Mayors in 15 municipalities across eastern Ontario have been acclaimed without a single ballot cast. The deadline for candidates to register for mayor, councillor and school board trustee in Ontario’s October 26 municipal election was Friday at 2 p.m. A review of municipalities across Ontario show 15 mayors will be acclaimed after no challengers registered, including in North Grenville, Mississippi Mills and Carleton Place. CTVNewsOttawa.ca looks at municipalities where mayors have been acclaimed for the 2026-30 term. North Grenville Nancy Peckford has been acclaimed as the mayor of North Grenville for a new four-year term. The incumbent mayor was the only candidate to register to run for mayor in the municipality south of Ottawa. Peckford was first elected mayor of North Grenville, which includes Kemptville, in 2018. “An acclamation does not reduce the responsibility to listen, respond and remain accountable,” Peckford said in a post on Facebook. “The next council will continue to face important decisions about affordability, growth, infrastructure, community services and how we care for one another.” Mississippi Mills Christa Lowry has been acclaimed as mayor of Mississippi Mills for the new term. Lowry, the incumbent, was the only candidate registered to run for mayor as of Friday. Lowry has served on council since 2014, and was elected mayor in 2018. Rickey Minnille has been acclaimed as deputy mayor. Almonte councillors Mary Lou Souter and Jane Torrancce, and Pakenham Coun. Tavis Joron were also acclaimed. Carleton Place Toby Randell is acclaimed the mayor of Carleton Place for the 2026-2030 term of council. The incumbent mayor was the only candidate registered to run as of Friday. “I am immensely proud to have been acclaimed as Mayor for the next 4 years,” Randell said in a Facebook post. “There is still work to be done. I will remain available, and open to any and all conversation. I will encourage respectful interactions with our citizens, staff, and fellow council members.” Andrew Tennant was the only candidate registered to run for deputy mayor and has been acclaimed. Russell Russell Township Mayor Mike Tarnowski will be acclaimed mayor for a new four-year term. Tarnowski was first appointed mayor in 2024. The Nation Francis Brière has been acclaimed the mayor in The Nation for another four-year term. Councillors have also been acclaimed in five wards in the Nation - Tim Stewart in Ward 1, Danik Forgues in Ward 3, Raymond Lalande in Ward 4, Daniel Boisvenue in Ward 5 and Marjorie Drolet in Ward 6. Laurentian Valley Incumbent Steve Bennett will be acclaimed mayor for a new four-year term in the Township of Laurentian Valley. Keith Watt will be acclaimed the reeve. Township of Laurentian Hills The new council in the Town of Laurentian Hills will be acclaimed. Incumbent Annie Giardini will continue to be mayor after being the only candidate registered to run in the municipal election. Only four candidates registered to run for the four council positions. Bonnechere Valley Township Incumbent Jennifer Murphy will be acclaimed the mayor in Bonnechere Valley Township. Whitewater Region Incumbent Neil Nicholson is the only candidate registered to run for mayor of the Township of Whitewater Region and will be acclaimed for a new four year term. North Stormont Francois Landry will be acclaimed for a new four-year term as mayor in North Stormont. Landry was the only candidate registered to run for mayor. Steve Densham is the only candidate registered to run for deputy mayor and has been acclaimed the winner. South Glengarry Martin Lang will be the new mayor of South Glengarry. Lang, the current deputy mayor, was the only candidate registered to run for mayor and has been acclaimed. Stephanie Jaworski is acclaimed the new deputy mayor. South Stormont Andrew Guindon will be the new mayor of South Stormont. Guindon, the current deputy mayor, was acclaimed the mayor after no other candidates registered to run. Jennifer MacIssac has been acclaimed the new deputy mayor. Township of Montague Karen (Francis) Jennings has been acclaimed as reeve in the Township of Montague. Augusta Township Jeffrey Francis Shaver was the only candidate for mayor in Augusta Township and has been acclaimed for another term. Adrian Wynands was acclaimed deputy mayor. Westport Joe Aragona has been acclaimed the new mayor of Westport after being the only candidate to register to run for the top job. Aragona served as councillor during the 2022-26 term.
