With the 2026 Municipal Election less than three weeks away, the Brant Beacon reached out to the candidates running for Mayor in the County of Brant. Candidates were asked to answer questions regarding relevant election issues, providing residents with valuable insight before heading to the polls on Monday, October 26, 2026.
Editor’s Note: Candidates Graham Horner, Kent Hollett, and Stuart Braid did not respond to the questionnaire in time for publication.
Jennifer Kyle
Why did you choose to run for Mayor?
I originally ran for Council because I wanted to contribute to my community, and the last four years have shown me where I think I can make the biggest difference. I’ve seen firsthand how much communication and relationships affect the work we do. Residents need to understand what Council is doing and why. Relationships with other municipalities and governments matter when we’re advocating for Brant, looking for funding or tackling issues that cross municipal boundaries. The mayor also has an important role in keeping Council meetings focused and making sure the business of the County gets done. These things really matter. They affect public trust and what we’re able to accomplish. Communication, relationship-building and working with boards have been a big part of my career. I can bring those skills to the mayor’s chair, and that’s a big part of why I decided to run.
In your opinion, what are the most pressing issues facing the municipality?
One of our biggest challenges is getting ahead of growth instead of always trying to catch up with it. We have some major projects and infrastructure investments coming down the pipe, and some difficult decisions about what comes first and how we pay for it. We also cannot keep asking residential taxpayers to absorb more and more. We need to be very careful with our spending, work to access funding wherever we can, and continue growing our commercial and industrial tax base to reduce the burden on homeowners. We also have to recognize we can’t do all of this alone. Strong relationships with other governments and municipal partners matter when we’re advocating for funding, planning infrastructure and tackling issues that cross our borders. For me, the challenge is making those pieces work together while protecting the communities, farmland and quality of life people love about the County.
If elected, what would your top priorities be and why?
Improving communication and strengthening relationships would be right at the top of my list. I want residents to better understand what the County is doing, what’s coming and why decisions are being made. People might not always agree with a decision, but they shouldn’t be surprised by it. I’d also put real effort into our relationships with neighbouring municipalities, other levels of government and community partners. We have some big challenges ahead, and whether it’s infrastructure, funding, economic development or health care, we’ll get much further by working together where we can. From there, my focus is getting Brant ahead of the game: planning infrastructure with growth, strengthening our commercial and industrial tax base and making responsible financial decisions for the long term. It’s all connected. Better communication builds trust, strong relationships help us get things done, and better planning puts us in a stronger position for what’s ahead.
What are some of the issues or concerns that you have heard about from residents?
Traffic and road safety come up pretty much everywhere I go in the County, whether I’m in one of our urban areas or talking to someone in the countryside. Growth and whether our infrastructure and services are keeping up is another common concern. I also hear a lot about taxes. People understand things cost money, but they want to know we’re spending carefully and making good choices about where that money goes. Communication is another big one. A lot of folks are frustrated by not knowing what’s happening or feel decisions are being made without enough input. In some of our smaller and rural communities, I regularly hear that people feel forgotten or like their community doesn’t matter as much. That really bugs me because it shouldn’t matter where you live in Brant. Everyone should feel like their community matters, that someone is listening and that they have a voice.
How would you improve the relationship between your municipal neighbours?
Good relationships take work, and they need to exist before there’s a problem to solve or something we need from each other. As Mayor, I’d make regular communication with our neighbouring mayors and councils a priority, including Brantford. I’d look for opportunities to bring our councils together and find places where working together makes sense. We share some services with Brantford, and things like health care, transportation, infrastructure and economic development don’t necessarily stop at a municipal boundary. There are opportunities to work together when it benefits both communities, but being a good neighbour also means looking out for the County. My job would be to put our residents first and keep Brant a strong, independent municipality, while building better relationships with all of our neighbours. We won’t always agree, and that’s okay. Good relationships make those tougher conversations a whole lot easier when they do happen.
What are your thoughts on the Strong Mayor Powers? Would you use them? If so, why?
I’ve been pretty clear on this one; I would not use the discretionary Strong Mayor Powers. There are some responsibilities under the legislation that now come with the mayor’s job, including the new budget process, and I would fulfill those. But when it comes to the additional powers a mayor can choose to use, I believe important decisions should still be made around the Council table. We elect 11 people to represent communities across the County of Brant. To me, leadership means working to bring people together, build consensus and find a way forward, not reaching for additional powers when people disagree. There will be tough issues and votes that don’t go my way. That’s part of democracy. My job would be to lead a Council where different perspectives are heard and decisions are made together. I would work with Council, not try to find ways around it.
How would you describe yourself to the constituency?
I’d describe myself as practical and grounded. I ask questions, do the homework and like to understand an issue before making up my mind. I don’t pretend to know everything, and I’m willing to listen to people who know more than I do. I’m a current County of Brant Councillor, dairy farmer, communications professional and mom. I’ve spent 20 years working with provincial and national organizations and people who bring different perspectives to the table. I was raised to finish what I start, and that has stuck with me, so when I make a commitment, I give it my best. I tend to think long-term. Whether it’s on the farm, at work or around the Council table, I think about the impact of decisions today and what we’re leaving for the next generation. I take work seriously, but I also try not to take myself too seriously.
David Swanson
Why did you choose to run for Mayor?
I have professional experience in doing all and managing some of the primary services of Municipal Operations. Road and Sewer Maintenance, Asphalt Paving, Landscaping, Winter Maintenance and Waste Collections. In addition to holding financial services licenses. I am a natural leader who waits until all information is received and cross examined before making any decisions. I don’t deal in buzzwords and no one is calmer and cooler in a crisis than me.
In your opinion, what are the most pressing issues facing the municipality?
Easily the economic crisis. We are losing large employers left and right. We must act immediately to reinstate the Basic Income Pilot Program. Every social worker knows how effective that and CERB were for its recipients. I’d like it best if they could only spend the money within Canada too as it does no good if buying from China. Even developers are reluctant to start building because of plummeting real estate values. We are in the start of worst economic decline this generation has ever known.
If elected, what would your top priorities be and why?
Immediately writing letters to redistribute wealth directly to the bottom 20 – 30% of income earners. Implement our municipal property tax credit system. People are getting eaten alive by interest payments on credit cards, mortgages, cars, and municipal, provincial, and federal debts. If our employees and contractors are obligated to spend their tax credits locally – every single property owner owes the County Property Taxes – we can boost local trade and chip away at our $7M in annual Brant County debt servicing obligations.
What are some of the issues or concerns that you have heard about from residents?
In Paris growth/traffic and crime and the degradation of everything. I think the construction was a tough but unavoidable pill for everyone to swallow. The growth problem is not returning any time soon. Alot of the crime is due to people having no money. The amount of people worth arresting with incomes over $30K a year is very low. So we’ve got to keep people from being required to take desperate measures. The rural and self reliant people want the urban mindest to leave them be and I enthusiastically agree with that statement. It’s not a good use of taxpayers money to step into their domain and fix things that aren’t broken.
How would you improve the relationship between your municipal neighbours?
I like people. I love to deliver results. And I am not backed by any parties so I am not obligated to reject good ideas based upon who they came from. I have an optimistic view of the future in working with the Brantford Council and I think many of them are hoping I’m the one they get to deal with. I will keep an open mind and bring a pragmatic approach to where we can save all of us taxpayers money and improve services.
What are your thoughts on the Strong Mayor Powers? Would you use them? If so, why?
Yes but only after a thorough investigation and cross examination. Most elected positions are occupied by factions. Those factions sometimes want a share of the pie is larger than what justice would grant. This puts captured politicians in positions where if they want to be elected or continue to enjoy their friends and lifestyle they must do things that are contrary to what the common good requires. So to protect taxpayers I will intervene. I’ll treat them like a fire extinguisher – hopefully they’re never used.
How would you describe yourself to the constituency?
I am going to say the quiet part out loud and no special interest groups will be pushing me around and I have no desire for permanent enemies. Everybody eats! The economic depression we are heading into is not the time to stick our heads in the sand and hope business as usual fixes itself. If you want to stop managing the decline and embracing the suck you’ve got to rally around me. This is a golden age of material goodness. Fresh raspberries in February was not something the King of England would’ve had 100 years ago that is possible for all today. You either join me now or we will all lose the high trust and prosperous society we knew.
Christine Garneau-Bisaillon
Why did you choose to run for Mayor?
It’s time to restore public trust in municipal government, return us to a stable financial position, and focus on what counts closest to home first. In navigating today’s economic, growth, and construction realities, we cannot lose our rural and agricultural roots. Through proper planning, better management, and equitable reinvestment across the County, we will be prepared for a more sustainable future.
The County of Brant will be stronger with a mayor who consistently demonstrates their ability to build relationships, ensure fairness, and remain focused on our shared priorities and goals as I have always done. Having the right experience 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. With a background in small business, farming, governance, and Council experience, I’m well positioned to lead our next chapter.
In your opinion, what are the most pressing issues facing the municipality?
Financial sustainability remains the County’s greatest challenge, creating an opportunity to pause, consult, and redefine our priorities for the next four years and further into the future. The next Council needs to open a conversation with our community about who we are, where we are headed, and what steps need to be taken to get there. I believe that by bringing residents, business owners, and farmers into these conversations, Council can rebuild its relationship with constituents and work towards restoring trust in local government.
If elected, what would your top priorities be and why?
Voters continue identifying affordability and value as concerns informing their decision at the polls, along with the number of rushed decisions the outgoing Council made in the final months of their term.
The Council I seek to lead prioritizes consultation, transparency, and integrity, while doing a better job of choosing between “needs” and “wants” in ways that are consistent with public input. I will lead every conservation by example and facilitate a cohesive Council that shows up for our community, and respects diverse and divergent ideas, opinions, and approaches.
With a Mayor and Council who are committed to putting our communities first and balancing priorities across the County, outcomes will broadly benefit residents, businesses, and farms in ways that also respect environmental, heritage, cultural and other considerations. By stewarding municipal resources more responsibly, the County can provide better value to ratepayers while also being more resilient to evolving economic circumstances.
What are some of the issues or concerns that you have heard about from residents?
Having knocked on doors in all corners of the County, one of the things I’m observing is that voters are conceptualizing the same concerns regardless of whether they live in a more urban or more rural area. Solutions may look different when it comes to safer communities, equitable reinvestment, and vibrant local economies, but what’s motivating these concerns remains consistent. At the heart of what I’m hearing are calls for respectful leadership, real engagement, and genuine presence, all of which transcend demographics, geographies, and constituencies. The Council I seek to lead works hard not to fall back on familiar disagreements that deepen the divide between rural and urban Brant, recognizing that population density cannot, alone, drive municipal priorities. Coming from a home ward with nine distinct village and hamlet communities, along with vast rural and agricultural lands, I am best prepared to help Council navigate these conversations in ways that leave everyone feeling part of the path forward.
How would you improve the relationship between your municipal neighbours?
With the right change in leadership for both the County and City, we can start as we mean to go on with conversations that build on existing partnerships and recognize that new ones must be grounded in equity and respect. The City cannot look to the County to solve its challenges in ways that ask Brant to absorb more of the impact than any benefit we might derive. Population density cannot be the driving factor when regional decisions are made because the County’s rural and agricultural lands are a key economic driver, while also providing the food, fuel, and fibre that urban areas rely on for their own sustainability.
What are your thoughts on the Strong Mayor Powers? Would you use them? If so, why?
Continued pressure for a “yes” or “no” soundbite dismisses the persistent, implied authority that remains after formally delegating Strong Mayor Powers back to Council and staff. These destabilized the Brant’s governance and administration, so we must elect candidates who’ve consistently conducted themselves as leaders, aligned with the Elect Respect Pledge. Restoring public trust in local government requires a Mayor and Council who can lead by example, show up together at events, and who welcome public engagement in decision-making processes as I always have. The Council I seek to lead values divergent views and collegial debate, creates safe space to respectfully say that you disagreed, and preserves access to staff resources even when we don’t agree with each other. Besides, if an outcome brought such great benefit to Brant that a mayor felt they had to “pull rank” on Council as some suggest could happen, shouldn’t Council be on board already?
How would you describe yourself to the constituency?
Having spent my first career chapter managing boards and committees within the public sector, I’d describe myself as process-oriented and capable of providing leadership as decisions for today need to be made within the context of tomorrow. I will draw on my experience as a governance professional to restore fair, clear, and transparent process to community engagement and Council decisions, helping align outcomes in ways that have the broadest benefit. More recently, through my experience in private business, I managed municipal service contracts giving me the skills necessary to guide Council and County staff through the conversations necessary to better manage resources and construction projects. I am a dedicated community volunteer, local board director, and civically engaged leader whose breadth of experience best qualifies me to lead Council as it stewards the County’s next chapter.
