The next Ontario municipal elections take place on Monday, October 26, 2026, and thanks to successful lobbying by the Federation of Ontario Cottagers’ Associations (FOCA) in the 1970s, seasonal cottage owners have the right to vote in municipal elections where their property is located.
This means that even if their primary residence is elsewhere, cottagers who own or rent secondary properties in regions such as Muskoka, Haliburton, the Kawarthas, or Parry Sound can vote in their respective municipalities. It’s important to note, however, that only cottage owners or tenants and their spouses are eligible to vote, not other family members. If the cottage is owned by a trust, its users are also not eligible to vote.
On their website, FOCA details key 2026 elections issues relevant to cottagers, including the protection of lakes and environmental conservation, sustainable and responsible growth into rural areas, and investment in improved infrastructure and public services. “Strong environmental stewardship and smart municipal planning are essential to sustaining Ontario’s waterfront communities for future generations,” says FOCA.
In Muskoka, for example, cottagers are paying close attention to overdevelopment and conservation issues. In its 2026 election package, the Muskoka Lakes Association (MLA) warns against the development of the Cliff Bay Master Plan—a massive resort redevelopment proposed to replace the former Muskoka Regional Centre on Lake Muskoka that is raising concerns around environmental impacts. Meanwhile in Parry Sound District, Seguin Township recently rejected a 49-lot development near Lake Rosseau after cottagers raised concerns about run-off from construction and development outside of settlement areas.
This October, cottagers will have the oppurtunity to bring concerns like these to the polls and cast their vote in support of candidates who share a vision for their corner of cottage country.
Important things to know:
- You must be 18 years old and a Canadian resident to vote in municipal elections
- During municipal elections, votes are cast for mayors, local councillors, and school board trustees
- Municipal candidates run as individuals, not under federal and provincial parties, such as the Conservatives, Liberals, or NDPs
- Municipalities are in charge of everyday services, such as roads and sidewalk maintenance; parks and recreation; planning and development; protection services like fire, paramedics, and by-law enforcement; garbage and recycling; water and sewage; public health; social services; and more
- Municipal elections take place every four years, meaning cottagers’ next opportunity to vote won’t be until 2030
How to register:
Seasonal cottager owners should register to vote by the August 12 deadline by verifying your secondary property is listed on RegisterToVoteON.ca. If your cottage isn’t listed, you can add it by selecting the option for Additional Property Registration and uploading documents to prove ownership. Many popular cottaging districts offer mail-in, online, or telephone voting, so don’t fret if you can’t make it up north on election day. For more info on where and when to vote in your municipality, consult Elections Ontario. For more information on your rights as cottage voters, head to FOCA’s website.
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