Many residents have asked me about eligibility for the positions of councillor or mayor. People often confuse domicile and residence. Remember: you can have several residences, but only one domicile.
Based on my research, Jean-Paul L’Allier (mayor of Québec City from 1989 to 2005) owned/lived in a house on Île d’Orléans during those years, which drew criticism at the time even though he carried out his duties in Québec City. Note: public sources refer to a “house” or “residence” on the island without formally specifying his domicile in the legal sense. Reference
To submit a candidacy, you must (1) be entitled to be entered on the municipality’s voters list—either through domicile in North Hatley (and six months in Québec), or as a non-domiciled elector by being the owner of an immovable or the occupant of a place of business in North Hatley for at least 45 days—and (2) reside within the territory of North Hatley, continuously or not, at the time you file your nomination, while also meeting the general conditions (18+, Canadian citizen, not ineligible).
You do not need to be a property owner: if you rent an apartment and make it your domicile in North Hatley for at least 12 months by the reference date, you may vote and run for office (even if you own a house elsewhere).
Conversely, if your domicile remains outside the municipality and you are only a tenant in North Hatley (without being a property owner there or occupying a place of business there), that is not sufficient for eligibility. Élections Québec
Can I be a councillor in North Hatley if I own a house in Sherbrooke and rent an apartment in North Hatley?
Yes—provided two key conditions are met:
- Have been a resident of North Hatley for at least 12 months as of the reference date (for the 2025 general elections, that was September 1, 2025 → meaning you needed to have resided there since September 1, 2024). This residence can be:
- your domicile in North Hatley (a domicile may be at a rented address; you don’t have to be an owner), or
- a residence in a building you own in North Hatley, or
- a place of business you occupy in North Hatley. (Élections Québec)
2. Meet the general eligibility conditions: be 18 or older on polling day, be a Canadian citizen, and not be ineligible (e.g., certain incompatible positions, a conviction for electoral fraud within the past five years, etc.). (Élections Québec)
In this specific case
If you rent an apartment in North Hatley and make it your domicile (official addresses, documents, etc.) for at least 12 months by the reference date, you can be a candidate, even if you own a house in Sherbrooke. (Élections Québec)
If your domicile remains in Sherbrooke and, in North Hatley, you do not own the apartment you occupy (you are renting), that is not sufficient for the other eligibility route (“residence in a building you own”). You would then need either to establish your domicile in North Hatley or to occupy a place of business in North Hatley, and in all cases accumulate 12 months by the reference date. (Élections Québec)
Do not confuse the following: the rules of “6 months in Québec” (domiciled elector) and “45 days” (non-domiciled owner/occupant) concern the right to vote, not candidate eligibility.
