AMO Offering Free Municipal Election Workshop Series and Leadership Programs

From the Association of Municipalities of Ontario

The Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) is offering programs designed to support aspiring candidates and returning elected officials. Whether you are considering your first run for office, seeking re-election, represent an underrepresented community, or a youth, we have a program tailored for you. 

AMO's Healthy Democracy Leadership Series: Supporting Local Leadership in run up to the 2026 Municipal Elections

Join AMO’s new online workshop series for leaders seeking re-election or first-time aspiring candidates — offered at no charge for participants.

As Ontario heads toward the 2026 municipal elections, elected officials and aspiring candidates are being tested like never before. From navigating divisive politics and social media toxicity to maintaining personal wellbeing under constant public scrutiny, the demands of leadership can feel overwhelming.

Developed in partnership with Nominee, Stronger Leaders, Stronger Communities is designed to equip you with the tools, resilience, and confidence to meet these challenges head-on — and to rediscover the purpose that brought you to public service in the first place.

This workshop series is being offered for no charge in two streams:

• Stream 1: For elected officials at the municipal level across Ontario who are considering re-election in 2026 and preparing their path forward.
• Stream 2: For community members considering a run for municipal office in 2026—first-time candidates who want to build confidence before launching a campaign. Civic-minded leaders who want to explore whether elected office is right for them.

Full workshop details

Workshop dates: each workshop runs 6:30 – 8 p.m.

• Stream 1: Elected officials
  • March 25, 2026 – Session 4

• Stream 2: First-time candidates
  • March 4, 2026 – Session 3
  • April 1, 2026 – Session 4

Register for Stream 1 and Stream 2.

New dates available for Stream 1 and Stream 2:

• Stream 1: Elected officials
  • March 26, 2026 – Session 2
  • April 23, 2026 – Session 3
  • May 7, 2026 – Session 4

• Stream 2: First-time candidates
  • March 10, 2026 – Session 1
  • April 7, 2026 – Session 2
  • April 28, 2026 – Session 3
  • May 19, 2026 – Session 4

Register for Stream 1 and Stream 2.

Running for Municipal Office – Everything You Need to Know as an Underrepresented Candidate

This workshop will prepare you for municipal office and equip you with what to expect running as an underrepresented candidate as well as key strategies for running a successful campaign.

Full workshop details

Date: April 8, 2026 – 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Registration: FREE. Register here

An Information Session for Youth Considering Running for Municipal Office

If you are a youth interested in running for municipal council in October 2026, we have a workshop for you! The Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) is offering a series of workshops for young people thinking about running for municipal office in the October 2026 elections.

These sessions will provide insights and strategies to build your understanding and confidence around how to become a candidate and running a campaign.

Facilitated by three current municipal leaders, Natasha Salonen-Mayor of the Township of Wilmont, Cam Wales-Councillor City of Brockville and Aidan Kallioinen-Councillor Town of Espanola, you will gain firsthand insight into:

• What to expect running as a candidate and as young person
• Critical strategies for successfully campaigning for municipal office
• Understand what it takes to become a candidate
• Strategies for engagement including communication
• And more!

Full workshop details

Dates:

• Wednesday, March 11, 6:30-8 p.m.
• Wednesday, April 15, 6:30-8 p.m.

Registration: FREE. Register here

An Information Session for Urban Indigenous Peoples’ Considering Running for Municipal Office

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

These sessions will provide insights and strategies to build your understanding and confidence around how to become a candidate and running a campaign.

Facilitated by Melanie Pilon, the first Indigenous Mayor of Municipality of Wawa and member of Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory and William Morin, member of Michipicoten First Nation and founder and leader of The First Peoples National Party of Canada (2004-2013), you will gain firsthand insight into:

• Why increasing Indigenous representation matters in municipal governance?
• Critical strategies for successfully campaigning for municipal office
• Understand what it takes to become a candidate
• Strategies to build confidence to lead with cultural integrity
• And more!

Dates:

• Thursday, April 9, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, May 6, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, June 3, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Full workshop details

Registration: FREE and virtual. Register here

For more details on AMO election resources – Election Resources: Supporting Your Run for Municipal Office in 2026.