Municipal election race officially open

Things are about to get a lot more political in the City of Oshawa as May 1 marked the start of the period for interested candidates to register with city hall for the upcoming October municipal election.

And while the campaign period is a few months shorter, previously starting Jan. 1 of an election year, it is still a long way away to the fall election, and with campaigns officially allowed to get underway, residents can expect to see campaign signs and canvassing candidates hitting their neighbourhoods as the weather continues to warm.

Inside the Oshawa council chambers, things are already shaping up to be an interesting election as several familiar faces have already noted they will not be returning.

Councillor Amy McQuaid-England, for some time now, has made it clear she will not be seeking reelection come October. As well, Councillor Bob Chapman, after resigning his seat from regional and city council to pursue a seat at Queen’s Park with the PC party, noted that he wouldn’t be returning to the municipal ring, even if he’s unsuccessful in the June provincial election.

Most recently, during council’s April 30 regular meeting, Councillor John Aker announced that he also would not be seeking reelection in October. The announcement was made through fellow councillor Dan Carter as Aker was at home recovering from surgery.

In terms of the mayor’s race, when questioned, Mayor John Henry admitted that he would not be the first person in line to file his papers on Tuesday morning. When asked whether he would be seeking reelection at all, he noted that it was a conversation for another day.

Candidates have until July 27 to file their papers at city hall.