PEC official: 3 candidates for mayor; 29 for councillors; 3 acclaimed

Candidates for mayor, from left, Ernie Margetson, Brad Nieman, Terry Shortt

Three candidates for mayor and 29 candidates for 13 councillor positions have filed intention to run in the Oct. 26 municipal election. The filing of nominations papers closed Friday, Aug. 21 at 2 p.m. Following a review by the clerk, an official list of candidates and acclamations will soon be announced. (UPDATE: Clerk and Chief Returning Officer Catalina Blumenberg has confirmed the official list of certified candidates for 2026 municipal election.)

The council term runs four years starting in December and this new council will see new salaries with the mayor at $96,550 and councillors at $40,422.

Mayor Steve Ferguson did not seek re-election, but three people with prior council experience are vying for the position: Ernie Margetson, Brad Nieman and Terry Shortt.

Six of 13 current councillors are running for re-election to council. Another three – John Hirsch, Corey Englesdorfer and Chris Braney – are  acclaimed to represent South Marysburgh, Wellington and Hillier.

Ward-by-ward:
Ward 1 Picton (Two seats): Four candidates – Incumbents Phil St. Jean and Kate MacNaughton with newcomers Emery Niles and Jane Lesslie.

Ward 2 Bloomfield/Hallowell (Two seats): Eight candidates, all newcomers, including Kyle Mayne, Victor Lind, Erynn Ahern, Mark Hopper, Geoff Heinricks, Mark Henry Joanne Fralick and Kane Rutgers.

Ward 3 Wellington (1 seat): Incumbent Corey Engelsdorfer.

Ward 4 Ameliasburgh (Three seats): Six candidates — Incumbents Janice Maynard and Sam Grosso, previous councillors Andreas Bolik, Paul Boyd and Dianne O’Brien and one newcomer, Doug Villeneuve.

Ward 5 Athol (One seat): Four candidates, all newcomers, Emily Jane Pickstock, Haley Woods, Tyler Langmuir and Anna Zak.

Ward 6 Sophiasburgh (One seat): Two candidates – Incumbent Bill Roberts and newcomers Les Chapman, Megan Hutton and Rachel Prinzen.

Ward 7 Hillier (One seat): Incumbent Chris Braney.

Ward 8 North Marysburgh (One seat): Three candidates, newcomers Tracey Stevens, Siobhan Harrison and Ken Morton.

Ward 9 South Marysburgh (1 seat): Incumbent John Hirsch.

English Public School Hastings and Prince Edward School Board Wards 1, 2, 5, 8 and 9: (One seat) Two candidates – Peter Wheeler and Codie Goodman.

English Public School Hastings and Prince Edward School Board wards 3, 4, 6 and 7: (One seat) Former trustee Jennifer Cobb.

English Separate School Algonquin & Lakeshore Catholic District School Board (Nominations received by Loyalist Township) (One seat) Incumbent Jacqueline Fernandes.

In 2022, there were 23,935 registered voters with 11,262 votes cast (47.05 per cent).

Council passed a bylaw to add the following question to the 2026 municipal election ballot:

“Are you in favour of a third-party review of council size and related ward boundaries?”

Answer options: “Yes” or “No” only.

For the results of the question to be legally binding on the municipality:
– At least 50 per cent of the eligible electors in the municipality vote on the question, and
– More than 50 per cent of the voters are in favour.

Should this occur, the estimated costs of a third-party review would be between $75,000 and $100,000 depending on the scope of the work. Any changes would be in effect for the 2031 municipal election.

Eligible voters will receive a voter notification card in the mail in October indicating Internet and assigned voting locations including advance voting details for those who wish to cast their ballot early.

Advanced Voting Day
Saturday, Oct. 17, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Election Day
Monday, Oct. 26, 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Internet voting
Vote from anywhere, from any device, at any time.
Opens: Saturday, Oct. 17, at 10 a.m.
Closes: Monday, Oct. 26 at 8 p.m.