Municipal Election 2026: Who’s Running in the Town of Erin

Mayor

Michael Dehn (incumbent)

Email: [email protected]

What experience or background do you bring to the table?
Since 2022, it has been an incredible journey serving as Mayor of Erin, a Wellington County councillor, and a conservation authority board member. Having first moved to the area in 1983, my roots in this community run deep. Today, my wife and I operate a family alpaca farm right here in Hillsburgh. My science background from the University of Waterloo, combined with my corporate leadership experience, helps me expertly navigate the complex realities of local governance. This involves overseeing a combined budget of half a billion dollars and managing a dedicated team of nearly one thousand full-time employees.

What is an important issue affecting your community, and where do you stand on it?
An incredibly important issue affecting our community is the loss of our rural land and agricultural heritage at a startling rate. According to Ontario Farmland Trust, Erin’s farmland dropped from roughly 36,000 acres in 2011 to just over 16,000 in 2021. I stand for protecting our agricultural roots while safely guiding growth. To achieve this, we urgently need to update our outdated Official Plan using fresh data from a Land Evaluation and Area Review. We must also complete other essential studies. Additionally, I stand for fair water/wastewater user fees, advocating to quickly review costs for new homeowners.

Why should voters elect you?
I am completely dedicated to building for tomorrow while protecting the environment and your wallet today. We are making exciting headway on community facilities. Erin will soon be home to the next county roads garage and ambulance base, and we are pushing hard for one million dollars to expand non profit seniors housing. We are also actively planning for a new recreation centre and fire station. By aggressively securing provincial and federal grants, I hope to ensure this vital infrastructure is built, without leaving local ratepayers and development charges to foot the complete bill. I always deliver for Erin.

Dusty Scott 

Email: [email protected]
Website: www.dustyscott.ca

What experience or background do you bring to the table?
I was born and raised in the heart of the Erin village and have six generations of family roots in the town. I am a retired Erin volunteer firefighter with over 11 years service, founding board member of the Erin Chamber of Commerce serving two terms, local small business owner and lifelong supporter of non profit community groups in our town.

What is an important issue affecting your community, and where do you stand on it?
One of our biggest issues is a lack of communication. We currently do not have a reasonable communication policy and there needs to be proper transparency and strict timelines when we have potential hazards in our community. These could be as simple as a proper detour route around construction to a mandatory boil water advisory. Not only our livelihoods but our lives and our children’s lives rely on this. 

Why should voters elect you?
I am seeking election as mayor because Erin needs someone that is transparent, seen, accountable and available to residents. Our demographic has changed, and is now predominantly younger families. They have different views and needs, and they must have a voice at the council table.

Rob Smith

Email: [email protected] 
Website: facebook.com/p/Smith-for-mayor-100084919624480/ 

What experience or background do you bring to the table?
I bring leadership as a business owner over the past four decades, and also having served on two previous terms of council. I have also served on many town committees from environment, BIA, ECDEV, COPPS and Parks, Recreation and trails, which I presently vice-chair. I’m also heavily invested in our community through sponsorship to our local services clubs, Outlaws hockey, the Legion and fire department by supplying training vehicles. And I have a proven working relationship with our representatives at the county, province and federal governments.

What is an important issue affecting your community, and where do you stand on it?
There are several issues facing the town, not the least of which is taxes. A priority is to get spending under control. On my previous terms of council we had six consecutive years of surpluses and healthy reserves. I’d like to see us back there. Another issue is a commercial pit operation, which requires a review of its contract terms. There is also OP131, which affects rural severances. I would review and advise that we allow the small number that have applied, as I see a benefit to our local contractors, tax base and development fee account. 

Why should voters elect you?
I believe I have the proven experience and leadership skills to lead our next council. I bring with me a proven track record of financial responsibility through years of business ownership and previous responsible government. I have a proven relationship with our county, province and federal representative counterparts, which is beneficial to getting things done that are or will affect our town. My commitment to our town is evident in my involvement and presence at town functions, along with a healthy list of sponsorship provided over the years, from the fire department to community dinners and everything in between.

County Councillor (Ward 9)

Jeff Duncan (acclaimed)

Town Councillor (4 positions)

• Cathy Aylard (incumbent) – [email protected]
• Sunjay Bedi – [email protected]
• John Brennan (incumbent) – [email protected]
• Jamie Cheyne (incumbent) – [email protected]
• Sukchain Gill – [email protected]
• Benita Raponi – [email protected]
• Sid Spear – [email protected]
• Tracey Wallace – [email protected]
• Alex Zaichuk – [email protected]

Upper Grand District School Board Trustee

• Jen Edwards (acclaimed)

Wellington Catholic School Board Trustee

• Cassandra O’Donnell (Chornoboy) (acclaimed)

Conseil Scolaire Viamonde Trustee

• Rachid Barrima (acclaimed)

Conseil Scolaire Catholique MonAvenir Trustee

• Genevieve Grenier (acclaimed)

More information: Town of Erin election site

Register to vote: registertovoteon.ca