Ontario is the most diverse province in Canada, and more than half our population are women. Yet, as of 2022, only 23% of mayors and 32% of councillors in the province are women and reports consistently find that Ontario’s municipal councils are not representative of the diverse populations they serve. We are represented by municipal councils that are primarily white and male. We want to change that.
Representation matters
Are you running, thinking about running, or wanting to support a candidate in the next general municipal election? The Guelph Women’s Municipal Campaign School helps identify and support women/gender-diverse people from all communities who may be interested in local government and have the courage and skills to run for office as mayor, city councillor, or school board trustee. Learn more about running for election at Deciding to run.
The skills and support I gained from the school directly shaped my campaign. I was able to connect with our community by knocking on nearly 10,000 doors, sharing my message clearly and authentically. Ultimately, this led to my successful election, making me the first person of colour elected as a school board trustee, where I proudly served our community for four years. I truly credit the Guelph Women’s Municipal Campaign School for enabling and empowering me to take this step and make a real impact.
Jolly Bedi, School Board Trustee
Learn how to raise your voice. Come to our full day of workshops
On Saturday, February 07, 2026, we are holding a full day of workshops to help candidates and their teams learn about the nomination process, rules about fundraising, and how to develop a campaign platform and strategy. We’ll provide information on topics such as:
- Navigating the nomination process
- Building your campaign plan
- Communications strategies
- Why you are running: Developing your message
Are you, or is a woman/gender-diverse person you know, interested in running for elected office in Guelph? We have room for 35 participants — don’t wait, sign up now. Cost: $25 and includes lunch. Location: 1 Carden Street. Time: 8:30 to 3:30 EST.
Support us
Would you like to support the Guelph Women’s Municipal Campaign School? Please get in touch to find out how you can help!
The program equipped me with valuable tools, strategies, and the confidence I needed to step into public life. It gave me a strong sense of empowerment and belonging — knowing I wasn’t alone on this journey made a huge difference.
Kate Leatherbarrow, Woodstock City Councillor, 2022-2026
Learn more. Visit Deciding to run to find out how you can run for election.
Thanks for coming out — our launch was a great success!
Thank you to the more than 100 people who attended our launch on Thursday, November 13, 2025. It was a positive evening dedicated to inspiring everyone to get involved in local politics.
We’d also like to extend a huge thank you to our four speakers: Dominique O’Rourke, Alethia O’Hara-Stephenson, Maureen Balsillie, and Kathleen Wynne. They brought the perspectives of local MP, school board trustee, campaign manager, and form premier of Ontario and shared their personal experiences and valuable insights.