As a Councillor, you have representative, policy-making and stewardship roles to play in your municipality. Often these roles will overlap. You will be called on to consider and make decisions on issues that will sometimes be complex and controversial. Most of those decisions will have long-term consequences for your municipality that extend beyond your four-year term of office, and should be made in the context of your municipality’s directions for the wellbeing of your community.
Candidate Information
The next Municipal and School Board Election takes place Monday, October 26, 2026
Nominations now open!
Council of the Municipality of Arran-Elderslie
Arran‑Elderslie Council consists of seven members elected to represent the municipality:
- One (1) Mayor – elected at large
- One (1) Deputy Mayor – elected at large
- One (1) Arran Ward Councillor
- One (1) Chesley Ward Councillor
- One (1) Elderslie Ward Councillor
- One (1) Paisley Ward Councillor
- One (1) Tara Ward Councillor
The Mayor serves as the Head of Council. Since 2025, the Mayor has Strong Mayor Powers which provides special powers and duties they may chose to exercise under provincial legislation.
Who can run for Municipal Council?
Who Can Run?
To run as a candidate in a municipal election, you must:
- Be a Canadian citizen and at least 18 years old.
- Be qualified to vote in the municipality by:
- living in the municipality, or
- owning or renting property in the municipality, or
- being the spouse of somebody who owns or rents property in the municipality.
- Not be prohibited from holding municipal office according to Section 29 of the Municipal Elections Act, 1996.
Councillor Roles and Responsibilities
Please review the Ontario Municipal Councillor's Guide to learn about the roles and responsibilities of a municipal council member.
Nominations for the 2026 Municipal Election are open from May 1 to August 21, 2026.
Interested candidates can use the Candidate Nomination Package to file their nomination.
The following is required to file a nomination:
- Nomination Paper - Form 1
- Endorsement of Nomination - Form 2
- Candidates Declaration of Qualifications - Form EL18a
- Consent to Release Personal Information - Form EL52
- Payment of filing fees by cash, debit, or certified cheque
- Mayor $200.00
- All other offices $100.00
- Bring proof of identity and residence as prescribed in O. Reg. 304/13 and proof of citizenship satisfactory to the Clerk.
The Municipal Elections Act (the "Act") states that documents and materials filed with or prepared by the clerk or any other election official under the Act are public records and, until their destruction, may be inspected by any person at the clerk's office at a time when the office is open. This includes the names and qualifying addresses of electors who have endorsed a nomination.
Start of Campaigning
Campaigning is not permitted until your nomination papers have been officially filed.
Mayor
| Name of Candidate | Date Filed | Contact Information |
| Steve Hammell | May 21, 2026 |
Address: 335 Concession 2 Arran, Dobbinton, ON N0H 1L0 Phone: 519-379-8063 Email: stevehammell@rocketmail.com |
Deputy Mayor
| Name of Candidate | Date Filed | Contact Information |
| Jennifer Shaw | June 8, 2026 |
Address: 147 Mill Rd, Tara, ON N0H 2N0 Phone: 226-647-1442 Email: jennifer_christie@live.ca |
Arran Ward Councillor
| Name of Candidate | Date Filed | Contact Information |
| Ryan Nickason | May 14, 2026 |
Address: 21 Thomas St, Allenford, ON N0H 1A0 Phone: 519-270-3890 Email: nickason3206@gmail.com |
Elderslie Ward Councillor
| Name of Candidate | Date Filed | Contact Information |
| Alicia Mariano | July 20, 2026 |
Address: 3507 Bruce Road 3, Paisley, ON N0G 2N0 Phone: 519-387-1495 Email: aliciamariano3@gmail.com |
| Brian Dudgeon | August 14, 2026 |
Address: 1128 Bruce Road 40, Dobbinton, ON N0H 1L0 Phone: 519-270-2500 Email: dudgeongroup@gmail.com |
Chesley Ward Councillor
| Name of Candidate | Date Filed | Contact Information |
| Sara-Lynne Leask | August 18, 2026 |
Address: 39 5th St SE, Chesley, ON N0G 1L0 Phone: 519-477-8972 Email: cdhscougarsalumni@gmail.com |
Paisley Ward Councillor
| Name of Candidate | Date Filed | Contact Information |
| David Stone | May 7, 2026 |
Address: 359 Balaklava Street, Paisley, ON N0G 2N0 Phone: 519-761-0202 Email: davidxstone1@gmail.com |
| Heidi Maxwell | May 25, 2026 |
Address: 2862 Bruce Road 3, Paisley, ON N0G 2N0 Phone: 519-353-3194 Email: heidi.maxwell@bmts.com |
| Patricia Wright | May 11, 2026 |
Address: 97 Albert Street, Paisley, ON N0G 2N0 Phone: 519-372-7949 |
Tara Ward Councillor
| Name of Candidate | Date Filed | Contact Information |
| Joel MacCallum | August 11, 2026 |
Address: 137 Bruce Road 17, Tara, ON N0H 2N0 Phone: 519-270-5635 Email: Joel4Tara@gmail.com |
| Rick Mikula | August 13, 2026 |
Address: 33 Matilda St, Tara, ON N0H 2N0 Phone: 647-523-2223 Email: rick.mikula01@gmail.com |
School Board Trustee - Bluewater District School Board
| Name of Candidate | Date Filed | Contact Information |
| Katie Lutz | May 19, 2026 |
Address: Port Elgin |
| Julia Bates | August 18, 2026 |
Address: 311 Devonshire Road, Port Elgin, ON Phone: 519-386-7644 Email: juliaforboard@gmail.com |
School Board Trustee - Bruce-Grey Catholic District School Board
| Name of Candidate | Date Filed | Contact Information |
| Lucie Desbiens | May 4, 2026 |
Address: 951 Wellington Street, Port Elgin, ON N0H 2C3 Email: ldesbiens1956@gmail.com |
School Board Trustee - Conseil Scolaire Viamonde
| Name of Candidate | Date Filed | Contact Information |
| Eric Lapointe | May 1, 2026 |
Phone: 705-241-8909 Email: ericlapointe@yahoo.com |
| Rachael Golem | August 7, 2026 |
Phone: 647-884-3044 Email:rachaelgolem@hotmail.com |