Thinking of running for local office?

Serving your community can be a rewarding experience. There are many good reasons to run for office—you might run to be actively involved in the local decision-making process, share your experience and knowledge, and/or contribute to the long-term success of your community.

General local elections process

Local governments are required to follow a legislated process when conducting general local elections and by-elections.

• Learn more about the general local elections process

The role of local elected officials

Local elected officials represent their communities and work together to make decisions, set priorities to meet local needs now and in the future and build relationships with other governments and partners. 

• Learn more about the role elected officials play and their impact on the community

Being an effective elected official

Once you are elected the real work begins. Effective elected officials have certain characteristics in common that enable them to work with fellow elected officials, Indigenous partners, and the community at large.

These six videos will help potential candidates better understand what is involved in serving as an elected leader.

• Learn more about being an effective elected official

​Responsible conduct of elected officials

Responsible conduct is grounded in elected officials conducting themselves with honesty and integrity and in a way that furthers a local government’s ability to provide good governance to their community.

The foundational principles — integrity, accountability, respect, and leadership and collaboration — provide a basis for how local government elected officials fulfill their roles and responsibilities, including in their relationships with each other, with local government staff and with the public.

• Learn more about responsible conduct