NOTICE – OFFICIAL PLAN MEETING POSTPONED

⚠️ The Statutory Public Meeting for the Official Plan Review scheduled February 18, 2026, has been POSTPONED.

Details regarding the rescheduled meeting will be provided once available.

Please monitor the Township website and social media channels for further updates.

We appreciate your understanding and patience.

Interim Tax Installments Due Dates

First Installment: March 12, 2026

Second Installment: June 11, 2026

Please visit Taxes | Township of East Garafraxa for payment options. 

Information for Candidates

Learn valuable information for candidates participating in the 2026 Municipal and School Board Elections in East Garafraxa, offering guidance and resources to support their campaign and ensure a fair and transparent electoral process.   

An individual is qualified to be elected or hold office as a member of Council only if, as of the day they file their Nomination Paper, they are: 

  • Entitled to be an elector under the Municipal Elections Act (1996) (the "MEA"), s. 17(2)
  • A Canadian citizen
  • At least 18 years of age
  • A resident in the local municipality, or the owner or tenant of land in the local municipality, or the spouse of such a person, and 
  • Not prohibited from voting as noted or otherwise by law.
  • Not disqualified for violation of financial requirements or violations of requirements for filing financial information.
  • Not disqualified by any Act from holding such office.
  • Not disqualified under the provisions as outlined by the MEA, s. 90(2) and 91(1). 

An individual is qualified to be elected as a school board trustee if they are: 

  • A Canadian citizen
  • At least 18 years of age
  • A resident within the area of jurisdiction of the school board
  • Eligible to be an elector of that school board for which the person is a candidate
  • Not disqualified by any Act from holding such office.
  • Not ineligible to vote in the municipality
  • Not an employee of a school board unless they take an unpaid leave of absence before being nominated, and resigns if elected
  • Not a judge of any court
  • Not a member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, a Senator or a member of the House of Commons
  • Not an inmate of a penal or correctional institution under sentence of imprisonment
  • Not disqualified for violation of financial requirements or violations of requirements for filing financial information

To qualify as a candidate, you must submit a completed Nomination Paper (in the prescribed form) to the Municipal Clerk.

Nomination Papers may be filed during regular office hours throughout the nomination period, which begins at 8:30 a.m. on Friday, May 1, 2026, and ends at 2:00 p.m. on Nomination Day, Friday, August 21, 2026.

To obtain a Candidate’s Package or to book an appointment to file your nomination, please contact Clerk Jessica Kennedy at 226-259-9400 ext. 204 or by email.

Nomination Papers may be submitted at:

Township of East Garafraxa
065371 Dufferin County Road 3, Unit 2
East Garafraxa, ON

Yes, the filing fee must accompany the Nomination Paper.  The prescribed fee is $200.00 for the head of Council (Mayor) and $100.00 for all other offices.  

Municipal Council is made up of one (1) Mayor, one (1) Deputy Mayor and three (3) elected Councillors. 

The Township of East Garafraxa is responsible for the coordination and management of the municipal election for East Garafraxa.  In accordance with the Municipal Elections Act (1996), the Clerk conducts elections every four (4) years for the offices of: 

Mayor
Deputy Mayor
Councillors
Upper Grand District School Board (English-Public School Board Trustee)
Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board (English-Separate (Catholic) School Board Trustee)
Conseil Scolaire Catholique MonAvenir (French-Separate (Catholic) School Board Trustee)
Conseil Scolaire Viamonde (French-Public School Board Trustee)

Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO)

The Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) is offering a series of workshops for people thinking about running for municipal office in the October 2026 elections.

For information on the sessions and other offerings please visit AMO's website AMO Education Workshops | AMO

The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing

Municipal elections and governance guides are expected to be updated in early Spring.  

The Ontario Municipal Councillor's Guide

Municipal Elections in Canada: A Guide for Women Candidates

 

 

Municipal Elections Act, 1990, S.O. 1996, c. 32 Sched.

Municipal Act, 2001, S.O. 2001, c. 25

Education Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. E.2

 

Contact Us

Township of East Garafraxa
065371 Dufferin County Road 3, Unit 2
East Garafraxa, ON L9W 7J8

Email Us

Telephone: 226-259-9400
Toll Free: 877-868-5967
Fax: 226-212-9812

Office Hours:
Monday to Friday - 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. 
*excluding holidays*