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2026 Ballot Question:
On December 11, 2025 Council made a motion to prepare and pass a by-law to add the following question to the 2026 Municipal Election ballot:
“Are you in favour of moving to a ward system?”
Answer options: “Yes” or “No” only.
Public Meeting
In accordance with the Municipal Elections Act (MEA), the Town of Wasaga Beach will be holding a Public Meeting on Monday, January 26th at 6:00pm at the Wasaga Stars Arena, RE/MAX room located at 544 River Road West.
The session will provide education on the differences between the at-large and ward systems and ensure that residents understand the question being asked on the ballot. The workshop presentation and materials will be posted to the EngageWasaga.ca website for those who are unable to attend.
Key Steps and Deadlines
Below is a chart, which captures the key steps and deadlines that must be met to place question on the ballot as outlined in the MEA.
Step
Deadline/Requirement
Draft and Finalize question wording
Late 2025
Provide 10 day’s notice to public and MMAH (s.8.1(3))
February 20, 2026
Public Consultation (s. 8.1(3))
Before March 1, 2026
Pass by-law to add question to ballot (s.8.1(1))
March 1, 2026
Notify public and MMAH within 15 days of by-law passage (s.8.1(4))
March 16, 2026
Include question on 2026 ballot
Election Day October 26, 2026
Implement results if binding
Post-election (start ward boundary review if “yes”)
The Results
The outcome of the question on the 2026 Municipal Election ballot depends on voter participation. If more than 50% of eligible voters in the municipality vote on the question, AND more than 50% of the votes on the question are in favour of the question, then the result will be binding:
A majority “Yes” requires the municipality to implement a ward system promptly, beginning a ward boundary review after the 2026 election.
A majority “No” prevents implementation for four years.
If voter participation falls below 50%, the result is not binding but may guide Council’s decision-making.
Background
Council has previously reviewed electoral systems in 2009, 2013, and 2016. A referendum question was included on the 2018 ballot asking whether the Town should adopt a ward system. While 58.5% of those who voted on the question preferred the at-large system, voter participation on the question did not meet the 50% threshold required for the result to be binding.
2026 Ballot Question:
On December 11, 2025 Council made a motion to prepare and pass a by-law to add the following question to the 2026 Municipal Election ballot:
“Are you in favour of moving to a ward system?”
Answer options: “Yes” or “No” only.
Public Meeting
In accordance with the Municipal Elections Act (MEA), the Town of Wasaga Beach will be holding a Public Meeting on Monday, January 26th at 6:00pm at the Wasaga Stars Arena, RE/MAX room located at 544 River Road West.
The session will provide education on the differences between the at-large and ward systems and ensure that residents understand the question being asked on the ballot. The workshop presentation and materials will be posted to the EngageWasaga.ca website for those who are unable to attend.
Key Steps and Deadlines
Below is a chart, which captures the key steps and deadlines that must be met to place question on the ballot as outlined in the MEA.
Step
Deadline/Requirement
Draft and Finalize question wording
Late 2025
Provide 10 day’s notice to public and MMAH (s.8.1(3))
February 20, 2026
Public Consultation (s. 8.1(3))
Before March 1, 2026
Pass by-law to add question to ballot (s.8.1(1))
March 1, 2026
Notify public and MMAH within 15 days of by-law passage (s.8.1(4))
March 16, 2026
Include question on 2026 ballot
Election Day October 26, 2026
Implement results if binding
Post-election (start ward boundary review if “yes”)
The Results
The outcome of the question on the 2026 Municipal Election ballot depends on voter participation. If more than 50% of eligible voters in the municipality vote on the question, AND more than 50% of the votes on the question are in favour of the question, then the result will be binding:
A majority “Yes” requires the municipality to implement a ward system promptly, beginning a ward boundary review after the 2026 election.
A majority “No” prevents implementation for four years.
If voter participation falls below 50%, the result is not binding but may guide Council’s decision-making.
Background
Council has previously reviewed electoral systems in 2009, 2013, and 2016. A referendum question was included on the 2018 ballot asking whether the Town should adopt a ward system. While 58.5% of those who voted on the question preferred the at-large system, voter participation on the question did not meet the 50% threshold required for the result to be binding.
