© Bill Lishman
Seeking Local Champions for Nature
On October 26, 2026, Ontarians will head to the polls to elect municipal leaders, including a mayor and councillors. This is a vital opportunity to elect local decision-makers who are committed to making nature a priority.
Municipalities have significant influence over decisions affecting beloved local natural areas and the broader environment. For example, municipal governments guide local development patterns, manage parkland and trail networks, and are responsible for providing communities with climate-resilient public services like flood prevention and stormwater management.
Ontario Nature encourages you to use your voice and your vote to make nature an election priority in your community.
Riverside Park, Guelph © FairArrow CC BY 2.0
Encouraging Municipal Candidates to Take Action
There are many ways municipal leaders can take action for nature. This election, Ontario Nature is encouraging municipal candidates across the province to commit to:
- Increasing public awareness about the many benefits wetlands provide, including flood protection, clean water, recreational spaces and habitat for beloved plants and animals
- Prioritizing the protection of all wetlands in local planning policies and decisions
- Investing in wetland restoration and stewardship initiatives
We are focused on wetland conservation because this represents a meaningful and cost-effective way to support biodiversity while reducing the impacts of floods and building climate resilience. We welcome you to join us in making wetlands an election priority in your community, or to champion another priority action for nature that you believe will best serve local needs and interests.
Fielding Memorial Park, Annual Gathering fieldtrip, Sudbury © Noah Cole
What You Can Do
Everyone can get involved in creating a better future for nature this election, regardless of whether you are eligible to vote or not.
- Engage your local candidates: Reach out to candidates via phone, email or at events. Share your ideas for how to protect wetlands and other natural areas that matter to you, ask them how protecting nature aligns with their priorities, or request specific commitments.
- Spread the word in your community: Talk to friends and family about the importance of securing local leadership for nature this election, encourage others to get involved, share information on social media or consider writing an opinion editorial.
- Vote for candidates you believe will be local leaders for nature: Election day is on October 26, 2026. Only 38.3 percent of eligible voters participated in the 2022 municipal elections – we can and must do better!
Homer Watson Park, Kitchener © Gary Simmons CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
Voter Resources
To learn more about how to vote in the municipal election, consult the Association of Municipalities of Ontario’s Municipal Elections 101 page or your municipality’s website.
One easy first step: make sure you are registered to vote well in advance of election day!
Tommy Thompson Park, Toronto © Dennis Jarvis CC BY-SA 2.0