Gazette on election debates

By Pepper Parr

June 1^st, 2026

BURLINGTON, ON

The 2026 municipal election is going to be a lot different than what took place in 2022.  The pandemic resulted in people having the behave differently and to be careful about how the congregated.

Voters will decide on who the Council members will be on October 26th

The 2028 election resulted in a huge change in the makeup of the seven member council.  Five of the seven were brand new to politics.  The hope was that they would grow as a team.  Council turned into a divisive organization.

The election we are now working through is going to be much more robust than what took place in 2022.  It also has the potential to elect a new Mayor.

There are good candidates in most of the wards, the exception being ward 6.

The Gazette has decided it will not be accepting election advertising from any candidate.

We will however, offering editorial space to those who are running for the first time.

Each month from June to September each candidate will be offered free news space where they can set out their campaign, what they would do as a Council member if they were elected.  The only role the Gazette will play in the content is the writing of the headline.  Incumbents have a huge advantage over people running for the first time.  We take the position that voters deserve to hear what a candidate has to say.

The Gazette is preparing to hold debates at both the Mayoralty and ward levels.  We are preparing to meet with people who will serve as moderators and others who will serve as panel members.  Panel members will be putting questions to the candidates.

The Roseland Community Organization will be hold a Mayor level debate and debates involving the ward 4 vote only.  That will take place on October 20th, at Port Nelson United Church where there is a limited amount of space.

The Gazette is looking at a location with more than enough space for a large turnout and plenty of parking space.