Marianne Wood,
Bruce Peninsula Press
As Northern Bruce Peninsula heads toward the 2026 municipal election, as of this publication’s print date, no candidates have yet registered for municipal office. Interest is expected to build as the nomination period progresses. With several key positions attracting attention—including an open public school board trustee seat—the coming months could shape one of the municipality’s most interesting elections in recent years.
Four years ago, Mayor Milt McIver secured a decisive victory, capturing 69 percent of the vote and earning another four-year term. McIver’s political career stretches back more than four decades. First elected Reeve of Lindsay Township in 1982, he served until municipal amalgamation in 1999 and has been Mayor of Northern Bruce Peninsula ever since. The municipality has never had another mayor.
Today, Mayor Milt McIver holds the distinction of being Canada’s second longest-serving mayor, behind only Milton Mayor Gordon Krantz, who has announced he will seek re-election in 2026.
The 2022 election also ushered in significant turnover on council. Rod Anderson won the Deputy Mayor’s race, defeating incumbent Deputy Mayor Debbie Myles and incumbent Councillor James Mielhausen. Councillor Laurie “Smokey” Golden was the only returning member of council, while new councillors Aman Sohrab and Todd Dowd were elected to the remaining councillor positions.
A significant development ahead of the 2026 election is the Bluewater District School Board trustee race. Long-serving trustee Jane Thomson, who has deep roots on the Peninsula, has announced she will not seek re-election after 12 years representing Northern Bruce Peninsula families and students.
In a recent letter to the Bruce Peninsula Press, Thomson reflected on her years of service and encouraged community members to consider stepping forward. She emphasized the importance of finding a strong successor who is committed to advocating for local students and ensuring the unique needs of Peninsula schools continue to be heard at the board table.
The successful candidate will have a direct impact on local schools, educational programming, transportation and student well-being across the region.
With no candidates yet registered and a school board trustee position already confirmed as open, voters will be watching closely to see who steps forward in the coming months. Whether Mayor McIver chooses to seek another term, and who may challenge for council and school board positions, will help define the next chapter in Northern Bruce Peninsula’s municipal leadership.
