The City of Guelph, Ontario, is inviting residents to learn about running for local government during two public meetings this April. These sessions will help people understand the requirements for becoming a city councillor or school board trustee before the 2026 municipal election.
A Candidate Information Session will take place on April 1, 2026, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at City Hall and online. This meeting features speakers from the provincial government who will explain the laws and financial rules for running a local campaign.
A second talk on April 13, 2026, will feature a former city clerk who will share what the daily job of an elected official is like. These meetings are meant to help new people get involved after Mayor Cam Guthrie and three current councillors confirmed they will not seek re-election this fall.
To be eligible to run, a person must be a Canadian citizen at least 18 years old and a resident or business owner in the city. The official period to sign up for the ballot opens on May 1 and ends on August 21, 2026.