New requirement of 25 signatures may raise red flag for smaller municipalities throughout rural Ontario

Like other municipalities in Ontario, Puslinch is raising concern about a new Ministry of Municipal Affairs requirement that anyone wishing to run for council must submit the signature of 25 voters supporting the nomination.

A resolution supported by Puslinch council on Nov. 23 states “in many small municipalities it has become increasingly difficult to attract councillors and this requirement will discourage qualified and new candidates.”

Further, the motion noted that in rural communities accessibility is even more difficult and infringes Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA).

As a result, Puslinch requests the province re-evaluate this requirement and allow it to be an optional local decision to avoid negative consequences to many municipalities.

Councillors Matthew Bulmer and Susan Fielding agreed the number of signatures should be a local decision.

While councillor Ken Roth agreed with the motion, he added “if you live in a small community and you don’t have 25 friends and relatives (to support you), you probably wouldn’t run for council anyway.”