Unofficial election results: Votes and percentages follow the City’s results page, checked October 27, 2026. Percentages are shown as published, without recalculation; for multi-seat races, they are shares of candidate votes, not shares of voters. The elected filter includes acclaimed trustees. Jamie-Lee Wagler’s result is not published on the City’s page; acclaimed candidates have no vote totals or percentages.
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Municipal candidates
Mayor
| Candidate & contact | Photo | Brief bio | Main campaign points | Previously on city council? | Public forums with council | Addressing Social Issues | Budgetary transparency |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jo-Dee Burbach 3,738 votes Listed contact detailsEmail Address: | ![]() | Entrepreneur and community volunteer; Stratford resident since 1999, with a master’s degree in communication studies. Campaign biography | Housing, childcare and transit affordability; safer streets and infrastructure renewal; improved city communications; economic and environmental resilience. Campaign source | Yes — current councillor. City council roster | “provide a variety of opportunities for connection and conversations” Proposes a city communication plan with more opportunities for conversation and outreach to underrepresented residents. Campaign sourceProposes public forums co-hosted with individual councillors in different neighbourhoods; no fixed frequency specified. Campaign priorities | Proposes closing gaps in housing, increasing affordable childcare and improving transit connections. Campaign sourceTargets the 12 Erie Street units being ready by the end of 2027, using them as transitional housing if full support funding is still pending. Would combine the Warming Centre and Connection Centre to provide emergency beds and coordinated housing, mental-health and addictions support. Stratford Cares questionnaire (PDF) | Promises better communication and transparency, but no specific budget disclosure or reporting process found. Campaign source |
| Mark Hunter 2,542 votes Listed contact detailsBusiness Telephone Number: 519-273-3151 | ![]() | President and internal legal counsel of Hunter Steel, with a background in business leadership and municipal council. Campaign biography | Restrain tax increases, invest in core infrastructure, expand affordable and supportive housing, advance Grand Trunk redevelopment, and improve communication. Campaign source | Yes — current councillor. City council roster | Proposes regularly delivering city information directly to residents. No recurring public council forum specified. Campaign source | Links ending homelessness to more affordable and supportive housing; proposes faster approvals and development incentives through builder, community and provincial partnerships. Campaign sourceProposes replacing selected municipal detached rentals with fourplexes, funded through other municipal house sales. Estimates this could add 16 rent-geared-to-income units over four years without raising taxes. Stratford Cares questionnaire (PDF) | Proposes public tracking of council commitments so residents can see project progress, spending and reasons for decisions. Campaign source |
| Andrew Rea 206 votes Listed contact detailsEmail Address: | ![]() | Regular attendee at council meetings who is running a self-funded mayoral campaign. Stratford Times · Sep 3, 2026 | Campaign interview Emphasizes affordability, healthcare access, infrastructure, sustainable growth and accountability. This summary is from a campaign interview, not a detailed platform. Stratford Times · Sep 3, 2026Supports taller residential buildings and increased density. MyStratfordNow · Sep 23, 2026 | Not verified Not on current council. Earlier council service not verified. City council roster | Calls for residents to be heard and officials held accountable. No specific new public forum mechanism described. Stratford Times · Sep 3, 2026Supports establishing wards by the next election, without using strong mayor powers to do so. Stratford Times · mayoral Q&A | Raises affordability and healthcare access as priorities. No specific homelessness, addictions or mental-health intervention described. Stratford Times · Sep 3, 2026 | Calls for a full departmental audit to identify waste; no specific commitment to publish audit results or a budget-reporting schedule described. Stratford Times · mayoral Q&A |
| Martin Ritsma 2,899 votes Listed contact detailsQualifying Address: 75 Kelly's Lane, Stratford, ON, N5A 6S2 | ![]() | Educator and former multi-term councillor who became Stratford’s mayor in 2022. StratfordToday · Aug 16, 2026 | Campaign interview Campaign interview emphasizes continuing housing, infrastructure and Grand Trunk initiatives, the police station relocation, partnerships and municipal financial sustainability. StratfordToday · Aug 16, 2026 | Yes — current mayor. City council roster | “open to conversation and interaction” Promises openness to conversation and respectful exchanges; no recurring council forum proposal specified. StratfordToday · Aug 16, 2026 | Specific proposals Calls for completing the 12 Erie Street supportive-housing units in the first year of the next term, while seeking provincial funding for round-the-clock support services. Stratford Cares questionnaire (PDF) | Not found No specific commitment found in the sources reviewed. StratfordToday · Aug 16, 2026 |
Robert RitzListed contact detailsQualifying Address: 322 Ontario St, N5A 3H8 | ![]() | Lifelong Stratford resident and architect with more than 40 years of business experience. Campaign biography | Open decision-making, consultation before decisions, disciplined spending, thoughtful infill housing, community partnerships and productive use of public land. Campaign sourceProposes municipal development corporations for Grand Trunk and housing, and a first-year tax increase ceiling of 3.5%. Stratford Times · Oct 1, 2026 | No prior council service identified; the campaign interview describes his lack of political experience. StratfordToday · Aug 7, 2026 | Calls for earlier public consultation. A campaign interview also proposes restoring wards so residents have a designated councillor; it does not specify recurring council forums. StratfordToday · Aug 7, 2026 | Promises collaboration with community organizations and other governments on homelessness and affordability. Campaign sourceWould establish a housing task force including frontline workers and people with lived experience; declines to set measurable targets before meeting relevant groups. Stratford Cares questionnaire (PDF)Proposes a municipal housing corporation to use city land and build affordable housing where private development falls short. Stratford Times · Oct 1, 2026 | Promises spending discipline and open decisions. No specific budget dashboard, reporting schedule or budget consultation process found. Campaign source |
Municipal candidates
Councillor
| Candidate & contact | Photo | Brief bio | Main campaign points | Previously on city council? | Public forums with council | Addressing Social Issues | Budgetary transparency |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Brad BeattyListed contact detailsQualifying Address: 36 Sutter Street, Stratford, ON N4Z 1G8 | ![]() | Undated material Stratford native and Carleton graduate; his undated biography describes work in employment services and Chamber of Commerce leadership. Undated campaign biography | Campaign interview Jobs and the next industrial park, infrastructure, and phased Grand Trunk redevelopment with housing and a shared YMCA-library facility; supports up to $15 million for that community facility. Stratford Times · 2026 candidate Q&A | Yes — current councillor. City council roster | Not found No specific commitment found in the sources reviewed. Campaign source | Specific proposals Supports affordable and supportive housing linked to mental-health and addictions outreach, faster approvals, suitable city land and partnerships with housing providers and other governments. Stratford Times · 2026 candidate Q&A | Supports sustainable funding and protecting reserves from short-term budget fixes. No specific public budget reporting mechanism described. Stratford Times · 2026 candidate Q&A |
Lesley BiehnListed contact detailsEmail Address: | ![]() | Longtime Stratford resident with more than two decades of volunteering, mentoring and community service. Campaign biography | Affordable housing through partnerships, planned growth and financial sustainability; highlights a housing reserve, rental-tax reform and protection of subsidized seniors’ housing. Campaign source | Yes — current councillor. City council roster | Not found No specific commitment found in the sources reviewed. Campaign source | Proposes mixed-income housing and partnerships with nonprofit supportive-housing providers such as Indwell. Would assemble construction funding while nonprofit operators run the housing, limiting ongoing property-tax costs. Housing planPrioritizes the Erie Street units with round-the-clock support and exploring conversion of larger apartments into smaller bachelor units. Stratford Cares questionnaire (PDF) | Emphasizes financial discipline and stretching housing dollars through partnerships. Campaign sourceWould require a public Grand Trunk business case showing partner contributions, grants, operating costs and spending limits before committing an amount. StratfordToday · Grand Trunk Q&A |
| Bill Boon 4,435 votes Listed contact detailsQualifying Address: 77 Waddell Street, Stratford, ON N5A 6K6 | ![]() | Lifelong Stratford resident and Vice President, Administration at AISIN Canada, with community and economic-development involvement. Campaign biography | Affordable taxes with protected services, housing approvals, local business, infrastructure maintenance, Grand Trunk progress and transit connections. Campaign source | Not verified Not on current council. Earlier council service not verified. City council roster | “I'll meet with residents, businesses, neighbourhood associations, and community organizations before important decisions are made” Commits to meeting residents and community groups before major decisions. No fixed council forum schedule specified. Campaign source | Proposes more affordable housing and nonprofit partnerships; connecting residents with financial counselling, benefits navigation and existing relief programs. Campaign sourcePrioritizes Erie Street supportive housing with provincial service funding, planned winter warming services and supported housing for adult men. Stratford Cares questionnaire (PDF) | Commits to measuring budget results and explaining spending increases, efficiencies and rejected spending requests. Campaign sourceProposes scheduled public reports comparing emergency-accommodation and supported-housing costs, alongside homelessness and housing-retention results. Stratford Cares questionnaire (PDF)Would treat $15 million as the Grand Trunk municipal maximum, requiring full financing and operating-cost information before commitments. StratfordToday · council decisions Q&A |
| Taylor Briscoe 3,446 votes Listed contact detailsEmail Address: | ![]() | Former professional hockey player with a background in social services, homelessness advocacy and national policy work. Campaign biography | Housing and renter protection, economic development, climate-resilient infrastructure, family services, and more accessible civic participation. Campaign sourceWould defer bus-fleet electrification while building a reserve for a future purchase. StratfordToday · tax levy Q&A | Yes — current councillor. City council roster | Specific proposal“Establish monthly informal council and director nights.” Proposes rotating evenings where councillors and a city director meet residents informally, plus working remote-participation tools and plain-language updates. Governance platform | Specific proposals Proposes supportive housing with onsite case management, health and addictions services; a recovery model guaranteeing a room for four years through detox, rehabilitation and outpatient care; family housing, coordinated service data, modular homes and a charitable housing entity. Housing platformProvincial advocacy: opposes expanding involuntary care without major investment in voluntary treatment and supportive housing; supports continued regional addiction-treatment funding, more accessible social assistance and a housing-first response to encampments. These are her descriptions of her advocacy. Provincial advocacyFederal advocacy: calls for stable, expanded mental-health and addictions funding, including the Emergency Treatment Fund, and direct food-provider funding and survivor-service hubs. Federal advocacy | Proposes clearer community-grant tiers, defined funding terms and restrictions on overhead; better public access to file history and status. No city-wide budget reporting schedule specified. Governance platform |
| Amy Brodhagen 3,817 votes Listed contact detailsQualifying Address: N5A 5T3 | ![]() | Community volunteer with more than 16 years in banking roles, including leadership and process improvement; now works part-time for a youth and family mental-health nonprofit. Campaign biography | Environmental responsibility, food security and community gardens, housing affordability, accessible recreation and arts, and reviewing residential animal bylaws. Campaign priorities | Not verified Not on current council. Earlier council service not verified. City council roster | Not found No specific commitment found in the sources reviewed. Source reviewed | Specific proposals Proposes an extreme-weather plan covering warming spaces, emergency accommodation, transport and communication before winter; prioritizes year-round shelter/drop-in support, transitional housing and connections to mental-health and addictions services. Stratford Cares questionnaire (PDF) | Specific proposals Calls for a public action plan reporting completed and outstanding work, funding obtained and remaining gaps. Stratford Cares questionnaire (PDF) |
| Naireta Chatterjee 1,578 votes Listed contact detailsPrimary Telephone Number: 438-505-8330 | ![]() | Property manager behind Mirapac Properties, with experience helping residents navigate housing and everyday affordability. Campaign biography | Housing affordability and fair taxes, newcomer access to services, food-bank expansion, youth opportunities, healthcare access and support for local businesses and agriculture. Campaign source | Not verified Not on current council. Earlier council service not verified. City council roster | Wants council to be more accessible to underrepresented communities. No specific public forum structure or schedule found. Campaign source | Supports shelters, housing choices, food-bank expansion, newcomer access to city and family services, and youth access to local healthcare and opportunities. Campaign sourceWould seek a costed service-gap report in year one, review year-round emergency accommodation, strengthen eviction prevention and improve housing plans after hospital or treatment discharge. Stratford Cares questionnaire (PDF) | Specific proposals Proposes public housing targets and reporting on spending, project delays and corrective action, including housing retention after six and twelve months. Stratford Cares questionnaire (PDF) |
| Jason Davis 3,098 votes Listed contact detailsQualifying Address: 585 Brunswick St, Stratford ON N5A 3N7 | ![]() | Diesel technician, co-founder of the Stratford Affordable Alliance and director of Mikinaak Community Land Trust. Campaign biography | Non-market housing and year-round shelter, childcare-worker retention, more frequent transit and zero-based budgeting. Campaign source | Not verified Not on current council. Earlier council service not verified. City council roster | Specific proposals Proposes assigning two councillors to each of five municipal regions as residents’ direct contacts. This is a representation proposal, not a recurring public-forum schedule. Stratford Cares questionnaire (PDF) | Specific proposals Proposes a year-round overnight shelter, Erie Street supportive/transitional housing, a reserve for non-market homes for sale and childcare wage supplements. Campaign sourceAlso supports a renoviction bylaw and more wraparound mental-health and addictions support. Stratford Cares questionnaire (PDF) | Specific proposals Proposes zero-based budgeting and placing government housing proposals and the responses to them on the public record. Campaign source |
| Ryan Doyle 1,671 votes Listed contact detailsQualifying Address: 1-88 Avonwood Dr, Stratford, ON N4Z1B3 | ![]() | Stratford-raised IT professional at Wilfrid Laurier University and longtime condominium corporation president. Campaign biography | Predictable taxes and long-term financial planning, affordable workforce housing, support for vulnerable residents and a stronger year-round economy. Campaign sourceWould defer the $1 million ERP project planned for 2027 and target an October 1, 2030 opening for a Grand Trunk YMCA-library hub. Stratford Times · 2026 candidate Q&AWould reconsider the Wright Boulevard police project and investigate the existing YMCA site instead. StratfordToday · council decisions Q&A | Not verified Not on current council. Earlier council service not verified. City council roster | Not found No specific commitment found in the sources reviewed. Campaign source | Supports services for people experiencing homelessness, mental-health challenges, addiction, domestic abuse or human trafficking. Also supports housing programs for families, single parents and workers. Campaign sourceCalls for more beds with wraparound support and increased investment in the Connection Centre, working with CMHA. Stratford Times · 2026 candidate Q&A | Advocates disciplined budgets and long-term reserve planning, drawing on condominium budgeting experience. No specific public budget disclosure process found. Campaign source |
| Andrew Fraser 2,044 votes Listed contact detailsPrimary Telephone Number: 416-301-6030 | ![]() | Realtor since 2010, local business founder and youth soccer coach; moved to Stratford in 2016. Campaign biography | Tax freeze, faster approvals for attainable housing, year-round downtown activity, disciplined Grand Trunk delivery and clearer council communication. Campaign source | Not verified Not on current council. Earlier council service not verified. City council roster | Proposes plain-language summaries after every meeting, advance notice of major votes and publicly declared conflicts. No recurring council forum schedule specified. Campaign source | Supports temporary assistance that leads to permanent housing, with measurable results and public costs; proposes suitable city land and expansion of Britannia Street affordable housing. Campaign sourceProposes a partner-run, low-barrier day centre with showers and caseworkers, coordinated access and early tenant–landlord mediation. Stratford Cares questionnaire (PDF) | Calls for value-for-money reviews before major project spending, public reporting of homelessness costs, meeting summaries and public conflict declarations. Campaign sourceWould publish the division of homelessness spending between direct help and administration, alongside placements and waiting times. Stratford Cares questionnaire (PDF)Proposes plain-language budget summaries, multi-year budgeting and a public Grand Trunk construction schedule with delay penalties. Stratford Times · 2026 candidate Q&A |
| Jason Frey 913 votes No contact details listed. | No verified photo No candidate portrait verified from the available public sources. | Not verified A public biography could not be verified from the available sources. Listed candidate source | Campaign interview Calls for departmental spending audits and justification for increases. StratfordToday · tax levy Q&AOpposes further Grand Trunk investment and favours demolition and remediation. StratfordToday · Grand Trunk Q&AProposes a $10–15 million budget for an alternative police facility. StratfordToday · council decisions Q&A | Not verified Not on current council. Earlier council service not verified. City council roster | Not found No specific commitment found in the sources reviewed. Source reviewed | Not found No specific social-issue commitment verified in the sources reviewed, including homelessness, addictions or mental health. Source reviewed | Seeks audits across city departments; no commitment to publish results or a reporting schedule specified. StratfordToday · tax levy Q&A |
Christopher GiannakopoulosListed contact detailsQualifying Address: 252 Queen Street, Stratford, ON N5A 4P1 | ![]() | Stratford-raised hospitality professional and University of Waterloo lecturer who completed a PhD in 2025. Campaign biography | Downtown vitality and heritage, infrastructure oversight, Grand Trunk redevelopment, childcare and affordable family activities. Campaign sourceAdds environmental stewardship and supportive housing as platform priorities. Campaign platformProposes a multi-storey parking garage on the Erie Street lot. StratfordToday · council decisions Q&A | Not verified Not on current council. Earlier council service not verified. City council roster | Proposes written advance notice of planning and infrastructure disruptions to businesses and residents. Campaign sourceProposes more opportunities for community delegations at council; no recurring forum schedule specified. Campaign platform | Proposes easier access to childcare, affordable seasonal programs and more arts and cultural activities for families. Campaign sourceProposes year-round overnight beds and a supportive-housing facility serving more than 12 people with wraparound services. Stratford Cares questionnaire (PDF)Would fund expanded daytime/overnight capacity through a three-year emergency operating budget while longer-term facilities are developed. StratfordToday · homelessness Q&A | Proposes milestone-based infrastructure spending and costing projects to operate as well as build. No specific public budget reporting mechanism found. Campaign source |
| Matthew Hartney 772 votes Listed contact detailsEmail Address: matthewhartney2026@gmail.com | No verified photo The listed profile uses an initial, not a candidate photograph. | Not verified A public biography could not be verified from the available sources. Listed candidate source | Not verified No verified 2026 platform found. The listed social profile was accessible only as a preview; its posts could not be reviewed. Listed social profile | Not verified Not on current council. Earlier council service not verified. City council roster | Not found No specific commitment found in the sources reviewed. Source reviewed | Not found No specific social-issue commitment verified in the sources reviewed, including homelessness, addictions or mental health. Source reviewed | Not found No specific commitment found in the sources reviewed. Source reviewed |
Bonnie HendersonListed contact detailsPrimary Telephone Number: 519-271-4545 | ![]() | Serving Stratford city councillor seeking re-election in 2026; further career background was not verified. City council roster | Accessibility, affordability, more childcare spaces, lower emissions and a Grand Trunk community hub; aims to keep tax increases within CPI. Stratford Times · 2026 candidate Q&A | Yes — current councillor. City council roster | Not found No specific commitment found in the sources reviewed. Source reviewed | Specific proposals Supports more affordable, accessible housing and provincial rent-control advocacy; says housing and mental-health/addictions support should be provided together. Stratford Cares questionnaire (PDF) | Not found No specific commitment found in the sources reviewed. Source reviewed |
| Adrienne Johnson 2,572 votes Listed contact detailsPrimary Telephone Number: 519-273-6105 | ![]() | Stratford educator for 31 years, with degrees in English and Communications. Campaign biography | Youth opportunities, affordable housing, safe and accessible neighbourhoods, long-term financial planning and clearer council communication. Campaign source | Not verified Not on current council. Earlier council service not verified. City council roster | Specific proposals Proposes regular community conversations on major projects so residents can discuss options and costs; no fixed frequency specified. StratfordToday · council decisions Q&A | Specific proposals Supports eviction prevention, outreach and rent assistance, plus affordable, transitional and supportive housing connected to mental-health and addictions services. Stratford Cares questionnaire (PDF) | Specific proposals Calls for regular public reporting on funding and housing/support outcomes. Stratford Cares questionnaire (PDF) |
| Anthony Kane 1,098 votes Listed contact detailsQualifying Address: 56 Dixon Road, Stratford, ON N5A 6X8 | No verified photo No candidate portrait verified from the available public sources. | Stratford resident for nine years who works with a driving school. Campaign biography | Road safety, youth employment, tax restraint and Grand Trunk renewal; would explore free senior transit and free downtown parking for residents. Campaign priorities | Not verified Not on current council. Earlier council service not verified. City council roster | Not found No specific commitment found in the sources reviewed. Source reviewed | Supports affordable and supportive housing, shelter/outreach partnerships and access to mental-health and addictions services; no named service expansion, amount or delivery date specified. Campaign priorities | Not found No specific commitment found in the sources reviewed. Source reviewed |
Larry McCabeListed contact detailsQualifying Address: 2-63 Elizabeth St, N5A 4Z1 | ![]() | Hospitality entrepreneur with a background leading Pazzo Pizzeria and supporting local tourism. Public professional profile | Housing supply, phased Grand Trunk redevelopment, a year-round economy and tighter capital-project cost controls. Campaign source | Yes — current councillor. City council roster | Not found No specific commitment found in the sources reviewed. Source reviewed | Specific proposals Proposes a $3 million revolving housing-loan fund, subject to financial review and council approval; prioritizes Erie Street supportive housing, rent assistance and Housing First with continuing care. Stratford Cares questionnaire (PDF) | Specific proposals Proposes public reports on housing spending, outcomes, loan risks and repayments. Stratford Cares questionnaire (PDF)Calls for regular police-headquarters cost reports and disclosure of capital-project costs, risks and operating trade-offs. Campaign priorities |
Sarah MerkelListed contact detailsEmail Address: | ![]() | Public Health Promoter and municipal liaison coordinator at Huron Perth Public Health; founding member of Stratford’s Iris Collective. Campaign biography | Housing First, a Grand Trunk community hub, support for families and seniors, accessibility and climate resilience. Published campaign visionOpposes city spending on the strong-mayor-powers lawsuit. StratfordToday · council decisions Q&A | Not verified Not on current council. Earlier council service not verified. City council roster | Proposes earlier engagement through workshops, focus groups, interviews and community conversations, with explanations of how public input affected decisions. No fixed council-forum schedule specified. Campaign vision | Reports serving on the Emily Murphy Centre’s Tiny Homes capital campaign cabinet. This is existing volunteer work, not a published municipal policy pledge. Campaign biographyHer published vision supports Housing First, home-sharing and collaboration with the Connection Centre and CMHA on mental health and substance use. Campaign visionWould explore interim encampment washrooms, privacy fencing and electricity where feasible, plus a housing advisory committee and monthly or quarterly progress report cards. Stratford Cares questionnaire (PDF) | Not found No specific commitment found in the sources reviewed. Source reviewed |
Ian MortonListed contact detailsQualifying Address: 300 Britannia St, Stratford, ON N5A 5Z8 | ![]() | Veteran elementary teacher, track-and-field coach and community volunteer with environmental and active-transportation committee experience. Campaign biography | Collaborative and inclusive council decision-making, housing affordability, community well-being and bringing residents’ concerns to council. Also proposes fare-free transit and expanded active-transportation routes. Campaign priorities | Not verified Not on current council. Earlier council service not verified. City council roster | Commits to hearing residents and carrying their concerns to council. Also calls for earlier, wider notice of council issues so residents can attend, ask questions or delegate. Campaign prioritiesProposes more town-hall discussions about projects and issues, with annual progress checkpoints; no fixed town-hall frequency specified. Stratford Cares questionnaire (PDF) | Specific proposals Proposes building a shelter, a vacant-home tax dedicated to housing solutions, rental licensing and maintenance standards, and non-market housing through municipal or nonprofit building programs. Campaign prioritiesTargets supportive and bridge housing opening before winter 2027–28; would expand Connection Centre support and add mental-health professionals and social workers to police emergency calls. Stratford Cares questionnaire (PDF) | Not found No specific commitment found in the sources reviewed. Campaign source |
Harj NijjarListed contact detailsPrimary Telephone Number: 519-301-7754 | ![]() | Lifelong Stratford resident, senior IT professional and local business owner. Campaign biography | Responsible finances and growth, housing and economic opportunity, safety, youth and seniors, and an inclusive community. Campaign source | Yes — current councillor. City council roster | Commits to listening and collaborative council work. No specific public forum proposal found. Campaign source | Lists housing, community safety, inclusion and support for youth and seniors as priorities. Campaign sourcePrioritizes opening the 12 Erie Street units and expanding the Connection Centre and Warming Centre to connect housing, mental-health and addictions services. Stratford Cares questionnaire (PDF) | Promises responsible financial management and respect for tax dollars. Campaign sourceCalls for Grand Trunk funding tied to milestones and regular public reporting. StratfordToday · Grand Trunk Q&A |
| Gary Robinson 1,586 votes No campaign links listed. Listed contact detailsPrimary Telephone Number: 519-272-7028 | No verified photo No candidate portrait verified from the available public sources. | Lifelong Stratford resident and community sports volunteer, with more than 40 years refereeing hockey and umpiring baseball. Stratford Times · 2026 candidate Q&A | Tax restraint, faster infrastructure work, housing for seniors and families, and a volunteer-built tiny-home community. Stratford Times · 2026 candidate Q&AProposes a three-year municipal wage freeze and ending retention pay. StratfordToday · tax levy Q&A | Not verified Not on current council. Earlier council service not verified. City council roster | Not found No specific commitment found in the sources reviewed. Source reviewed | Specific proposals Proposes a tiny-home village with shared kitchen and bathrooms on city land near the landfill, seeking donated supplies and volunteer construction. Stratford Times · 2026 candidate Q&A | Not found No specific commitment found in the sources reviewed. Source reviewed |
Cody SebbenListed contact detailsPrimary Telephone Number: 519-274-9662 | ![]() | Stratford-raised behavioural-science graduate and rehabilitation facilitator supporting people with brain injuries. Campaign biography | Consistent access to councillors, lower tax increases, affordable housing incentives, stronger homelessness partnerships, climate action and smaller transit buses. Campaign source | Yes — current councillor. City council roster | Specific proposal“I will continue to host monthly forums with the public” Commits to continuing monthly informal meetings for residents’ questions and feedback. Campaign source | Proposes affordable-housing development incentives and expanded support for people experiencing homelessness through nonprofit and private-sector partnerships. Campaign sourceProposes minimum affordable-housing ratios in new developments. Stratford Cares questionnaire (PDF) | Advocates tax-increase targets, closer spending scrutiny and separating necessities from discretionary spending. Publishes his past budget remarks, but no new budget disclosure system is specified. Budget & finances |
| Elaine Strawbridge 3,222 votes Listed contact detailsPrimary Telephone Number: 519-276-7656 | ![]() | United Church minister whose campaign draws on experience with community service needs. Campaign biography | Good-paying year-round jobs, affordability for younger and older residents, inclusion, active listening and fiscal responsibility. Campaign source | Not verified Not on current council. Earlier council service not verified. City council roster | Not found No specific commitment found in the sources reviewed. Campaign source | Links good-paying jobs to reducing poverty; supports affordable housing and services for vulnerable residents, bringing stakeholders together and matching community expertise to needs. Campaign sourceProposes a street-level housing advocate, potentially shared with nearby municipalities, and recruiting provincially funded psychiatrists. Stratford Cares questionnaire (PDF) | States a commitment to fiscal responsibility. No specific budget transparency mechanism found. Campaign source |
| Amber-Leah Margaret Timmons 793 votes Listed contact detailsQualifying Address: 13-192 Kemp Crescent, Stratford, ON, N5A 5C5 | No verified photo The listed profile uses campaign artwork; no candidate portrait verified. | Volunteer with the Perth Huron Multicultural Association, according to her listed campaign profile. Campaign profile preview | Not verified No verified 2026 platform found. The listed social profile was accessible only as a preview; its posts could not be reviewed. Listed social profile | Not verified Not on current council. Earlier council service not verified. City council roster | Not found No specific commitment found in the sources reviewed. Source reviewed | Not found No specific social-issue commitment verified in the sources reviewed, including homelessness, addictions or mental health. Source reviewed | Not found No specific commitment found in the sources reviewed. Source reviewed |
| Ken Wood 2,413 votes Listed contact detailsQualifying Address: 103-230 Britannia St, Stratford, ON, N5A 5Z7 | ![]() | Retired IT and human-resources professional with nonprofit board experience, including food-bank and supportive-housing organizations. Campaign biography | Affordability, core services, open decisions, accountability, accessible representation and addressing housing insecurity. Campaign sourceWould reverse the city’s legal challenge to strong mayor powers. StratfordToday · council decisions Q&A | Not verified Not on current council. Earlier council service not verified. City council roster | “I will advocate for fair and open debate at public meetings” Supports earlier public input and open debate; promises to explain every vote. No recurring forum schedule specified. Campaign sourceWould publish regular council agendas two weeks ahead and record and archive all votes. Stratford Cares questionnaire (PDF) | Specific proposals Proposes roughly $600,000 annually for homelessness operations, adjustable with need and capital-project results; a men’s shelter, tiny-home pilot, renoviction bylaw and vacant-property tax. Stratford Cares questionnaire (PDF) | Says city finances should be publicly accessible, final decisions publicly voted on, and every vote explained. No budget-specific dashboard or publication schedule found. Campaign source |
Geza WordofaListed contact detailsPrimary Telephone Number: 226-339-1547 | ![]() | Multicultural Association president, community volunteer and RBC Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Award recipient. Campaign profile preview | Affordable housing, newcomer integration, childcare capacity, and support for seniors and people with disabilities. Campaign platform | Yes — current councillor. City council roster | Specific proposals Proposes a housing advisory committee including people with lived experience, agencies and healthcare providers, reviewing policy twice yearly. This is a subject-specific advisory forum. Stratford Cares questionnaire (PDF)Would reduce closed council meetings and reconsider exclusions from municipal buildings. StratfordToday · council decisions Q&A | Specific proposals Proposes nonprofit supportive housing on city land within 24 months, a 24/7 mental-health/outreach crisis team, expanded Housing Stability Bank funding and eligibility, and regional advocacy for treatment beds. Stratford Cares questionnaire (PDF)Also proposes a centralized advocacy office for seniors and people with disabilities, and a municipal home-daycare licensing approach. Campaign platform | Specific proposals Proposes an annual public dashboard showing housing stability, waiting times and funding allocations. Stratford Cares questionnaire (PDF) |
| Jefferson George Wright 585 votes Listed contact detailsEmail Address: | ![]() | Garden landscaper with 25 years of film and television experience, including assistant directing and location management. Campaign biography | A municipal housing census and non-market housing, renoviction protection, heritage and tourism, traffic changes, term limits, and Grand Trunk demolition/remediation and redevelopment. Campaign source | Not verified Not on current council. Earlier council service not verified. City council roster | Not found No specific commitment found in the sources reviewed. Campaign source | Specific proposals Now supports encampment closure followed by “non-market adaptive electrified private housing” and “compulsory if-applicable addiction interruption”; the site does not define that intervention. Retains renoviction protection. The previous tiny-home-at-encampment proposal is no longer stated. Campaign source | Emphasizes transparent government. No specific budget transparency mechanism found. Campaign source |
School-board trustee candidates
Avon Maitland District School Board
Social issues include homelessness, addictions, mental health and other community supports. School-board proposals are identified in their school context.
| Candidate & contact | Photo | Brief bio | Main campaign points | Previously on city council? | Public forums with council | Addressing Social Issues | Budgetary transparency |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Michael BannermanListed contact detailsQualifying Address: 55 Norwood Court, Stratford, ON N5A 7N9 | ![]() | AMDSB board chair and psychosocial rehabilitation specialist with more than 25 years of mental-health work. StratfordToday · Sep 6, 2026 | Campaign interview School-board priorities: affordable before/after-school care, school space and transport as Stratford grows, extracurricular costs, responsible AI use, funding and elected trustee representation. StratfordToday · Sep 6, 2026 | School-board service City council service not verified. Separate role: AMDSB trustee in 2010–2014 and 2022–2026; board chair. StratfordToday · Sep 6, 2026 | Discusses representing families in school-board governance. No proposal for public forums with city council found. StratfordToday · Sep 6, 2026 | Highlights accessible before- and after-school care, extracurricular affordability and student belonging. His campaign interview describes his mental-health work experience, but does not specify a new mental-health or addictions program. StratfordToday · Sep 6, 2026 | Highlights a balanced school-board budget and funding pressures. No new budget transparency mechanism specified. StratfordToday · Sep 6, 2026 |
| Deepika Mishra No campaign links listed. Listed contact detailsPrimary Telephone Number: 416-709-9630 | No verified photo No candidate portrait verified from the available public sources. | Engineer with an MBA and corporate, nonprofit and school-committee experience; appointed an AMDSB trustee in 2025. StratfordToday · Sep 7, 2026 | Campaign interview Prioritizes student achievement, mental health, safety, inclusion and stronger engagement with students, families and educators. StratfordToday · Sep 7, 2026 | School-board service City council service not verified. Separate role: appointed AMDSB trustee in 2025. AMDSB announcement · Nov 3, 2025 | Advocates listening to students, parents and educators in school-board decisions. No specific city council forum proposal described. StratfordToday · Sep 7, 2026 | Identifies student mental health, safety and inclusion as priorities; advocates listening, collaboration and practical solutions. No named mental-health service or addictions program specified. StratfordToday · Sep 7, 2026 | Not found No specific budget transparency mechanism described in the campaign interview. StratfordToday · Sep 7, 2026 |
| Ed Montgomery 1,359 votes No campaign links listed. Listed contact detailsEmail Address: | No verified photo No candidate portrait verified from the available public sources. | Stratford native and educator who has taught in Japan, South Korea and China. StratfordToday · Sep 4, 2026 | Campaign interview Improve student learning and communication among students, families and staff; gather local evidence, compare other boards’ approaches and explain changes. StratfordToday · Sep 4, 2026 | Not verified Not on current council. Earlier council service not verified. City council roster | Calls for consultation and better school-board communication. No proposal for public forums with city council found. StratfordToday · Sep 4, 2026 | Proposes listening to students, parents and educators, gathering evidence on challenges and supporting each student’s potential. No specific homelessness, addictions or mental-health program described. StratfordToday · Sep 4, 2026 | “How decisions are made and how spending is done should be a much more open process” Calls for more open school-board decisions and spending, school visits, and scrutiny of the justification for public expenditure. No reporting format or schedule given. StratfordToday · Sep 4, 2026 |
Jamie-Lee WaglerListed contact detailsQualifying Address: 497 Devon Street, Stratford, ON N4Z 1C1 | ![]() | Ontario Certified Teacher, Registered Early Childhood Educator, college professor and school council chair. Campaign biography | Student well-being, safe and inclusive schools, evidence-informed learning, family/community partnerships and responsible school-board governance. Campaign source | Not verified Not on current council. Earlier council service not verified. City council roster | Promises family engagement and active listening in school-board governance. No city council forum proposal found. Campaign source | Supports student well-being, emotional safety, belonging, inclusion and family/community partnerships. No specific clinical mental-health service, addictions program or homelessness intervention described. Campaign source | Commits to transparency, accountability and responsible use of school-board resources. No specific budget reporting or consultation mechanism found. Campaign source |
School-board trustee candidates
Huron Perth Catholic District School Board
Social issues include homelessness, addictions, mental health and other community supports. School-board proposals are identified in their school context.
| Candidate & contact | Photo | Brief bio | Main campaign points | Previously on city council? | Public forums with council | Addressing Social Issues | Budgetary transparency |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| David Charlesworth 239 votes No campaign links listed. Listed contact detailsQualifying Address: 290 Mornington St, Stratford, ON, N5A 5G6 | No verified photo No candidate portrait verified from the available public sources. | Previously ran for Huron Perth Catholic school-board trustee in 2014; further biographical details were not verified. City election results · 2014 | Not verified No verified 2026 platform found. The City lists no campaign website or social profile. Official candidate listing | Not verified Not on current council. Earlier council service not verified. City council roster | Not found No specific commitment found in the sources reviewed. Source reviewed | Not found No specific social-issue commitment verified in the sources reviewed, including homelessness, addictions or mental health. Official candidate listing | Not found No specific commitment found in the sources reviewed. Source reviewed |
| Heather Marcy No campaign links listed. Listed contact detailsQualifying Address: 75 Feick Crescent, Stratford, ON | No verified photo No candidate portrait verified from the available public sources. | Has coordinated a local tutoring-support program connecting the Catholic school board and St. Vincent de Paul. Sarnia News Today · May 10, 2023 | Not verified No verified 2026 platform found. The City lists no campaign website or social profile. Official candidate listing | Not verified Not on current council. Earlier council service not verified. City council roster | Not found No specific commitment found in the sources reviewed. Source reviewed | Not found No specific social-issue commitment verified in the sources reviewed, including homelessness, addictions or mental health. Official candidate listing | Not found No specific commitment found in the sources reviewed. Source reviewed |
| Laurie Thomson 197 votes No contact details listed. | No verified photo No candidate portrait verified from the available public sources. | Digital-forensics company employee and Catholic-school graduate who has settled in Stratford. Campaign biography | Catholic identity, strong academics, student well-being, family and parish connections, and accessible, accountable school-board representation. Campaign source | Not verified Not on current council. Earlier council service not verified. City council roster | Not found No specific commitment found in the sources reviewed. Source reviewed | Supports safe, inclusive schools and student well-being; no specific homelessness, addictions or mental-health service program described. Campaign source | Not found No specific commitment found in the sources reviewed. Source reviewed |
French-language Catholic school board
Conseil scolaire catholique Providence
Social issues include homelessness, addictions, mental health and other community supports. School-board proposals are identified in their school context.
| Candidate & contact | Photo | Brief bio | Main campaign points | Previously on city council? | Public forums with council | Addressing Social Issues | Budgetary transparency |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michael Salvatore No campaign links listed. No contact details listed. | No verified photo No candidate portrait verified from the available public sources. | Not verified A public biography could not be verified from the available sources. Listed candidate source | Not verified No verified 2026 platform found. The City lists no campaign website or social profile. Official candidate listing | Not verified Not on current council. Earlier council service not verified. City council roster | Not found No specific commitment found in the sources reviewed. Source reviewed | Not found No specific social-issue commitment verified in the sources reviewed, including homelessness, addictions or mental health. Official candidate listing | Not found No specific commitment found in the sources reviewed. Source reviewed |
French-language public school board
Conseil scolaire Viamonde
Social issues include homelessness, addictions, mental health and other community supports. School-board proposals are identified in their school context.
| Candidate & contact | Photo | Brief bio | Main campaign points | Previously on city council? | Public forums with council | Addressing Social Issues | Budgetary transparency |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Rachid BarrimaListed contact detailsWebsite: | ![]() | Employment and community-services professional with experience supporting newcomers and serving as a school parent council chair. Campaign biography | French-language education, student success, family engagement, inclusion, school access and regional representation. Listed as acclaimed. Campaign source | Not verified Not on current council. Earlier council service not verified. City council roster | Offers family contact and follow-up and links to Viamonde consultation tools. These concern school governance; no city council forum proposal found. Campaign source | Prioritizes student well-being, belonging, emotional safety, inclusive learning and family participation. No specific homelessness, addictions or clinical mental-health program described. Campaign source | Promises to explain decisions and report back to families. No specific budget publication or review mechanism found. Campaign source |




























