The City of Thunder Bay is preparing for the October 26, 2026 municipal election, with the period to file nomination papers officially opening on May 1, 2026. This election will see a change in leadership, as current Mayor Ken Boshcoff previously announced he will not seek re-election, and the successful candidate for mayor will be the first in the city to hold provincial strong mayor powers upon taking office on November 15, 2026.
Prospective candidates looking to run for mayor or one of the 13 council positions – comprised of five at-large councillors and seven ward councillors – can now book appointments to file their required paperwork. Phone bookings to meet with the City Clerk’s Office have been available since April 17, and an online booking system will be available starting April 20. The final deadline to submit nomination papers is August 21, 2026, at 2:00 p.m.
To qualify as a candidate, individuals must pay a filing fee of $200 for the mayoral race or $100 for all other council positions. Additionally, all candidates are required to obtain 25 endorsement signatures from eligible voters. Potential candidates may also want to review information from the Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, which provides regulatory guidance for municipal campaigns, including specific spending limits.
The race for the upcoming term has already seen initial activity, with local businesswoman Maureen ‘Moe’ Comuzzi announcing her mayoral candidacy on April 15, 2026. For those seeking more information on the process, the city held a candidate information session on April 16, 2026, and recordings of that event are available on the city website for public viewing.
