Join a Board or Committee
Boards and committees provide advice and recommendations to Council. Most committees include members of the public and members of Council. Volunteering on a board or committee is a great way to:
- meet new people and share your ideas and talents
- provide input into the strategic direction setting and decision-making of the municipality
- support local government in adequately addressing issues
- make a difference in your community
Specific citizen positions for various committees will appear from time to time below to provide Kawartha Lakes residents opportunities to volunteer their time, in various activities associated with local government.
Current Vacancies
City Recruiting for the Municipal Election Compliance Audit Committee
Kawartha Lakes – The City of Kawartha Lakes is looking for experienced professionals for appointment to the Municipal Elections Compliance Audit Committee for the 2026 Municipal Election. The City of Kawartha Lakes Compliance Audit Committee has full authority under the Municipal Elections Act, 1996, as amended, to address applications requesting an audit of election campaign finances.
This Compliance Audit Committee would be responsible for the following:
- Review applications and grant or reject audit requests;
- Where an audit is granted, to appoint an auditor and review the audit report; and
- Where indicated, decide whether legal proceedings shall be commenced.
The Compliance Audit Committee will consist of three to five members selected by the City Clerk and the Director of Corporate Services, as approved by Council. Committee members must have the ability to understand and apply the election campaign finance provisions of the Municipal Elections Act, 1996 and should be considered impartial with respect to their ability to fulfill their responsibilities. Successful applicants will be paid $100 per meeting as required.
Applicants for the Municipal Election Compliance Audit Committee should:
· Have an understanding of municipal campaign finance provisions;
· Have experience as a member of a municipal committee, board, or quasi-judicial body;
· Have flexibility to attend day and evening meetings, as required; and
· Have a background in accounting, auditing, law, election administration or public administration.
Applicants cannot be candidates or agents in the 2026 municipal election, members of Council or local boards of the City, any persons who are registered third party advertisers in the 2026 municipal election, or employees of the City.
If you are interested in serving on the Compliance Audit Committee, submit an application and your resume to the Office of the City Clerk by 4:00pm on August 5, 2026.
If you would like to receive a hardcopy of this application and the terms of references, please contact election@kawarthalakes.ca or 705-324-9411 extension 1888, or the City’s website under the Careers and Volunteering and Boards and Committees pages.
For more information, please contact Cathie Ritchie, City of Kawartha Lakes City Clerk at election@kawarthalakes.ca, 705-324-9411 extension 1295.
Qualifications
Members of the public interested in serving on Boards and Committees are asked to submit a Citizen Appointment Application Form.
Applicant eligibility:
- A resident of the City (own, rent, live in shared accommodation where you do not pay rent or live in the municipality with no fixed address); or
- An owner of property in the City or a person who rents property in the City, or the spouse of the above; and
- at least eighteen years of age; and
- a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada.
Certain committees may have other qualification requirements established by resolution or by City policy. See individual committee applications for details.
The following persons are ineligible for appointment to the City's Committees as a Citizen Appointee:
- current members of the Council (with the exceptions of statutory requirements and ex officio positions)
- current trustees of the Trillium Lakelands District School Board or the Peterborough, Victoria, Northumberland, Clarington Catholic District School Board who have direct association/affiliation with the service/facility in question
- current City employees who have direct association/affiliation with the service/facility in question
- any person who may have an actual or perceived (in the opinion of the Interview Team) conflict of interest with the purposes of the Committee in question due to his or her employment or otherwise
- any person who is in litigation or potential litigation with the municipality
Term
Terms are established within the Terms of Reference for each board or committee and may vary from one to four years.
Many committee positions last for the term of Council (4 years: 2022-2026 or 2026-2030).
Remuneration
With the exception of the Municipal Election Compliance Audit Committee, Committee of Council appointments are on a volunteer basis. No per diems are paid.
Application Process
Applications are only accepted when a vacancy on a board or committee has been advertised.
Each autumn an advertisement will appear in the local newspaper regarding upcoming positions available to residents to sit on various boards or committees.
All residents are welcome to apply by submitting a Citizen Appointment Application Form. Applicants are responsible to ensure that the Municipal City Clerk's Office has received your application.
Selection Process
Once application submissions have closed, application forms are reviewed, short-listed and interviews take place.
A report is submitted to Council by staff on behalf of the interview team with recommended appointments. This report is dealt with in closed session as it contains personal information.
Council appoints the members in open session and all applicants are advised of the decision.
