Source: ASWAT
Municipal government, the order of government that is closest to the people, is well-positioned to influence grassroots change. The Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) believes that change should include increasing the number of women on municipal councilsin Canada, where they have been historically under-represented. Women make up 50 per cent of Canada’s population but only 23 per cent of municipal councils. The mandateof FCM’s Standing Committee on Increasing Women’s Participation in MunicipalGovernment is to encourage and support more women’s participation in municipal decisionmaking processes, including elected office.

This election toolkit is designed to give women considering running for municipal office anunderstanding of the job, as well as to provide tips and strategies for running a campaign.There is no one way to approach campaigns and no complete list of things to do or factorsto consider. Consequently, this toolkit has been developed based on the experiences of municipal politicians across the country and includes a comprehensive listing of additionalresources that you should consult as you consider running for office. This document is by no means exhaustive. Rather than replicating already existing information, this toolkit seeks to consolidate all of the existing resources and combine them with advice from mayors and councillors across the country. Each section provides a brief introduction to the topic and links to other resources offering more detail. Because many of the specific requirements, rules and regulations vary by province and territory, Appendix A lists additional resources, while Appendix B lists relevant legislation. 

There is also a comprehensive listing of provincial contacts in Appendix C for candidates who have additional questions
or who would like clarification of the rules that apply in their own municipalities.

Click here to access the handbook.