Updated 26 August 2026 | Municipal Election Day: Monday, 26 October 2026
The County of Brant is standing at a crossroads. From the quiet beauty of Glen Morris to the historic streets of Paris, the farms around Burford and the growing community of St. George, local decisions will shape how our community looks, moves, and feels for years to come.
The mayoral race now includes six certified candidates: Jennifer Kyle, Christine Garneau Bisaillon, Graham Horner, David Swanson, Kent Hollett, and Stuart Braid. The nomination period closed on 21 August 2026, so this six-candidate field is final.
Graham Horner was certified on 15 July 2026. David Swanson was certified on 19 August 2026 and previously ran for mayor in 2022; he has spoken publicly about a basic income program and the effective use of tax credits. Kent Hollett and Stuart Braid were both certified on 21 August 2026. Public platform details for Horner, Swanson, Hollett, and Braid are still emerging, so residents should check the official County list and watch for forums, websites, and campaign statements before making comparisons.
A quick look at the six campaigns
Based on publicly available campaign information:
- Jennifer Kyle presents a platform focused on thoughtful growth, infrastructure planning, financial responsibility, rural prosperity, transparent government, and strong communities. Her campaign website is jenniferkyle.ca.
- Christine Garneau Bisaillon highlights real engagement, better value, true focus, public confidence, financial stability, rural and agricultural priorities, and equitable investment. Her campaign website is garneauformayor.ca.
- Graham Horner is a St. George resident whose nomination was certified on 15 July 2026. Public details about his platform are still emerging.
- David Swanson was certified on 19 August 2026. He previously ran for mayor in 2022 and has spoken about a basic income program and the effective use of tax credits, though broader platform details are still emerging.
- Kent Hollett was certified on 21 August 2026. Public platform details are still emerging.
- Stuart Braid was certified on 21 August 2026. Public platform details are still emerging.
This is not an endorsement. It is a practical checklist to help us ask the same questions of every candidate.
10 questions to ask before voting
1. How would you manage growth across the County?
New homes and businesses can bring opportunity, but growth also affects traffic, schools, water systems, farmland, recreation, and emergency services.
Ask each candidate:
- Which areas should grow, and at what pace?
- How should development be balanced between Paris, St. George, Burford, and rural communities?
- What would you do when residents and developers disagree about a proposal?
- How will the County protect prime farmland and the landscape that gives Brant its identity?
Jennifer Kyle’s campaign says growth should be planned rather than reactive and aligned with infrastructure capacity. Christine Garneau Bisaillon’s campaign emphasizes proper planning, public confidence, and protecting Brant’s rural and agricultural roots. Public positions from Graham Horner, David Swanson, Kent Hollett, and Stuart Braid on this issue may become clearer as the campaign continues.
Where to find answers: Read Jennifer Kyle’s plan, Christine Garneau Bisaillon’s vision, check the County’s certified candidates page for updated contact information, and attend candidate forums focused on development and land use.
2. What infrastructure would come first: and how would you pay for it?
Many residents see infrastructure in very practical terms: the condition of roads such as Powerline Road, Highway 2, and rural concession roads; the capacity of water and wastewater systems; and whether new development is supported by safe transportation routes.
Ask for specifics:
- Which infrastructure projects would be the first priorities?
- What is the expected timeline?
- Would the plan rely on property taxes, development charges, grants, debt, or another source?
- How would the candidate prevent existing residents from carrying the cost of growth?
Kyle’s campaign specifically calls for water, wastewater, roads, and services to be planned ahead of development. Her platform also uses the principle that “growth should pay for growth.” Garneau Bisaillon’s campaign calls for better management and equitable reinvestment across the County.
A strong answer should include more than “fix the roads.” It should explain priorities, costs, responsibilities, and timelines.
3. What is your plan for property taxes and fiscal responsibility?
Municipal budgets affect every household, farm, tenant, and local business. At the same time, roads, recreation facilities, libraries, fire protection, and other services require stable funding.
Ask:
- What level of tax increases should residents expect?
- Which services would receive more funding?
- Would any services be reduced, changed, or delivered differently?
- How would the candidate manage debt and long-term capital projects?
- What would they do to strengthen the commercial and industrial tax base?
Kyle’s public platform stresses predictable and sustainable taxes, stronger commercial and industrial assessment, and long-term planning. Garneau Bisaillon’s campaign says it wants to restore the County to a stable financial position and deliver better value.
Look for candidates who explain the trade-offs. Fiscal responsibility is not simply about spending less; it is also about maintaining the services and infrastructure our community depends on.
4. How would you support rural communities and agriculture?
The County of Brant is not only its larger population centres. Our farms, rural businesses, hamlets, and agricultural roads are central to our community identity.
Ask:
- What rural infrastructure improvements would be prioritized?
- How would the County support farmers and on-farm businesses?
- How should agricultural land, natural spaces, and water resources be protected?
- What role should agri-tourism and rural economic development play?
- How would rural residents have a meaningful voice in County-wide decisions?
Kyle’s campaign lists rural prosperity as a priority, including protecting prime farmland, supporting on-farm diversification and agri-tourism, and investing in rural services. Garneau Bisaillon also emphasizes maintaining Brant’s rural and agricultural roots.
Residents in Burford, Scotland, Mount Pleasant, St. George, Glen Morris, and surrounding rural areas should ask for clear examples: not just general commitments.
5. Which local services need improvement?
Municipal government touches our daily routines, from garbage collection and winter road maintenance to libraries, recreation, parks, fire services, and customer service.
Ask candidates:
- Which service is currently falling short?
- What change would you make first?
- How would success be measured?
- How would you ensure service levels are fair across all five wards?
- What services need to prepare for an aging and growing population?
A mayor works with Council and municipal staff, so candidates should also explain what is within the County’s authority and what requires provincial or federal cooperation.
You can compare campaign promises with the County’s municipal election information and public budget documents.
6. How will you make municipal decisions more transparent?
Council reports and planning documents can be lengthy and technical. Still, residents deserve to understand why a decision is being considered, what it costs, and who may be affected.
Ask:
- Will you communicate major decisions in plain language?
- How quickly will meeting information and voting records be available?
- Will residents be able to follow projects from proposal to completion?
- How will you respond when the final decision differs from public feedback?
Kyle’s campaign promises clearer communication and plain-language government. Garneau Bisaillon’s campaign centres on restoring public confidence and improving governance.
Transparency should not depend on whether residents agree with a decision. It should help everyone understand the process.
7. How would you improve public engagement?
A public meeting in Paris may not be convenient for someone near St. George or Harley. Online surveys may reach some residents but miss others. The next mayor will help set the tone for how the County listens.
Ask:
- How often would you hold public forums or town halls?
- Would meetings rotate among community centres?
- How would rural residents, renters, seniors, youth, and people with disabilities participate?
- How would the County show what it heard: and what changed as a result?
- Would you support more accessible online information and meeting tools?
Christine Garneau Bisaillon’s public campaign message places particular emphasis on engagement. Kyle’s platform also calls for making it easier for residents to stay informed and involved.
Watch for announcements from campaigns and local organizations about candidate forums. BrantVotes will continue sharing election updates through its Election News page.
8. What is your plan for housing and local economic development?
Brant needs homes that people can afford, but new housing must fit within local infrastructure and community planning. Local businesses also need reliable roads, services, staffing, and a healthy customer base.
Ask:
- What kinds of housing should be encouraged?
- How would you support rental, attainable, and accessible housing?
- How should new development contribute to parks, roads, and other infrastructure?
- What industries and businesses should the County attract?
- How would you support downtown Paris, St. George, Burford, and smaller business areas?
Candidates should explain how housing and employment fit together. A community is stronger when people can live, work, shop, and participate close to home.
9. How would you protect Brant’s environment and heritage?
The Grand River, wooded areas, farmland, trails, and historic buildings are part of what makes the County special. They are also connected to tourism, recreation, property values, and quality of life.
Ask:
- How would environmental impacts be assessed?
- What is the plan for stormwater, flooding, water quality, and natural spaces?
- How should historic buildings and downtown character be protected?
- How would environmental goals be balanced with housing, industry, and transportation needs?
This is a useful question for every candidate because environmental and heritage decisions often affect multiple wards and generations.
10. What would you do in your first year: and how could residents hold you accountable?
Campaign promises can sound similar until they are attached to a timetable and a measure of success.
Ask each candidate:
- What are your first three priorities?
- What would you try to accomplish in the first 100 days?
- What would success look like by the end of your first year?
- How often would you report progress to residents?
- What would you do if Council did not support your proposal?
A clear answer should identify an action, a responsible partner, a realistic timeline, and a way for the public to track progress.
Where Brant voters can find reliable information
Use more than one source before deciding:
- County of Brant Certified Candidates: The official source for candidate names, contact details, websites, and certification dates.
- County election information: Key dates, voting information, ward details, and election contacts.
- Election voting information: Details about online and telephone voting, voter assistance locations, and voting locations.
- Candidate websites: Review Jennifer Kyle’s campaign plan and Christine Garneau Bisaillon’s vision. Platform details for Graham Horner, David Swanson, Kent Hollett, and Stuart Braid are still emerging, so check the County’s official page for any new website or contact information.
- Public forums and town halls: Listen for direct answers, follow-up details, and whether candidates address the same question consistently.
- BrantVotes Election News: Follow local campaign developments, council decisions, ward coverage, and voting guides.
The County says voting will take place online and by telephone, with in-person assistance available. Advance voting is scheduled for 19–25 October 2026, and Election Day is 26 October 2026.
The ballot is only one part of civic participation. Asking informed questions is another. As we look across our lush farmland, quiet rural roads, and historic communities, the future of Brant belongs to all of us.
Which question matters most to you? Drop your thoughts below or share this guide with a neighbour.
Sources
- County of Brant : Certified Candidates
- County of Brant : 2026 Municipal and School Board Election
- County of Brant : Election Voting
- Jennifer Kyle for Mayor : The Plan
- Christine Garneau Bisaillon for Mayor : My Vision
- BrantVotes : Election News
- BrantVotes : Three-Way Mayoral Race in Brant
