If you want a seat at the Timmins council table, time is running out to file your nomination papers.
The nomination period for the 2018 municipal election ends Friday, July 27 at 2 p.m.
If you’re thinking about running, here are some important things to know:
What positions are available
In Timmins, there are nine seats at the table. The mayor is elected at large, with everyone getting to a cast a ballot. One councillor is elected for Ward 1 (Mountjoy), Ward 2 (South Porcupine), Ward 3 (Schumacher) and Ward 4 (Porcupine), while Ward 5 is represented by four councillors. You can look at the ward maps here. School board trustee positions will also be filled, with representatives needed for the French and English public boards, as well as the French and English Catholic boards.
Who can run
Anyone who is Canadian, 18 years old, and lives in the municipality or is a landowner within the municipality can run.
According to the candidates' guide, those not eligible are: someone who isn’t eligible to vote in the municipality, a municipal employee who hasn’t taken an unpaid leave of absence, a judge of any court, an MP, MPP or senator, and an inmate serving a sentence in a penal or correctional institution.
Election Act changes
Candidates must get 25 endorsement signatures from eligible voters in the city to file a nomination. Candidates must also open a separate bank account for the campaign and can only start fundraising after their nomination is filed.
How much does it cost?
There is a nomination filing fee, and candidates will need to raise cash for their campaign as well.
The filing fee for the mayor’s seat is $200. For a councillor or school board trustee position the filing fee is $100.
There is also a refundable $200 election sign deposit fee that will be returned after all your signs are removed following the election.
Spending limits have also changed for this election.
The maximum limits are based on a fixed number, plus an allowance for the number of eligible voters.
The preliminary numbers for the maximum expenses are:
• Mayor, $32,541.85
• Ward 1, $9,756.60
• Ward 2, $6,927.80
• Ward 3, $6,297.95
• Ward 4, $7,873.85
• Ward 5, $19,338.65
• English public school board trustee, $18,736.85
• French public school board trustee, $5,982.60
• English Catholic school board trustee, $8,299.70
• French Catholic school board trustee, $12,103.45
Election day
Voters will head to the polls Oct. 22.
How long is the term?
Municipal terms are for four years. The term of office runs from Dec. 1. 2018 to Nov. 14, 2022.
Where to file nomination papers
Candidates can stop by city hall during regular business hours during the nomination period to file their papers.
The candidates’ guide for the election is available here.
Who's is running in Timmins so far
Mayor - Steve Black, Daniel Fortier, Mickey Auger
Ward 1 - Rock Whissell, Veronica Farrell
Ward 2 - Walter Wawrzaszek
Ward 3 – Carter Lucyk
Ward 4 - John Curley, Pat Bamford, Jessica Trudel
Ward 5 - Alex Szczebonski, Cory Robin, Jason Sereda, John Ivanovs, Jean (John) Roy
English public school board trustee - Bob Brush
English Catholic school board trustee - Colleen Landers, Ron MacInnis
French public school board trustee - Liliane Francis, Nicole Arcand, David Bernotas
French Catholic school board trustee - Langis Dion, Denis Belanger, Paul St-Jean
