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Thinking of Running for Council? Part 1

1. Running for Municipal Office

For governments to be representative of, and responsive to, the needs of their constituents, their make-up should reflect the demographics of the constituency. As an elected official, you will

  • bring the perspectives of your demographic to the decision-making table
  • influence changes that benefit your community and ensure its sustainability
  • put forward new ideas for debate and possible implementation and change
  • make a positive difference in the quality of life in your community
  • provide a voice for your community with other levels of government
  • be part of a team that makes decisions that affect all aspects of community life

Qualifications

It’s not crucial to have education or experience in a government setting to run as a candidate. You likely have skills, knowledge and abilities that are transferable to the elected official’s role.

You may want to undertake a self-assessment of your skills prior to running for elected office.

Think about your:

  • volunteer experience
  • community involvement
  • work experience
  • membership in different organizations
  • family life

Often your experiences have taught you how to:

  • work as part of a team
  • organize and prioritize
  • make decisions
  • debate
  • lead

The Local Government Election Act, 2015 (LGEA) provides the requirements for candidates in municipal elections.

In the case of a rural municipality (RM)

  • on the day of election is 18 years of age, and
  • a Canadian citizen
  • a resident of Saskatchewan
  • is eligible to vote in the RM