Municipal elections are opportunities to shape the future of our region

​Elections are a crucial time for engaging with our future leaders and sharing our ideas and vision for what the future should look like.
 
No government has more of a hands-on impact on our day-to-day lives than our local municipalities.
 
Election campaigns are often viewed as a one-way message — what will you (or your party) do for us? What really sets municipal campaigns apart from federal and provincial candidates is the community-level engagement. Many council candidates will knock on every door in their ward — some more than once. They are there just as much to hear what you have to say as they are to spread their message about their platform.
 
It's also representation on a whole different scale. We currently have 113 candidates vying for 51 elected positions in the City and County, a notable increase from the three MPs and MPPs that cover our region (and beyond).
 
Some may have party affiliations and political leanings, but that’s as far as it goes. Each candidate fundraises for themselves, sets their own platform, and represents their own ideals. This type of campaign offers a high level of flexibility. The questions you ask are just as important as the answers they provide. It sets the tone for what our community values.
 
That’s why we at the Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce decided to go all-in this municipal election in terms of engaging both candidates and the community. We are strictly non-partisan in terms of promoting any specific candidates or ballot questions. Our goal is to engage candidates and the public to be informed on local business issues that will guide the future of our region for years to come.
 
Watch Peterborough County township debates:
If you are a resident of a township in the County of Peterborough or just want to get up-to-date on local issues and candidates, last week we hosted debates via Zoom in all eight townships. You can view all of these recorded debates here: https://www.peterboroughchamber.ca/2022-municipal-election.html
 
City council questionnaire:
All candidates running for positions on council were sent a questionnaire with 10 questions relating to local business and community issues. We began publishing their responses yesterday on our website: https://www.peterboroughchamber.ca/2022-municipal-election.html
 
City mayoral debate
Join us Thursday, Oct. 6 for a City of Peterborough mayoral candidates debate at Market Hall. Doors open at 6:30 and the debate will start at 7 pm. Please note that seating is limited and first come, first served. We will also be live streaming it on our YouTube channel, which will later be published on our website and aired on YourTV.
 
An engaged and informed community is most effective when people vote. For details on how to vote in your municipality, go to:
• City of Peterborough
• Township of Asphodel-Norwood
• Township of Cavan Monaghan
•  Township of Douro-Dummer
• Township of Havelock-Belmont-Methuen
• Township of North Kawartha
• Township of Otonabee-South Monaghan
• Selwyn Township
• Municipality of Trent Lakes
 
Election day is Monday, Oct 24. Internet voting is open in the City of Peterborough and elsewhere with advanced polls starting Saturday, Oct. 8.
 
Please take the next few weeks to ask questions, let your local candidates know what you would like to see, learn more about their plans, and b