As the fall municipal election in Peterborough approaches, residents are asking candidates hard questions about their most pressing issues — including the governance structure of the city’s ward system.
While councillors represent constituents in their individual wards, they make decisions on issues that affect the entire city, including residents who do not live in their wards. Some residents, including at least one incumbent councillor, have expressed support for transitioning to an at-large system, where all voters are represented by all councillors. Advocates say this model prevents councillors from making decisions based solely or largely on the interests of their own constituents.
Municipal elections across Ontario will take place on Monday, October 26. As residents of a single-tier municipality, Peterborough voters will elect a mayor, two city councillors in each of the city’s five wards, and school board trustees.
With the nomination period closed as of Friday (August 21), seven candidates have filed their nomination papers seeking the mayor’s chair: Michael Eamon, Rob Hailman, Brian Lumsden, Jacob Méthot, Neil Morton, incumbent councillor Keith Riel, and Rebecca Schillemat. The day before nominations closed, incumbent mayor Jeff Leal announced he would not be seeking re-election.
Meanwhile, seven incumbent councillors have already begun their campaign for re-election. With 21 first-time or repeat candidates fighting to take their roles, each seat will be hotly contested.
As part of a multi-story series on the Peterborough municipal election, kawarthaNOW has already asked registered candidates in each of the city’s five wards to introduce their campaigns by answering three questions — why they are running, what the biggest challenge is in their ward, and what makes them a unique candidate for councillor — and has published their responses verbatim: Ward 1 (Otonabee), Ward 2 (Monaghan), Ward 3 (Town), Ward 4 (Ashburnham), and Ward 5 (Northcrest).
PDF: City of Peterborough Ward Boundary Map
City of Peterborough Ward Boundary Map
kawarthaNOW has now contacted all registered ward candidates to ask for their position on key election issues, including the question “Explain your understanding of and position on the role of ward councillors as neighbourhood advocates versus city-wide representatives.”
kawarthaNOW asked each of the ward candidates to respond in email, and is publishing their answers verbatim with no editing.
As of the date of this story, responses have not been received Andrew MacGregor in Ashburnham Ward, Charmaine Magumbe and Debbie Halstead in Northcrest Ward, or Jessica Correa in Otonabee Ward (Correa has since withdrawn her nomination). Five additional candidates — Lucas Graham and Joe Laton-Trickett in Otonabee Ward, Aris Metaxakis in Monaghan Ward, Nigel Lister in Town Ward, and Dennis Nephin in Northcrest Ward — filed their nominations after kawarthaNOW sent its questions to candidates; kawarthaNOW is reaching out to these candidates for their responses.
Ward 1 – Otonabee
Kevin Duguay
As a Ward Councillor, one of my roles has been to respond to Ward residents, business owners and others varied ideas, concerns and interests. This meant communicating same with City Staff, ensuring follow-up and where appropriate actionable outcomes.
This will continue as part of my serving as a member of the next City Council.
I also recognize that all Council decisions need be considerate of the entire Community. This has been my consistent practice and same would be maintained as part of my next City Council term.
Lesley Parnell
There is a balance here. The people in the ward elect us and we are to be the ward experts and help our citizens with their neighbourhood concerns. Once at the council table, councillors need to take a city-wide view to make the best decision for the greatest number of people possible throughout the city. There is no way to please everyone with each decision. This is why we do city wide master plans as opposed to looking at very specific areas only. A full view and vision are the way to go for the greater good.
Chris Potter
A ward councillor has to do both.
You’re elected by a specific ward, so you have a responsibility to be accessible to those residents and bring their concerns forward. If someone has an issue on their street, in their park, or with a city service, they should know who to contact and trust that they’ll be heard.
But once you’re at the council table, you’re also making decisions for the whole city. You can’t only think about your own ward. You have to understand how one decision affects other neighbourhoods, the city budget, and the long-term direction of Peterborough.
To me, the job is to bring a strong ward perspective to city-wide decisions. If you lose sight of either side of that, you’re not doing the job properly.
Ward 2 – Monaghan
Matt Crowley
A councillor has two responsibilities, and I don’t believe they’re in conflict.
First, I was elected to represent the people of Monaghan Ward, which means listening to residents, helping solve local issues, and making sure their voices are heard whenever decisions affect their neighbourhood.
At the same time, every vote I cast affects the entire city. Whether it’s the budget, infrastructure, housing, or economic development, those decisions don’t stop at the end of the Monaghan ward boundaries, because those decisions affect every resident in Peterborough.
For me, being a good ward councillor means bringing the perspective of my residents to the council table and it means making decisions that are in the best long-term interest of Peterborough, even when those decisions aren’t always the easiest.
My job is to ask good questions, understand the facts, listen to residents, and make decisions that strengthen Peterborough as a whole. In the long run, that’s also the best way to serve Monaghan Ward.
Ashley Flynn
A ward councillor is elected by their neighbourhood first, so their primary responsibility is to listen to and advocate for the people who put them in office. If you have a question, I should be there to listen and respond in a timely manner. I should be reporting the residents and business owners’ concerns, and ensuring that they feel like they are being heard.
At the same time, every decision around the council table affects the entire city. It’s important to understand the needs of your ward while making decisions that are fair and beneficial for Peterborough as a whole.
To me, those two responsibilities go hand in hand. I’ll be a strong voice for Monaghan Ward while always considering what’s best for the long-term success of our entire community.
Rose Kitney
Advocacy, listening, open communication and responsiveness is key to strong representation in a ward. Councillors need to respond to inquiries and ensure concerns and priorities of constituents are brought forward and addressed.
As for city-wide representation, a councillor has one vote at the table therefore decisions must be based on the best interest and priorities of the city as a whole while considering the needs of their individual ward. It is very important that a councillor does so in a fully informed, well researched and knowledgeable manner. In other words, councillors need to do their homework prior to any decision made. The implementation of a well researched, forward thinking Strategic Plan will assist in responding to constituent concerns.
Jen Lacey
I believe a ward councillor has two equally important responsibilities: to be a strong advocate for the residents of their ward and to make decisions that are in the best interest of Peterborough. These are responsibilities that compliment each other when done effectively.
My first responsibility is to listen to the people of Monaghan Ward. Residents are the experts of their neighbourhoods. They understand the opportunities, challenges, and priorities where they live, and they deserve meaningful engagement before decisions are made. My role is to ensure that they have the opportunity to use their voice at City Hall and to keep them informed about issues that affect their community.
As a councillor, I am a member of a team. We need to work together, regardless of disagreements because your safety and well-being is paramount regardless of what ward you live in. Decisions about budgets, infrastructure, housing, economic development, and public services affect all residents. As your city councillor, there will be times where I must look beyond ward boundaries, consider the evidence, weigh the long-term impacts, and work collaboratively with my council peers to make decisions that strengthen Peterborough. While doing so, I will keep you informed every step of the way.
I bring a collaborative approach to leadership. My experience in social services has taught me the value of bringing people together, listening to different perspectives, and finding practical solutions that work for everyone. That same approach is needed at City Hall, and there has been times where that does not happen.
Effective representation means building a bridge between neighbourhood concerns and city-wide priorities. When residents are part of the process and Council makes thoughtful, balanced decisions, we build trust in local government and create better outcomes for the entire community.
AJ Shearer
Being a ward councillor is about representation and helping shape the future of our community.
First, my job would be making sure the residents of Monaghan Ward are heard around the council table. This means everything from helping resolve issues with roads, parks and service concerns to making sure residents have a voice when discussing how growth and investment will occur across the city and in the ward.
The other part of the job, which goes hand in hand with representation, is making decisions that move Peterborough forward. This involves everything from committing to projects to budget adjustments and policy changes. The best councilors recognize that these responsibilities aren’t in conflict, they complement each other.
By representing the priorities of Monaghan Ward while supporting responsible growth and investment throughout the city, I hope to help build a Peterborough stronger than I found it.
Ward 3 – Town
Alex Bierk
I don’t think these responsibilities are in conflict. There has always been a balance between advocating for your Ward and making decisions that are in the best interest of the entire city. I hope the next Council recognizes that a strong downtown isn’t simply a Town Ward issue — it’s essential to Peterborough as a whole.
Jenni Cathcart
As a Town Ward councillor, my priority is to show up for the people in my ward — and not just those who voted for me. That means being accessible, listening to neighbourhood concerns, and making sure the Town Ward’s voice is heard at the council table. Residents deserve a Councillor who understands their issues and advocates specifically for them.
But the reality is that City Council decisions often extend beyond ward boundaries. A vote on transit, housing, or economic development affects the whole city. I believe residents expect their councillor to think about the well-being of Peterborough when those bigger questions come up.
From my perspective, the two roles aren’t in conflict if you’re honest with people about which lens you’re using and why.
Jessica Kuhlmorgen-Hille
Ward Councilors, to me, are people who call that Ward their home, and the people they represent, are their neighbours. Councilors have the duty to be the liaison between City Hall and the citizens. They are the eyes, ears, protectors, and advisors of the Ward in which they serve.
To speak on city-wide matters, I would think that the Ward Councilors would do so with the will of their constituents at the forefront of their minds. Ward Councilors have direct experience in the area they represent and when on council, speaking, can bring that knowledge forth, along with the other Ward Councilors and their knowledge, to make informed decisions based on the combined input of each Ward’s constituents’ wishes.
Joy Lachica
As a Town Ward councillor, I’ve treasured the opportunity to build relationships in the nucleus of this city. Wards create a proximity and closeness of community which has its strengths. However, I’m convinced that an “at-large”, or, at least a hybrid system of governance would serve our municipality in a more holistic and strategic way than our current ward system. While wards have unique profiles and needs requiring representation and voice, the ward template can also create a scenario of separatism around “whole city” issues, defaulting to NIMBYism in the face of geographic decisions requiring equitable solutions. Of course, we are sensibly and logically ward advocates as ward councillors. But, I believe that each of us around the horseshoe are city-wide representatives first.
Ward 4 – Ashburnham
Gary Baldwin
Councillors are elected by a Ward system. As such, my first priority is my constituency work. I deliver the best possible service to Ashburnham ward residents as I can. We are also city councillors and make decisions that impact the city as a whole. When making decisions at council, I will continue to bring a constructive, collegial voice to the council table and a councillor who debates respectfully with an eye on the issues that benefit Ashburnham and the city as a whole.
Ashley Bonner
I see the role of a ward councillor as both a neighbourhood advocate and a city-wide decision-maker. Those responsibilities are not separate to me; they are connected.
As a councillor, you don’t only vote on issues within your own ward. You vote on decisions that affect the entire city: budgets, housing, roads, transit, planning, infrastructure, policing, parks, climate action, and community services. That means you have a responsibility to understand the bigger picture and make decisions that are fair, informed, and responsible for all residents.
At the same time, you are elected by the people in your ward, and you have a duty to bring their voices, concerns, and lived experiences into those city-wide conversations. I believe you cannot make good decisions for the whole city if you lose touch with what people are experiencing in their own neighbourhoods.
For me, the role of a ward councillor is to be a bridge between Ashburnham Ward and City Hall. It means advocating strongly for the needs of our neighbourhoods while also recognizing that every vote has an impact beyond ward boundaries. My goal would be to make decisions that serve the city as a whole, while ensuring that the people of Ashburnham Ward are heard, respected, and not forgotten in the process.
Jason Stabler
As a ward councillor your priority should be the representation of the people who elected you but you also need to work collaboratively with other city councilors to build a better city, because the city belongs to us all. Most of us, while we live in one ward, work, shop or engage in recreation in other parts of the city. So while a ward councillor should focus primarily on addressing neighborhood level issues they also need to have a city wide perspective in making decisions that affect us all.
Ward 5 – Northcrest
Andrew Beamer
When you take your oath of office during the Swearing-In Ceremony, you take your oath as a City Councillor, not a Ward Councillor. It is important for City Councillors to have a vision for the entire City and make decisions that are in the best interest of the entire City.
As a Ward Councillor, it is important to advocate for your Ward and work with your Council colleagues and city staff to achieve results for the Ward and to ensure that your constituents concerns are heard and addressed. As a Northcrest Ward Councillor, I have been committed to engaging my constituents to achieve stronger outcomes that move Northcrest Ward forward. As Northcrest Councillor, I have worked to improve public engagement and consultation through Town Hall Meetings (topics included: On-street Parking, Rooming Houses, Participatory Budgeting, Sports and Recreation, Green Bin/Waste Collection Services, Community Safety); multiple Community BBQ’s and Northend events; and several Virtual Town Halls. If re-elected, I will continue to listen, consult, collaborate and engage with the residents of Northcrest Ward through different forums to ensure that their issues are addressed and that results are achieved.
Phillip Jolicoeur
I believe a ward councillor has to do both.
Ward 5 residents deserve someone who knows their neighbourhoods, listens to their concerns, follows up, and speaks up for them at City Hall. Whether the issue involves speeding, development, parks, property standards, infrastructure, or community safety, residents should feel confident that their councillor is paying attention.
At the same time, once elected, a councillor is responsible for the whole city. Decisions involving housing, transit, policing, homelessness, economic development, and the city budget do not stop at ward boundaries. What happens in one area can affect residents everywhere else.
My approach would be simple. I would advocate strongly for Ward 5 while making decisions with the entire city in mind.
That also requires honesty. Sometimes the best decision for Peterborough may not be the most popular decision in one neighbourhood. Residents may not agree with every vote I make, but they should always understand why I made it and know their concerns were heard.
A strong Ward 5 depends on a strong Peterborough.
Paul Lawton
A ward councillor has both responsibilities.
First, a councillor must know the ward, listen to residents, understand local concerns, and be accessible. Ward councillors should be neighbourhood advocates. They should notice local problems, ask hard questions, and make sure residents are not brushed aside.
But councillors also vote on city-wide decisions. That means they must consider the good of Peterborough as a whole, not only the immediate pressure of one neighbourhood or one interest group.
The right balance is to bring ward-level knowledge to city-wide decision-making. A councillor should ask: how does this affect my residents, how does this affect the city, what are the costs, what are the trade-offs, and have people been properly heard?
Gavin Muir
I see a ward councillor’s core job as being the voice that ensures their neighbourhood is genuinely heard at the table — while still exercising sound judgment on issues that affect the whole city. Those two roles are usually complementary, not competing. Northcrest residents I’m speaking with are often raising concerns about the state of downtown and the city as a whole in the same breath, because the two aren’t really separate in people’s minds.
Where these roles come into tension is when residents feel decisions are being made around them instead of with them, which is exactly the dynamic I want to change. That starts with better communication and genuine listening, not just consultation as a formality. It also means council itself has to model that value: recent changes to our procedural by-law have reduced speaking time and tightened the rules around debate, in the name of efficiency rather than better decision-making. Efficient meetings matter, but not at the cost of full discussion on issues that affect people’s lives.
Jim Wasson
As ward councillors the number one goal is to listen to constituents and bring their concerns to Council. Council members then collaborate to make decisions that will benefit the community as a whole.
kawarthaNOW has reproduced written responses from candidates verbatim. Any errors, factual or otherwise, or any use of AI-generated content originate with the candidate.
