With current Mayor David Bailey not seeking re-election, the race for the top seat in the County of Brant is now a three-way contest: Jennifer Kyle, Christine Garneau-Bisaillon, and Graham Horner. Horner, a St. George resident, had his nomination certified on July 15, 2026.
While this is a race for the Mayor’s chair, the impact on Ward 1 is massive. Jennifer Kyle currently serves as our Ward 1 Councillor, meaning her move to the mayoralty would leave a legacy (and a vacancy). Meanwhile, Christine Garneau-Bisaillon, a former councillor from Ward 5, is looking to bring a new brand of governance to the entire County. Now, with Graham Horner newly certified, local voters also have a third option to watch as the campaign takes shape.
So, who is better for your ward? Let’s take a "Community Insider" look at where they stand.
Jennifer Kyle: The Homegrown Voice for Ward 1
For many of us in the north end of the County, Jennifer Kyle is a familiar face. As a resident who lives and works on a family dairy farm, she understands the rural prosperity and unique challenges of Ward 1 because she lives them every day.
Vision: Thoughtful, Infrastructure-Supported Growth
Jennifer’s platform, centered on the slogan “A stronger Brant, built together,” focuses heavily on stewardship. She has been vocal about the fact that growth is inevitable, but it must be thoughtful.
- Infrastructure First: She argues that we shouldn’t be building houses if the roads, water, and wastewater systems can't keep up. For those of us navigating the traffic in St. George, this is music to our ears.
- Fiscal Responsibility: Jennifer emphasizes that “growth must pay for growth.” She wants to strengthen the commercial and industrial tax base so that residential property owners aren't footing the entire bill for new developments.
- Plain-Language Government: One of her standout promises is to make municipal decisions more transparent using plain language. We’ve all seen those complex council reports; Jennifer wants to make sure you know why a decision was made, even if you don’t agree with it.
Christine Garneau-Bisaillon: The Governance Reformer
Christine Garneau-Bisaillon is no stranger to the Council floor, having been elected to represent Ward 5 in 2022. Although she resigned in late 2025 to focus on her business (Creek View Acres Orchard & Nursery) during a conflict-of-interest period, she is back with a vision for stronger governance.
Vision: Transparency and Public Engagement
Christine’s platform is built on the idea that the community's voice has been lost in the shuffle of rapid growth. She is positioning herself as the candidate of accountability.
- Restoring Public Confidence: She believes it is time to restore trust between the Council and the residents. Her focus is on creating more structured ways for people to be heard before the big decisions are finalized.
- Balanced Investment: Christine has spoken about the need for equitable investment across the County. She wants to ensure that while Paris and St. George face growth pressures, the services and infrastructure are distributed fairly across all wards.
- Supporting Local Culture: She is also a champion for local recreation, recently highlighting the growth of the Brantford Brant County Cricket League as an example of how our community’s needs are evolving.
Graham Horner: A New Entry From St. George
Graham Horner, a St. George resident, has officially joined the mayoral race, with his nomination certified on July 15, 2026. At this stage, he is the newest certified candidate in the field, and many of the finer details of his platform are still emerging.
What We Know So Far
Right now, Horner’s entry changes the shape of the contest more than it changes the policy picture. With a third candidate now in the running, this is no longer a head-to-head race.
- Newly Certified: Horner’s nomination was certified on July 15, 2026.
- Local Connection: As a resident of St. George, he enters the race with a direct connection to one of the County’s fastest-growing communities.
- Details Still Emerging: Because he has just entered, voters should expect more information to come as the campaign unfolds through town halls, public appearances, and candidate materials.
For now, Horner is very much the candidate to watch. As more details become public, we’ll have a clearer picture of how his priorities compare with the other two candidates.
The Big Issues: Growth and Development
If there is one topic that gets people talking at the local coffee shop, it’s development. We’ve seen our quiet beauty transformed by new subdivisions and the looming presence of gravel pits. Both candidates agree that growth is the #1 issue, but their approaches differ slightly.
Growth Management
Jennifer Kyle takes a "steady hand" approach. Having spent the last few years on Council, she believes in building on what works and planning carefully for the future. Her focus is on the technical side: ensuring our pipes and roads are ready for the influx of new residents.
Christine Garneau-Bisaillon leans more toward the "process" side. She wants to change how we make these decisions. She believes that by improving transparency and engagement, we can ensure that development respects our rural and agricultural heritage rather than overriding it.
Side-by-Side: How They Compare
To help you decide which vision aligns best with your kitchen table conversations, here is a quick breakdown of the three candidates as things stand today:
| Feature | Jennifer Kyle | Christine Garneau-Bisaillon | Graham Horner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Current Role | Ward 1 Councillor | Former Ward 5 Councillor | Newly certified mayoral candidate |
| Primary Focus | Infrastructure-supported growth & fiscal sustainability | Governance reform & public engagement | Details still emerging |
| Local Roots | Dairy Farmer in Brant | Orchard & Nursery Owner in Brant | St. George resident |
| Key Metaphor | "Stewardship: Building on what works." | "Accountability: Restoring public confidence." | Campaign still taking shape |
| Communication | "Plain-language" government reports | Increased resident consultation sessions | More to come as campaign develops |
Why Voters Should Pay Attention
The October 26, 2026 election is a "pivotal moment."
We are truly at a crossroads. Do we want a Mayor who is focused on the fiscal and physical infrastructure of growth, one who is focused on the governance and transparency of that growth, or a newly entered third candidate whose priorities are still coming into view?
The Countdown is On! 🗳️
The election might seem far away, but the campaign trail is already heating up. You can stay up to date on all the latest developments, candidate town halls, and ward boundary updates by visiting our Election News section.
Don't forget to check the County of Brant website to ensure you are on the voters' list and to confirm your polling station.
What do you think? Are you looking for a leader with deep roots or are you ready for a fresh perspective on how the County is run?
Drop your thoughts below! We want to hear what issues matter most to you as we head into this historic vote.
