4 years after making history as Essex County’s first female warden, Hilda MacDonald is being celebrated for her leadership and decades of public service. The County of Essex hosted a banquet Thursday evening at the Ciociaro Club in Tecumseh, bringing together elected officials, community leaders and local organizations to recognize MacDonald’s contributions. “It’s a little overwhelming,” MacDonald told CTV News. “We don’t do this for ourselves. We do this for the greater good of the residents. So it’s very humbling.” MacDonald said seeing so many organizations and community partners represented at the event was particularly meaningful. “It touches my heart,” she said. Two decades of public service MacDonald’s political career spans two decades, beginning with her election to Leamington town council in 2006. A former small business owner, she went on to become deputy mayor in 2014 before being elected mayor in 2018, becoming just the second woman in Leamington’s history to hold the position. In November 2022, she made history again, becoming the first woman elected warden of Essex County since the position was established in 1853. The warden is selected by the county’s 14 mayors and deputy mayors, who make up Essex County council. The position carries a four-year term and involves chairing council meetings, representing the county and advocating for regional priorities. During MacDonald’s tenure, county council adopted its first-ever strategic plan and invested hundreds of millions of dollars in roads and infrastructure. Other priorities included expanding Essex-Windsor EMS services, addressing housing and homelessness, and setting aside funding toward the county’s $100-million commitment to the new regional hospital. Looking back — and passing the torch Reflecting on her four years in the role, MacDonald acknowledged the challenges of leading the county through a period of significant growth. “It was definitely challenging. The times are challenging, but I feel like I’ve grown as a leader and I’ve grown as a person,” she said. Despite those challenges, MacDonald said she hopes her time as warden will be remembered for more than her individual contributions. “I like the fact that I was the first female. To me, that’s a pretty good legacy,” she said. “It’s never a personal legacy when you’re part of a team. So I can’t take credit for really for anything.” She pointed to investments in infrastructure and efforts to address homelessness as examples of achievements that required collaboration across county council. “It’s not about me at all,” she said. While MacDonald was re-elected to a third term as Leamington’s mayor in October, she announced earlier this year that she would not seek another term as warden. There are no term limits preventing her from continuing in the position, but MacDonald believes the responsibility should be shared among the county’s municipalities. “I’ve never believed in consecutive terms for that role. So to me it’s just a natural segue to the sidelines,” she said. “Now it’s time for me to mentor the next person.” As for her advice to whoever takes over, MacDonald emphasized the importance of building strong relationships across Southwestern Ontario. “Connect with the administrative team, try and build relationships throughout the region,” she said. “Those relationships come in handy in the tough times.” Essex County council will elect its next warden on Nov. 18, during the inaugural meeting of the new council term. Tecumseh mayor-elect Joe Bachetti and Essex deputy mayor Rob Shepley have both expressed interest in the position. Nominations close Nov. 10.
