Distillery District Election Information Access Policy to expand candidate profile distribution for local voters

The Distillery District Council approved the Election Information Access Policy on July 1, 2026. The measure directs the local election office to send standardized candidate profiles to all 12,500 registered households by July 20 and to host three public forums before voting day.

Municipal elections are set for August 12. The policy responds to findings in the district’s 2024 post-election review that showed 38 percent of voters lacked basic details on candidate positions for services such as waste collection and road maintenance.

Residents will receive one-page summaries that list each candidate’s stated priorities on the district’s proposed 2027 transit levy and on licensing rules for the heritage buildings along Distillery Lane. The same summaries will be posted at the district library branch on King Street and at the community centre on Parliament Street.

Budget allocation and distribution details

The policy document assigns 45,000 dollars from the district communications budget to printing and postage. An additional 12,000 dollars covers venue costs and live-stream equipment for the forums, which begin July 15 at the Distillery District Community Centre.

Policy analysts at the local government research centre state that the fixed format will allow direct comparison of answers on property-tax assessments and on the planned expansion of the waterfront trail. Community advocates note that renters in the 400-unit complex at 55 Mill Street have previously reported missing candidate mailings because of outdated address lists.

The election office will begin accepting public questions for the forums on July 10 through an online form and at the district clerk’s counter. Results from the three sessions will be posted on the district website within 48 hours of each event.