HALDIMAND — Haldimand County’s recently updated Use of Corporate Resources for Election Campaign Purposes policy is raising concerns that it will limit opportunities for voters to engage with candidates.
The policy was approved unanimously by Council on March 9, 2026.
The policy states that “candidates and registered third parties may not rent any Haldimand County facilities for campaigning purposes, including candidate debates,” with the prohibition apparently being applied more broadly to anyone seeking to use a County-owned facility for an election-related event.
Some other Ontario municipalities have similar policies restricting election-related uses of municipal facilities, but several exempt all-candidate debates.
For instance, Norfolk County’s policy states, “All-candidate debates may be held at any County facility … provided that all candidates or political parties for an office are invited to attend.”
No such exemption exists in Haldimand’s policy.
Haldimand CAO Michael Di Lullo said, “As a public sector organization, the County is required to maintain a neutral and impartial position.”
Di Lullo said permitting the use of County assets for election purposes could create a perception of endorsement or preferential treatment: “To ensure fairness, transparency, and public confidence in the electoral process, County property remains unavailable for election-related use until the election period has concluded.”
Of note, County facilities are routinely used for polling stations.
Di Lullo encouraged those interested in hosting election-related events to seek private facilities.
The Press further asked what changed from the previous policy, what legal or best-practice guidance informed the decision, why community groups are subject to the same restrictions as candidates and registered third parties, and what consideration was given to these facilities being taxpayer funded.
No further response was provided by Di Lullo.
The Press contacted every member of Haldimand Council for comment.
Ward 2 Councillor John Metcalfe said a candidate could be advantaged by their connection to a facility. He cited Ward 4 candidates Tony Dalimonte, who was instrumental in securing funding for the Hagersville Active Living Centre, and Jason Harnett, brother to the slain OPP officer remembered through the Sgt. Andrew Harnett Memorial Park.
“Again, a perceived advantage,” said Metcalfe.
He shared a concern that debate organizers could exclude candidates or ask questions that lead to support for one candidate. He added, “I can’t see it happening in Haldimand, but I can see it happening in another jurisdiction…. So we’re going to make sure it’s not going to happen in Haldimand.”
Ward 3 Councillor Dan Lawrence said the new policy is “not meant to circumvent any healthy debate…. It’s as much as anything about perception – to maintain neutrality.”
“We want to ensure that good, healthy debate and discussions take place,” he continued, listing potential private venues.
Ward 6 Councillor Patrick O’Neill said, “I’m not saying I don’t think it’s unfortunate…. I’m just thinking it’s proactive.”
He called it a smart decision “because, unfortunately, over this past term, we’ve had a lot of distrust placed on County staff through a couple different issues, unfortunately from the Council itself…. They can’t really take those risks anymore because of just the narratives that get spun against them.”
Mayor Shelley Ann Bentley shared, “I believe that the policy should be revisited. I did have questions about this policy and asked for clarification of a few items. I also believe that other Council members may have some other questions. I also believe that events such as all-candidates debates should be allowed as they were.”
Councillors Debera McKeen, Brad Adams, and Rob Shirton did not reply.
The Haldimand Federation of Agriculture (HFA) and the Selkirk District Chamber of Commerce are two community organizations now in need of new debate accommodations.
HFA has been hosting public debates for municipal, provincial, and federal elections at the Kohler Agricultural Hall since at least 2009.
“I know our group is very proud to host debates. It’s actually probably one of our most attended events,” said HFA Vice President Cody Snyder.
When HFA approached Haldimand County this year, they received a link to the new bylaw with no explanation on the change. Snyder said the decision makes “many great facilities … inaccessible.”
He said HFA is now discussing how to proceed, whether through a new venue; partnering with another organization, which may limit the scope of agricultural questions; or scrapping their plans entirely, “which is unfortunate, because it’s about bringing everybody together for some good, bipartisan discussion.”
Snyder emphasized the importance of democratic discussion, noting HFA often extends the opportunity for the local agricultural community to weigh in on important issues.
The Selkirk Chamber’s statement said that no reasoning was provided to local hall operators during notification of the change.
“We’re now seeking written clarification directly from the Municipal Clerk’s office on how this applies to a neutral, non-partisan debate,” read the statement.
It called accessible, publicly owned venues “essential to hosting all-candidates debates, especially in a small, rural community like ours where there are few, if any, alternatives.”
The Chamber said that County-owned facilities meet accessibility standards and, as taxpayer-funded, neutral spaces, they carry a level of public trust that a private facility can’t replicate.
“Making it harder to use these venues makes it harder for residents to hear directly from the people asking to represent them – which works against the goal of a fair, informed election, not toward it. Public debates are essential to the democratic process and must be supported by our local government,” the statement continued.
The Chamber is now seeking a new venue: “If nothing suitable is available, we may not be able to hold a debate for this election…. We’re hoping for clarity from the County before that becomes our reality.”
As local organizations continue to press the issue, and as public discourse grows online, there are some signs that Council may revisit the policy.
Lawrence said, “Maybe there should be a clause in there where there’s circumstances that go beyond and would allow such an event to take place.”
O’Neill said, “If there’s a sense where without access to those buildings, debate goes down and these events can’t happen, and it stifles any of the public conversation or those debates, then yeah, I think the County may have to look at things down the line.”
Bentley invited The Press to delegate to Council, noting she would get back to us with more information when available.
“Let me see what I can do,” she said.
Editors note: The Haldimand Press hosts all-candidates debates during municipal, provincial, and federal elections. Previous debates have been held in County-owned facilities and would also be affected by this policy. Readers interested in the newspaper’s position on the issue can read Co-Publisher Kaitlyn Clark’s Letter From the Editor, published in the July 23 edition of The Haldimand Press.
