Saint Mary’s Added to First Nations Elections

Summary#

The Order Amending the Schedule to the First Nations Elections Act (Saint Mary’s) adds Saint Mary’s to the list of First Nations covered by the First Nations Elections Act and fixes its first election date as October 7, 2026. The order was registered on September 12, 2025 and published in the Canada Gazette on September 24, 2025.

What it does#

• Adds Saint Mary’s (listed as entry 95) to the schedule of the First Nations Elections Act.
• Sets the date of the first council election for Saint Mary’s as October 7, 2026.
• The order took effect when it was registered on September 12, 2025.

Who's affected#

• Members, electors, candidates and local leaders of Saint Mary’s — they will follow the rules of the First Nations Elections Act for the election set for October 7, 2026.
• The local council (which asked for this change by a resolution adopted on June 24, 2025) and officials who administer elections for the community.
• It is not clear from the notice which province or territory this particular “Saint Mary’s” refers to; the affected people are those in the First Nation named in the order.

Why it matters#

• Being added to the schedule means the First Nations Elections Act will govern how the community’s council is elected. That affects who can vote, how candidates are nominated, and the election procedures.
• The fixed first election date gives the community a clear timeline for planning and for anyone who wants to run or vote.
• This is an administrative change requested by the community’s council, but it has direct effects on local democratic processes.