With municipal elections just a year away, a local grassroots group is stepping up efforts to encourage more women and people with diverse backgrounds to put their names forward.
ElectHER Now, a non-partisan organization based in Grey and Bruce counties, is taking part in two upcoming events this month aimed at inspiring potential candidates and providing practical tools to support them.
Co-founder Laura Wood says the group’s mission is about showing women they already have what it takes to lead at the local level. "What we’re doing at ElectHER Now is just shining a light on the possibility for women and also to provide training about how to campaign and also information about what’s going to happen when you’re actually sitting at the municipal table," Wood explained. "A lot of times women think they haven’t had the experience, but the experience they’ve had in different sectors of their life have prepared them to be leaders in their community."
Currently, only 29 per cent of municipal positions in Bruce-Grey are held by women, compared to 37 per cent across Ontario. Wood says changing that matters because municipal councils should reflect the diversity of the people they represent. "If you look at who has served on councils over the years, it’s not representative of the people who live in the municipality," she said. "If you get people with different backgrounds, you’re going to come together and have a better decision made that will help everyone in your community."
ElectHER Now was launched five years ago and now works with 17 municipalities, and has also joined forces with other campaign schools across Ontario and with the Association of Municipalities of Ontario on the Healthy Democracy Project.
The group will co-host a Ready to Run 2026 drop-in event on Thursday, September 18, 2025 at the Rumpus Room in Owen Sound, part of a monthly series of candidate prep sessions. On September 23, ElectHER Now will also take part in an online event called Run Where You Are, which will feature municipal leaders from across Ontario sharing campaign experiences and advice.
Wood says whether it’s running for council or volunteering on a campaign, getting involved in the process makes a difference. "Municipal politics are really important. The decisions that are made at the municipal table affect communities more than any other level," she said. "If you’re interested at all, even if you’re not sure it’s the right time to run, get involved in a municipal election. That’s what I did at the very beginning, and it’s a great way to learn and support others who do want to step forward."
More details on ElectHER Now and registration information for upcoming events are available on the group’s website and social media channels. The next municipal elections in Ontario will be held on October 26, 2026.