Municipal Election
2026 Municipal Election – Save the Date!
The next municipal election will be held on Monday, October 26, 2026.
Planning to vote? You can now register once to vote in both provincial and municipal elections - all in one place.
Visit RegisterToVoteON.ca to:
- Check if you're registered
- Update your information
- Add yourself to the Register
- Learn about voter eligibility
Make sure you're ready for Election Day!
School Support Designation
In Ontario, all property owners are kindly reminded that they are required to support a school board, even if they do not have children or if their children are not currently attending school. By default, support is directed to the English Public School Board.
Tenants may also direct school support for the property they occupy.
To ensure you're eligible to vote for school board trustees in the next municipal election, please take a moment to confirm or update your designation. You can do so easily at: mpac.ca/schoolsupport
The Unofficial List of Candidates will be updated daily after 3:00 p.m., as required, beginning May 1, 2026.
Municipal:
| OFFICE | NAME | ADDRESS | CONTACT INFORMATION | DATE FILED |
| Mayor | Sandie Macdonald | 61 King Street, Angus | 705-424-6844 or sandie4essamayor2026@outlook.com | May 1, 2026 |
| Deputy Mayor | Michael Smith | 8848 6th Line, Utopia | 705-794-3230 or essacouncilmichael@gmail.com | May 4, 2026 |
| Councillor Ward 1 | Pieter Kiezebrink | 9077 Don Ross Drive, Angus | 705-730-3598 or pieter_kiezebrink@hotmail.com | May 1, 2026 |
| Councillor Ward 3 | Liana Maltby | 6070 County Road 21, Egbert | 705-733-6502 or lianamaltby@gmail.com | May 1, 2026 |
School Board Trustee:
| OFFICE | NAME | ADDRESS | CONTACT INFORMATION | DATE FILED |
| English Public | Brandy Rafeek | 7667 County Road 56, Utopia | 705-791-7009 or brandyrafeek@gmail.com | May 1, 2026 |
| English Separate | Janice Hutchison | hutchisonjanice@hotmail.com | May 5, 2026 | |
| French Public | Eric Lapointe | Barrie | 705-241-8909 or ericlapointe@yahoo.com | May 1, 2026 |
| Nomination Start Date | May 1, 2026 |
| Nomination End Date | August 21, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. |
| Voting Day | October 26, 2026 |
| New Term of Council Begins | November 15, 2026 |
| End of Campaign Period | December 31, 2026 |
| Last day to file Initial Financial Statements and Auditor Reports | March 30, 2027 |
Monday May 4, 2026 - Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing Candidate Information Session
Hosted by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, in partnership with local municipalities, this free Virtual information session will provide information on the roles and responsibilities of elected officials and other key information related to running and serving as an elected official.
Visit Recorded Session: https://www.youtube.com/live/SBdQP8Wf_iM?si=UUxj9Ra2veA3Nwar
The Association of Municipalities of Ontario
AMO provides a range of webinars, workshops, and training sessions designed to support individuals interested in running for municipal office.
The next Municipal and School Board Election will be held on Monday, October 26, 2026. This is your opportunity to get involved and help shape the future of our community!
Eligibility to run:
- Be a Canadian Citizen
- Be at least 18 years of age on voting day
- Be a resident, or own/rent property in the Township, or be the spouse of such a person; and
- Is not prohibited from voting under section 17(3) of the Municipal Elections Act, or otherwise, by law.
Essa Council consists of the following positions:
- Mayor
- Deputy Mayor
- Councillor Ward 1
- Councillor Ward 2
- Councillor Ward 3
Candidate packages are available at the Administration Centre for pick-up during regular office hours.
Individuals interested in running are encouraged to obtain their package and begin the nomination process. Nomination papers may be filed starting May 1st by appointment. To schedule an appointment, please contact the Clerk.
School Board Trustee elections are also held on October 26, 2026. Nominations for school board trustee are accepted by the Clerk of the municipality with the most electors representing the school board district.
For the 2026 Election, the municipalities responsible for each school board trustee election are:
- Simcoe County District School Board (English Public) – Township of Essa
- Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board (English Separate) – Town of New Tecumseth
- Counseil Scolaire Viamonde (French Public) - City of Barrie
- Counseil Scolaire Catholique MonAvenir (French Separate) - City of Barrie
Questions?
Should you have any questions, regarding the information on this website or the 2026 Municipal Election, please contact:
Krista Pascoe, Manager of Legislative Services/Clerk
Township of Essa
5786 County Road 21
Utopia, ON L0M 1T0
705-424-9917 ext. 133
kpascoe@essatownship.on.ca
