The 2026 River District Board of Management Election will be held in the City Hall Council Chambers (808 2nd Avenue East, Owen Sound) from 8:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Monday, November 9, 2026 by paper ballot. An Advance Voting Day will be held in the City Hall Council Chambers from 3:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 7, 2026. 

Eligibility

A person is entitled to be a Member for the 2026 River District Board of Management Election and vote if, on Voting Day, they:

• are assessed, on the last returned assessment roll, with respect to rateable property in the River District that is in a commercial property class prescribed by the City, and tenants of such property; and
• are at least 18 years of age.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who am I voting for?

Unless acclaimed, you will be voting for eight (8) Director offices.

The unofficial list of candidates can be found near the bottom of this webpage.

How can I vote?

Members will be able to cast their vote in person in the City Hall Council Chamberse from 8:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Monday, November 9, 2026 (Voting Day) or in person at City Hall from 3:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 7, 2026 (Advance Voting Day).

If, for any reason, a Member is unable to personally cast their ballot on Advance Voting Day or Voting Day, the Member can appoint a voting proxy to cast a ballot on their behalf. The voting proxy must attend City Hall in person on Advance Voting Day or Voting Day to cast the ballot. The member must complete "Form RD13 - Appointment of Voting Proxy" and the voting proxy must submit this form to the Election Manager for certification prior to Voting Day.

If a Member is a legal entity, it is entitled to one vote regardless of the number of shareholders or partners that the Member has. The legal entity must nominate in writing one delegate to vote on its behalf by completing "Form RD14 - Nomination of Delegate on Behalf of Corporation" and the delegate must submit this form to the Election Manager or Assistant Election Officer at the time the ballot for that Member is requested. 

The Election Manager has developed a full set of procedures for the River District Board of Management election.

What do you need to vote? 

Members need to provide satisfactory identification in accordance with the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing list of "Acceptable Documents for Voter Identification" and the identification provided must match the Member's qualifying address. If the Member does not have satisfactory identification, then they must complete and submit "Form RD19 - Declaration of Identity".

Members also need to have a Voter Information Card (VIC) in order to vote. VICs will be sent via Canada Post Lettermail to everyone on the Voters' List no later than Friday, October 14, 2022. Members can vote without a VIC if:

• they request to be added to the Voters' List on Advance Voting Day or Voting Day and their application is approved by the Election Manager or Assistant Election Officer (Form RD15),
• they do not receive a VIC in the mail (Form RD18),
• they lose or misplace their VIC (Form RD18),
• they forget their VIC at home (Form RD18), or
• they claim their VIC has been stolen and/or already voted by someone else (Form RD17).

For each of the above scenarios, the corresponding form must be completed and submitted to the Election Manager or Assistant Election Officer:

• Form RD15 - Application to Amend Voters' List
• Form RD17 - Application to Vote (Voter Information Card Used by an Imposter)
• Form RD18 - Application for Re-Issue of a Voter Information Card

Can I vote more than once if I own or lease more than one property?

No. Every Member is permitted to one vote regardless of the number of properties that the Member may own or lease in the River District.

Should a Member receive more than one Voter Information Card (VIC), they may only vote once and must return the other VIC to the Election Manager or Assistant Election Officer.

What if I do not receive a Voter Information Card?

If you do not receive a Voter Information Card (VIC) in the mail, please contact the Election Manager by emailing riverdistrictelection@owensound.ca or by calling 519-376-4440 ext. 1235 to schedule an appointment. You must complete "Form RD18 - Application for Re-Issue of a Voter Information Card" and submit it at the appointment along with providing either identification that includes your qualifying address or a completed "Form RD19 - Declaration of Identity" to receive your VIC.

What if I require assistance voting?

The Election Manager or Assistant Election Officer may provide assistance on Advance Voting Day or Voting Day if requested by the Member, only after the appropriate oath has been taken.

Members may also bring a friend or interpreter with them to assist in voting after taking the appropriate oath.

Please book an appointment with the Election Manager to submit a nomination package by emailing riverdistrictelection@owensound.ca or by calling 519-376-4440 ext. 1235.

Eligibility

A person is qualified to hold office as a Director of the River District Board of Management if they are at least 18 years of age and are:

• the owner or tenant of land in the City, or
• an employee of a business operating in the River District.

Download the Candidate Information Package

Board Information

The River District Board of Management has nine (9) Directors, eight (8) of which are elected at large by the Members to represent the River District Business Improvement Area. The Board holds a minimum of six (6) meetings per year on a bi-monthly basis starting in January that all Directors are expected to attend to ensure quorum.

The Board as a whole is responsible for:

• making decisions on policy affecting itself and the River District, and
• managing the affairs of itself and the River District

Every Director of the Board shall:

• exercise the powers and discharge the duties of the office honestly, in good faith, and in the best interests of the River District,
• exercise the degree of care, diligence, and skill that a reasonable and prudent person would exercise in comparable circumstances,
• follow the City's Code of Conduct,
• declare interests in accordance with the City's Procedural By-law,
• observe the laws, policies, and practices governing all matters related to confidentiality, privacy, and access to information, and
• act in accordance with applicable City policies including but not limited to the City's Purchasing By-law, Records Management By-law, Indemnification By-law, and Procedural By-law.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I file a nomination package?

Nominations can be filed starting Friday, August 28, 2026 and ending Friday, September 25, 2026 at 2:00 p.m.

You must file in person with the Election Manager. Appointments to submit nomination packages can be scheduled by emailing riverdistrictelection@owensound.ca or by calling 519-376-4440 ext. 1235. If you would prefer to submit your nomination package on Nomination Day (September 25), you may do so with the Election Manager at the City Hall Service Counter between 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.

You must complete the following forms:

• Form RD1 - Nomination Paper
• Form RD2 - Release of Campaign Information
• Form RD3 - Voters' List Request and Declaration

You will also need to provide proof of identity and proof of ownership or tenancy.

When can I start campaigning?

You can only start campaigning after you file your nomination package with the Election Manager. 

Can I put up signs?

Election campaign signs are not permitted to be erected. 

How do I withdraw my nomination?

Candidates may withdraw their nomination in person or by an agent by filing a "Form RD5 - Withdrawal of Nomination" with their original signature with the Election Manager prior to 2:00 p.m. on Nomination Day (Friday, September 25, 2026).