These participating independent candidates and community members share a commitment to transparency, participation, compassion, fiscal responsibility, stronger local representation, and constructive cooperation. Each person maintains their own priorities, judgement, and responsibility while choosing to work together on shared principles and community goals.
Being listed on this page is separate from official candidate registration. The complete list of officially registered candidates is available in the Council Candidates directory.
Approximate locations are shown to help residents understand which part of Owen Sound each person may represent. These locations can be refined as ward and local-area boundaries are developed.
Residents → Local Representative → Ward Councillor → City Council
Owen Sound would have seven wards, each represented by an elected Ward Councillor. Within each ward, smaller local areas would have volunteer Local Representatives who help residents connect and bring local priorities forward.
These participants are officially registered for elected roles on Owen Sound City Council. They share the cooperation’s principles while running independently and bringing their own experience, priorities, and judgement.
Andrii Zvorygin
Officially Registered
Role: Registered Candidate for Mayor of Owen Sound
Area served: City-wide
Andrii is a local farmer, IT professional, civic information publisher, Makerspace treasurer, and community advocate. His civic work has given him hands-on familiarity with Owen Sound Council, Grey County Council, municipal staff, local policy processes, and intergovernmental advocacy.
Main interests: Transparency, participation, compassion, local representation, affordable housing, and community resilience.
Role: Registered Candidate for Deputy Mayor of Owen Sound
Area served: City-wide
Scott is the sitting Deputy Mayor of Owen Sound and represents the City at Grey County Council. He is a long-time downtown business owner, co-owning Runner’s Den with his wife Tracy since 2006, and brings practical municipal and local business experience.
Main interests: Careful budgeting, practical municipal service, local business, and City-County coordination.
Thomas Arakal
Officially Registered
Role: Registered Candidate for Owen Sound City Council
Approximate area: Owen Sound East
Thomas brings experience from Canada Post, previous work as an Operations Manager, and service as Vice-President of CUPW Local 582. He is focused on dependable services, responsible spending, and responsive representation.
Main interests: Core services, transportation, housing, and accountable decisions.
Role: Registered Candidate for Owen Sound City Council
Approximate area: Owen Sound Southeast
David brings previous municipal-government experience from Esquimalt Council, Hanover Town Council, and Grey County Council. His public record also includes planning, library, heritage, environmental, community-grant, and municipal-insurance responsibilities.
Main interests: Fiscal responsibility, collaborative Council work, municipal and regional coordination, planning, and shared-service governance.
These participants are considering seeking election to Owen Sound City Council. They have agreed to these shared values but are not currently listed as officially registered candidates.
Dakota is Métis and runs Foss Customs, a local business providing automotive services. He is interested in forming connections with and representing residents in Northeast Owen Sound, while helping people experiencing addictions.
Main interests: Local business, practical service, addiction support, stronger local representation, and resident participation.
Jude
J
Considering Candidacy
Role: Potential Council Candidate
Approximate future ward area: West Owen Sound
Jude owns African Caribbean Groceries and Beauty and brings experience serving customers and operating a local business. Jude is interested in forming connections with and representing residents in West Owen Sound.
Main interests: Local business, community connection, resident participation, and responsive representation.
Jasmine Schnarr
Considering Candidacy
Role: Potential Council Candidate
Approximate future ward area: Central Owen Sound
Jasmine is an advocate for people experiencing homelessness and has helped people find housing, food, and support while navigating the complexities of daily life. She is interested in forming connections with and representing residents in Central Owen Sound.
Main interests: Housing, practical support, compassionate listening, and responsive local service.
Community Participants contribute to shared principles and community goals without seeking elected office. Some serve as Local Representatives, while future participants may help through local projects, meetings, outreach, research, or other forms of civic service.
Local Representatives help residents within an approximate local area stay connected, organize community activities, identify shared priorities, and communicate with their future Ward Councillor.
James O.
Local Representative
Role: Local Representative
Approximate local area: Central Owen Sound
James is a local citizen journalist and advocate for people downtown. He helps maintain planters with edible plants and brings practical, street-level experience with listening, visibility, and care in the centre of the city.
Natalie brings a strong record of local service through many City committees and the Owen Sound Fall Fair. She has signed up to support local connections, practical care, and follow-up in Central Owen Sound.
Residents can express interest in becoming a potential council candidate or volunteering as a Local Representative. Approximate ward and local-area assignments can be refined as public mapping work continues.
