Dear Premier Doug Ford:
Please be advised that Brantford City Council at its meeting held November 25, 2025 adopted the following:
12.4.11 Professional Activity (P.A) Day on Municipal Election Day – School Boards - Councillor Carpenter
Councillor Carpenter read the title of his notice of motion:
WHEREAS municipalities across Ontario are responsible for organizing and administering municipal and school board elections every four years, as mandated under the Municipal Elections Act, 1996; and
WHEREAS local schools are traditionally among the most convenient, accessible, and familiar polling locations for voters in all communities; and
WHEREAS schools offer important accessibility features such as level entrances, parking, and public visibility that make them ideal polling stations, particularly for seniors, parents, and persons with disabilities; and
WHEREAS the use of schools as polling locations can lead to increased costs with regards to ensuring the safety and security of students; and
WHEREAS many municipalities face challenges securing suitable and accessible alternative voting locations, resulting in increased costs and reduced accessibility for voters; and
WHEREAS the Municipal Elections Act provides that school boards shall provide their facilities free of charge for the Municipal and School board elections; and
WHEREAS holding a province-wide Professional Activity (P.A.) Day for all publicly funded schools on municipal election day would alleviate concerns from school administrators for voting purposes while maintaining student safety; and
WHEREAS this coordinated approach would enhance voter convenience, improve accessibility, and help strengthen civic engagement and democratic participation by allowing electors to vote at their local schools without disrupting the student body; and
WHEREAS it would also create efficiencies and potential cost savings for municipalities by reducing the need to rent alternative facilities or implement special security measures; and
WHEREAS aligning a P.A. Day with municipal election day would require minimal disruption to the school calendar, as school boards already schedule several P.A. Days each academic year; and
WHEREAS this measure would demonstrate a spirit of cooperation between the Province of Ontario, local municipalities, and school boards to promote civic engagement and fiscal responsibility;
WHEREAS the Association of Municipal Clerks and Treasurers of Ontario and it’s members have lobbied the Province to establish a
P.A day on Election Day;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT:
- The Council of the City of Brantford respectfully requests the Premier of Ontario to consider directing all publicly funded school boards in Ontario to schedule a Professional Activity (P.A.) Day on the date of the municipal election in each election year; and
- That this direction be made in consultation with the Ministry of Education, the
Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO), and school board associations, to ensure consistency across the province; and - THAT a copy of this resolution be forwarded to:
i. The Premier of Ontario;
ii. The Minister of Education;
iii. The Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO);
iv. The Ontario Public School Boards’ Association (OPSBA);
v. The Ontario Catholic School Trustees’ Association (OCSTA); and
vi. All Ontario municipalities for their information and support
vii. MPP Will Bouma
I trust this information is of assistance.
Yours truly,
Chris Gauthier City Clerk,