Tessa Swanton (Townson),
Bruce Peninsula Press
The Municipality of Northern Bruce Peninsula (MNBP) released the Official List of Certified Candidates on August 24 at 4pm.
Currently sitting Mayor Milt McIver, along with incumbents Deputy Mayor Rod Anderson, and Councillors Laurie (Smokey) Golden and Todd Dowd are all seeking reelection.
Candidates for Mayor
• Brad Gesinghaus
• Milt McIver
Candidates for Deputy Mayor
• Roderick (Rod) Anderson
• James Mielhausen
Candidates for Councillor
• Todd Lawrence Dowd
• Paul Davidson
• Laurie (Smokey) Golden
• Ryan Matheson
Candidates for English Public Trustee – Bluewater District School Board (Certified by the Town of South Bruce Peninsula)
• Robert John William Galbraith
• Jason Yip
Candidates for French Public Trustee – Conseil Scolaire Viamonde
(Certified by the City of Barrie)
• Eric Lapointe
• Rachel Golem
Candidates for English Separate Trustee – Bruce Grey Catholic District School Board
(Certified by the Town of Saugeen Shores)
• Lucie Desbiens
Candidates for French Separate Trustee – Conseil Scolaire Catholic Providence
(Certified by the City of Sarnia)
• Michael Salvatore
Incumbent Mayor Milt McIver has served as Mayor of the MNBP since the Municipality’s first election in 2000. Prior to that, he was Reeve of Lindsay Township from 1982 until amalgamation in 1999, then Head of the Transition Team until the 2000 election. His mayoral experience amounts to over 40 consecutive years of leadership.
The Municipal Election will be held on October 26, 2026. Voting closes at 8pm and results will be declared as soon as possible. Advanced voting begins on October 19 at 10am.
The term of office begins on November 15, 2026, and continues until November 2030.
The voting method is via internet or telephone, like past elections. Voter Information Letters will be mailed by Canada Post to eligible voters no later than September 30. To add yourself to the Voters List, contact the municipal clerk or visit the Municipal Office at 56 Lindsay Road 5. Bring identification and MNBP proof of ownership or tenancy to update or add yourself to the Voters List. The clerk has confirmed that identification will not be accepted over email – you must attend in person.
If you cannot make it to the Municipal Office during business hours to update your voter information, visit a Voter Help Centre at the Tobermory Community Centre (7420 Highway 6) on September 5 from 10am-2pm or the Municipal Office (56 Lindsay Road 5) on September 19 from 10am-2pm.
If you are interrupted when attempting to cast a ballot online or by telephone, you may try again using either method until your ballot is cast. The system will not allow anyone to overvote or spoil a ballot.
Election signs will be scattered across the Municipality over the next few months as they were permitted as of Nomination Day, August 21. Signs must not be removed without consent or damaged. They cannot be placed on trees, utility poles, mailboxes, at voting help centres, within 15m of any public road intersection, or on municipal property. Refer to By-law 2025-72 for all election sign rules.
Community group, St. Edmunds Property Owners Inc. (SEPO), has confirmed they have plans to host an All-Candidates meeting. Details to be announced in a future issue.
Issue #17, 2026 (printing October 6) of the Bruce Peninsula Press will include a special “Candidate Feature”. All candidates will be invited to submit a brief biography, an overview of their platform highlights, along with a photo.
