{"id":5576,"date":"2025-10-30T08:06:32","date_gmt":"2025-10-30T12:06:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/northhatley.info\/?p=5576"},"modified":"2025-10-30T08:08:21","modified_gmt":"2025-10-30T12:08:21","slug":"house-in-sherbrooke-rented-apartment-in-north-hatley-am-i-allowed-to-run-for-municipal-councillor-mayor-in-north-hatley","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/northhatley.info\/en\/2025\/10\/30\/house-in-sherbrooke-rented-apartment-in-north-hatley-am-i-allowed-to-run-for-municipal-councillor-mayor-in-north-hatley\/","title":{"rendered":"House in Sherbrooke, rented apartment in North Hatley: am I allowed to run for municipal councillor\/mayor in North Hatley?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Based on my research, Jean-Paul L\u2019Allier (mayor of Qu\u00e9bec City from 1989 to 2005) owned\/lived in a house on \u00cele d\u2019Orl\u00e9ans during those years, which drew criticism at the time even though he carried out his duties in Qu\u00e9bec City. Note: public sources refer to a \u201chouse\u201d or \u201cresidence\u201d on the island without formally specifying his domicile in the legal sense. Reference<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To submit a candidacy, you must (1) be entitled to be entered on the municipality\u2019s voters list\u2014either through domicile in North Hatley (and six months in Qu\u00e9bec), 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\u2014and (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).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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. \u00c9lections Qu\u00e9bec<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Can I be a councillor in North Hatley if I own a house in Sherbrooke and rent an apartment in North Hatley?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Yes\u2014provided two key conditions are met:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  1. 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 \u2192 meaning you needed to have resided there since September 1, 2024). This residence can be:<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n