Inside Elected Office: What It Takes to Run and Serve in Local Government
Ontario’s local elected officials are serving at a time when the responsibilities of elected office continue to expand and public expectations continue to grow. StrategyCorp’s 2026 report, Inside Elected Office, finds that serving in municipal office remains deeply rewarding, but that it is more complex, more demanding, and more personally taxing than many candidates anticipate.
Based on interviews with mayors, deputy mayors, and councillors from across Ontario, the report explores the lived experience of running for office, serving on council, and sustaining a life in public service. Participants describe steep learning curves, workloads that often resemble full-time jobs, growing incivility and harassment, and constant public scrutiny. At the same time, they point to what enables effective local government: continuous learning, clear boundaries between council and administration, strong working relationships, and a shared commitment to respectful, collaborative governance.
As Ontario approaches the 2026 municipal election, the report offers a candid look at what it takes to run, govern, and sustain a life in public office, and how municipalities can better prepare and support those who choose to serve. Healthy local democracy depends on capable people putting their names on the ballot and creating the conditions for them to succeed once elected.