne; Yolan Williams, running for deputy mayor of Bradford West Gwillimbury; Richard Hinds, running for mayor in Ajax; and Shelly Cerrelli, running for mayor in Vaughan. Rosemarie Bryan and Dewitt Lee III were also identified as school trustee candidates.
Brampton’s school board trustee and council races feature additional candidates, including Chris Campbell, Kathy McDonald, David Green, Claudio Lewis, Khushpal Singh Pawar, Celina Reyes, Stacey-Ann Brooks, Jermaine Chambers and Idris Orughu.
Municipal elections are an opportunity to influence decisions close to home. Before October 26th, 2026, review the candidates, consider their priorities and confirm where and how to vote. Your community’s future deserves your attention.