Municipal Election Update
Tessa Swanton (Townson), Bruce Peninsula Press
The first candidate for the 2026 Municipal Election in the Municipality of Northern Bruce Peninsula (MNBP) filed nomination papers on July 29. The filing was officially announced on the Municipality’s Facebook page on July 30.
“Brad Gesinghaus has filed nomination papers and is registered as a candidate for the office of Mayor for the 2026 Municipal Election,” says the post.
Nomination papers must be filed by 2pm on August 21. To file papers, you need to schedule an appointment with the municipal clerk by emailing clerk@northernbruce.ca or by phone at 1-833-793-3537. The fee to run for office is $200 for mayor and $100 for all other positions. Campaigning cannot begin until papers are filed, except for signatures. To run for office, you must submit 25 original signatures endorsing your nomination. Nomination packages can be picked up at the Municipal Office, 56 Lindsay Road 5.
In MNBP, eligible voters will be able to select one mayor, one deputy mayor, three councillors, and one trustee depending on your school support designation.
To view the registered candidates list including phone numbers and emails, visit www.northbrucepeninsula.ca click “Government,” “Council & Committees,” “Elections,” then “2026 Registered Candidates.”
With just over one week left before the filing deadline, only one candidate has officially filed for office as of the date of this newspaper’s printing.
Three (possibly four) incumbents intend to file nomination papers
John Francis, Bruce Peninsula Press
As this newspaper goes to print, none of the incumbents on MNBP Council have filed nomination papers.
But that will change shortly. At least three — and possibly more — of the incumbents intend to file nomination papers in the next few days.
Incumbent Deputy Mayor Rod Anderson was gathering signatures on Saturday August 8, to return as Deputy Mayor. Incumbent Mayor Milt McIver, who is the second-longest-sitting reeve/mayor in Canada, confirmed in a text message that he intends to file papers on Tuesday to retain his position as Mayor. Incumbent Councillor Todd Dowd confirmed in a phone call that he will run again for the position of Councillor.
All three expect to file papers before Friday, August 14.
Incumbent Councillor Laurie (Smokey) Golden said in a phone call that she is filling out the paperwork and is leaning towards running again, but has not made a firm decision.
In a telephone interview, Incumbent Councillor Aman Sohrab said that he has not made a firm decision but is leaning against running again.
Nominations close on Friday, August 21.
