In preparation for the upcoming 2025 Federal Election, the Ontario Business Improvement Area Association (OBIAA) is pleased to share with Ontario’s BIAs resources and a toolkit that will assist BIA Boards and members in informing them about the key practices by preparing for the 2025 Federal Election.
BIAs are a Local Board of Council, but their funds come from a special levy on their designated commercial properties in their area. The Municipal Act states that a local municipality may designate an area as an improvement area and may establish a board of management to oversee the improvement, beautification and maintenance of municipally owned land, buildings and structures in the area beyond that provided at the expense of the municipality generally; and to promote the area as a business or shopping area. This means each area is created for the collective good and the often-misunderstood role of the BIA is to make the area a better place to do business, rather than help the individual businesses.
The Election Toolkit includes guidance on how BIAs engage in elections, how to participate in all candidates’ meetings, as well as communication strategies on what a BIA is.
Doug Sams, as President of OBIAA and Executive Director of the Kerr Village BIA sees the value of this toolkit, he states “OBIAA’s Federal Election Toolkit will aid each and every BIA who uses this valuable resource in building a great relationship with their local MP. Connecting our local MP with the work BIAs do to make our Main Streets great community locations means BIAs are key partners. This unique and essential Federal partnership is worth fostering.”
Local communities have an opportunity to define our communities with our vote. OBIAA supports active involvement from every resident of Ontario to define the type of community that brings us together.
WHAT IS IN THE TOOLKIT
- Election Timelines
- Letter to BIA Boards
- How to form Election Questions
- How to form Election Questions for Local Issues
- Tips and Tricks
- OBIAA’S PRIORITY ISSUES TO HELP BOLSTER CANADA’S MAIN STREET ECONOMY
- Letter to all MP Candidates
- About OBIAA and BIAs
- APPENDIX – Use of Corporate Resource for BIAs during an Election
ELECTION TIMELINES
March 23, 2025 – Election called by Prime Minister Carney
April 18-21, 2025 – Advance Polls Date
April 28, 2025 – Election Day – Go VOTE!
Following election, send congratulatory letter to newly elected MP
