Territory Without Municipal Organization Elections 2026

The Regulation made under the DSSAB Act outlines the qualifications of members and the term of office.

Section 3.1(2) of the Regulation provides that:

“A member of a board … who represents a territory without municipal organization shall be a Canadian citizen who is at least 18 years of age, and

• a permanent resident of the territory without municipal organization*;
• an owner or tenant of property in the territory without municipal organization; or
• the spouse of an owner or tenant of property in the territory without municipal organization.”

• An employee of the DSSAB.
• Except during a leave of absence under Section 30 of the Municipal Elections Act, 1996, an employee of a municipality within the DSSAB service area and as defined in the Municipal Affairs Act, 1990. An employee must be on leave as of the day they are nominated. If elected to office, the employee is deemed to have resigned from employment.
• A judge of any court.
• A member of the Assembly (Ontario Legislature).
• A member of the House of Commons.
• A member of the Senate.
• Anyone who holds one or more office(s), election of which is governed by the Municipal Elections Act, 1996 and/or the District Social Services Administration Boards Act.
• A Crown Employee within the meaning of the Public Service Act who is a Deputy Minister or who is in a position or classification designated in the regulations made under that Act for the purposes of Section 11 thereof.
• A person who is serving a sentence of imprisonment in a penal or correctional institution, including a sentence being served in the evenings or on weekends.
• A corporation.
• A person who was convicted of the corrupt practice described in Subsection 90(3) of the Municipal Elections Act, 1996 if Voting Day in the current election is less than four years after Voting Day in the election in respect of which he or she was convicted.
• A person who was convicted of the corrupt practice described in Subsection 91(1) of the Municipal Elections Act, 1996 if Voting Day in the current election is less than six years after Voting Day in the election in respect of which he or she was convicted.
• A person disqualified for violations of financial requirements or violations of requirements for filing financial information.
• Otherwise ineligible or disqualified under the Municipal Act, 2001 or any other Act.

Note that a candidate who is running for municipal office may run as a member to represent a DSSAB, but if elected to both positions, is permitted to hold only one office.

Access

The PSDSSAB uses a Vote-by-Mail process. Voting by mail offers eligible voters a convenient, flexible, and secure method to submit their vote prior to Election Day. To increase accessibility, the PSDSSAB provides access to on-site Ballot drop boxes at our office locations in addition to self-addressed, stamped return envelopes.

For The Vote

DSSABs must make a concerted effort to communicate to all residents the election date, locations of ballot drop boxes and relevant processes. Prior to voting day, the Returning Officer shall prepare and certify the Voters’ List for use in each voting place.

Every person who is present at the counting of the votes shall help to maintain the secrecy of the voting. No person shall interfere with an elector, obtain or attempt to obtain information about how an elector intends to vote or has voted, or communicate any information obtained about how an elector intends to vote or has voted.

Voting Procedures

Voter kits will be mailed to persons whose name appears on the Voter’s List. The elector’s details will be updated on the Voter’s List to show that the elector has been provided a ballot.

Electors can visit RegisterToVoteON.ca to confirm, update, or add their information to the voter list. Between August 13 and September 11, 2026, electors will need to register through the PSDSSAB’s elections email (twomo@psdssab.org) to receive a Voters Kit by mail. After September 11, 2026, electors can obtain a kit in person from the PSDSSAB's Returning Office at 1 Beechwood Drive in Parry Sound. Proof of eligibility will be required to add your name to the list.

An elector must be:

• a Canadian citizen;
• at least 18 years old; and
• residing in the Territory Without Municipal Organization or an owner or tenant of land there, or the spouse of such owner or tenant.

Regulations made under the District Social Services Administration Boards Act state that Board members representing a territory without municipal organization are to be selected by the residents of that territory.

According to information from Statistics Canada from the 2016 census, there are approximately 33,011 residents in TWOMOs who are represented by DSSABs. Identification to establish place of residence is only required if the elector is not already on the voters’ list.

1. An Ontario driver’s license.
2. An Ontario Health Card (photo card).
3. An Ontario photo card.
4. An Ontario motor vehicle permit (vehicle portion).
5. A cancelled personalized cheque.
6. A mortgage statement, lease or rental agreement relating to property in Ontario.
7. An insurance policy or insurance statement.
8. A loan or financial agreement with a financial institution.
9. A document issued or certified by a court in Ontario.
10. Any other document from the government of Canada, Ontario or a municipality in Ontario or from an agency of such a government.
11. Any document from a Band Council in Ontario established under the Indian Act (Canada).
12. An income tax assessment notice.
13. A Child Tax Benefit Statement.
14. A Statement of Employment Insurance Benefits Paid T4E.
15. A Statement of Old Age Security T4A (OAS).
16. A Statement of Canada Pension Plan Benefits T4A (P).
17. A Canada Pension Plan Statement of Contributions.
18. A Statement of Direct Deposit for Ontario Works.
19. A Statement of Direct Deposit for Ontario Disability Support Program.
20. A Workplace Safety and Insurance Board Statement of Benefits T5007.
21. A property tax assessment.
22. A credit card statement, bank account statement, RRSP, RRIF, RHOSP or T5 statement.
23. A CNIB Card or a card from another registered charitable organization which provides services to persons with disabilities.
24. A hospital card or record.
25. A document showing campus residence issued by the office or officials responsible for student residence at a post-secondary institution.
26. A utility bill for hydro, water, gas, telephone or cable TV or a bill from a public utilities commission.
27. A cheque stub, T4 statement or pay receipt issued by an employer.
28. A transcript or report card from a post-secondary school.
29. A document showing residence in a long-term care home under the Long-term Care Homes Act, 2007, issued by the Administrator for the home.

1. An Ontario driver’s license.
2. An Ontario Health Card.
3. An Ontario motor vehicle permit (plate portion).
4. A Canadian passport.
5. A Certificate of Canadian Citizenship.
6. A Certificate of Indian Status.
7. A Veterans Affairs Canada Health Card.
8. A social insurance number card.
9. An Old Age Security Card.
10. A credit card.
11. A debit card.
12. An employee identification card.
13. A student identification card issued by a post-secondary institution.
14. A union identification card or a professional license card.
15. A cancelled personalized cheque.
16. A mortgage, lease or rental agreement for property in Ontario.
17. An insurance policy.
18. A document issued or certified by a court in Ontario.
19. Any other document from the government of Canada, Ontario or a municipality in Ontario or from an agency of such a government.
20. Any document from a Band Council in Ontario established under the Indian Act (Canada).

If an elector does not have acceptable identification, they may make a statutory declaration that they are eligible to vote to receive a ballot.