An Information Session for Youth Considering Running for Municipal Office
If you are a youth interested in running for municipal council in October 2026, we have a workshop for you! The Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) is offering a series of workshops for young people thinking about running for municipal office in the October 2026 elections.
These sessions will provide insights and strategies to build your understanding and confidence around how to become a candidate and running a campaign.
Facilitated by three current municipal leaders, Natasha Salonen-Mayor of the Township of Wilmont, Cam Wales-Councillor City of Brockville and Aidan Kallioinen-Councillor Town of Espanola, you will gain firsthand insight into
- What to expect running as a candidate and as young person
- Critical strategies for successfully campaigning for municipal office
- Understand what it takes to become a candidate
- Strategies for engagement including communication
- And more!
Dates:
- Wednesday, February 18, 6:30-8:00PM
- Wednesday, March 11, 6:30-8:00PM
- Wednesday, April 15, 6:30-8:00PM
Registration: FREE
Presenters:
Natasha Salonen was elected the first female Mayor of Wilmot Township in October 2022 and, at 27, became the youngest female Mayor in Ontario’s history. Alongside her Mayoral duties, she sits on Waterloo Regional Council and contributes to the Heritage Planning and Active Transportation Advisory Committees. Her political experience spans federal and provincial roles dating back to 2012, including work with Members of Parliament and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. She also serves on the boards of AMO, ROMA, Enova Power Corporation, and Kiwanis Transit, and taught an Introduction to Canadian Political Systems at Seneca College.
An Oxford graduate with an Honours BA in Human Sciences, Mayor Salonen is a lifelong resident of Wilmot Township and lives in her family home in Baden. As Mayor, she has championed attainable and accessible housing, fiscal responsibility, youth engagement in government, community building, and increased diversity among political candidates. Proud of her rural roots, she draws on her professional and academic background to advocate for the needs and priorities of rural Ontario communities.
Aidan Kallioinen is a first-term councillor from the Town of Espanola in Northeastern Ontario. First elected at 18, he is one of Ontario’s youngest elected officials. Aidan got started as a local volunteer for the Espanola Food Bank, minor sports, and is a member of the Espanola Lions Club and Espanola Elks Club. Aidan is a freelance journalist who has written for organizations such as Village Media and the National Post. He is currently a fourth-year journalism, political science, and law student at Carleton University in Ottawa, and commutes an average of 12 hours per week to his hometown, balancing studies with his work in elected office. Aidan is active in student politics and serves as Vice-President of the Carleton University Students’ Association and has worked for three years as the Association’s Government Relations Officer. Aidan is a strong proponent of participatory democracy in-practice and is passionate about getting community members from all walks of life involved in local government.
Cameron Wales was first elected to Brockville City Council in 2018 at age 23 and re-elected in 2022. He has served on several community and Council committees, including as Chair of the Planning and Operations Committee and the Governance Committee. During his first term, Cameron represented Zone 7 on the Rural Ontario Municipal Association Board of Directors.
Cameron’s focus at the Council table is growth and stewardship – building a sustainable future for Brockville through responsible, long-term planning. His time on Council has been defined by consistent advocacy on the environment, housing, inclusion, municipal services, and infrastructure investment.
Cameron grew up in Brockville and attended St. Mary Catholic High School, graduating with a Specialist High Skills Major in Arts and Culture. Cameron served in student government and community volunteer roles throughout his academic career, including with Brockville’s Community Cleanup and United Way Leeds & Grenville. A member of 870 Vampire Air Cadet Squadron for six years, he earned his glider pilot license at age 16, and later a private pilot license and glider instructor rating.
Cameron holds a Bachelor of Public Affairs and Policy Management from Carleton University, specializing in Strategic Public Opinion and Policy Analysis. Outside of his public roles, Cameron manages a small retail business, flies as a glider instructor and private pilot, and enjoys participating in community theatre.