The political landscape of municipalities could be considerably changed after the municipal elections of November 5. A total of 71 candidates are competing for 32 seats in 12 different municipalities. Of this number, 21 candidates are fighting for the position of mayor in eight municipalities.
What catches the eye is Dudwell, where all the positions of councillors and mayor are up for election. Five persons aspire to the position of mayor: Michel Blanchard, Sylvain Lafond, Daniel Lemieux, outgoing councillor Mariane Paré, and Richard Roberge.
A three-way battle is developing in Cookshire-Eaton among outgoing councillors Sylvie Lapointe and Yvon Roy, and citizen Marc Turcotte. The same is true in Weedon, where Éric Decubber, Diane Jalbert and outgoing mayor Richard Tanguay are competing for the confidence of the electors. The outgoing mayor is not surprised to face opposition. «It’s a good sign. Democratic life is going well, and there are people interested in the well-being of the municipality,» he said, speaking in French. Tanguay did not seem disappointed with the situation, which compels him to campaign. «It demands more work, but at the same time it is positive because you meet the citizens one by one.» The outgoing mayor did not hide his desire to bring to completion the files initiated over recent years.
Elsewhere, two-way contests are shaping up in five other municipalities. In Chartierville, the outgoing mayor Denis Dion is crossing swords with Carole Denis. In East Angus, surprisingly, the outgoing mayor Lyne Boulanger is facing off against Martine Dugal. Having succeeded Robert Roy as mayor last December, Boulanger did not hide her stupefaction. «I am very surprised. I might have expected this more from a municipal council member, not from someone outside, but this is okay and legitimate. People will have a choice. People know me well. I have 16 years of experience, and I have always been present during activities. The important thing is to get out and vote,» she said in French.
In La Patrie, Johanne Delage and Léo Blais are contesting the position of mayor. In Newport, outgoing mayor Lionel Roy is battling Thérèse Ménard-Théroux, who already occupied the same post from 2009 to 2013. In Westbury, outgoing mayor Kenneth Coates is up against outgoing councillor Gray Forster.
Elsewhere, five mayors have been elected by acclamation. They are Nathalie Bresse in Ascot Corner, Walter Dougherty in Bury, Bertrand Prévost in Hampden, Yann Vallières in Saint-Isidore-de-Clifton, and Dominique Boisvert in Scotstown. Ascot Corner Mayor Nathalie Bresse admitted, «Anyway, I am surprised. It’s not easy; you can never please everybody.» Going into a third consecutive mandate as mayor, she said she had not noticed any discontent. «These four last years, the whole council worked well. Together, we moved forward on a good number of initiatives,» she said in French.
One municipality, however, remains without a mayor: Lingwick. In such a circumstance, the president of the election proceeds to a second nominations period. Persons interested in the position of mayor have until 4:30 p.m. on October 27 to deposit their nomination form. If there is more than one candidate, the election day will be on Sunday, November 26.
The citizens in two municipalities, Hampden and Saint-Isidore-de-Clifton, do not have to vote because all the candidates were elected to their respective seats without opposition.
Councillors
A total of 51 candidates are competing for seats on councils in 12 municipalities, as shown in the accompanying table.
Note that the day for advance voting is on Sunday, October 29, from noon to 8 p.m., and the election day is on Sunday, November 5.