Owen Sound Council Election 2026

Status

Registered candidate for Councillor of Owen Sound.

Contact

• Phone: 519-372-2409
• Email: dcadams1962@icloud.com
• Official campaign website: David Adams’s campaign website (opens in a new tab)
• Candidate interview: Watch David Adams's 2026 candidate interview (opens in a new tab)

Relevant background

David Adams moved to Owen Sound in July 2025 after spending part of his childhood and teenage years in the Thornbury and Meaford area. He recently retired following a 38-year career in the automotive industry, including service as President and CEO of Global Automakers of Canada. His professional background includes lobbying, negotiation, collaboration, and working with different levels of government. He has also served on volunteer boards, volunteered with Owen Sound’s Canada Day celebrations, and raised more than $40,000 for Campfire Circle through a cycling fundraiser.

Platform and priorities

David Adams’s campaign identifies four main priorities:

• Revitalizing downtown and diversifying the local economy
• Addressing homelessness, addiction, and community safety
• Developing Owen Sound’s waterfront and tourism potential
• Thoughtful, transparent, and accountable municipal spending

His campaign presents Owen Sound as a potential gateway to the Bruce Peninsula and emphasizes supporting existing small businesses while making it easier for new businesses to open.

Questionnaire: Responses to Concerned Owen Sound Taxpayers (PDF, August 29, 2026)

COST questionnaire evidence: Adams’s documented answers are included in the issue comparison.

Sources

• Official City of Owen Sound candidate directory
• David Adams’s official campaign website (opens in a new tab)
• David Adams, 2026 COST candidate questionnaire response
• David Adams, COST questionnaire response (opens in a new tab)

Last reviewed: September 11, 2026.

Documented issue positions

• Transparency and open Council: His 2026 questionnaire supports reporting accountability, key performance indicators, performance-linked remuneration, complete spending disclosure, and published policy rationales.
  Sources: David Adams, 2026 COST candidate questionnaire response (August 29, 2026); David Adams, COST questionnaire response (opens in a new tab) (2026); David Adams, David Adams for Owen Sound City Council (opens in a new tab) (2026)
• Public participation: His questionnaire supports complete agendas at least one week ahead, written committee minutes, recorded votes, public committee participation, resident summaries, and disclosure of decision rationales.
  Sources: David Adams, 2026 COST candidate questionnaire response (August 29, 2026); David Adams, COST questionnaire response (opens in a new tab) (2026)
• Affordable housing: His questionnaire supports a vacant-home tax and targeted affordable-housing development incentives.
  Sources: David Adams, 2026 COST candidate questionnaire response (August 29, 2026); David Adams, COST questionnaire response (opens in a new tab) (2026)
• Savings reviews: His questionnaire supports requiring every department to identify 5–10% in potential savings, including staffing options, and recognizing employees who propose transferable efficiencies.
  Sources: David Adams, 2026 COST candidate questionnaire response (August 29, 2026); David Adams, COST questionnaire response (opens in a new tab) (2026)
• Community safety: He supports coordinated treatment, housing, enforcement, expectations, individual case attention, agency key performance indicators, measurable downtown outcomes, and a merits-based review before municipal proceedings continue.
  Sources: David Adams, 2026 COST candidate questionnaire response (August 29, 2026); David Adams, COST questionnaire response (opens in a new tab) (2026); David Adams, David Adams for Owen Sound City Council (opens in a new tab) (2026)
• Water and wastewater: He supports full-cost allocation and water and wastewater efficiency reviews, with Council accountability described in relation to the authority Council holds over municipal rates.
  Sources: David Adams, 2026 COST candidate questionnaire response (August 29, 2026); David Adams, COST questionnaire response (opens in a new tab) (2026)
• Local economy: He supports faster approvals and stronger economic-development and tourism promotion, with emphasis on attracting outside companies and residents.
  Sources: David Adams, 2026 COST candidate questionnaire response (August 29, 2026); David Adams, COST questionnaire response (opens in a new tab) (2026); David Adams, David Adams for Owen Sound City Council (opens in a new tab) (2026)

Other comparison areas are not summarized here because the reviewed sources did not provide sufficient attributable evidence.

Status

Registered candidate for Councillor of Owen Sound.

Contact

• Phone: 902-955-7510
• Email: thommanarakal@gmail.com
• Official campaign website: Thomas Arakal’s campaign website (opens in a new tab)
• HelpOS profile: Thomas Arakal candidate profile
• Candidate interview: Watch Thomas Arakal's 2026 candidate interview (opens in a new tab)

Relevant background

Thomas Arakal is Vice-President of CUPW Local 582 and has spoken publicly about Canada Post, rural postal service, public-service delivery, and middle-class employment. His campaign biography also describes previous Operations Manager experience, financial-services licensing, a Bachelor of Technology in Textiles, front-line public service, labour representation, and advocacy concerning rural and community services.

Platform and priorities

Thomas Arakal’s current campaign website proposes a two-year municipal property-tax freeze, a serious review of City spending and operations, clear accountability for major decisions, reliable infrastructure and transit, responsible growth, a safe and vibrant Owen Sound, youth and recreation opportunities, and listening before decisions. His transit proposal would explore a school-board contribution toward passes for suitable older students, subject to review of cost, capacity, routes, schedules, and safety. His confirmed HelpOS questionnaire answers all 18 core questions and add positions on service-level financial information, open Council communication, geographic responsibility, spending review, reliable and evening transit, housing stability, suitable responders, local purchasing, infrastructure information and voluntary recovery pathways. His written response to HelpOS supports ward-based responsibility and regular communication with Local Representatives, while the questionnaire adds conditions concerning assignment flexibility, safety, feasibility, partnerships and cost. Read the full written response or read the questionnaire summary.

Sources

• Official City candidate directory
• Thomas Arakal campaign website
• Thomas Arakal campaign, Why I’m Running (opens in a new tab)
• Thomas Arakal campaign priorities (opens in a new tab)
• Thomas Arakal campaign commitments (opens in a new tab)
• Thomas Arakal campaign biography (opens in a new tab)
• Thomas Arakal campaign news (opens in a new tab)
• Thomas Arakal HelpOS candidate profile
• Thomas Arakal candidate profile priorities
• Thomas Arakal candidate profile ward representation
• Thomas Arakal candidate interview (opens in a new tab)
• Bayshore Broadcasting coverage of Arakal’s postal-service advocacy
• Thomas Arakal’s September 4, 2026 written response to HelpOS on ward responsibility and Local Representatives
• Thomas Arakal’s October 6, 2026 climate action response to CATOS
• Thomas Arakal, COST questionnaire response (opens in a new tab)
• Thomas Arakal’s confirmed September 20, 2026 HelpOS questionnaire response

Last reviewed: September 20, 2026.

Documented issue positions

• Transparency and open Council: His published HelpOS questionnaire supports service-level financial information, public decision rationales and closed-meeting transparency. His COST response adds public oversight of outside legal-service costs.
  Sources: Thomas Arakal, published HelpOS questionnaire (September 20, 2026); Thomas Arakal, COST questionnaire response (opens in a new tab) (2026)
• Public participation: His published HelpOS questionnaire supports open Council communication, decision information, public questions and resident participation before decisions. Resident proposal and response details remain to be developed.
  Sources: Thomas Arakal, published HelpOS questionnaire (September 20, 2026); Thomas Arakal, campaign commitments (opens in a new tab) (2026)
• Local representation: His published HelpOS questionnaire supports geographic Council responsibility, Local Representatives and neighbourhood accountability. His written response supports ward responsibility and regular communication, with adaptable assignments and operating details for further development.
  Sources: Thomas Arakal, published HelpOS questionnaire (September 20, 2026); Thomas Arakal, direct written response to HelpOS (2026)
• Affordable housing: His published HelpOS questionnaire supports tenant assistance, returning vacant homes and Affordable Rural Communities, with feasibility, infrastructure, environmental and partnership conditions for the rural housing model.
  Sources: Thomas Arakal, published HelpOS questionnaire (September 20, 2026); Thomas Arakal, COST questionnaire response (opens in a new tab) (2026)
• Savings reviews: His published HelpOS questionnaire supports property-tax affordability, public cost information, ground-up spending review and simpler service delivery.
  Sources: Thomas Arakal, published HelpOS questionnaire (September 20, 2026); Thomas Arakal, campaign priorities (opens in a new tab) (2026)
• Transit: His published HelpOS questionnaire supports reliable public transit and evening service. Recurring funding and the full service schedule require further costing.
  Sources: Thomas Arakal, published HelpOS questionnaire (September 20, 2026); Thomas Arakal, campaign priorities (opens in a new tab) (2026)
• Community safety: His published HelpOS questionnaire supports suitable responders, voluntary health and recovery support, proportionate safety work and careful implementation of civilian response.
  Sources: Thomas Arakal, published HelpOS questionnaire (September 20, 2026); Thomas Arakal, COST questionnaire response (opens in a new tab) (2026)
• Water and wastewater: His published HelpOS questionnaire supports transparent infrastructure costs, capacity information and accountable service decisions. His COST response supplies direct water and wastewater rate and efficiency detail.
  Sources: Thomas Arakal, published HelpOS questionnaire (September 20, 2026); Thomas Arakal, COST questionnaire response (opens in a new tab) (2026)
• Local economy: His published HelpOS questionnaire supports competitive local purchasing and local production, with public value as the condition for the approach.
  Sources: Thomas Arakal, published HelpOS questionnaire (September 20, 2026); Thomas Arakal, campaign priorities (opens in a new tab) (2026)
• Climate resilience: His direct CATOS response supports practical stormwater, drainage, energy-efficiency, transit, walking, cycling, parks, waterfront and natural-environment measures. He supports reviewing current plans and results before assessing progress, with coordinating capacity subject to demonstrated need and community benefit.
  Source: Thomas Arakal’s direct climate action response (October 6, 2026)

Status

Registered candidate for Councillor of Owen Sound.

Contact

• Phone: 289-597-0245
• Email: rosseob@gmail.com
• Candidate interview: Watch Ross Baker's 2026 candidate interview (opens in a new tab)

Relevant background

York University records document Ross Baker's H.B.Sc. with Distinction in astronomy, mathematics and physics, B.Ed., M.Sc. in physics and astronomy, graduate research in geophysics, 14 Course Director appointments, research on Earth's fluid core and planetary dynamos, and elected service on York University Senate. Read the shortened sourced Ross Baker profile.

Platform and priorities

• Fiscal restraint and savings: departmental savings identification, review of the inflation-adjusted 2011 budget, and public financial disclosure.
• Public safety and law enforcement: additional police capacity and coordinated treatment, mental-health, housing and enforcement responses.
• Climate and energy: opposition to net-zero policy measures with support for practical efficiency measures such as downward-directed street lighting.

Sources

• Official City of Owen Sound registered candidates page
• Ross Baker CV, York University
• Ross Baker HelpOS profile
• Ross Baker, COST questionnaire response (opens in a new tab)
• Climate Action Team Owen Sound questionnaire responses, published by The Sustainability Project (opens in a new tab)

Ross Baker profile

Last reviewed: October 5, 2026.

Documented issue positions

• Transparency and open Council: His COST answers support public disclosure of major spending, staffing, consultant, and policy rationales and access to financial records.
  Sources: Ross Baker, COST questionnaire response (opens in a new tab) (2026)
• Affordable housing: His COST answers support development-charge review and targeted affordable-housing incentives.
  Sources: Ross Baker, COST questionnaire response (opens in a new tab) (2026)
• Savings reviews: His COST answers support departmental 5–10% savings identification and review of the inflation-adjusted 2011 budget, with additional historical analysis.
  Sources: Ross Baker, COST questionnaire response (opens in a new tab) (2026)
• Community safety: His COST answers support additional police capacity and a coordinated approach involving treatment, mental health, housing, and enforcement.
  Sources: Ross Baker, COST questionnaire response (opens in a new tab) (2026)
• Water and wastewater: His COST answers support full financial records and question the need for complete rate explanations, while he qualifies individual councillor accountability for charges he cannot control.
  Sources: Ross Baker, COST questionnaire response (opens in a new tab) (2026)
• Local economy: His COST answers support development-charge review, affordable housing, and attracting investment.
  Sources: Ross Baker, COST questionnaire response (opens in a new tab) (2026)

Other comparison areas are not summarized here because the reviewed sources did not provide sufficient attributable evidence.

Status

Registered candidate for Councillor of Owen Sound.

Contact

• Phone: 905-802-7853
• Email: justin.bianco4council@gmail.com
• Candidate interview: Watch Justin Bianco's 2026 candidate interview (opens in a new tab)

Relevant background

Justin Bianco is an Owen Sound resident and small-business operator associated with Chameleon DJ Services, an event-entertainment business based in Owen Sound and serving Grey-Bruce. He previously lived in the Burlington area and moved to Owen Sound in 2021. His professional background includes many years providing DJ services for weddings and other events, including Master of Ceremonies services.

Previous public involvement

In 2022, Bianco spoke publicly to Global News about difficulties finding a family doctor after moving to Owen Sound. He described searching across the region for primary or walk-in care and advocated better access for residents without a family physician.

Platform and priorities

His 2026 COST responses support public explanations, resident participation, organizational and service reviews, coordinated housing and safety work, transparent utility rates, and targeted development incentives.

Sources

• Official City of Owen Sound registered candidates page
• Justin Bianco’s 2026 COST questionnaire response (opens in a new tab)
• Chameleon DJ Services (opens in a new tab)
• Global News 2022 report on finding a family doctor (opens in a new tab)
• Justin Bianco’s LinkedIn profile (opens in a new tab)

Last reviewed: September 23, 2026.

Documented issue positions

• Transparency: His 2026 COST response supports plain-language explanations for major spending and decisions, department-level cost information, measurable senior-management objectives, and public reporting on results.
  Source: Justin Bianco’s 2026 COST questionnaire response (opens in a new tab) (2026)
• Public participation: His response supports public meetings, online participation, earlier resident input, direct questions to Council, and clear responses about major decisions.
  Source: Justin Bianco’s 2026 COST questionnaire response (opens in a new tab) (2026)
• Affordable housing: His response supports coordinated housing, treatment and permanent-housing pathways, plus incentives tied to affordable-housing delivery.
  Source: Justin Bianco’s 2026 COST questionnaire response (opens in a new tab) (2026)
• Savings reviews: His response supports organizational review, department-level savings options, service-by-service costing, and efficiency reviews across tax-funded and user-pay services.
  Source: Justin Bianco’s 2026 COST questionnaire response (opens in a new tab) (2026)
• Community safety: His response supports coordinated housing, treatment, mental-health and addiction services, suitable enforcement, shared expectations, and measurable outcomes.
  Source: Justin Bianco’s 2026 COST questionnaire response (opens in a new tab) (2026)
• Water and wastewater: His response supports clear rate explanations, complete operating and infrastructure information, efficiency review, and Council accountability.
  Source: Justin Bianco’s 2026 COST questionnaire response (opens in a new tab) (2026)
• Local economy: His response supports predictable approvals, responsible development, affordable-housing incentives tied to delivery, and investment that strengthens local employment.
  Source: Justin Bianco’s 2026 COST questionnaire response (opens in a new tab) (2026)

Status

Registered candidate for Councillor of Owen Sound.

Contact

• Phone: 519-374-1336
• Email: joe_carder@msn.com
• Candidate interview: Watch Joe Carder's 2026 candidate interview (opens in a new tab)

Relevant background

Joe Carder is an Owen Sound council candidate with substantial volunteer involvement in local youth baseball. Owen Sound Minor Baseball lists him as its 18U convenor and field and facility coordinator, as well as an 18U coach.

In a candidate announcement, Carder described Owen Sound as his hometown and emphasized his concern for the community and its residents. He pledged to show up, listen, ask questions, and carefully study the issues before making decisions.

His community record demonstrates practical experience with youth recreation, volunteer organization, and the operation of local sports facilities. The phone number in the Owen Sound Minor Baseball record matches the number on the City’s candidate register.

Experience and priorities

• Youth recreation
• Community sports
• Volunteer organization
• Recreation facilities
• Listening and careful decision-making

2026 campaign priorities

Two candidate-published flyers set out seven priorities:

• Affordability and responsible spending: keep taxes and spending responsible while ensuring residents receive value from every municipal dollar.
• Roads, infrastructure and growth: prioritize roads, sidewalks, water, sewer, essential infrastructure and responsible growth that keeps pace with needed services.
• Housing and a stronger community: encourage a range of housing options, protect neighbourhood character and support sustainable development.
• Transparency and resident voice: be accessible, accountable and clear about what the City can control.
• Local business, jobs and youth: support local businesses, attract investment and create opportunities for young people to work and gain experience locally.
• Downtown, safety and community well-being: work toward a safe, clean, vibrant and welcoming downtown, with practical approaches to homelessness that balance compassion and accountability.
• Families, youth and seniors: protect parks, trails, sports, recreation and community services that help residents stay active, connected and involved.

2026 COST questionnaire

Joe Carder answered questions 1–8 in the COST questionnaire. His responses address municipal leadership, tax increases, savings reviews, public decision information, homelessness and addiction, development charges, complete service costing, and water and wastewater rates. Read Joe Carder's COST responses (opens in a new tab).

Sources

• Official City of Owen Sound registered candidates page
• Joe Carder’s candidate announcement (opens in a new tab)
• Owen Sound Minor Baseball contact and volunteer roles (opens in a new tab)
• Owen Sound Minor Baseball coaching record (opens in a new tab)
• Joe Carder 2026 campaign flyer: About Joe and Why I'm Running
• Joe Carder 2026 campaign flyer: My Priorities
• Joe Carder 2026 campaign flyer with portrait
• Joe Carder 2026 COST questionnaire response (opens in a new tab)

Joe Carder profile

Last reviewed: September 30, 2026.

Documented issue positions

• Transparency and open Council: His COST response supports plain-language summaries showing costs, options, reasons and measures, public information about significant spending and staffing, and explanations of Council votes.
  Source: Joe Carder's 2026 COST questionnaire response (opens in a new tab) (questions 4, 2026)
• Public participation: His COST response supports public questions, bringing residents' concerns to Council, asking questions in public meetings and giving residents a meaningful opportunity to be heard before decisions.
  Source: Joe Carder's 2026 COST questionnaire response (opens in a new tab) (question 4, 2026)
• Affordable housing: His COST response supports coordinated treatment, mental-health and housing pathways, targeted affordable-housing incentives, enforceable affordability commitments and public reporting on housing outcomes.
  Sources: Joe Carder 2026 campaign flyer, My Priorities; COST questionnaire response (opens in a new tab) (2026)
• Savings reviews: His COST responses support department-level savings options, review of vacancies, overtime, contracts, purchasing, shared services and programmes, senior-management overlap review, and public evaluation of service effects.
  Source: Joe Carder's 2026 COST questionnaire response (opens in a new tab) (questions 1–3 and 7, 2026)
• Community safety: His COST response supports coordinated treatment, mental-health and housing services, realistic support expectations, attention to behaviour affecting public safety and regular public reporting on safety and housing outcomes.
  Sources: Joe Carder 2026 campaign flyer, My Priorities; COST questionnaire response (opens in a new tab) (2026)
• Water and wastewater: His COST responses support full operating, capital, reserve and debt cost explanations, typical-household impacts, regular efficiency reviews and Council accountability for rates.
  Source: Joe Carder's 2026 COST questionnaire response (opens in a new tab) (questions 7–8, 2026)
• Local economy: His COST response supports reviewing development charges, targeted affordable-housing incentives with affordability enforcement, predictable approvals, local businesses, investment and opportunities for young people.
  Sources: Joe Carder 2026 campaign flyer, My Priorities; COST questionnaire response (opens in a new tab) (2026)

Other comparison areas are not summarized here because the reviewed sources did not provide sufficient attributable evidence.

Status

Registered candidate for Councillor of Owen Sound.

Contact

• Phone: 519-375-2940
• Email: dmfunston@hotmail.com
• Candidate interview: Watch Dale Funston's 2026 candidate interview (opens in a new tab)

Relevant background

Additional candidate background has yet to be documented from reliable public sources.

Platform and priorities

The 2026 COST responses support public knowledge of Council activity and City financial records; more housing, development-charge review, and affordable or geared-to-income housing; department-level 5–10% savings identification using the inflation-adjusted 2011 budget as a benchmark; coordinated treatment, housing and enforcement on community-safety concerns; accountable water and wastewater rate decisions; and development, housing construction and bringing families to Owen Sound.

Sources

• Official City of Owen Sound registered candidates page
• Dale Funston, COST questionnaire response (opens in a new tab)

Dale Funston profile

Last reviewed: September 17, 2026.

Documented issue positions

• Transparency and open Council: His COST answers support public knowledge of Council activity and access to City financial records.
  Sources: Dale Funston, COST questionnaire response (opens in a new tab) (2026)
• Affordable housing: His COST answers support development-charge review, more housing, and affordable or geared-to-income housing.
  Sources: Dale Funston, COST questionnaire response (opens in a new tab) (2026)
• Savings reviews: His COST answers support department-level 5–10% savings identification and use of the inflation-adjusted 2011 budget as a benchmark.
  Sources: Dale Funston, COST questionnaire response (opens in a new tab) (2026)
• Community safety: His COST answers support coordinated treatment, housing, enforcement, and action on community-safety concerns.
  Sources: Dale Funston, COST questionnaire response (opens in a new tab) (2026)
• Water and wastewater: His COST answers support treating water and wastewater costs as a City departmental responsibility with rate justification and Council accountability.
  Sources: Dale Funston, COST questionnaire response (opens in a new tab) (2026)
• Local economy: His COST answers support development, housing construction, affordable housing, and bringing families to Owen Sound.
  Sources: Dale Funston, COST questionnaire response (opens in a new tab) (2026)

Other comparison areas are not summarized here because the reviewed sources did not provide sufficient attributable evidence.

Status

Registered candidate for Councillor of Owen Sound.

Contact

• Phone: 226-256-8863
• Email: info@brockhamley.ca
• Official campaign website: Brock Hamley’s official campaign website (opens in a new tab)

Relevant background

Brock Hamley is an incumbent Owen Sound councillor, elected in 2022 with 3,201 votes.

Previous positions

In his 2022 campaign, Hamley emphasized significantly reducing or eliminating property-tax increases through better use of existing revenues and a third-party review of City operations. He called for a residential green-bin programme, increased funding for road resurfacing, doubling annual Community Improvement Plan funding for downtown businesses to $180,000, and a dedicated staff position focused on attracting business investment. He also proposed re-establishing a physician-recruitment committee, supported municipal financing assistance for affordable housing projects, and favoured enforceable regulation of short-term rentals that balanced tourism with neighbourhood impacts.

Council record

During the 2022–2026 term, Council implemented a weekly green-bin programme beginning in 2025, closely following one of Hamley’s most specific campaign commitments. A Primary Care Recruitment Task Force was also revived and developed into a broader Grey Bruce/Owen Sound recruitment effort, again broadly following his 2022 proposal. The City implemented the third-party Service Review Hamley had supported, with approximately $2 million in direct and indirect savings anticipated over the council term. His goal of significantly reducing or eliminating tax increases had mixed results: the 2023 municipal levy rose 0.86%, while Hamley joined unanimous Council approvals of increases of 2.58% in 2024 and 2.57% in 2025; the adopted 2026 budget produced an estimated 4.72% overall property-tax increase.

Provincial employment and declarations of interest

Hamley has held senior political staff positions with the Government of Ontario throughout his council term. He served in the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks, including as Interim Chief of Staff in 2024, and Ontario’s 2025 public salary disclosure lists him as Chief of Staff at the Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, with a salary of $175,934. His provincial employment has resulted in frequent declarations of interest on City business involving the Ontario government. The City’s written-statement indexes record 31 such declarations from 2023 through July 2026, involving matters including provincial gas-tax funding, court-security funding, Strong Mayor powers, Bill 185 and the Provincial Policy Statement, conservation-authority legislation, provincial grants, housing-enabling funding, Ministry of Transportation agreements, and the Safe ’N Sound Neighbourhood Response Team pilot. These declarations reflect compliance with the City’s conflict-of-interest process, while also preventing Hamley from participating in a recurring range of municipal matters involving his provincial employer.

2026 platform and questionnaire

His 2026 COST responses support public explanations of spending and contracts, continuous service review, coordinated housing and treatment, appropriate public-space enforcement, transparent utility rates, and competitive development policies. His documented 2022 positions and 2022–2026 Council record remain separate historical context.

Sources

• Official City of Owen Sound registered candidates page
• City of Owen Sound 2022 election results
• City of Owen Sound councillor biography and portrait page
• Bayshore Broadcasting 2022 candidate questionnaire
• City garbage and recycling information
• Grey County Primary Care Recruitment Task Force records
• City service review
• City 2023 budget release
• City 2025 budget release
• City 2026 budget notice
• City accountability page and 2023–2026 written-statement indexes
• Ontario 2024 public sector salary disclosure
• Ontario 2025 public sector salary disclosure
• Brock Hamley’s official campaign website (opens in a new tab)
• Brock Hamley’s 2026 COST questionnaire response (opens in a new tab)

Last reviewed: September 23, 2026.

Documented issue positions

• Transparency: His 2026 COST response supports public explanations of major spending, contracts and policy decisions, with clear cost information for taxpayers.
  Source: Brock Hamley’s 2026 COST questionnaire response (opens in a new tab) (2026)
• Public participation: His response supports accessible accountability, listening to residents, and explaining decisions publicly.
  Source: Brock Hamley’s 2026 COST questionnaire response (opens in a new tab) (2026)
• Affordable housing: His 2022 campaign supported municipal financing assistance for affordable housing projects. His 2026 COST response supports coordinated housing and treatment pathways.
  Sources: Bayshore Broadcasting 2022 candidate questionnaire (opens in a new tab) (2022-10-14); Brock Hamley’s 2026 COST questionnaire response (opens in a new tab) (2026)
• Community safety: His 2026 COST response supports mental-health services, public-space standards, appropriate enforcement, and public reporting focused on outcomes and neighbourhood impacts.
  Source: Brock Hamley’s 2026 COST questionnaire response (opens in a new tab) (2026)
• Savings reviews: His 2022 campaign supported a third-party review of City operations, and the City later implemented the Service Review during his Council term.
  Sources: City of Owen Sound service review and 2022 campaign record (opens in a new tab) (2022-2026)
• Water and wastewater: His 2026 COST response supports full service-cost information, public rate explanations, efficiency scrutiny, and Council oversight of safe service and renewal.
  Source: Brock Hamley’s 2026 COST questionnaire response (opens in a new tab) (2026)
• Local economy: His 2022 platform supported increased Community Improvement Plan funding for downtown businesses and a staff position focused on attracting business investment. His 2026 COST response supports competitive development charges, predictable approvals, serviced land, redevelopment of underused properties, and investment that helps good projects proceed.
  Sources: Bayshore Broadcasting 2022 candidate questionnaire (opens in a new tab) (2022-10-14); Brock Hamley’s 2026 COST questionnaire response (opens in a new tab) (2026)

Other comparison areas are not summarized here because the reviewed sources did not provide sufficient attributable evidence.

Status

Registered candidate for Councillor of Owen Sound.

Contact

• Phone: 905-483-5996
• Email: michaw1964@gmail.com
• Candidate interview: Watch Michele Hawkins's 2026 candidate interview (opens in a new tab)

Relevant background

Michele Hawkins currently serves as a public member of Owen Sound’s Operations Committee. The committee provides advice on Public Works and Engineering policies, programmes, and services, including engineering, environmental services, public works, transit, and water and wastewater. This work gives Hawkins experience with municipal infrastructure, service delivery, staff reports, and the City committee process.

Her professional background includes sales, administration, and the commercial door, hardware, and security industry. A 2024 Door and Hardware Institute Canada profile described Hawkins as having worked in the industry since 2010 and, at that time, serving as a Contract Sales Consultant with Pinder’s Security Products. Her work included relationships with general contractors, architects, and end users, along with hardware schedules, takeoffs, and estimating. Earlier administrative responsibilities included purchasing, accounts payable and receivable, payroll, and shipping and receiving.

Her public professional profile also describes more than 20 years of sales experience, supply-chain studies at Sheridan College, and volunteer service as an event coordinator with the Ontario Chapter of DHI Canada.

Public and civic involvement

Hawkins was appointed to Owen Sound’s Operations Committee as a public member for a term ending January 31, 2028. The committee deals directly with roads and public works, engineering, transit, environmental services, and water and wastewater.

Potential conflict/recusal

Hawkins told Andrii Zvorygin that she is employed by Voyago, the current operator of Owen Sound’s conventional and specialized transit services. If elected while remaining a Voyago employee, Ontario’s Municipal Conflict of Interest Act could require her to declare an indirect pecuniary interest and recuse herself from Council matters in which Voyago has a pecuniary interest. The application to a particular matter would depend on the facts and the Act.

2026 platform

A public 2026 municipal campaign platform has yet to surface.

Sources

• Official City of Owen Sound registered candidates page
• City of Owen Sound boards and committees information
• City Manager’s Update listing Hawkins’s Operations Committee appointment
• Owen Sound Operations Committee meeting record
• City of Owen Sound Board and Committee By-law
• 2022 City staff report documenting the Voyago conventional and specialized transit contract
• Ontario Municipal Conflict of Interest Act
• Door and Hardware Institute Canada profile of Michele Hawkins
• Michele Hawkins public professional profile

Last reviewed: September 3, 2026.

Status

Registered candidate for Councillor of Owen Sound.

Contact

• Email: jaretkoopos@gmail.com
• Official campaign website: Jaret Koop for Owen Sound City Council (opens in a new tab)
• Candidate interview: Watch Jaret Koop's 2026 candidate interview (opens in a new tab)

Relevant background

Jaret Koop is an Owen Sound musician and arts administrator. He moved to Owen Sound in 2015 after spending most of his life in the Greater Toronto Area. Public profiles describe the local arts and music community and access to the outdoors as important attractions for him and his family. Koop became Festival Director of Summerfolk in 2020 and has held an operations and leadership role with the Georgian Bay Folk Society, which operates the festival. He has also performed as a local musician and participated in City and community events.

Public and civic involvement

Koop has represented the Georgian Bay Folk Society in discussions with the City about Summerfolk, municipal support, funding, and the festival’s community and economic role. In 2026 he made a deputation to the Community Services Committee concerning in-kind support for the festival. He has also participated in Arts Alliance Owen Sound, a coalition of local arts organizations whose public discussion has included collaboration, resource sharing, and support for local artists and cultural organizations.

2026 platform

Koop’s campaign website describes clear communication about policies, budgets and project timelines, town halls and community meetings, plain-language updates and open channels for questions. His COST responses identify lower government cost as a goal, call for mapping responsibilities and examining overlap or repeated work, and connect clearer roles with better service and staff capacity. A campaign post states that community-based policing is a good concept while leaving implementation and budget implications for further review. The site also describes his commitment to local arts, community collaboration and cultural events.

Sources

• Jaret Koop for Owen Sound City Council campaign homepage (opens in a new tab)
• Jaret Koop campaign biography (opens in a new tab)
• Jaret Koop, Transparency Matters campaign post (opens in a new tab)
• Jaret Koop’s COST questionnaire response page (opens in a new tab) (questions 1–3 answered; questions 4–9 pending as reviewed September 17, 2026)
• Official City of Owen Sound registered candidates page
• On The Bay profile of Owen Sound’s arts community
• City Community Services Committee record of Koop’s January 2026 Summerfolk deputation
• HelpOS accessibility copy of the April 2026 City committee record
• Owen Sound Current coverage of Arts Alliance Owen Sound
• City event material listing Koop as a local musician

Last reviewed: September 17, 2026.

Documented issue positions

• Transparency: His campaign website supports clear explanations of decisions, budgets and timelines, town halls, plain-language updates and open channels for questions. The COST response adds public information as a basis for evaluating spending and responsibilities.
  Sources: Jaret Koop campaign homepage (opens in a new tab); Jaret Koop, Transparency Matters campaign post (opens in a new tab); Jaret Koop, COST questionnaire response (opens in a new tab) (2026)
• Participation: His campaign website describes town halls and community meetings, open channels for questions, plain-language updates and a blog for questions and answers. The published material leaves the detailed resident-proposal process to further development.
  Sources: Jaret Koop campaign homepage (opens in a new tab); Jaret Koop, Transparency Matters campaign post (opens in a new tab) (2026)
• Savings reviews: His COST responses identify lower government cost as a goal, call for mapping responsibilities and examining overlap or repeated work, and connect clearer roles with better service and staff capacity. Public savings measurement details remain to develop.
  Source: Jaret Koop, COST questionnaire response (opens in a new tab) (2026)
• Community safety: In a campaign post, he supports considering community-based policing and says regional police service and OPP costing are worth examining, while seeking more information on implementation and budget effects.
  Source: Jaret Koop, Transparency Matters campaign post (opens in a new tab) (2026)
• Local economy: His website emphasizes local arts, community events, local collaboration and cultural activity. His COST response supports a healthier downtown through population and tax-base growth. Specific procurement, repair-capacity and public-incentive measures remain outside the reviewed material.
  Sources: Jaret Koop campaign biography (opens in a new tab); Jaret Koop campaign homepage (opens in a new tab); Jaret Koop, COST questionnaire response (opens in a new tab) (2026)

Status

Registered candidate for Councillor of Owen Sound.

Incumbent Owen Sound councillor, elected in 2022.

Contact

• Phone: 226-923-2369
• Email: suneetkukreja@gmail.com

Relevant background

Suneet Kukreja was elected to Owen Sound City Council in 2022 with 2,916 votes. She is Program Manager of Immigrant Services at the YMCA of Owen Sound Grey Bruce, supporting newcomers across Grey and Bruce counties. She received the 2026 JCI International Women’s Day Award for Excellence in Leadership and Inspiration and has represented Owen Sound at Association of Municipalities of Ontario conferences.

Platform and priorities

2026 platform: A detailed platform has not yet been located.

Previous positions

In her 2022 campaign, Kukreja emphasized holding down property taxes and limiting municipal spending to necessities. She also supported stronger physician recruitment, making secondary housing units easier to create, removing development charges for low-income housing, further waterfront development, and strict licensing of short-term rentals.

Council record

During the 2022–2026 term, Council implemented a short-term-rental licensing system and continued advocating for improved physician recruitment, broadly following priorities Kukreja had identified during the campaign. Her commitment to stopping property-tax increases was less successful: municipal taxes continued to rise during the term, and she supported budgets containing levy increases, including the unanimously approved 2024 budget. More recently, Kukreja has argued that the City cannot simply continue adding staff while expenses and taxes rise, maintaining her earlier emphasis on controlling municipal operating costs.

Sources

• Official City candidate directory
• City of Owen Sound 2022 election results
• YMCA of Owen Sound Grey Bruce
• YMCA announcement of Kukreja’s 2026 JCI award
• Bayshore Broadcasting 2022 candidate questionnaire
• City of Owen Sound short-term-rental licensing information
• Bayshore Broadcasting 2024 budget coverage
• Owen Sound Current coverage of Kukreja’s staffing-cost comments
• City of Owen Sound AMO conference coverage

Last reviewed: September 3, 2026.

Documented issue positions

• Affordable housing: Her 2022 campaign supported making secondary housing units easier to create and removing development charges for low-income housing.
  Sources: Bayshore Broadcasting 2022 candidate questionnaire (opens in a new tab) (2022-10-14)
• Savings reviews: Her 2022 campaign emphasized holding down property taxes and limiting municipal spending to necessities. She has since raised concerns about adding staff while expenses and taxes rise.
  Sources: Owen Sound Current coverage of Kukreja's staffing-cost comments (opens in a new tab) (2026)
• Local economy: Her published priorities have included waterfront development, physician recruitment, and regulated short-term rentals as parts of local economic and community planning.
  Sources: Bayshore Broadcasting 2022 candidate questionnaire (opens in a new tab) (2022-10-14)

Other comparison areas are not summarized here because the reviewed sources did not provide sufficient attributable evidence.

Status

Registered candidate for Councillor of Owen Sound.

Contact

• Phone: 519-857-5887
• Email: justinmelanson@gmail.com
• Candidate interview: Watch Justin Melanson's 2026 candidate interview (opens in a new tab)

Relevant background

Additional candidate background has yet to be documented from reliable public sources.

Platform and priorities

His 2026 COST responses publish positions on transparency, public participation, housing, savings reviews, community safety, utilities and local economic development. A separate campaign platform has yet to surface.

Sources

• Official City of Owen Sound registered candidates page
• Justin Melanson, COST questionnaire response (opens in a new tab)

Last reviewed: September 17, 2026.

Documented issue positions

• Transparency and open Council: His COST answers support public reasons for major spending, new staff, consultant contracts, and policy, plus full service-cost disclosure and rate explanations.
  Sources: Justin Melanson, COST questionnaire response (opens in a new tab) (2026)
• Public participation: His COST answers support direct community conversations, listening to residents, and representing their concerns.
  Sources: Justin Melanson, COST questionnaire response (opens in a new tab) (2026)
• Affordable housing: His COST answer supports reviewing development charges and targeted temporary reductions tied to housing delivery, including affordable units.
  Sources: Justin Melanson, COST questionnaire response (opens in a new tab) (2026)
• Savings reviews: His COST answer supports every department bringing 5–10% savings options to budget and using 2011 spending as one check.
  Sources: Justin Melanson, COST questionnaire response (opens in a new tab) (2026)
• Community safety: His COST answer supports County coordination on treatment, mental health, housing, enforcement, and clear expectations for publicly funded support.
  Sources: Justin Melanson, COST questionnaire response (opens in a new tab) (2026)
• Water and wastewater: His COST answer supports complete water and wastewater rate explanations, efficiency review, and Council accountability for rates.
  Sources: Justin Melanson, COST questionnaire response (opens in a new tab) (2026)
• Local economy: His COST answer supports development-charge review, housing delivery, predictable investment, and retaining families in Owen Sound.
  Sources: Justin Melanson, COST questionnaire response (opens in a new tab) (2026)

Other comparison areas are not summarized here because the reviewed sources did not provide sufficient attributable evidence.

Status

Registered candidate for Councillor of Owen Sound.

Contact

• Phone: 519-374-9570
• Email: votemelanie4council@gmail.com

Relevant background

Melanie Middlebro’ is an incumbent Owen Sound councillor, first elected in 2022 with 3,443 votes. She moved to Owen Sound in 2005, holds a Doctor of Chiropractic degree, owned Bluewater Chiropractic from 2006 to 2020, and currently owns The Rocking Horse Toy Store in downtown Owen Sound.

2022 campaign positions

In her 2022 campaign, Middlebro’ emphasized fiscal responsibility, growing the tax base, reducing regulatory barriers, flexible zoning, increased housing construction, regional cooperation and shared services, and economic development. She also supported stronger regulation of full-time commercial short-term rentals in residential areas.

2022–2026 council record

During the 2022–2026 term, Middlebro’ frequently raised concerns about project costs and infrastructure priorities. Examples include voting against the over-budget Downtown River Precinct Phase 2 contract, questioning enhanced pedestrian-tunnel work when its funding would effectively eliminate 2027 road resurfacing, favouring a more basic “status quo with modernization” approach for 4th Avenue West, supporting a motion to avoid approving further City funds for the Harrison Park marker tree, questioning the timing and feasibility of a collision working group before the election, and arguing that Grey County should meet minimum condition standards or fund rehabilitation before transferring roads.

2026 platform and questionnaire

Her 2026 COST responses support continuing the Service Review, public meetings and communication, affordable-housing exemptions, full cost-centre information, full-cost water and wastewater decisions, and by-law and downtown work. Her documented 2022 campaign positions and 2022–2026 Council record remain separate historical context.

Sources

• Official City of Owen Sound registered candidates page
• City of Owen Sound 2022 election results
• City of Owen Sound councillor biography and portrait
• Bayshore Broadcasting 2022 candidate questionnaire
• Bayshore Broadcasting Downtown River Precinct coverage
• Mix 106.5 4th Avenue West reconstruction coverage
• Bayshore Broadcasting pedestrian-tunnel funding coverage
• Owen Sound Current Harrison Park marker-tree funding coverage
• Bayshore Broadcasting collision working-group coverage
• Bayshore Broadcasting Grey County road-transfer coverage
• Melanie Middlebro’s 2026 COST questionnaire response (opens in a new tab)

Last reviewed: September 23, 2026.

Documented issue positions

• Transparency: Her 2026 COST response supports public access to Council meetings, clearer communication, and full cost-centre information, with limited detail on published rationales and implementation results.
  Source: Melanie Middlebro’s 2026 COST questionnaire response (opens in a new tab) (2026)
• Public participation: Her response supports public meetings, question periods, deputations, committee participation, direct communication with Council, and clearer communication on City initiatives.
  Source: Melanie Middlebro’s 2026 COST questionnaire response (opens in a new tab) (2026)
• Affordable housing: Her 2026 COST response supports affordable-housing exemptions and County-level housing and support services. Her earlier campaign also supported housing construction and flexible zoning.
  Sources: Melanie Middlebro’s 2026 COST questionnaire response (opens in a new tab) (2026); Bayshore Broadcasting 2022 candidate questionnaire (opens in a new tab) (2022-10-14)
• Savings reviews: Her 2026 COST response supports continuing the Service Review, department-level efficiency work, service-level review, and complete cost-centre information.
  Source: Melanie Middlebro’s 2026 COST questionnaire response (opens in a new tab) (2026)
• Community safety: Her response supports by-law tools, downtown improvements, County-wide distribution of housing and support services, and enforcement, with the coordinated responder model left open.
  Source: Melanie Middlebro’s 2026 COST questionnaire response (opens in a new tab) (2026)
• Water and wastewater: Her response supports full cost-centre information, full-cost recovery, clear user-fee explanations, regulatory compliance, and Council accountability.
  Source: Melanie Middlebro’s 2026 COST questionnaire response (opens in a new tab) (2026)
• Local economy: Her response supports development-charge policy within provincial law and affordable-housing exemptions. Her earlier campaign addressed tax-base growth, regulatory barriers and regional cooperation.
  Sources: Melanie Middlebro’s 2026 COST questionnaire response (opens in a new tab) (2026); Bayshore Broadcasting 2022 candidate questionnaire (opens in a new tab) (2022-10-14)

Other comparison areas are not summarized here because the reviewed sources did not provide sufficient attributable evidence.

Status

Registered candidate for Councillor of Owen Sound.

Contact

• Phone: 519-379-1817
• Email: olearyb@rogers.com

Relevant background

Brian O’Leary is a lifelong Owen Sound resident and former City Councillor. He served two terms on Council from 2014 to 2022, including as Deputy Mayor from 2018 to 2022. He ran for re-election as Deputy Mayor in 2022, receiving 2,233 votes to Scott Greig’s 3,717. O’Leary currently serves his third term on the Owen Sound Police Service Board, his first as a provincial appointee, after earlier terms as a City Council representative, including time as Deputy Mayor. He also has a long history in local hockey, including coaching roles with the Owen Sound Platers, Attack, and Greys.

Previous positions

During his earlier time on Council, O’Leary supported development-charge incentives for purpose-built rental housing, brownfield redevelopment incentives, and tourism investment. In 2020, he supported sending the police operating budget back to the Police Services Board for further savings review.

Platform and priorities

No public 2026 campaign platform has been identified yet.

Sources

• Official City of Owen Sound registered candidates page
• City of Owen Sound 2022 election results
• Owen Sound Police Service Board biography
• Bayshore Broadcasting 2022 candidate questionnaire
• Owen Sound Hub brownfield and waterfront questionnaire
• Owen Sound Hub tourism questionnaire
• Bayshore Broadcasting 2020 police-budget coverage
• Candidate photograph from the Owen Sound Police Service Board

Last reviewed: September 3, 2026.

Documented issue positions

• Affordable housing: During his earlier Council service, he supported development-charge incentives for purpose-built rental housing.
  Sources: HelpOS candidate directory: Brian O’Leary previous positions (2014-2022)
• Savings reviews: In 2020, he supported sending the police operating budget back to the Police Services Board for further savings review.
  Sources: Bayshore Broadcasting 2020 police-budget coverage (opens in a new tab) (2020-01-28)
• Community safety: He currently serves on the Owen Sound Police Service Board and previously served as a City Council representative on the Board.
  Sources: Owen Sound Police Service Board biography (opens in a new tab) (2026)
• Local economy: During earlier Council service, he supported brownfield redevelopment incentives and tourism investment.
  Sources: HelpOS candidate directory: Brian O’Leary previous positions (2014-2022)

Other comparison areas are not summarized here because the reviewed sources did not provide sufficient attributable evidence.

Status

Registered candidate for Councillor of Owen Sound.

Previous 2022 council candidate.

Contact

• Email: meghanrobertsonforowensound@gmail.com
• Official campaign website: Meghan Robertson’s campaign website (opens in a new tab)
• Candidate interview: Watch Meghan Robertson's 2026 candidate interview (opens in a new tab)

Relevant background

Meghan Robertson has lived in Owen Sound for most of her life and is raising two sons in the community. She has operated Meg’s Drywall for more than 20 years and advocates for women in the skilled trades. Robertson has served on the City’s Operations, Heritage, and Community Services committees and has participated in local volunteer organizations. She ran for Council in 2022 and received 2,723 votes.

Platform and priorities

2026 campaign themes

Meghan Robertson is campaigning on practical leadership, community experience, and an inclusive vision for Owen Sound. She has operated Meg’s Drywall for more than 20 years and has served on the City’s Operations, Heritage, and Community Services committees. Robertson says she would bring compassion, optimism, business experience, and a commitment to helping residents feel welcome and able to thrive.

Key themes

• Practical municipal leadership
• Small-business experience
• Experience on City committees
• Strong and inclusive communities
• Compassion and optimism

Her current campaign website provides concise priorities and her COST responses add more detailed positions. Together, the published material calls for scrutinizing spending, explaining budget decisions clearly, supporting local businesses and growth, repairing roads, improving parks, keeping public spaces clean, coordinating social services with local authorities for a safer city, expanding assisted housing, and reviewing water and wastewater costs and maintenance.

Sources

• Official City candidate directory
• Meghan Robertson’s 2026 campaign website
• Meghan Robertson’s “Meghan on Council” campaign page
• Meghan Robertson’s 2026 priorities for Council
• Meghan Robertson’s COST questionnaire response page (opens in a new tab) (questions 1–8 answered; question 9 pending as reviewed September 17, 2026)
• City of Owen Sound 2022 election results
• Bayshore Broadcasting 2022 candidate questionnaire

Last reviewed: September 17, 2026.

Documented issue positions

• Transparency: Her priorities page supports clear budget explanations, and her COST response adds a public information campaign, community town halls and accessible communication about Council. Recorded-vote, complete spending-disclosure and published-results systems remain outside the reviewed material.
  Sources: Meghan Robertson, My Priorities for Council (opens in a new tab); Meghan Robertson, COST questionnaire response (opens in a new tab) (2026)
• Public participation: Her COST response supports public information about participation, community town-hall meetings, direct contact with councillors and outreach for residents who use fewer digital services. The detailed proposal process remains to develop.
  Source: Meghan Robertson, COST questionnaire response (opens in a new tab) (2026)
• Affordable housing: Her COST response supports coordination among social services, law enforcement, mental-health and addiction services, Grey County and the Province, alongside additional short- and long-term assisted housing.
  Source: Meghan Robertson, COST questionnaire response (opens in a new tab) (2026)
• Savings reviews: Her priorities page supports spending scrutiny and affordable taxes. Her COST responses add review of capital, service, construction, infrastructure and reserve costs, current data before commitments, and savings that preserve services.
  Sources: Meghan Robertson, My Priorities for Council (opens in a new tab); Meghan Robertson, COST questionnaire response (opens in a new tab) (2026)
• Community safety: Her priorities page supports cooperation between social services and local authorities for a safer city. Her COST response adds coordination across social services, law enforcement, mental-health and addiction treatment, Grey County and the Province.
  Sources: Meghan Robertson, My Priorities for Council (opens in a new tab); Meghan Robertson, COST questionnaire response (opens in a new tab) (2026)
• Water and wastewater: Her COST response draws on Operations Committee experience with water and wastewater reports, regular maintenance, long-term capital spending and efforts to reduce costs while protecting critical infrastructure.
  Source: Meghan Robertson, COST questionnaire response (opens in a new tab) (2026)
• Local economy: Her priorities page supports local businesses and growth that broadens Owen Sound’s tax base. Her COST response describes current development activity and supports reviewing development charges to encourage business and residential development.
  Sources: Meghan Robertson, My Priorities for Council (opens in a new tab); Meghan Robertson, COST questionnaire response (opens in a new tab) (2026)

Other comparison areas are not summarized here because the reviewed sources did not provide sufficient attributable evidence.

Status

Registered candidate for Councillor of Owen Sound.

Contact

• Email: rockwelljeff1977@gmail.com
• Candidate interview: Watch Jeff Rockwell's 2026 candidate interview (opens in a new tab)

Relevant background

Jeff Rockwell has been publicly involved with Owen Sound Food Not Bombs, a community food-sharing initiative. In March 2025, Rockwell authored or was credited with a community contribution in the Owen Sound Current on behalf of Food Not Bombs Owen Sound. The group’s work involves community food sharing, reducing food waste, and providing meals.

2026 platform

A detailed public 2026 municipal campaign platform has yet to surface.

Sources

• Official City of Owen Sound registered candidates page
• Owen Sound Current community contribution by Jeff Rockwell for Food Not Bombs Owen Sound

Last reviewed: September 3, 2026.

Status

Registered candidate for Councillor of Owen Sound.

Contact

• Email: electsargentforcouncil@gmail.com
• Official campaign website: Tamara Sargent’s campaign website (opens in a new tab)

Relevant background

Tamara Sargent is an Owen Sound community advocate who has spoken to City Council about Charter-protected public participation and petition activity. She has also written publicly about homelessness, affordability, healthcare, education, labour conditions, and public services.

Platform and priorities

2026 campaign platform

Tamara Sargent’s 2026 campaign focuses on expanding everyday municipal services. She proposes later and seven-day transit service, library hours from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. seven days a week, and two garbage bags per household on each collection day without tags. Sargent proposes a vacant residential property tax to encourage vacant homes to return to use and to help fund these measures. She says any remaining revenue could support municipal reserves or property-tax relief. Her COST responses add positions on transparency, participation, affordable housing, savings reviews, community safety, water and wastewater, and local economic development.

Key priorities

• Later and seven-day transit
• Seven-day library service, 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
• Two included garbage bags per household per collection
• Vacant residential property tax

Sargent’s campaign literature states that roughly 500 Owen Sound homes were recorded as vacant in the last census. She argues that a vacant residential property tax would encourage owners to rent or sell vacant homes, while revenue from properties remaining vacant could help fund the proposed service expansions, municipal reserves, or property-tax relief.

Questionnaire: Responses to Concerned Owen Sound Taxpayers (PDF, 2026)

COST questionnaire evidence: Sargent’s documented answers are included in the issue comparison.

Sources

• Official City candidate directory
• Tamara Sargent’s official campaign website (opens in a new tab)
• Tamara Sargent’s candidate introduction video (opens in a new tab) (public Reddit post)
• 2026 campaign launch video (opens in a new tab) (candidate-provided; contents not independently reviewed by HelpOS)
• September 2025 Owen Sound Council deputation record
• September 2025 deputation coverage
• Elect Sargent For Owen Sound Council campaign Facebook page (opens in a new tab)
• Owen Sound Current advocacy letter
• Owen Sound Current homelessness coverage
• Tamara Sargent, 2026 COST candidate questionnaire response
• Tamara Sargent, COST questionnaire response (opens in a new tab)

Last reviewed: October 14, 2026.

Documented issue positions

• Transparency and open Council: Her 2026 questionnaire supports fuller disclosure and complete cost allocation, together with measurable management expectations.
  Sources: Tamara Sargent, 2026 COST candidate questionnaire response (2026); Tamara Sargent, COST questionnaire response (opens in a new tab) (2026)
• Public participation: Her questionnaire supports fuller disclosure, repeal of recent Procedural By-law participation restrictions, and consultation with affected residents before decisions.
  Sources: Tamara Sargent, 2026 COST candidate questionnaire response (2026); Tamara Sargent, COST questionnaire response (opens in a new tab) (2026)
• Affordable housing: Her 2026 questionnaire supports a vacant residential property tax and targeted incentives for permanently affordable, geared-to-income, nonprofit, or co-operative housing.
  Sources: Tamara Sargent, 2026 COST candidate questionnaire response (2026); Tamara Sargent, COST questionnaire response (opens in a new tab) (2026)
• Savings reviews: Her questionnaire explicitly rejects mandatory department-wide 5–10% savings requirements and use of the inflation-adjusted 2011 budget as a spending ceiling, while supporting genuine efficiency.
  Sources: Tamara Sargent, 2026 COST candidate questionnaire response (2026); Tamara Sargent, COST questionnaire response (opens in a new tab) (2026)
• Transit: Her 2026 questionnaire supports later and seven-day transit service as part of expanding everyday municipal services.
  Sources: Tamara Sargent, 2026 COST candidate questionnaire response (2026)
• Community safety: Her questionnaire supports housing, harm reduction, mental-health and addiction treatment, enforcement when public safety is affected, behavioural accountability, and measurable outcomes.
  Sources: Tamara Sargent, 2026 COST candidate questionnaire response (2026); Tamara Sargent, COST questionnaire response (opens in a new tab) (2026)
• Water and wastewater: Her questionnaire supports transparent water and wastewater rate explanations, efficiency reviews, public ownership, and Council accountability.
  Sources: Tamara Sargent, 2026 COST candidate questionnaire response (2026); Tamara Sargent, COST questionnaire response (opens in a new tab) (2026)
• Local economy: Her questionnaire emphasizes worker affordability and enforceable affordable development.
  Sources: Tamara Sargent, 2026 COST candidate questionnaire response (2026); Tamara Sargent, COST questionnaire response (opens in a new tab) (2026)
• Local representation: A direct statement reported to HelpOS records opposition to a ward system, which classifies the ward-based geographic-responsibility element as opposed. Her views on Local Representatives and structured neighbourhood participation remain undocumented.
  Source: Direct statement reported to HelpOS, reviewed October 1, 2026.

Other comparison areas are not summarized here because the reviewed sources did not provide sufficient attributable evidence.

Status

Registered candidate for Councillor of Owen Sound.

Contact

• Phone: 250-661-9472

Relevant background

David William Schinbein has substantial previous municipal-government experience. The telephone number in his Owen Sound registration matches official Esquimalt election records for David Schinbein. He served on Esquimalt Council in British Columbia from 2011 through 2014. Before that, his published candidate biography reported service on Hanover Town Council and representing Hanover at Grey County Council.

During his Esquimalt term, Schinbein served in the acting-mayor rotation and held appointments involving the Greater Victoria Public Library Board, heritage, planning, local grants, community events, environmental matters, and municipal insurance. He later served as chair of Esquimalt’s Advisory Planning Commission and held a Greater Victoria Harbour Authority board role.

Platform and priorities

Previous municipal experience and positions

Earlier campaign material emphasized collaborative committee work, municipal and regional coordination, policing and shared-service governance, and experience with municipal amalgamation discussions.

2026 platform: A current Owen Sound platform has not yet been located.

Sources

• Official City of Owen Sound candidate directory
• Township of Esquimalt 2011 candidate declaration
• Township of Esquimalt 2011 election results
• Township of Esquimalt 2011 annual report and Council appointments
• Township of Esquimalt inaugural Council minutes
• Esquimalt Advisory Planning Commission records
• Greater Victoria Harbour Authority stakeholder report

Last reviewed: September 3, 2026.

Status

Registered candidate for Councillor of Owen Sound.

Contact

• Phone: 249-733-9252
• Email: schnarrjasmine@gmail.com

Relevant background

Jasmine Schnarr is a returning Owen Sound council candidate, homelessness advocate, musician, visual artist, and mother. She previously ran for council in 2022 and received 971 votes.

Schnarr has repeatedly brought housing and homelessness concerns into public civic discussion. She has spoken to Owen Sound City Council about the need for an emergency shelter and has asked how residents without a fixed address can participate in municipal elections.

During the 2022 campaign, she also called for more accessible facilities and activities for young people. Current 2026 public discussions reviewed here focus on housing, emergency shelter, and homelessness advocacy.

Publicly discussed priorities

• Housing and emergency shelter
• Homelessness advocacy

2026 platform

A detailed public 2026 municipal campaign platform has yet to surface. These documented civic positions and activities are presented separately from current campaign commitments.

Sources

• Official City of Owen Sound registered candidates page
• City of Owen Sound 2022 election results (opens in a new tab)
• Owen Sound Council minutes concerning voting for residents with no fixed address (opens in a new tab)
• Owen Sound Council minutes concerning the need for an emergency shelter (opens in a new tab)
• 2022 Owen Sound all-candidates meeting coverage (opens in a new tab)
• Jasmine Schnarr’s public self-description (opens in a new tab)
• Recent interviews concerning housing and homelessness (opens in a new tab)

Jasmine Schnarr profile

Last reviewed: September 3, 2026.

Documented issue positions

• Affordable housing: Her documented public advocacy has brought housing and homelessness concerns into local discussion, including the need for an emergency shelter.
  Sources: Jasmine Schnarr candidate profile (2026)

Other comparison areas are not summarized here because the reviewed sources did not provide sufficient attributable evidence.

Status

Registered candidate for Councillor of Owen Sound.

Contact

• Phone: 519-416-0671
• Email: angelastow825@gmail.com
• Official campaign website: Angela Stow’s campaign website (opens in a new tab)

Relevant background

Additional candidate background has yet to be documented from reliable public sources.

Platform and priorities

Her campaign website identifies honesty, transparency and advocacy as themes, with a focus on downtown conditions, poverty, homelessness, mental health and chemical drug addiction. It does not provide a detailed 2026 service or implementation plan.

Sources

• Official City of Owen Sound registered candidates page
• Angela Stow’s official campaign website (opens in a new tab)

Last reviewed: September 11, 2026.

Documented issue positions

• Community safety: Angela Stow’s campaign site connects downtown conditions with homelessness, mental health, chemical drug addiction, and a progressive municipal response.
  Sources: Angela Stow, Honesty Transparency Advocacy | Vote Angela Stow (opens in a new tab) (2026)

Other comparison areas are not summarized here because the reviewed sources did not provide sufficient attributable evidence.

Status

Registered candidate for Councillor of Owen Sound.

Contact

• Phone: 519-447-8202
• Email: tremwalt@gmail.com
• Candidate interview: Watch David Walton's 2026 candidate interview (opens in a new tab)

Relevant background

David Walton is a longtime Owen Sound community, environmental, climate, and local-food advocate. Public sources identify him as Chair of Climate Action Team Grey-Bruce or Climate Action Team Owen Sound and as Chair of the Board of Directors of Eat Local Grey Bruce.

Public and civic involvement

In 2020 Walton appeared before Owen Sound Council in support of municipal climate-change initiatives. In 2011 he was active with the Grey-Bruce chapter of the Council of Canadians and participated in opposition to Bruce Power’s proposed shipment of radioactive steam generators through Owen Sound Harbour and the Great Lakes. In 2023 he participated in advocacy concerning Ontario’s Greenbelt and climate policy, including a meeting with Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound MPP Rick Byers. In February 2025 he moderated a provincial all-candidates meeting focused on climate change and healthcare. City records also show Walton participating in the public forum at Owen Sound Council in May 2025.

Previous documented positions

His documented public advocacy has included climate-change action, environmental protection, protection of farmland and green space, and local and regional food systems. These are previous public positions and civic activities, separate from any current campaign commitments.

2026 platform

His September 17, 2026 COST responses provide candidate-published positions on spending, transparency, housing, safety, utilities and local economic development. His September 4, 2026 direct response states that he would answer yes to taking primary responsibility for one geographic ward while representing the whole city and to working with Local Representatives through a monthly ward meeting, ward mailing list, and appropriate shared-stewardship activities. Read the response (PDF).

Documented issue positions

• Transparency: His COST responses support publishing major spending decisions with their rationale and presenting total and departmental expenditures with staffing levels in an understandable form.
  Source: David Walton, COST questionnaire response (opens in a new tab) (2026)
• Public participation: His COST response supports accessible Council meetings, a stronger public question period and public explanations for major spending decisions.
  Source: David Walton, COST questionnaire response (opens in a new tab) (2026)
• Affordable housing: His COST response supports coordinated work with upper-tier governments, education, health and mental-health services, safe and welcoming shelters, and income support as housing-stability tools.
  Source: David Walton, COST questionnaire response (opens in a new tab) (2026)
• Savings reviews: His COST responses support employee-led efficiency ideas, examining departmental overlap and management layers, considering service efficiencies, and publishing understandable spending and staffing information.
  Source: David Walton, COST questionnaire response (opens in a new tab) (2026)
• Community safety: His COST responses support education and health services, safe shelters, enforcement of existing laws when public safety is affected, and case-by-case judgment before municipal charges.
  Source: David Walton, COST questionnaire response (opens in a new tab) (2026)
• Water and wastewater: His COST response supports water and wastewater cost recovery, justification for rate increases, efficiency work, public ownership and Council accountability for spending.
  Source: David Walton, COST questionnaire response (opens in a new tab) (2026)
• Local economy: His COST response supports carefully planned housing, nonprofit housing funding and measurable evaluation of development-charge incentives, while identifying job creation as a local need.
  Source: David Walton, COST questionnaire response (opens in a new tab) (2026)
• Local Representation: Walton said he would take primary responsibility for one geographic ward while continuing to represent the whole city, and would support working with Local Representatives through a monthly ward meeting, ward mailing list, and appropriate shared-stewardship activities.
  Source: David Walton, direct email response on geographic representation and Local Representatives (September 4, 2026, PDF)

Sources

• Official City of Owen Sound registered candidates page
• Bayshore Broadcasting coverage of Walton’s 2020 climate advocacy before Council
• City of Owen Sound Official Plan public comments, including Walton’s climate submission
• Owen Sound Hub coverage identifying Walton as Chair of Eat Local Grey Bruce’s board
• Council of Canadians historical coverage of the 2011 steam-generator opposition
• Owen Sound Hub coverage of the 2023 Greenbelt and climate meeting
• The Meaford Independent coverage of the February 2025 all-candidates meeting
• City Council May 2025 public-forum record
• David Walton, September 4, 2026 direct response on geographic representation and Local Representatives (PDF)
• David Walton’s COST questionnaire response page (opens in a new tab) (all questions answered as reviewed September 17, 2026)

Last reviewed: September 17, 2026.

Status

Registered candidate for Councillor of Owen Sound.

Contact

• Email: mdzimon@gmail.com
• Candidate interview: Watch Michael Zimon's 2026 candidate interview (opens in a new tab)

Relevant background

Michael Zimon also ran for Mayor of Owen Sound in 2014. His 2026 campaign Facebook page identifies his Council campaign and publishes a current software-cost position.

Platform and priorities

His September 17, 2026 COST responses, published September 19, 2026 HelpOS questionnaire, and campaign Facebook page provide candidate-published positions on municipal spending, transparency, housing and recovery, local representation, transit, infrastructure, industrial land, economic growth, utilities, proportionate response, and open-source software.

Documented issue positions

• Transparency: His published HelpOS questionnaire supports clear project-cost disclosure and closed-meeting transparency. His COST responses add support for public explanations and detailed breakdowns of City spending, departments and staffing.
  Sources: Michael Zimon, published HelpOS questionnaire; Michael Zimon, COST questionnaire response (opens in a new tab)
• Public participation: His published HelpOS questionnaire supports open Council communication and resident participation before decisions. His COST response supports regular communication through local media and online channels.
  Sources: Michael Zimon, published HelpOS questionnaire; Michael Zimon, COST questionnaire response (opens in a new tab)
• Affordable housing: His published HelpOS questionnaire supports housing stability, action on vacant homes, and small low-cost homes while raising landlord accountability, rental concentration, Airbnb, and distance-to-town questions.
  Sources: Michael Zimon, published HelpOS questionnaire; Michael Zimon, COST questionnaire response (opens in a new tab)
• Savings reviews: His published HelpOS questionnaire supports ground-up review, service-value spending and City Hall simplification, with project costs shown clearly. His COST responses add a hiring-freeze and corporate-review proposal. His campaign Facebook page calls for replacing approximately $700,000 in annual software costs with open-source software.
  Sources: Michael Zimon, published HelpOS questionnaire; Michael Zimon, COST questionnaire response (opens in a new tab); Michael Zimon, campaign Facebook post (opens in a new tab)
• Community safety: His published HelpOS questionnaire supports proportionate responders for minor incidents, housing and recovery options, and police involvement when enforcement is required. His COST response adds housing and recovery options with conditions for people who choose them.
  Sources: Michael Zimon, published HelpOS questionnaire; Michael Zimon, COST questionnaire response (opens in a new tab)
• Water and wastewater: His published HelpOS questionnaire supports clear project-cost disclosure, while his COST responses identify wastewater procurement and project spending as areas requiring public explanation.
  Sources: Michael Zimon, published HelpOS questionnaire; Michael Zimon, COST questionnaire response (opens in a new tab)
• Local economy: His published HelpOS questionnaire supports local purchasing when the local option is competitively priced. His COST response supports protecting industrial land, using Owen Sound’s harbour for business development and attracting employers.
  Sources: Michael Zimon, published HelpOS questionnaire; Michael Zimon, COST questionnaire response (opens in a new tab)
• Local representation: His published HelpOS questionnaire supports geographic Council responsibility and Local Representatives, with a plebiscite or referendum on a ward system proposed as the decision path.
  Source: Michael Zimon, published HelpOS questionnaire
• Transit: His published HelpOS questionnaire supports Sunday service at the weekday level because many residents work Sundays. Evening-service funding and a complete recurring cost plan remain unspecified.
  Source: Michael Zimon, published HelpOS questionnaire

Sources

• Official City of Owen Sound registered candidates page
• Michael Zimon’s published HelpOS questionnaire response (18 core questions answered September 19, 2026)
• Michael Zimon’s COST questionnaire response page (opens in a new tab) (all questions answered as reviewed September 17, 2026)
• Mike Zimon for Council campaign Facebook page (opens in a new tab), including a public software-cost post reviewed October 3, 2026

Michael Zimon profile

Last reviewed: October 3, 2026.