FOCA's Municipal Election Priorities for Waterfront Communities
Sustaining Ontario's Waterfront Communities Through Local Leadership
Municipal governments play a critical role in protecting the health of our lakes, shorelines, and rural communities.
As voters prepare to elect municipal councils for the 2026-2030 term, FOCA encourages candidates and voters to focus on the issues that will ensure waterfront Ontario remains environmentally healthy, economically vibrant, and resilient for generations to come.
FOCA’s Municipal Election Priorities for Waterfront Communities
1. Protect Lakes, Shorelines and the Environment
Healthy lakes are the foundation of healthy waterfront communities, local economies, recreation, and property values. Municipal councils have a critical role to play in protecting the natural resources that define cottage country.
Key Priorities
- Protect, restore, and naturalize shorelines through strong policies, education, and enforcement that preserve water quality, reduce erosion, and enhance the ecological health of Ontario’s lakes and rivers.
- Implement and maintain septic re-inspection programs to protect water quality.
- Protect wetlands, forests, and sensitive natural areas through planning and development decisions.
- Support watershed-based planning and lake health monitoring, and local stewardship initiatives.
- Understand and support initiatives that address invasive species through education, prevention, and local partnerships.
- Build climate resilience by investing in policies, infrastructure, and natural assets that reduce the impacts of flooding, erosion, drought, and extreme weather events.
2. Support Responsible Planning, Development and Growth
Growth in waterfront communities must recognize that a healthy environment is the foundation of a healthy economy and quality of life. Municipal decisions should be guided by environmental protection, infrastructure capacity, and the long-term sustainability of lakes, shorelines, and rural communities.
Key Priorities
- Defend the integrity of municipal planning by applying Official Plan policies and enforcing zoning bylaws and resisting amendments or exceptions that compromise environmental protection, infrastructure capacity, or community character.
- Ensure development decisions are guided by sound environmental science and planning principles.
- Protect the character and carrying capacity of lakes and waterfront communities.
- Require meaningful public consultation and transparent planning processes.
- Encourage development that aligns with existing infrastructure and municipal service levels.
- Preserve public access to water and recreational opportunities where appropriate.
3. Build Resilient Infrastructure and Municipal Services
Municipal infrastructure and services are essential to public safety, economic vitality, and quality of life. Investments should prepare communities for future growth and climate challenges.
Key Priorities
- Invest in resilient infrastructure including roads, bridges, culverts, stormwater systems, and other municipal assets that can withstand changing climate conditions and support long-term community sustainability.
- Strengthen emergency preparedness and public safety through effective flood mitigation, fire protection, wildfire resilience, emergency response planning, and access to rural health services.
- Deliver equitable municipal services for seasonal and permanent residents, including waste management, recycling, emergency services, and other core services that reflect the taxes paid by waterfront property owners.
- Promote fair and transparent taxation and assessment practices while advocating for responsible municipal spending and accountability to taxpayers.
- Improve asset management and long-term infrastructure planning to ensure municipalities can maintain critical services and infrastructure without creating unsustainable financial burdens.
- Leverage partnerships, grants, and innovative funding opportunities to address growing infrastructure needs while maximizing value for taxpayers.
Our Message to Candidates
FOCA encourages municipal candidates to champion policies that protect our lakes, support responsible growth, and invest in resilient infrastructure. Strong environmental stewardship and smart municipal planning are essential to sustaining Ontario’s waterfront communities for future generations.
FOCA wants you to get involved in this election!
We have compiled helpful resources below to support voters during the 2026–2030 Municipal Elections. Explore information on how to vote, recent election updates, checking your voter status, and other election resources. Click here to access FOCA’s Municipal Elections resources.
Municipal Election Resources from FOCA
Download a FOCA-aligned questionnaire that members can use to engage municipal election candidates.
Download a copy of the above positioning statement from FOCA that outlines municipal election priorities for Ontario’s waterfront communities: FOCA’s Municipal Election Priorities for Waterfront Communities (PDF, 2 pages)
Read FOCA’s Media Release on this topic
Verify your municipal voter registration, check your status here: www.registertovoteon.ca
Voter Registration & Eligibility
The voter registration process has changed for the 2026 Municipal Election. FOCA is encouraging all eligible voters—including seasonal and non-resident property owners—to verify that they are registered on the Municipal Voters' List. You do not need to own property to vote in a municipal election. If you or your spouse rent a home, apartment or other seasonal residential property, you may be eligible to vote.
The Municipal Voters' List is now managed by Elections Ontario rather than the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC). As a result, all property owners should take a few minutes to confirm their information is accurate.
Before August 12, 2026, please:
- Confirm you are registered to vote
- Update your voter information if necessary
- Add yourself to the voters' list if you are not already registered
- Remove outdated information
To check your status, visit: www.registertovoteon.ca
Download and share the “Verify Before You Vote” poster with your community here.
If you are a seasonal or non-resident property owner, be sure to indicate that you own or rent a secondary property. You will be asked to provide your name, date of birth, and property information (usually tax roll number).
If your information is correct, simply confirm it. If you are not listed, continue through the registration process. You may be required to provide identification.
After August 12, 2026, any updates or additions to the voters’ list must be completed directly through your municipal clerk’s office.
FOCA is aware that some municipalities have raised concerns regarding non-resident elector information. Elections Ontario has advised that additional work is underway to improve non- resident elector data during July. In the meantime, the best way to ensure your voting rights are protected is to verify your registration as soon as possible.
Your municipal vote helps shape the future of your waterfront community.
Please share this information with family members and co-owners who may also be eligible to
vote in their cottage municipality.
You may use this message on your website news item, e-newsletter article, or member email
How, When and Where to Vote in the 2026 Municipal Election
Get information about when, where, and how to vote from Elections Ontario.
Check your municipality’s website to get in touch with your municipal clerk.
Your are required to show identification to vote. If your name is on the voters’ list, you will be required to show one piece of identification that has your name and address. Your photo or signature is not required. See the list of acceptable documents for voter identification.
Important: Ontario’s 2026 Municipal Election will take place on Monday, October 26, 2026. Before voting, confirm that your information is up to date through RegisterToVoteON.ca. Eligible voters can update their registration online until August 12, 2026. After that date, any changes must be made through your local municipal clerk. Each municipality sets its own voting locations, dates for advance voting, and voting methods, so be sure to check your municipality’s website before Election Day. When voting, you will be required to provide identification that shows your name and qualifying address. Eligible non-resident property owners and seasonal residents may also be entitled to vote in the municipalities where they own or rent property.