Two candidates, one of which is a current member of County Council, will be vying to become the next Mayor for the County of Brant when election night rolls around on Monday, October 26, 2026.
Ward 1 Councillor Jennifer Kyle filed her nomination papers on Friday May 1, 2026, while former Ward 5 Councillor Christine Garneau, now Garneau-Bisaillon, announced her intent to run for Mayor on April 28, she officially filed on Monday, May 4.
Both candidates were first elected to Council during the 2022 election, however Garneau-Bisaillon resigned last October citing “an irreconcilable conflict between my duty to the municipality, and what was in the best interests of my business.”
The former councillor owns and operates Creek View Acres Nursery and Orchard with her husband near Cainsville.
In a press release from April 28, Garneau Bisaillon said that as momentum for change has built across the County over the past several months, she was encouraged to continue advocating what she has always felt was the best path forward for Brant.
“It is time to restore public confidence in municipal government, return us to a stable financial position, and focus on what counts closest to home first. I believe that we will be best served by a Mayor who can bring Council and the community together,” she said. “…We need to build on our rural and agricultural heritage as we navigate today’s economic, growth and construction realities. There will always be challenging decisions and tough conversion, which I intend to continue navigating through respectful engagement with all stakeholders.”
Garneau-Bisaillon added that having the right experience for the job matters.
“Now more than ever because we cannot afford to lose ground to learning curves and strategic missteps, nor can we afford for Council to continue as it has for several years,” she said. “Through proper planning, better management and equitable investment across the County, I know that we will be prepared for a more sustainable future.”
In an announcement from May 1, Kyle said she’s running at a pivotal moment for the community “as growth continues to bring both opportunity and complexity.”
“Brant is on the right path,” she said. “We’ve made real progress as a County, but being on the right path doesn’t mean we can stop steering. This is a moment that calls for steady, practical leadership to guide what comes next.”
The Ward 1 Councillor has lived in the County of Brant for nearly two decades since moving to the area to join her husband’s family dairy farm.
Kyle went on to say that through her work on Council and in the community, she is “known for her clear, practical approach and her ability to explain complex municipal issues in plain language.”
She added that her platform will focus on thoughtful growth, financial responsibility, rural prosperity, strong partnerships and transparent, plain-language government.
“Growth needs to be supported by infrastructure; roads, water, wastewater and community services; and managed in a way that ensures growth pays for growth, by strengthening our commercial and industrial tax base so residential taxpayers aren’t carrying more than their fair share,” said Kyle. “…This campaign is about stewardship, building on what works, planning carefully for the future, and bringing people together to make thoughtful decisions that last.”
She said her campaign is ultimately grounded in a simple vision: “A stronger Brant, built together.”
Both Kyle and Garneau-Bisaillon said that they will be sharing more about their campaign priorities, as well as ways to connect with residents in the weeks ahead.
As of Tuesday, May 12, Kyle and Garneau-Bisaillon are the only two to have entered the race to succeed current County of Brant Mayor David Bailey.
Bailey announced on April 21 that after serving as the head of Council for eight years, he would not be seeking a third term.
“Eight years feels like the right time for a transition. I’ve given this role everything I have, and I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished together,” he said. “I also believe it’s healthy for any organization to welcome new energy and new leadership. When I was first elected in 2018, I didn’t come from a political background. What I brought instead was a genuine desire to serve this community that I care so deeply about. Two terms later, I can say without hesitation that these have been among the most rewarding years of my life.”
As for the rest of County Council, current Ward 2 Councillor Steve Howes is seeking re-election. James McColloch is also running for Ward 2, noting that Howe’s wardmate, Councillor Lukas Oakley is not seeking re-election.
Ward 3 Councillor John Peirce and Ward 4 Councillor Robert Chambers are both running for another term. Corey Donn is also running for Ward 4 Councillor.
Ward 5 Councillor Ella Haley, who was elected into the role this past March after Garneau Bisaillon’s resignation, has also filed to retain her seat.
Kimberly De Jong’s reporting is funded by the Canadian government through its Local Journalism Initiative.The funding allows her to report rural and agricultural stories from Blandford-Blenheim and Brant County. Reach her at kimberly.dejong@brantbeacon.ca.
