Whereas, municipal councillors hold significant power over public budgets, land use planning, law enforcement, public safety and local services;

Whereas, candidates in provincial and federal elections are subject to vetting by political parties, including criminal background checks and eligibility assessments;

Whereas, municipal elections currently lack any formal vetting mechanism or criminal background requirement, allowing individuals facing charges or recently convicted of serious offences to seek elected office;

Whereas, this absence of basic screening undermines public trust, weakens accountability, and poses a potential risk to staff, colleagues, and the communities elected officials are meant to serve;

Whereas, requiring a criminal background check as part of the municipal nomination process would set a reasonable standard of integrity and help ensure voters are making informed choices;

Whereas, prohibiting individuals recently convicted of serious Criminal Code offences — including those involving fraud, violence, harassment, abuse, or crimes compromising public safety — from running for office for a fixed period of time would better protect the public interest;

Therefore we, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario as follows:

To pass legislation requiring all candidates seeking election to municipal office to submit a criminal background check as part of their nomination package; and to introduce eligibility criteria prohibiting individuals recently convicted of serious criminal offences from running for municipal office for a fixed, clearly defined period of time.