Hastings Highlands 2026 Election candidate profiles

October 22, 2026

With the municipal election on Oct. 26 approaching, we invited each candidate to respond to the same four questions about their reason
for running, priorities and vision for the municipality, qualifications, and contact information. Their responses are published below as
submitted, subject only to length and standard copyediting for style, grammar, and clarity. Candidates were asked to
keep their responses focused on their own qualifications, priorities and vision for the municipality.
Candidates are listed alphabetically within each position they are running for.

Tony Fitzgerald — Running for Mayor

1. What made you want to run for municipal office?

The main reason that I ran for municipal office is because I care deeply about this community. I am a lifelong resident of Hastings Highlands, living on the family farm where I was born. Together with my wife Judy, we have raised four children and enjoy the blessings of 14 grandchildren. I was a volunteer firefighter and coached minor hockey for almost 20 years. I retired from over 30 years of teaching elementary school in June 2018. My roots are here, with my grandchildren being the sixth generation on the farm. I want to make sure that they have the same opportunities that I had growing up here. All decisions made at the Council table should have our future generations in mind.

2. What do you see as the biggest issues facing the municipality and how would you go about solving them?

Like all municipalities, Hastings Highlands faces financial challenges. With only one primary revenue stream (property taxes), unpredictable funding from upper-tier governments, rising costs (diesel, labour costs, insurance, policing, etc.) due to inflation and geopolitical events we have no control over, extreme weather events and rising interest rates, we face tough decisions daily.

Our greatest priority is the road system. We have 481 km of roads, by far the most of any municipality in Hastings County, not to mention almost 30 km of a (formerly) provincial highway. By following the recommendations of our Roads Needs Studies, Structural Engineer Reports, traffic counts and our Five Year Roads Plan, we are making slow but steady progress on rehabilitating our roads.

Another priority is waste management. HH has nine waste sites, many approaching full capacity. Some have already been converted into transfer stations. Environmental regulations are costly to comply with and extensive monitoring and reporting are also expensive. Recycling is another big expenditure for us, especially with the high cost of fuel.

A third major priority is maintaining the health of our many lakes. This means regulating such things as tree cutting and the maintenance of vegetative shoreline buffers, inspecting the installation and effective operation of septic systems, and the improvement of boat launches and beach areas. Challenges include areas of jurisdiction; some of our facilities are on Crown Land controlled by the MNRF and the cost of enforcement.

3. What makes you best suited for the role?

I bring considerable experience in local government to the table. I was first elected Councillor in October of 2018. I spent that term of office learning how to chair meetings, introduce legislation, prepare budgets and understand the complications and challenges of municipal governance. In 2022, I was elected Mayor of Hastings Highlands and in 2024, I was elected Deputy Warden of Hastings County and Chair of the Finance Committee.

I am very proud of what we accomplished in this last term of Council. We developed a new Strategic Plan listing our key priorities and strategies to achieve them. This has helped Council focus on our key objectives, such as ensuring financial stability by maintaining a competitive tax rate. We now have the third lowest residential property tax rate of all 14 municipalities in Hastings County. Another key goal was to focus on our roads and bridges by implementing a strategy to revitalize HH Road 62, the former provincial highway. I am immensely proud of the fact that we secured a $25-million grant from the Province of Ontario to rehabilitate and resurface this key artery. This project is now underway, with design and engineering work, geotechnical studies, environmental assessments and structural designs to be completed this fall. Construction will start in 2027 with completion anticipated in late 2028.

4. How can people get a hold of you or find you online to learn more about your campaign?

Voters can reach me on my cell phone at 613-334-5788, by email at theelmstand@yahoo.ca or in person by arranging a meeting with me at anytime.

Joey Shulman — Running for Mayor

1. What made you want to run for municipal office?

After I arrived in Maynooth in 1988, I made my first delegation before the Council of the day (in Bangor, Wicklow and McLure townships) to ask why the Lake St. Peter Dragonfly community were being denied use of the old community centre. I was told in no uncertain terms, “Why don’t you and your kind go back to where you came from.”.

I know my height can be intimidating, but short people have rights as well as tall ones. It was after this engagement that I coveted the job of Mayor.

My first taste of politics was my term as Vice-President (and Social Convenor) on the Student Council at Willowdale Jr. High.

I went on to serve on the Executive of the Performing Arts Publicists Association, which met monthly in Toronto.

I have been a keen participant of local, provincial and federal politics working side by side with committee meetings not limited to the Arts Fest at the Calgary Winter Olympics and the organization of the opening night of CATS in Toronto, Calgary and Edmonton.

I co-founded the Maynooth Business Association in 1989 along with Maynooth business owners Carla and Bob van Balen Walter, and others.

On and off over 30 years of its existence, I was the Chair, running monthly meetings, making agendas, moving the dial forward and measuring progress by the number of people who took part in annual events I helped create and sustain, namely Maynooth Madness and Brighten the Night Christmas Parade. And always working in partnership with the local media.

Endless meetings to ‘vision’ the remaking of the Main Street and before that, the new library and gymnasium where I premiered my production of Fiddler on the Roof when the facility opened in 2011. I chaired the Celtic Festival Board for 3 years.

2. What do you see as the biggest issues facing the municipality?

The elephant in the room is global climate change which impacts everything we do on a daily basis. Emergency preparedness should become a four-times-a-year event for the community to participate in actively, in obvious coordination with Fire, Police and Ambulance availability.

I believe our municipality could be an inspiration to others in the County for thinking outside the box of conventional solutions to recurring costs in our operating budget. As Maya Angelou wrote, “Once we know better, we can do better.” Information is key to our decisions including the impact on our environment and with proper consultation with Indigenous representatives.

I also want to find the needed safeguards and services for the unhoused and residents who live on the fringes of our society. The ones not reached by County services because those services are based in Belleville.

The word ‘encampment’ elicits such strong responses on both sides of the divide when what is needed is housing. Affordable housing for those on ODSP.

3. What makes you best suited for the role?

I believe I am a credible candidate for voters to choose in this either Tony/or Joey race. I have a proven track record of welcoming the world to Maynooth and Hastings Highlands as its unofficial ambassador. Members of Parliament, folks up from the County and returning visitors. Each and every one given a warm welcome to our community as well as a wealth of local information on events and where to go.

Nineteen years of running a guest house outside of Maynooth and ten years of operating an art gallery in town put us front and centre for visitor engagement.

4. How can people get a hold of you or find you online to learn more about your campaign?

I have a website at: joeyformayor.ca

You can email me at joey.shulman@icloud.ca or leave a message at 613-334-6564.

Keith Buck — Running for Councillor

1. What made you want to run for municipal office?

I’m running for re-election as Councillor in Hastings Highlands because I believe good local government comes down to three simple things:

Be a good listener, Do your homework, and Ask questions.

As a retired Executive Producer, I spent many years bringing people, ideas and different priorities together to get things done. One of the most important things I learned is that the best decisions don’t always come from the loudest voice in the room. They come from listening, understanding the facts, asking questions and working together to ﬁnd practical solutions.

As a volunteer, I am currently the Co-Vice Chair of the Bancroft Area Stewardship Council (BASC). BASC’s key objective is to engage, educate and empower local communities to take on initiatives that aim to protect, preserve and manage our natural environment.

2. What do you see as the biggest issues facing the municipality and how would you go about solving them?

In 2022 I identiﬁed ﬁre services, taxation, economic development, affordable housing and the fair delivery of municipal services as issues I was prepared to challenge council on.

After many years of stagnation, our ﬁre services are ﬁnally moving forward on the long road to modernization.

With an updated Fire Service Review, greater support for our dedicated volunteers, and the acquisition of new equipment and ﬁre trucks, we are investing in the people and resources that keep our community safe.

These improvements will strengthen our ﬁre services today while ensuring they are equipped to serve our community for years to come.

Our tax rate continues to be realistic and respectful, designed to protect the lakes and character of the community while allowing sensible development, supports our reserves and pays for the infrastructure and services our community requires.

I’m proud that our traditional municipal services have grown to include more people-centred support, including the fee waiver policy and the rehabilitation of our boat launches.

These initiatives put people ﬁrst and will have a meaningful, lasting impact on residents, visitors, and local businesses alike.

We do however, need to do more to make affordable housing a reality for all residents of Hastings Highlands.

Much has been accomplished over this current term: the ongoing modernization of our ﬁre services, responsible property tax increases, delivering services that meet our residents needs and working with the MNRF to make improvements to our boat launches and let’s not forget, securing grant funding for the rehabilitation of Hastings Highlands Road 62, an amazing feat.

Hastings Highlands faces many important decisions ahead including roads, development, taxation and municipal services. I believe residents deserve a Councillor who will take the time to understand the issues, ask the tough questions when needed, and make decisions based on facts and what’s best for our community in the long run.

3. What makes you best suited for the role?

I’m not running because I have all the answers. I’m running because I’m willing to listen, learn, ask questions, work hard and be accountable to the people I represent.

4. How can people get a hold of you or find you online to learn more about your campaign?

If you have any concerns or challenges, please reach out by phone, 613-338-3283 or by email at: kbuck@trbd.ca

Roger Davis — Running for Councillor

1. What made you want to run for municipal office?

My name is Roger Davis, and I am asking for your support to continue serving as Councillor for Hastings Highlands.

Hastings Highlands has been part of my life for more than 60 years. It is more than a place on a map, it is home. It is where my wife, Caroline, and I live, and where I feel a deep responsibility to give back.

2. What do you see as the biggest issues facing the municipality and how would you go about solving them?

1. Completing key infrastructure and trail projects: I would like to see the Highway 62 project through to completion and continue addressing the bridge closure between Highway 127 and County Road 62. This closure will have a significant impact on snowmobiling and ATV use in our municipality. As Hastings Highlands’ representative to the Eastern Ontario Trails Alliance, I know how important the trail network is to local tourism, recreation, and community life. I believe these issues must be followed through carefully so projects are completed and no loose ends remain.

2. Responsible financial stewardship: Rising policing costs will be a major challenge over the next four years and could increase by as much as 11 per cent in the first year alone. Although the municipality has no control over this expense, we are still responsible for paying the bill. These cost pressures may also affect our ability to replace essential equipment, such as dump trucks and fire trucks, when they reach the end of their service life. I will work with Council to manage these pressures carefully, keep other costs as low as possible, and maintain a responsible tax rate.

3. Respectful leadership and community focus: As an incumbent councillor, I have learned that Council members will not always agree on every issue. However, good decision-making requires careful listening, respectful discussion, and a shared commitment to the future of Hastings Highlands.

If re-elected, I will continue to listen, remain accessible, speak up for residents, and make responsible decisions. I will work to protect the character of Hastings Highlands while helping our community move forward with confidence.

4. How can people get a hold of you or find you online to learn more about your campaign?

For further information, I can be reached by email at rdavis@hastingshighlands.ca, by phone at 613-338-2811, toll-free at 1-877-338-2818, or at home at 613-338-3216.

Wayne Elliott — Running for Councillor

1. What made you want to run for municipal office?

The main reason I decided to run is to increase public engagement and widen the topics of debate. The current council has done it’s due diligence in publishing information to the public about its activities, but there have been a few issues that folks I’ve talked to feel out of the loop with, such as the loss of the old community centre, the building of the cell tower so close to town, and other issues of concern.

2. What do you see as the biggest issues facing the municipality and how would you go about solving them?

I’m very motivated around community and cultural development, and can see many opportunities to increase community involvement in municipal affairs. Some ways that this could be initiated is through a local newsletter, a podcast, gatherings and citizen assemblies, as well as other methods of involving the wider populous in what is happening in council.

I am increasingly concerned about the growing ecological crisis and feel that we need to be having conversations around how we will handle the impacts here, as a community, looking after each other. I am also concerned about the affordable housing crisis in the area where it’s less visible in an area like this with the more noticeable affect being a lack of trades people and low wage workers, who have either had to leave the area or have precarious housing situations.

3. What makes you best suited for the role?

I have a lot of experience on a variety of boards of arts and cultural organizations, and have developed skills around synthesizing multiple perspectives in order to work towards meeting everyone’s needs. Most recently, I have been a core organizer of the SunRun Revival, an annual local arts and music festival on Labour Day weekend, that just had a very successful fourth year.

I have spent most of my life living in the area, and feel deeply connected to the community here, it’s long-term well-being is very important to me and I am committed to doing anything I can to contribute to that well-being.

Fiscal responsibility is vital, but needs to be done in a way that doesn’t deprive the community as a whole. Engaging people into being active, participating citizens can both save money and build social cohesion. There is a large pool of skills and expertise in the area that remain largely untapped due to lack of engagement, connecting with the wide range of community members in Hastings Highlands could go a long way towards strengthening our local resilience.

4. How can people get a hold of you or find you online to learn more about your campaign?

People can contact me at: wayne.elliott@webmadman.net

Tracy Hagar — Running for Councillor

1. What made you want to run for municipal office?

I started and continue to run for council as I was/am heavily involved in community events, fundraisers and organizations. I found council/municipal interactions to be very interesting and wanted to learn more. I grew up learning about politics at a young age from family members involved. I am available in the heart of this municipality and I am always here to listen, learn and help.

2. What do you see as the biggest issues facing the municipality and how would you go about solving them?

As with all other municipalities in Ontario, I feel the biggest issue will be to continue to do our best to keep taxes at a fair, reasonable rate while continuing the level of service we deliver throughout the municipality. It will also be a bit of a welcomed challenge to complete the road rehabilitation of the whole highway 62 without causing too many delays for folks. We were fortunate to secure a major grant to complete this work over the next few years.

3. What makes you best suited for the role?

I feel I have a good knowledge as well as experience in the operations of this municipality. I am a team player and work well with others. Over the years I have also met and become acquaintances with folks in other levels of government. I am always here and available to the people in our municipality.

4. How can people get a hold of you or find you online to learn more about your campaign?

I can be reached at 613-334-7421. I welcome walk-in conversations at my business in Maynooth, Foxfire. I have also made a Facebook page, Tracy Hagar for Councillor in Hastings Highlands.

Dave Hunt — Running for Councillor

1. What made you want to run for municipal office?

I made the decision to run for a seat on council to help the betterment of our communities. I have been a cottager for 24 years and have first-hand knowledge of the challenges cottagers have faced. I would also like to see Hastings Highlands grow and prosper, but also maintain its character. I believe it is also time for a change, fresh ideas, a fresh voice and a new outlook.

3. What makes you best suited for the role?

My past history of being in sales and financing will be a benefit, as my priority was to follow to the end and know that my client was fully satisfied and comfortable with it. Also my father did a few terms on council in our area and I watched and listened to the inner workings of the council.

4. How can people get a hold of you or find you online to learn more about your campaign?

I can be reached at 519-485-2480, as well as Facebook at Dave Hunt for Hastings Highlands Council, and email: electdavehuntforcouncil@gmail.com

Liam Kearney — Running for Councillor

1. What made you want to run for municipal office?

After spending 20 years of summer vacation in Hasting Highlands on Papineau Lake, my wife Tracy and I decided to move here in 2019 from Belleville. We have come to love this community and the friendly people. We have three children and four grandchildren who also enjoy spending quality vacation time in beautiful Hasting Highlands. I am recently retired and would love the opportunity to serve the residents of this special community.

3. What makes you best suited for the role?

In Belleville, I worked in manufacturing industries specializing in sales, quality control and production management. I’ve been an active member of the A.N.A.F for over 30 years, holding various executive positions. I’ve also been an active member of the Hasting Highlands Volunteer Fire Department for six years and have dedicated the time and energy to advancing to Captain and Trainer.

I have come to embrace this community, and I strongly believe that I can add value representing the residents of Hasting Highlands. I have met many residents and visitors and understand their key priorities such as road quality, environmental concerns and property taxes. I have a strong ability to work as a team, listen to new ideas, manage priorities, make solid decisions, while keeping an open mind to what’s best for the residents of the community. Working as a cohesive team to ensure accountability of Council and the Municipality would go a long way to ensuring the best decisions are made for the community at large. I will ask the tough questions to ensure all the facts are thoroughly analyzed to make the most effective decisions.

4. How can people get a hold of you or find you online to learn more about your campaign?

I am running for the position of Councillor to give back and help make a difference for everyone in the Community. Please feel free to reach out anytime via email at: Lkearney1@bell.net

Brad MacDonald — Running for Councillor

1. What made you want to run for municipal office?

Why am I running for office?

I am running for municipal councillor because I feel I can make a difference in our community by advocating for common sense solutions at the council table. My main priorities would be fiscal responsibility, growing our local economy and honest and accountable government. I want to be of service to our ratepayers and would make myself available to my constituents. My personal cell is 613-334-6825, you can text or call me anytime.

2. What do you see as the biggest issues facing the municipality and how would you go about solving them?

I think the most important issue facing our municipality over the next four years and beyond is the rising cost of operations and maintaining our local infrastructure. Now more than ever we need to ensure that we are prioritizing our spending to keep our taxes as low as possible to ease the burden on our residents and property owners during these inflationary times.

We need to explore every option to help keep costs down in every possible way while attempting not to lower the quality of service our local government provides.

3. What makes you best suited for the role?

I think I would be well suited to the role of municipal councillor because I have years of sales experience and I am a good listener, I plan on making myself available to the rate payers of Hastings Highlands so they can express their wishes and opinions to me and in turn I could relay them to council.

As a “numbers guy”, I have a pretty good understanding of budgets, financial, etc. I think I would be a good fit in helping solve the various financial problems that crop up from time to time. I know every area of our municipality very well having grown up here.

4. How can people get a hold of you or find you online?

People can get a hold of me anytime on my cell (613) 334-6825 by call or text. I am also able to be reached by email at bradforcouncillor@yahoo.com. My campaign has a Facebook page — Brad MacDonald for Municipal Councillor Hastings Highlands. Being easily accessible is one of my main priorities in running for council, I believe that politicians as public servants should always have to listen to the ratepayers concerns and answer any questions they may have.

Nancy Matheson — Running for Councillor

1. What made you want to run for municipal office?

My decision to run for municipal office comes from a deep connection to Hastings Highlands and a genuine desire to give back to the community I have called home for more than three decades.

My connection to Hastings Highlands goes back more than 55 years, when my family began spending time at a relative’s cottage on Baptiste Lake. Thirty-one years ago, my husband and I made Hastings Highlands our home, where we raised our family, operated a local business for 12 years, and became active in our community.

I chose to run because I believe local government matters. The decisions made around the Council table have a direct impact on our residents, our businesses, our environment and the future of our community.

Over the last 14 years, I have had the opportunity to serve on Council, listen to residents, work with community organizations and contribute to many initiatives that have helped make Hastings Highlands a better place to live.

I am running because I believe my experience, knowledge of our community and commitment to responsible decision-making can continue to make a difference. I want to help Hastings Highlands move forward while maintaining the character, and quality of life that make it such a special place to call home.

2. What do you see as the biggest issues facing the municipality and how would you go about solving them?

I believe the biggest issues facing Hastings Highlands are fiscal responsibility, maintaining our infrastructure and essential services, responsible growth, and protecting the character and environment of our community.

Like many municipalities, we are facing increasing costs while our residents are also dealing with the rising cost of living. We need to carefully balance the services our community needs with what taxpayers can reasonably afford. This means making responsible choices about spending, prioritizing projects and looking for efficiencies wherever possible.

Our roads and other infrastructure also require ongoing investment. We need to plan ahead, make strategic use of reserves and available funding, and ensure we are addressing our most important infrastructure needs without placing an unreasonable burden on taxpayers.

At the same time, Hastings Highlands has opportunities for growth and economic development. I believe we should welcome responsible growth that strengthens our community, but it must be sustainable and balanced with protecting our rural character, lakes, forests and natural environment.

Ultimately, I believe the challenge is finding the right balance — maintaining the services and infrastructure our residents depend on, supporting responsible growth, protecting what makes Hastings Highlands special, and doing all of this in a fiscally responsible manner.

3. What makes you best suited for the role?

I believe my combination of experience, community knowledge and commitment makes me well suited for the role of Councillor.

Having served on Council for 14 years, I understand the responsibilities of the position and the importance of working collaboratively as part of a Council team. I believe a good Councillor needs to be prepared, ask questions, listen to different perspectives and make decisions based on facts, rather than assumptions.

My 31 years as a resident, 12 years as a local business owner and long-standing involvement in our community have given me a broad understanding of the people, challenges and opportunities that make Hastings Highlands unique.

I have been actively involved in our community through initiatives such as organizing food drives, co-hosting Seniors Expos, and serving on community boards and committees. These experiences have kept me connected to residents and the issues that matter to them.

I bring a practical, balanced approach to Council. I believe in fiscal responsibility, maintaining essential services, responsible growth and protecting the rural character and environment we value.

Most importantly, I care about this community and its future, and I am prepared to put in the time, do the research and work collaboratively to make thoughtful decisions for Hastings Highlands.

4. How can people get a hold of you or find you online?

Email: nl_matheson@hotmaill.com

Phone: 613-332-5066

Joan Nieman — Running for Councillor

1. What made you want to run for municipal office?

I have always been proud to call Hastings Highland home. There are many reasons why I have decided to put my name forward to participate in the upcoming 2026 election. I have worked full time/part time in the Municipal sector since 1978 and have always enjoyed being involved in Municipal politics. I was employed with the Municipality of Hastings Highlands for 21 years and enjoyed working beside a great team. Once I retired, I was approached to run in the 2022 Municipal election. I was voted in as a Council member and have enjoyed my four years as a Councillor, which makes it easy to be involved in matters that interest me and how I/we can make a difference to make it a great place to call “home.”

2. What do you see as the biggest issues facing the municipality and how would you go about solving them?

Council faces many challenges and issues each and every day, from approvals and passing of by-laws, road construction/complaints, building regulations, planning issues, Ministry regulations, etc. But “Our Roads” are on the tips of everyone’s tongues and is such a costly burden especially with over 400 km of road to upgrade and maintain. One of the biggest and most needed road repairs will soon be in our rear-view mirror. The Municipality of Hastings Highlands has just received and accepted a $25-million dollar grant to upgrade and rebuild Highway 62 from the 4 corners in Maynooth to the border of Renfrew County. There will be many important decisions to be made in the upcoming Council term, and I would welcome the opportunity to see this project come to a completion.

3. What makes you best suited for the role?

I believe that with my present experience as a Councillor and my past years working with Municipalities it has given me the opportunity, experience and knowledge to understand the day-to-day challenges Council faces on a regular basis, for example capital and expense budgets, building, ministry and provincial regulation, stakeholders concerns and interest. I believe by leaving my door open to listen to concerns of our stakeholder and do my best to come back with an explanation or a solution.

4. How can people get a hold of you or find you online to learn more about your campaign?

I am available by email, and stakeholders can find my contact information on our Municipal webpage: hastingshighlands.ca

Troy Thrower — Running for Councillor

1. What made you want to run for municipal office?

I retired from teaching in 2025 and decided then that I wanted to give something back to the community. This community has been an excellent place to raise a family, with its outdoor rinks, clean lakes, bike trails, etc. I want future generations to have the same opportunities to enjoy the outdoor experiences that this community has to offer.

I have always been interested in politics. I also complain a lot about rising taxes without improved services. Instead of complaining, I feel like it is time to get involved.

2. What do you see as the biggest issues facing the municipality and how would you go about solving them?

The number one issue is roads. We live in a very large geographic area with a relatively small tax base. We need to find creative funding solutions to improve maintenance, plowing and repaving. The number two issue (probably number one for some) is taxes. Homeowners are getting hit from every direction right now. Quite simply, inflation is vastly outpacing salary increases. Council needs to make its best effort for a tax freeze; no unnecessary increases.

3. What makes you best suited for the role?

One of my biggest strengths is my ability to listen to, and work with others. As a teacher and a local referee I understand the value of communicating, planning and prioritizing. I understand that decisions need to be made in the best interest of the whole community, with a long-term vision. In order to do this, I can promise I will be fully prepared for meetings and available for committee work (a benefit of retirement). As a new candidate to politics, I will offer a fresh perspective in meetings. And finally, I will be available and willing to listen to community members.

4. How can people get a hold of you or find you online to learn more about your campaign?

I can be contacted at troythrower@gmail.com and look forward to hearing from community members.