New special election rules for Port Colborne and certain upper-tier municipalities for the 2026 regular election

Plain-language summary · AI-assisted · not legal advice

A new regulation sets out transitional rules for the 2026 regular municipal election in the City of Port Colborne following changes made by the Better Regional Governance Act, 2026. Anyone who had already filed a nomination for a council office (other than head of council) in Port Colborne is deemed to have withdrawn that nomination unless, within 21 days of this regulation coming into force, they notify the clerk of the office they wish to contest, file for a different office, or formally withdraw. The city clerk is required to promptly notify all affected nominees in writing, explain the changes, and provide the required form for indicating a preferred office. Where a candidate switches their nominated office by notifying the clerk, the clerk will issue new spending-limit certificates based on the revised office — the normal re-nomination certificate process does not apply. The regulation also shields clerks in Port Colborne and in specified upper-tier municipalities from compliance orders solely because they acted before or after these changes took effect while managing election administration in good faith during the transition.

Who this affects: municipal election candidates in Port Colborne · city clerk of Port Colborne · clerks of specified upper-tier municipalities · prospective voters in Port Colborne