Last Revised: August 6, 2026
About this Guide
This guide explains who can take part in AMAPCEO elections, how nominations work, when elections are held, and what rules candidates must follow.
Rules and oversight
AMAPCEO elections follow the rules in AMAPCEO's Constitution, the Elections By-law, and the campaign rules as established by the Elections & Credentials Committee.
The Committee oversees nominations and elections for most elected AMAPCEO positions. The Committee is independent, arm's length, and non-partisan. Committee members cannot be nominated for the Board of Directors while they serve on the Committee.
Accommodations
The Committee makes reasonable efforts to provide accommodations to voters or candidates who identify a need. To request an accommodation, please email nominations@amapceo.on.ca.
Appointments to Board committees are governed by the Board Committee Principles policy and each Board Committee’s Terms of Reference.
Eligibility for participation
To participate in an AMAPCEO election, you must be a signed member in good standing. To participate in a specific election, you may sign a membership form at any time up to the nomination deadline for the election.
Only signed members in good standing are eligible for appointment to a Board committee.
While membership dues are deducted by your employer from your pay, you are not automatically a signed member of AMAPCEO. Under our Constitution, we distinguish between being a member of your bargaining unit (which is compulsory), and active, signed membership in our union, which is voluntary.
Associate members and retired members are not eligible to participate.
The importance of your home position
Your election rights are based on your home position. To vote, nominate someone, or run in a District or Community election, your home position must be in that District or Community.
If you are seconded to another workplace, your eligibility is still based on your home position's District.
Signed members can find their District (and Community, if applicable) on your Member Dashboard (sign-in required). Unsigned members can contact the AMAPCEO office.
If you are seconded outside the AMAPCEO bargaining unit (e.g., to another bargaining unit or a management-excluded position), you may still vote or nominate someone. However, you cannot be elected as a Delegate or Alternate Delegate if your secondment will continue for more than six months after the election or appointment.
You cannot be elected as a District Director if you are seconded outside your home District and that secondment will continue for more than six months after the election.
Delegates
AMAPCEO has two types of Delegates:
- District Delegates, who sit on their District Executive Committee and represent their geographic District at the Annual Delegates’ Conference (ADC); and
- Bargaining Unit Delegates, who sit on their District Executive Committee and represent their bargaining unit at the ADC.
Delegates serve two-year terms. Terms are staggered, and incumbents may run again.
The number of District Delegates is based on the number of signed members within each District as of March 1 of each year:
- 15 Delegates for the first 750 signed members;
- one Delegate for every 75 signed members from 751–1,500; and
- one Delegate for every 100 signed members after 1,500.
District Delegates are elected by the signed members in their District.
Any bargaining unit not otherwise represented by a District Delegate is entitled to a Bargaining Unit Delegate.
Bargaining Unit Delegates are elected by the signed members in their bargaining unit.
For more information on Delegate roles and responsibilities please see the Volunteer page and the AMAPCEO Governance & Structure page.
District Delegate Nominations open in April. Elections, if needed, take place in May.
Bargaining Unit Delegate Nominations open in May. Elections, if needed, take place in June.
Delegate nominations and elections
Eligibility
In addition to the requirements included above, Delegates are required to take several courses specified in the Board’s Delegate Education Policy.
Nominations
AMAPCEO announces nomination periods on the website and in our Member News e-newsletter. You can subscribe, or update your contact information on your Member Dashboard.
How to submit a nomination
To run for Delegate, submit the online nomination form before the deadline. Self-nominations are typical, although someone else may nominate you.
Late nomination forms will not be accepted, regardless of the reason, including technical problems. Do not wait until the last minute or rely on someone else to submit your nomination.
Candidates may withdraw their nomination at any time. If an election is required, candidates will receive a deadline by which they may withdraw their nomination to not appear on the ballot.
Candidate statements
Candidates may submit a one-page candidate statement. While optional, statements are strongly encouraged to help voters make informed choices.
Candidate statements must:
- follow the election rules;
- be no larger than an 8½" x 11" page;
- be submitted in Word or PDF format; and
- be uploaded with your online nomination form by the nomination deadline.
Candidate statements received after the nomination deadline will not be accepted.
Elections
If there are more candidates than available Delegate positions, AMAPCEO will hold an online election in the relevant District, Community, or bargaining unit.
If an election is needed:
- ballots will be sent to eligible voters at their personal email address; and
- voting will be open on at least five working days.
Voter lists are based on eligible voters as at the close of nominations.
AMAPCEO elections are conducted through an independent, third-party platform.
Delegate terms begin immediately upon election, whether by acclamation or ballot.
Alternate Delegates
District Executive Committees may appoint Alternate Delegates to fill District Delegate vacancies.
Vacancies may be permanent, such as when no one was elected or a Delegate leaves during their term.
Vacancies may also be temporary vacancies, such as when a Delegate cannot fill their duties or cannot attend a Delegates' Conference.
Alternate Delegates have the same rights and responsibilities as District Delegates. Their appointment ends at the close of the next Delegates' Conference, whether the vacancy was permanent or temporary.
The process for appointing Alternate Delegates is announced before each Delegates' Conference.
District Directors
Each of AMAPCEO's geographic Districts elects a District Director to serve on the union’s Board of Directors. District Directors serve in two-year terms.
District Director positions are staggered. These Districts elect their Directors in even-numbered years:
- Bay Street
- Front
- GTA North
- Midtown
- Northern Ontario
- Western Ontario
These Districts elect their Directors in odd-numbered years:
- College Park
- Eastern Ontario
- Queen's Park
- Toronto Centre
- University
Incumbents may run again.
District Directors are elected by the signed members in their District.
For more information on the roles and responsibilities of a District Director, please see the AMAPCEO Governance & Structure page.
District Director nominations open in September. Elections, if needed, take place in October.
District Director nominations and elections
Nominations
AMAPCEO announces nomination periods on the website and in our Member News e-newsletter. You can subscribe or update your member information on your Member Dashboard.
How to submit a nomination
To run for District Director, submit the online nomination form before the deadline. Self-nominations are typical, although someone else may nominate you.
Late nomination forms will not be accepted, regardless of the reason, including technical problems. Do not wait until the last minute or rely on someone else to submit your nomination.
Submitted nominations are not confidential.
Candidates may withdraw their nomination at any time. If an election is required, candidates will receive a deadline by which they may withdraw their nomination to not appear on the ballot.
Candidate statements
Candidates may submit a one-page candidate statement. While optional, statements are strongly encouraged to help voters make informed choices.
Candidate statements must:
- follow the election rules;
- be no larger than a 8½" x 11" page;
- be submitted in Word or PDF format; and
- be uploaded with your online nomination form no later than the nomination deadline.
Candidate statements received after the nomination deadline will not be accepted.
Elections
If more than one candidate runs for District Director, AMAPCEO will hold an online election in that District.
If an election is needed:
- ballots will be sent to eligible voters at their personal email address; and
- voting will be open on at least five working days.
AMAPCEO elections are conducted through an independent, third-party platform.
District Director terms begin on January 1 after the election whether by acclamation or ballot. Directors who are not already Delegates may attend the next Annual Delegates’ Conference as non-voting Delegates-at-Large.
Candidate Questions & Answers
If there is an election, the Elections & Credentials Committee may invite candidates to answer written questions from members. The Committee reviews the questions before they are shared. Candidate responses will be posted on the AMAPCEO website for voters.
Executive Officers
Four of AMAPCEO’s five Executive Officers (President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer) are elected by Delegates at the Annual Delegates' Conference (ADC). They serve on the Board of Directors. The Board elects a District Director as its Chair, the union’s fifth Executive Officer.
Executive Officers serve two-year terms.
Elections are staggered, with the President and Treasurer elected in even-numbered years, and the Vice-President and Secretary elected in odd-numbered years.
Only current Delegates may run for these Executive Officer positions.
For more information on the roles and responsibilities of the Executive Officers, please see the AMAPCEO Governance & Structure page.
Executive Officer nominations open in September. Elections, if needed, take place at the Annual Delegates’ Conference.
Executive Officer nominations and elections
Eligibility
Only current Delegates may run for President, Vice-President, Secretary, or Treasurer.
Nominations
AMAPCEO announces nomination periods on the website and in our Member News e-newsletter. You can subscribe or update your contact information on your Member Dashboard.
Nomination Form
To run for Executive Officer, submit the online nomination form before the deadline. Self-nominations are typical, although someone else may nominate you.
Executive Officer nominations must include the names of five other AMAPCEO members who endorse the nomination.
Late nomination forms will not be accepted, regardless of the reason, including technical problems. Do not to wait until the last minute or rely on someone else to submit your nomination.
Once submitted, nominations are not confidential.
Candidates may withdraw their nomination at any time.
Candidate statements
Candidates may submit a one-page candidate statement. While optional, statements are strongly encouraged because they help voters make informed choices.
Candidate statements must:
- follow the election rules;
- be no larger than a 8½" x 11" page;
- be submitted in Word or PDF format; and
- uploaded with your online nomination form no later than the set candidate statement deadline.
Candidate statements received after the candidate statement deadline will not be accepted.
Elections
If more than one candidate runs for an Executive Officer position, Delegates will vote at the Annual Delegates’ Conference.
AMAPCEO elections are conducted by an independent, third-party firm.
Executive Officer terms begin on January 1 after the election, whether by acclamation or ballot.
Campaigning for Executive Officer positions
When Delegates register for the Annual Delegates’ Conference, they are asked whether their personal email address and/or personal phone number may be shared with candidates.
If there is an Executive Officer election, candidates may sign a confidentiality form to receive a list of Delegates who agreed to share personal contact information for campaign purposes.
Campaign materials (whether physical or electronic) may be shared until the start of business on the day of the vote.
All other campaign activity must follow the rules in this guide.
Candidate speeches and questions & answers
If there is an election, the Elections & Credentials Committee will allow candidates to give a speech at the Annual Delegates’ Conference and to take part in a question-and-answer session with Delegates.
ADC Committees
The Annual Delegates Conference (ADC) has several committees. Each committee has its own Terms of Reference.
Committee members usually serve two-year terms. Terms positions are staggered, and incumbents may run again.
Some Committees may have further eligibility requirements.
For more information on the roles and responsibilities of these committees, please see the AMAPCEO Governance & Structure page.
Most ADC Committee nominations open in late September. Elections, if needed, take place in October.
Some ADC Committees nominations may open at other times of the year. Elections, if needed, take place by electronic ballot.
ADC Committee nominations and elections
Nominations
AMAPCEO announces nomination periods on the website and in the Member News e-newsletter. You can subscribe or update your contact information on your Member Dashboard.
How to submit a nomination
To run for an ADC Committee position, submit the online nomination form before the deadline. Self-nominations are typical, although someone else may nominate you.
Late nomination forms will not be accepted, regardless of the reason, including technical problems. Do not wait until the last minute or rely on someone else to submit your nomination.
Submitted nominations are not confidential.
Candidates may withdraw their nomination at any time. If an election is required, candidates will receive a deadline by which they may withdraw their nomination to not appear on the ballot.
Candidate statements
Candidates may submit a one-page candidate statement. Statements are optional, but strongly encouraged because they help voters make informed choices.
Candidate statements must:
- follow election rules;
- be no larger than a 8½" x 11" page;
- be submitted in Word or PDF format; and
- be uploaded with the online nomination form by the deadline.
Candidate statements received after the nomination deadline will not be accepted.
Elections
If there are more candidates than available ADC Committee positions, Delegates will vote. Most ADC Committee elections will be conducted by electronic ballot.
AMAPCEO elections are conducted through an independent, third-party platform.
Most ADC Committee terms begin on January 1 after the election, whether by acclamation or ballot. Some committee terms may begin at another time during the year.
By-Elections
From time to time, the Elections & Credentials Committee may be required to conduct by-elections to fill vacancies that arise.
For more information, please consult the Elections By-law.
Board Committees
The Board of Directors has standing committees, each with specific terms of reference. The Board may also create ad hoc committees when needed.
Members are usually invited to apply through an application process. The Board may set appointment criteria in a committee’s terms of reference. Some committee members may be appointed because of another position they hold.
For more information about each standing committee, see the committee's terms of reference.
Campaign rules
All candidates, supporters, and members must follow the election rules (By-law #1), the Activist Code of Conduct (By-law #9), and the campaign rules as set by the Elections & Credentials Committee.
This includes candidate statements, videos, speeches, social media posts, comments, and any other campaign material or activity.
Campaign period and hours
Members may not campaign until the nomination period has started.
Members may not campaign during their normal working hours. All campaign activities must be conducted on personal time.
This includes distributing campaign materials, soliciting support, sending campaign communications, or promoting a candidate.
Campaigning before work, after work, during unpaid breaks, or on non-working days is permitted.
For elections held at an Annual Delegates’ Conference, campaign material (physical or electronic) may be circulated up until the start of business on the day of the vote.
Use of union or employer resources prohibited
Members may not use union or employer resources for campaign purposes, except where the Elections by-law allows it (such as posting a candidate statement on the AMAPCEO website).
Resources include:
- funds;
- supplies and equipment;
- services;
- membership lists;
- staff;
- bulletin boards;
- facilities; and
- the union or the Employer’s IT or email systems.
Use of the AMAPCEO logo
Members may not use the AMAPCEO logo on campaign materials.
Use of email to campaign
Members, including candidates, may not send campaign emails directly to members.
This includes mass emails, individual campaign messages, endorsements, requests for support, distribution of campaign materials, and any other election-related communication sent directly to members by email.
Members, including candidates, must not collect, access, distribute, or use members’ email addresses for campaign purposes.
These rules apply to all candidates for elected positions except Executive Officer elections, where candidates may receive a list of Delegates who consented to being contacted for campaign purposes. Any use of that information must be limited to the election for which it was provided and must comply with all election rules.
Use of print materials
Members may not use union or employer resources to produce print materials or place them on union or employer bulletin boards.
Use of position titles during campaigns
Candidates and their supporters must not use elected union titles when campaigning or endorsing candidates.
Current elected officials, including District Directors and Executive Officers, may support, endorse, or campaign for candidates according to the rules, but they must do so in a personal capacity and not as representatives of their elected office.
Incumbent candidates seeking re-election must not use their current title in campaign materials, endorsements, or campaign communications.
For example:
- Not permitted: District Director Joanne Doe
- Permitted: Joanne Doe, Candidate for District Director
Filing an elections complaint
The Elections & Credentials Committee is responsible for overseeing AMAPCEO elections.
Violations of election or campaign rules drawn to the Committee’s attention may be referred for investigation and potential discipline, as outlined in By-laws #4, #9, and/or #10.
Process
1. Use the AMAPCEO Election Complaint Form to file your complaint.
- Complaints can only be made by a directly impacted individual (e.g., no third-party complaints).
- Must include supporting evidence/attachments, clearly outline the issue, and articulate a desired outcome.
- Complaints are not anonymous.
2. The Elections & Credentials Committee will review your complaint at the earliest available opportunity.
3. Your complaint may be shared with the respondent to give them an opportunity to respond.
4. The Committee may conduct interviews with you, the respondent, or other members. They may collect evidence related to the complaint.
5. The Committee will determine if the election or campaign rules have been violated. Depending on the nature of the matter, the Committee may:
- refer it to the Ombudsman under By-law #4 (Member Dispute Resolution), By-law #9 (Code of Conduct), and/or By-law #10 (Trial and Discipline); and/or
- suggest a more appropriate way for you to pursue your complaint.
6. The Committee’s decisions are final. There is no appeals process.
7. The Committee maintains a strictly confidential complaint tracking system to record complaints, actions taken by the Committee, and outcomes from complaints. This list is confidential to the Committee and its staff resources and is not accessible to members.
The Elections & Credentials Committee cannot directly discipline members.
For more information
For further information on the role of the Board of Directors and ADC Committees, please see AMAPCEO's Governance & Structure page, which also includes the union's Constitution and By-laws.
If you still have questions or wish to communicate directly with the members of the Elections & Credentials Committee, please email nominations@amapceo.on.ca.