There is only one week remaining for individuals to submit their candidacy for the upcoming municipal election in October, and four contenders are vying for the position of Guelph’s next mayor.
The incumbent Mayor Cam Guthrie declared in March that he would not be running for re-election after serving three terms as mayor and previously as a city councillor.
The four candidates in the mayoral race aiming to succeed Guthrie are Leanne Caron from Ward 5, Ken Yee Chew from Ward 6, Ryan Meunier, and Evaristo Ramos Jr.
Guelph’s electoral system involves electing two councillors for each ward, with multiple candidates competing in various races. In Ward 1, current Coun. Erin Caton disclosed to CBC News that they will not be pursuing a second term due to the demanding workload, insufficient compensation, and limited benefits, particularly challenging for a single parent with disabilities.
Caton mentioned their accomplishments in driving significant changes towards accessibility, transparency, equity, and governance improvements and expressed willingness to consider running again if the councillor position transitions to full-time.
Notably, two incumbent councillors, Michele Richardson in Ward 3 and Christine Billings in Ward 4, have yet to finalize their candidacy submissions. The nomination deadline set by the city’s clerk’s office is 2 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 21. Candidates are advised to arrange a nomination meeting with the city clerk’s office for paperwork submission.
As of September 1, voters can verify their registration status, make updates, or add their details in preparation for the advanced polls scheduled from Oct. 10 to 18, leading up to the official voting day on Oct. 26.