TOA Talks

The votes are counted and a new Ajax Council has been elected, but what happens next?

In the final episode of this season of TOA Talks, we’re joined by Samantha, Supervisor of Government and Council Relations, and Jaclyn, Municipal Clerk/Returning Officer, to look beyond Election Day. We cover what happens once results are official, what to expect at the Council Inauguration on November 16, how new and returning members of Council are onboarded, how the Town sets its strategic priorities for the 2026–2030 term, and the many ways residents can stay informed and involved between elections.

The Inauguration meeting is open to the public and will also be livestreamed right here on the Town of Ajax YouTube channel. 
🔔 Subscribe to the Town of Ajax to watch more videos: https://www.youtube.com/@thetownofajax?sub_confirmation=1

🔎 Connect with the Town of Ajax for the latest news:
https://www.ajax.ca/news

✍️ Visit the Town's new Public Engagement Platform:
https://imo.ajax.ca/

🎙 Town of Ajax Podcast:
https://ajax.ca/TOATalks

🫶 Follow us
TOA Live and Interactive: https://www.youtube.com/@thetownofajax/streams
TOA on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TownOfAjax
TOA on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/myajax/
TOA on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/townofajax/

Join us as we discuss the Town of Ajax. Throughout each season we will be sitting down with the amazing people who make up the Town, from TOA staff and Council Members, to community leaders and small business owners.
Check back with us monthly to hear new episodes right here or on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube.
For any questions about TOA Talks, please contact corporate@ajax.ca.

As the 2026 Municipal Election approaches, many Ajax residents are asking: how is my vote protected?

In this episode of TOA Talks, host Devon Jarvis, Manager of Communications and Engagement, is joined by Yasmyn, the Town's Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Coordinator, to explain how online and telephone voting is kept secure and what you can do to make sure your vote counts.

For trusted voting details, candidate information, key dates and election support, visit https://www.ajax.ca/Vote

If something doesn't seem right, like a request for your PIN or information that doesn't match what the Town has posted, contact the Town's election team directly at 365-282-VOTE (8683) or email us at election@ajax.ca
🔔 Subscribe to the Town of Ajax to watch more videos: https://www.youtube.com/@thetownofajax?sub_confirmation=1

🔎 Connect with the Town of Ajax for the latest news:
https://www.ajax.ca/news

✍️ Visit the Town's new Public Engagement Platform:
https://imo.ajax.ca/

🎙 Town of Ajax Podcast:
https://ajax.ca/TOATalks

🫶 Follow us
TOA Live and Interactive: https://www.youtube.com/@thetownofajax/streams
TOA on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TownOfAjax
TOA on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/myajax/
TOA on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/townofajax/

Join us as we discuss the Town of Ajax. Throughout each season we will be sitting down with the amazing people who make up the Town, from TOA staff and Council Members, to community leaders and small business owners.
Check back with us monthly to hear new episodes right here or on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube.
For any questions about TOA Talks, please contact corporate@ajax.ca.

From roads and parks to recreation and bylaw enforcement, many of the decisions that shape our daily lives are made at the local level. In this episode of TOA Talks, host Devon Jarvis, Manager of Communications and Engagement for the Town of Ajax, breaks down why municipal elections matter and how your vote helps shape the future of our community.

We cover the roles of mayor, councillors, and school board trustees, how Ajax Council is structured, and what's handled by the Town of Ajax versus the Region of Durham, the Province, and the federal government. Then Sarah Moore, legislative specialist and member of the Town's election team, joins Devin for a speed-round fact check on what municipalities can and can't do.

For trusted election information, including voting details, candidate information, key dates, and election support, visit ajax.ca/vote.

Have a question? Contact the Town of Ajax elections team at election@ajax.ca or 365-282-VOTE (8683).

Timestamps
0:00 Welcome to TOA Talks
0:24 Why municipal elections matter
0:44 What does a mayor do?
1:09 Strong mayor powers explained
1:16 The role of council
1:46 How Ajax Council is structured
2:05 School board trustees
2:40 French board trustees acclaimed for 2026
2:53 Town of Ajax vs. Region of Durham
3:14 What does a municipal government do?
3:40 Town of Ajax responsibilities
3:58 Region of Durham responsibilities
4:31 Provincial and federal responsibilities
4:53 Speed round fact check with Sarah Moore
6:23 Where to find election information
🔔 Subscribe to the Town of Ajax to watch more videos: https://www.youtube.com/@thetownofajax?sub_confirmation=1

🔎 Connect with the Town of Ajax for the latest news:
https://www.ajax.ca/news

✍️ Visit the Town's new Public Engagement Platform:
https://imo.ajax.ca/

🎙 Town of Ajax Podcast:
https://ajax.ca/TOATalks

🫶 Follow us
TOA Live and Interactive: https://www.youtube.com/@thetownofajax/streams
TOA on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TownOfAjax
TOA on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/myajax/
TOA on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/townofajax/

Join us as we discuss the Town of Ajax. Throughout each season we will be sitting down with the amazing people who make up the Town, from TOA staff and Council Members, to community leaders and small business owners.
Check back with us monthly to hear new episodes right here or on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube.
For any questions about TOA Talks, please contact corporate@ajax.ca.

Welcome to a new season of TOA Talks! This season, host Devon Jarvis, Manager of Communications and Engagement, is focusing on the 2026 Ajax Municipal and School Board Elections, with new episodes every week.

We start with the basics. In this episode, you'll learn when and how to vote, who's on your ballot, how your vote is kept secure, how to check that you're on the voters list, and where to get in-person help.

Voting runs October 19 - 26, 2026. Vote online with a smartphone, computer or tablet, or by telephone. It only takes a few minutes.

Not sure which ward you live in? Use the "What's My Ward" interactive map at ajax.ca/vote. Voters cast ballots for mayor, regional councillor, local ward councillor and school board trustee, depending on your school support.

Check that you're on the voters list before voting begins. Voter information letters with instructions on accessing the online and telephone voting system are arriving by mail. Didn't get yours? Contact the election team at 365-282-VOTE (8683) or election@ajax.ca.

Need help voting? Voter assistance centres will be open from October 22 to 26 at Ajax Community Centre, McLean Community Centre and Audley Recreation Centre. Election staff can walk you through the process and help with technology or accessibility needs.

Coming up this season: the role of municipal council, Town vs. Region of Durham responsibilities, meet the election team, and how to get involved.

For trusted election information, visit https://www.ajax.ca/vote
🔔 Subscribe to the Town of Ajax to watch more videos: https://www.youtube.com/@thetownofajax?sub_confirmation=1

🔎 Connect with the Town of Ajax for the latest news:
https://www.ajax.ca/news

✍️ Visit the Town's new Public Engagement Platform:
https://imo.ajax.ca/

🎙 Town of Ajax Podcast:
https://ajax.ca/TOATalks

🫶 Follow us
TOA Live and Interactive: https://www.youtube.com/@thetownofajax/streams
TOA on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TownOfAjax
TOA on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/myajax/
TOA on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/townofajax/

Join us as we discuss the Town of Ajax. Throughout each season we will be sitting down with the amazing people who make up the Town, from TOA staff and Council Members, to community leaders and small business owners.
Check back with us monthly to hear new episodes right here or on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube.
For any questions about TOA Talks, please contact corporate@ajax.ca.

What does it take to deliver a municipal election? In this episode of TOA Talks, host Devon Jarvis, Manager of Communications and Engagement, sits down with Jaclyn, Municipal Clerk and Returning Officer, and Thomas, Deputy Clerk and Deputy Returning Officer, for a behind-the-scenes look at the 2026 Ajax Municipal Election.

Planning starts about two years before Election Day. Jaclyn and Thomas explain what happens in that time, from council reports and choosing voting methods to security testing of the online and telephone voting system. They describe a typical day in election season and what October 26 will look like. They also take on the biggest myth about municipal elections: that your vote doesn't matter.

You'll also learn what it means to be an informed voter, where to find reliable election information, and how to stay involved in local decision-making between elections.

Election Day October 26, 2026. For trusted election information, including voting details, candidate information, key dates and voter support, visit https://www.ajax.ca/vote
🔔 Subscribe to the Town of Ajax to watch more videos: https://www.youtube.com/@thetownofajax?sub_confirmation=1

🔎 Connect with the Town of Ajax for the latest news:
https://www.ajax.ca/news

✍️ Visit the Town's new Public Engagement Platform:
https://imo.ajax.ca/

🎙 Town of Ajax Podcast:
https://ajax.ca/TOATalks

🫶 Follow us
TOA Live and Interactive: https://www.youtube.com/@thetownofajax/streams
TOA on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TownOfAjax
TOA on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/myajax/
TOA on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/townofajax/

Join us as we discuss the Town of Ajax. Throughout each season we will be sitting down with the amazing people who make up the Town, from TOA staff and Council Members, to community leaders and small business owners.
Check back with us monthly to hear new episodes right here or on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube.
For any questions about TOA Talks, please contact corporate@ajax.ca.