Candidate Profiles

Robert (Bob) Bernie has lived in Kenora for over 38 years. He came to Kenora in 1984 to work at the Kenora Jail, later joining the Kenora Police Service in 2000, and patched over to the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) in 2009, when the two police forces amalgamated. Mr. Bernie received the OPP Accolade Award as Officer of the Year in 2011 for his role in adopting the Mobilization and Engagement Model of Community Policing into the community. This term will be his first on Council.

Mr. Bernie was born in Fort Frances and later moved to Rainy River and went to high school there. His father worked on the pipeline in Kenora and the surrounding area. When he was young, our family would spend the summer months staying in tourist camps to be with him. Kenora was always the most vibrant and exciting community, and he'll always have fond memories of those days.

Mr. Bernier returned to Kenora in 1985 to work at the Kenora Jail and made it his home. He became a police officer in 2000 when the Kenora Police Service (KPS) hired him. He worked extensively with the public and served as the Community Services Officer with the KPS. The Kenora Police Service amalgamated with the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) in 2009, and he worked as the Community Mobilization Officer (CMO) from 2010 until he retired from full-time policing in 2020. Until recently, he worked on a casual, part-time policing contract with the OPP post-retirement. He had the unique opportunity as CMO working with community partners on a wide range of projects, including the Kenora Community Safety and Well-Being Plan, the Kenora Substance Abuse and Mental Health Task Force, the Kenora Anti-Human Trafficking Coalition, Drug Treatment Court, and the RISK Table (situation table), as well as many other important initiatives. He believes this work has been informative and will enable him to work effectively as a member of council.

Mr. Bernie's wife, Tracey, is from Kenora and has worked as an English teacher for the Kenora Catholic School Board her entire career. They have two children, Emily and Jack. Emily is a speech pathologist at the Thunder Bay Health Sciences Centre and resides in Thunder Bay. Jack is attending school and pursuing an education degree in Kelowna, BC. He is also playing collegiate hockey there. 

He says Kenora has been very good to him and his family. He considers it "the jewel of lake of the woods". He is committed to helping this community achieve its full potential. 

Contact information

You may call Mr. Bernie at 807-464-3935.

Some of the skills I possess but not limited to are;

• Knowledgeable of local issues                                                             
• relentless
• strong communication skills                                                                  
• team player
• ability to make tough decisions                                                            
• resilience
• a strong voice                                                                                      
• confident
• integrity                                                                                                
• strong values

Some of my priorities will be to make our City a Safer Community by working with the Police and other Health Care Service providers to get the costs to a more manageable level.  I will strive to ensure that all infrastructure is maintained properly. My vision is to entice developers to come and set up and establish large new manufacturing plants and small business ventures here, New developers will help rebuild our LOST tax base we had prior to the Paper Mill and Saw Mills closing up shop.

I am hoping and will strongly advocate for more transparency with City Council decisions when practical, keeping my constituents informed as much as possible. 

I will work collaboratively with the Mayor, fellow Councillors and City Staff to yield the best results for our future as your voice on Council.

Contact information

You may email Mr. Booth at booth.bryan12@gmail.com

I’ve lived in Kenora for most of my life; growing up, my parents instilled in me and my 8 siblings a sense of the value of community betterment through service; this has been a lifelong driving principle for myself and my family.

After returning from four years in Toronto, my wife Emily and I built a house and a family of two boys, have lived on our rural property since then.

I am an independent downtown Kenora business owner, have owned Sure Thing, a local retail store for more than 38 years.

As our sons grew, they joined Kenora Minor Soccer; I joined the executive committee and also took on coaching, a role I held for ten years. 

I enjoyed hunting, particularly duck hunting, and that passion saw me drafted into the local Ducks Unlimited Committee, eventually becoming chairman of many successful events.

In the mid 80’s the paper mill strike divided Kenora, tore into the community fabric. To remedy that, I was drafted by  the local Chamber of Commerce to re-establish the Winter Carnival. Although I had just opened a new business, I took up the opportunity and collected an ad hoc group of like minded citizens. We went on to build  a successful Intermission from  1988-1991. To make the events engage the entire community, we worked with local service groups and built a large base of active volunteers. 

During those years  I was drafted into the Kenora Tourism Board, at that time a member driven organization, with the intent to build more community events. I advocated for better event spaces, and helped oversee the purchase of two large tents for more events. These tents served Kenora very well, and their usage helped expand events, host the farmers market, several Harbourfest events, and served us well until the construction of the current Whitecap Pavilion.

Our group of volunteers formally attained non-profit status in 1990 and we switched focus to presenting live music, with myself as chair and artistic director.  We fostered growth of the local music scene and produced many dozens of national and international touring music artists in concert and at six Shake on the Lake events, ten mid-winter Blues Festivals. 

I was drafted to produce the music and entertainment at the inaugural Harbourfest and continued in that role for another four years.

By the late 90’s, my interest in live music production expanded into management of two touring bands, traveling across Canada, into Europe, the US and Australia for festivals and concerts. This touring exposed me to many national and international contacts, and allowed me to observe the value of large scale events in the building a sense of community. 

My interests turned to local politics in the mid 2000’s and i joined Kenora Harbourtown BIZ as vice chair. This was a very active group of local businesses; we advocated for improving and promoting  the downtown core, unifying our business voices, and promoting Kenora as a place to visit and invest. 

My strong advocacy saw me drafted onto several  city committees where I could provide essential business input, and help shape the city’s future direction.

I ran for city council in 2010, but lost by six votes.  Rather than be discouraged, I asked for, and was appointed to the Lake of the Woods Development Commission (LOWDC), charged with making Kenora grow investment and increase the tax roll. During that period, I served on the LOWDC Executive Committee, Kenora Tourism, and several ad hoc board and city committees. I became vice chair of the Development Commission and regularly presented progress reports to council.

I became a city councillor in 2014, and was returned to that role in 2018. I learned the value of working with opposing voices, building a team around consensus. 

As well as consensus building, councillors need to champion their ideas to get buy-in from the rest of the team. I take personal pride in the city’s achievement that came about as the result my persuasion, a persistent voice and extra effort.

One such achievement was the the Treaty Three flag flying permanently at city hall, publicly acknowledging our commitments as treaty partners with our First Nations.  Seeing the flag being raised, with the actual treaty document and sacred drum present will always be a point of pride for me.

Another example: near the end of my first term of council, the city was approached by the federal government to investigate providing water service to Wauzhushk Onigum Nation. This was an opportunity to provide clean drinking water to our neighbours and would add paying users to our water system, share the expenses. The issue for me was that there was no provision for sewer service in the federal proposal. The proposal would merely add to the existing sewage lagoon, and posed potential risks to the Kenora water treatment plant, a short distance downstream. I advocated to the federal negotiators, for the addition of sewage treatment to the plan and with the help of MP Bob Nault, council were  able to achieve that goal. 

As a third example, during my last term of council, there was a move to sell off the 82 hectares of city property on Town Island, with many developers expressing interest  in subdividing the property. A proposed land swap with the province had fallen through, and some felt the selling the property would add a significant cash infusion for the city. I strongly opposed that action, felt that it would not serve us well going forward and that we would be losing access to undeveloped land on the lake, land that housed a unique biodiversity with an intact forest and undeveloped shoreline. There was strong opposition to the sale from Kenora citizens and Lake of the Woods property owners. The Nature Conservancy of Canada collected over 5000 signatures in opposition. I opened a line of contact with the NCC to find a a win-win opportunity that would serve all parties. I eventually helped shepherd a move to have the NCC purchase the property, retain public  access, and establish Town Island as a national treasure to be conserved in perpetuity. The sale to NCC saw the city receive 2.25 million dollars for its Future Development Fund.

I have lived my life as a thinker and a doer, with inclusive community betterment as a constant litmus test for future direction. I stand on my record and would like four more years to do my best to bring out the best in Kenora.

Contact information

You may email Mr. Goss at mgoss@mac.com

Hi all, my name is Tyler Johnson and I am running to be a City Councilor in Kenora.

I was born and raised in Kenora and am a 4th generation Kenora resident.  I am married with three kids who are all in school at SMB and TA.  Both my parents are from a family of four kids, and I have a large extended family that lives primarily in Kenora.

I left Kenora for approximately 10 years to go to undergrad in Calgary and then Law school in Ottawa, initially returning in summers to work for the Kenora Association for Community Living.

During my time in Calgary, I got interested in politics organizing for Paul Martins leadership campaign and I won elections to serve on the UofC Student Council as an External Commissioner and Vice President Communications for the Alberta Young Liberals.  I also volunteered at the University Student newspaper “The Gauntlet” as writer on sports and social commentary. 

Politics led to my interest in pursuing a legal career and I accepted an offer to attend the University of Ottawa Common law program.

During my time in Ottawa, I started working in my free time and summers and held jobs with Health Canada in the Tobacco Control Program, The Privy Council Office in the Cities Secretariate and with the Metis National Council.

In 2007 I returned to Kenora as an articling student at Shewchuk, MacDonnell, Ormiston, Richardt & Fregeau LLP and within 5 years was a partner.  My practice was primarily a Family and Criminal barrister.  I have run numerous trials in Superior Court, the Ontario Court or Justice, Small Claims Court and Provincial Offences Court. I have done numerous case conferences, settlement conferences, motions, pre-trial conferences, assignment courts and have been involved in restorative justice and extra-judicial resolutions. I also ran an appeal on a decision following one of my Family trials.

For several years my main practice was criminal law in Northern communities.  I have flown to nearly every Northern community serviced by the Kenora justice system with a particular concentration in Pikangikum and have appeared in every court in our region.

During Covid I made a to choice to branch out on my own.  I was presented with an opportunity to do transactional law and set up my own firm with the assistance of a colleague from Law school.
I opened on January 14, 2022, as a solo practitioner with a full-time assistant.

This position has taught me how difficult it is to get a business started and how to handle the stress of being solely responsible for myself and an employee.  I also learned how to maintain high-volume practice.  

I have been much more involved in negotiations and have developed good relationships with many real estate and corporate clients, and I have learned the sacrifices small business owners must make to stay open and be competitive.  

I was also active in the community since returning to Kenora.  From 2010 – 2019 I worked my way up from Vice President Communications of Kenora Federal Liberal Riding Association to President, I was then appointed as Legal Chair of Liberal Party of Canada (Ontario) and finally sat on the Executive as Northern Regional President.

I was a director on the Kenora Chamber of Commerce from 2016-2018 and I was involved with the Kenora Bass International Tournament from 2010 – 2019 starting as a volunteer, then becoming a director, the Chairman and ending as legal advisor.

Following Covid I began coaching soccer and hockey and since 2022 I’ve coached 12 soccer teams and was a trainer or coach for 6 hockey teams.

I am hard working and I do not like below average results.  I am fully dedicated to improving our situation downtown and I believe I have to tools, experience, connections and drive to make a major difference.

My vision for Kenora is clean, safe and prosperous and I want to ensure taxpayers money is spent on taxpayer priorities.

Contact information

You may email Mr. Johnson at tylerforkenora@gmail.com

My name is Chris Jones and I am honoured to be running for a seat on Kenora’s City Council. I’m a husband, father of 2, lifelong resident of Kenora and have chosen to live and raise a family in Kenora. I truly care about our community and the people in it. 

I currently work full time as an insurance broker. I have previous experience owning and operating a small business in the downtown core as well as sitting on the Chamber of Commerce board, gaining valuable experience in supporting the local business community. Additionally, I have experience in local media with a position at CJBN TV. I started selling advertising and marketing, but soon found myself co-hosting the local Morning Show, Good Morning Kenora; researching and interviewing guests about local events, organizations and issues. This is when my interest in local politics and people took hold. I also have been heavily involved with volunteering in local sports. Over the last twenty years, I have coached soccer, organized Men’s and Co-ed soccer leagues, tournaments and concert events. 

Kenora is an amazing place to life, but something isn’t working. I’ve watched Kenora slide from a vibrant, safe and prosperous community into one struggling with public safety concerns, rising homelessness, shortage of affordable housing, rising taxes and cost of living.

Kenora is needing change. Making change isn’t a one person job. I have ideas but its through the collaborative efforts of the city council, Mayor, and citizens of Kenora that real change can happen. 

My priorities as a candidate include:

• Community Safety and wellness 
• Re-establishing a safe and inviting downtown core
• Seeking out tools and new revenue streams
• Innovative ways to diversify Kenora's economy and employment opportunities
• Support careful budgeting, transparency, and decisions that provide real value while keeping our community financially responsible

I believe in Kenora. I am running to listen, ask questions, work collaboratively, and make practical decisions in the best interests of the citizens of Kenora. I will bring a thoughtful, responsible and community focused voice to local government.

I would be honored to earn your support and serve on Kenora City Council.

Contact information

You may email Mr. Jones at ibelieveinjones2026@outlook.com

Why I’m Running

My name is Richard Kurtz, and I’m running for Kenora City Council because I want to give back to the community I call home.

I was fortunate to grow up in Kenora and, after leaving for university, spent more than 30 years as a teacher, including 28 years in Nunavut. As a teacher, my goal was always to make a positive difference in the lives of my students. I want to bring that same commitment, experience, and sense of responsibility to City Council.
Rather than simply talk about what could be better, I want to be part of making positive change happen. I believe Kenora is strongest when people work together, listen to one another, and make sure everyone has an opportunity to contribute.

My goal is to help build a community where people of all ages feel safe, supported, included, and proud to call Kenora home.

I also want to recognize and thank the members of the previous City Council for their hard work and service to our community.

Experience and Community Involvement

I bring more than 30 years of experience in education, leadership, advocacy, and community involvement.

• 30+ years as a teacher, including 28 years in Nunavut
• 18 years as Kitikmeot Regional President of the Nunavut Teachers Association
• 15 years on the NTA Finance Committee
• 13 years on the NTA/Government of Nunavut NEQS Committee
• 2 years on the NTA Health and Safety Committee
• 1 year on the Nunavut Teachers Association Planning Committee
• 9 years on the Kitikmeot Region Teachers Planning Committee

Volunteer Experience

• 7 years with Ilaluktutiak Elks Lodge #593
• 7 years with the Kenora Kinsmen
• 6 years with Kenora Moving Forward

My Three Priorities

1. Truth and Reconciliation 

Listening. Respect. Action.

I am committed to continuing the work of truth and reconciliation with Indigenous people and residents of Kenora.

Reconciliation is an ongoing responsibility. It requires listening, building stronger relationships, showing respect, and taking meaningful action. I want to help move this work forward together.

2. Affordable Housing and Housing for All

Everyone deserves a safe place to call home.

Housing needs to be a priority in our community.

I want to support practical solutions that increase access to affordable housing and help address homelessness. Everyone deserves a safe and stable place to call home.

3. Mental Health and 24-Hour Support

A safe place to go—day or night.

I support creating a 24-hour drop-in space where people can access mental-health support, connect with others, find resources, and have a safe place to go when they need it.

We need to respond to people experiencing mental-health and housing challenges with compassion, dignity, and action.

How I Will Serve

I won’t pretend that every problem has an easy answer. But I will:

• Listen to our community
• Bring people together
• Find common ground
• Work on practical solutions
• Show up and work hard

Your voice matters.
Your community matters.
Kenora matters.

Contact information

Richard Kurtz
Candidate for Kenora City Council
Email: rkurtz1907@gmail.com
Web: Richard Kurtz for Kenora City Council

Born and raised in Kenora, I spent 20 years in Calgary and four years in Montreal before returning home more than 20 years ago. Coming back to Kenora has given me the opportunity to reconnect with the community that shaped me and to contribute to its future.

Over the years, I've watched Kenora grow and evolve. We've seen many positive changes and opportunities for growth, but we also face significant challenges. Like communities across Canada, we are working to address issues such as community safety, crime, addiction, housing, and economic development. While these challenges are not unique, the solutions must reflect the needs of our community, informed by ideas and successes from other municipalities.

After graduating from the University of Manitoba, I began my career as a Engineer with the City of Calgary Electric System (now ENMAX Corporation). In that role, I managed engineering projects, led teams, and contributed to city-wide initiatives involving Council, senior administration, and community stakeholders. This experience gave me valuable insight into how municipalities operate and how thoughtful planning and collaboration lead to better outcomes.

I later transitioned into the investment industry with Richardson Greenshields and BMO Nesbitt Burns before founding Cliff Lake Capital Ltd. Through my work in business development, investor relations, government relations, and strategic planning, I have built strong relationships and gained extensive experience helping organizations grow and succeed. Today, I continue this work through Cliff Lake Entrepreneur Advisors.

Community service has always been an important part of my life. Since returning to Kenora, I have served as President of the Kenora & District Chamber of Commerce and continue to serve on its Board of Directors. These experiences have given me firsthand knowledge of the challenges facing local businesses and reinforced the importance of economic growth, community safety, and a vibrant local economy.

I am also a Past President and active member of the Rotary Club of Kenora, an organization that has made a lasting difference in our community through service and volunteerism. In addition, I serve on the Board of the Kenora Hospitality Alliance, where we advocate for a strong tourism and hospitality sector that supports local businesses and showcases everything Kenora has to offer.

I believe my experience in municipal operations, engineering, business, economic development, and community leadership has prepared me to make a meaningful contribution to City Council. I am committed to listening, working collaboratively, and making thoughtful, informed decisions that strengthen our community and help build a safer, more prosperous Kenora.

If elected, I will serve with integrity, accountability, and a genuine commitment to the people of Kenora. I will work hard every day to earn your trust and to help build a stronger future for our community.

Contact information

You may email Mr. Malashewski at ronforcouncil2026@gmail.com.

I have lived in Kenora all of my life. I have raised my family here and have had the blessing that they too want to raise their family in Kenora. I have two sons, a great daughter-in-law, and two grandchildren.

I have spent 25 years serving on the Keewatin Patricia District School Board (KPDSB). I have worked on government committees on Ontario Public School Boards' Association (OPSBA). I have sat as vice-chair for 15 years and chair of the KPDSB for 8 years.

My three pillars that I believe in are:

1. Community safety
2. Building a stronger community
3. Being accountable an accessible to the people of Kenora

Being a team player is the key driver in bringing the voice of the community to the table.

Contact information

You may email Mrs. Marcino at cecile.marcino@hotmail.com.

I’ve called Kenora home for almost my entire life. I have built my business here, hired Kenora locals, and pay property taxes. I support our community by shopping local and donating to local charities and organizations throughout the years.

I’m running for City Council because I believe Kenora needs practical and logical leadership that listens to residents and focuses on results. I have thick skin and am in it for the long haul. I might not have the most experience in this field, but I will outwork anyone when given a task. I use first principles thinking to address issues from the ground up, based on fundamental truths. I like to have open discourse and am willing to have my mind changed if presented with a better idea. I believe the best outcomes come from opposing
sides having honest and constructive conversations.

My priorities include

• Working closely with local businesses and social service organizations to help make our downtown feel safe, clean, and welcoming again;
• Supporting new and existing businesses through faster permitting and more efficient city services;
• Advocating on Kenora’s behalf when complex issues require action at the provincial level, and;
• Holding City Hall accountable for spending while looking for ways to reduce unnecessary costs and ensure taxpayer dollars are spent on taxpayer’s priorities.

My goal is simple; to help build a cleaner, safer, stronger, and more prosperous Kenora for everyone.

Contact information

You may email Mr. McCaffrey at clmccaffrey@hotmail.com

Rod McKay - about me

For 29 years, my wife, Marion, and I have been proud to call Kenora home.

When we first came to Kenora, I was drawn here not only by the opportunity to work in the forestry industry, but also by the natural beauty and lifestyle that make this community special. The freshwater fishing and boating on Lake of the Woods, the beaches, outdoor recreation, local festivals and culture, the character of our community, and the welcoming spirit of its people all made Kenora a place where Marion and I wanted to settle and build our lives.

After more than 47 years in the forestry industry, including 20 years as manager of Kenora Forest Products, I have seen firsthand both the opportunities and challenges facing our region.

I managed Kenora Forest Products through some very difficult years, including the 2008 economic downturn, when the mill was forced into a multi-year shutdown and 105 people lost their jobs. In 2015, I worked directly with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry and local First Nations leaders to secure Crown timber agreements that helped us modernize and restart the mill. Those experiences taught me that creating jobs and investment takes persistence, practical thinking, and a willingness to work with government, industry, and First Nations communities to find solutions.

I have also served as a Kenora City Councillor and represented Kenora—Rainy River as the Progressive Conservative candidate in the 2011 provincial election. Today, I remain involved in local business through my company, McKay Enterprises. I have also pursued innovative environmental solutions through Sc-Wrap Environmental Services, a company I started to develop an innovative way to recycle plastic wrap.

Why Kenora matters to me

Kenora still has so many of the qualities that attracted Marion and I here 29 years ago. We have an incredible natural environment, a strong outdoor lifestyle, a proud history, local businesses, dedicated community organizations, and people who care deeply about this city.

But I also believe we need to be honest about some of the challenges we face.

Issues involving homelessness, addiction, mental health, downtown safety, cleanliness, and the overall appearance of our community are affecting how residents experience Kenora and how visitors see us. These issues are tarnishing some of the qualities that make our city such a desirable place to live and visit.
I don't believe we should simply accept these challenges as the new normal. They need to be addressed with practical solutions, cooperation, and accountability.

My focus for Kenora

I believe Kenora needs to focus on growing its economy and its tax base. We need to be serious about attracting industry, larger businesses, and investment while making it easier for businesses to start, expand, and operate here.

That means looking honestly at municipal processes, permits, licences, and other barriers that can discourage development. A stronger tax base can create more opportunities for jobs and investment while helping reduce pressure on existing taxpayers.

I also believe we need to take a practical approach to managing the city. Municipal government is a large organization and should be managed with clear objectives, sound financial principles, and accountability. Council and the Mayor need to work together as a cohesive team, with a clear plan for the four-year term and decisions based on facts, responsible financial management, and the long-term interests of the community.

A safer, cleaner downtown

Our downtown should be a place where residents feel comfortable, safe and visitors want to spend time.
I want to see continued work on cleanliness, community safety, and the appearance of our downtown, while recognizing that homelessness, addiction, and mental-health challenges require more than municipal enforcement.

Kenora needs to work closely with First Nations leadership, including the Chief’s Advisory, as well as provincial and federal partners, to develop practical solutions. That should include exploring permanent treatment, recovery, and mental-health facilities so people can access the help and support they need.
Reducing the demand for policing services also means addressing some of the underlying issues that generate repeated calls for service. By working to reduce these underlying issues, we can also work toward reducing the demand for policing and associated costs.

Growing tourism and Kenora's lifestyle

Kenora's natural environment is one of our greatest assets. Fishing, boating, camping, beaches, festivals, and four-season recreation are all part of the lifestyle that attracted Marion and I here.
I want to see us build on those strengths by growing tourism, supporting summer and winter events, encouraging the growth of new and existing businesses, and making our community more welcoming to visitors.

We should be proud to invite people into a clean, safe, and vibrant Kenora.

Working with other levels of government

Not every issue facing Kenora is a municipal responsibility, and local taxpayers should not automatically be expected to carry those costs.

I believe we need to advocate strongly with provincial and federal governments for their share of responsibility, particularly when it comes to infrastructure replacement, mental-health services, housing, and other areas that extend beyond municipal jurisdiction.

Respecting Our Seniors and Taxpayers

Kenora needs to remain a community where people can afford to live, work, and retire safely.
Every tax dollar matters. City Council has a responsibility to be transparent about how money is spent and to ensure that municipal programs, staffing, and processes are providing value.

That includes a meaningful review of City positions and responsibilities to ensure that every role contributes effectively to the delivery of municipal services.

Why I am involved

My working life has been about solving problems, managing through difficult circumstances, creating opportunities, and finding ways to keep people working.

After 29 years of calling Kenora home, I care deeply about what happens here. I know what makes this community special because Marion and I chose it as our home.

I also know that the issues tarnishing Kenora's image will not fix themselves. They require leadership, cooperation, sound management, and a willingness to make difficult decisions.

I want to bring my experience in business, industry, and municipal government to the table and focus on the fundamentals: economic opportunity, responsible financial management, community safety, infrastructure, tourism, and a strong quality of life.

Kenora has tremendous strengths. I believe our job is to protect what makes this community special, address the challenges that are holding us back, and work toward restoring economic prosperity and community pride.

A Safer, Stronger Kenora!

Rod McKay
Candidate for Kenora City Council

Contact information

You may email Mr. McKay at rodmckay4kenora@gmail.com

I have been a year-round resident of Kenora for 27 years, and a seasonal resident for a lifetime. I grew up on Lake of the Woods and have been a property owner on Coney Island for over 35 years. My family arrived in Kenora in the early 1900's. Through numerous generations we have contributed in many ways. My family roots include a community founder, railroader, Geologist, QC lawyer, Museum board chair, business owners, teachers, nurses and administrators. We have service in our DNA.

This is the foundation of why I am running for Council. I have contributed to several organizations throughout my career in several industries and volunteer organizations. I have been a member of the Lake of the Woods Investment Corporation (LOWBIC) Board of Directors and Timmins Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors. I volunteered as an executive member of Professional Engineers Ontario, Lake of the Woods Chapter and as a result was named a Fellow of Engineers Canada.

I was appointed to the Lake of the Woods Control Board as a director and served for two terms. I contributed to the Common Ground Initiative resulting in the transfer of the Tunnel Island and Old Fort Island properties to a combination of 3 local First Nations and the City of Kenora. I was also a founding member of the Coney Island Music Festival over its first 15 years.

I currently work as an Engineering Consultant to a number of companies operating in Northern Ontario primarily in mineral development, I hold a board position on a publicly traded mineral development company and provide assistance to the Kenogamisis Investment Corporation, a First Nations corporation I helped form to maximize economic benefit from the Greenstone Gold Mine in Geraldton.

I have assisted in funding, permitting, planning and construction of many multi million-dollar projects in the Mining, Lumber, and Pulp and Paper industries, as well as several Industrial, Commercial and Institutional developments for a multitude of clients. I believe in collaboration where contribution is respected and expected.

While I have a skillset in demand throughout North America, I work exclusively in Northern Ontario to develop this economy and want to offer this expertise to the electorate of Kenora. I am a husband to Cheryl, a father to two boys, a son and a brother to many siblings. My lifelong activities include hockey, hunting, fishing and playing in a classic rock band.

My priorities are

• Economic Development

We are in changing times that require experienced, sound judgement. Changing workforce demographics and lack of workforce housing keep the City from growing. A clear plan to address these items is required.

• City Infrastructure

The City has accumulated an infrastructure deficit that needs addressing. Road conditions, bridge repairs, and water and sewer systems all need continued maintenance and replacement. Review of current plans and priorities to address the most critical is required.

• Service Delivery

The cost to deliver city services continues to increase. I will work with fellow council members to optimize the cost of operation and ensure future increase are minimized. 

Campaign contacts

Michael O'Flaherty: 807-466-1806, kenoramichael@gmail.com

Ferg Devins: 416-528-5961, fergdevins@gmail.com

Social media links

www.kenoramichael.ca

Facebook: Michael O’Flaherty for Kenora Council

I have been a lifetime resident of our municipality having spent my first 16 years in Keewatin before our family moved into Kenora. I am proudly married to my wife Laurie who is a retired nurse and an accomplished artist. We have 3 married adult children and are the proud grandparents of 4 grandsons and 2 granddaughters. 

My work career was highlighted by the 29 years spent with the Town of Keewatin, the City of Kenora and the Kenora Municipal Telephone System. Prior to amalgamation I was the Municipal Treasurer with Keewatin. After amalgamation my roles included being the Municipal Accountant, followed by the Solid Waste Manager before retiring as the Director of Finance with KMTS.

I have previously served the citizens of Kenora for 8 years having been elected as a City of Kenora Councillor in 2014 following which I was elected Mayor in 2018. 

I am proud of my commitment to our community having spent over 45 years as a volunteer for which I will forever treasure. I have been fortunate to have been part of the leadership teams for some incredible sporting events that we brought to Kenora including the Canadian World Juniors Hockey Pre-Camp, the Canadian Women’s Hockey Summer Festival, the Kenora Thistles Stanley Cup 100th Anniversary and the ScotiaBank Hockey Day in Canada.  

I am currently serving on the Kenora & Lake of the Woods Community Foundation Board of Directors and am the Chair of Finance. 

I have been fortunate to be recognized for my contributions to our community and am especially proud to have received a national award as an RBC Hockey Leader. In addition I felt truly humbled to be inducted into the Kenora Sports Hall of Fame and in receiving an Honorary Paul Harris Fellow from the Rotary Foundation. 

I am unique amongst those individuals running for Council in that I am the only candidate who brings experience having previously served both as a Councillor and as the Mayor. I believe that these 8 years on Council combined with my Town of Keewatin and City of Kenora work experience provides me with the ability to provide strong leadership and corporate knowledge, attributes that are essential in building an effective Council team. 

PRIORITIES:
Accountability - Customer service should be forefront in all our minds beginning with Council, the CAO and their Senior Leadership Team then extending down through all members of our organization. The citizens expect and deserve timely responses and actions to their concerns and questions. 

Community Safety - The most talked about issue within our community as it impacts everyone who lives, works or visits Kenora. Though Council cannot solve this complex problem themselves they must lead those difficult discussions while working with community partners, Indigenous leaders and organizations, along side both the Provincial and Federal governments. It will take collective responsibility and leadership to make change that benefits everyone from the most affluent to the most vulnerable. 

Economic Development - A key driver in ensuring the growth of our community. I will focus on bringing new commercial and industrial businesses into Kenora.  The goal is to create job opportunities, increase our assessment and expand the utilization of the Water/Sewer service. The initiatives will result in population growth while providing significant revenue increases that will help offset future taxation requirements and proposed water/sewer rates. 

Fiscal Responsibility - The City of Kenora is a multi million dollar corporation and the expectation is that it should be run accordingly. Our financial resources need to be spent prudently. It is my belief that we should be focusing on our core services, ensuring that each department is run efficiently but effectively. Where possible we need to ensure that we position the municipality such that we maximize our opportunities to access sources of funding from both the Provincial and Federal levels of government. 

Housing Development - In order to grow our community we need to ensure our housing stock matches the demands and needs within the entire housing spectrum. Currently the lack of housing availability is severely hindering this growth potential. Much like the Economic Development priority, new housing opportunities translate into employment growth while driving increased revenues in both municipal taxation and the water/sewer department. 

Contact information

In the event that you have any questions relating to my election platform please contact me directly through:

Email - danielreynard58@gmail.com 
or Cell - (807)-407-2004

To learn more about my commitment to our community I would encourage you to check out the following link: https://www.retson.ca/reynarddan.pdf

I'm an entrepreneur, a parent, and a Kenora resident who has spent the last decade building businesses, raising a family, and watching this city change (and in my opinion, not always in positive ways).

I studied psychology, worked in marketing, mental and physical health. Through my studio, MVMNT, I ran youth mental health programs and was in the process of building a mental health and wellness program for surrounding First Nations communities in Northwestern Ontario before COVID-19 shut everything down.

I know downtown Kenora firsthand from running a business there. I've dealt with the red tape, and I've lived the safety concerns alongside other downtown business owners.

My husband and I also run a construction company building cabins for seasonal and permanent residents on Lake of the Woods, giving us close ties to a community of investors who want to put money into Kenora, but are currently hesitant to.

I've covered political issues from the municipal to the federal level, helped run national events and petitions, and volunteered and door-knocked in local elections. I've voted both Liberal and Conservative over the years.

Ten years ago, Kenora felt like it was on the rise. Like any community, we've always had challenges, but at that time, young people were opening businesses, and there was real growth and optimism about our future. Then a combination of failed provincial drug policy, poor city planning, and COVID-19 lockdowns reversed that trajectory, hitting our businesses and fuelling the downtown safety issues we're living with today.

These problems are complex, and I won't pretend they have easy fixes. Many stem from our federal justice system and provincial public health policy. Layer on the national cost-of-living crisis, poor housing access, and gaps in mental health care, and it's clear there's no single solution.

Some want to pretend everything is fine. Many of the business owners, builders, tourists, investors, and families who make up this city's legacy don't feel that way yet they’re afraid to say so publicly. They see things getting worse, and they want change for their children.

As an entrepreneur, I'd love to spend all my time talking about economic growth. But we can't get there until we fix the crime, drugs, and safety crisis downtown. Our current path isn't working well.

I want Kenora known as a city that helps people get well, not one that simply manages decline. Harm reduction should serve both the individual in crisis and the broader community, not one at the expense of the other.

We need to ask ourselves honestly: do we want to be a community that helps people maintain addiction with little accountability for criminal behaviour? Or one that makes compassionate recovery the goal at every level with real boundaries too? I believe most residents feel we've lost those boundaries, and that's a completely reasonable thing to feel.

Many of these levers sit outside municipal control, but that's not a reason to stop pushing. My goal is to connect with other municipalities, policymakers, and jurisdictions that are actually seeing results, and bring those solutions home. I'm already meeting with police, mental health workers, mayors, and provincial leaders to make that happen.

I don't have all the answers, and this won't be an easy job. But I'm willing to do the work to make Kenora better for everyone. Change takes time, and it takes even longer if we stay on the wrong path.

Contact information

Karla Joy Treadway
https://www.karlajoytreadway.com
Marketing Strategist | Host of The Sovereign Sphere Podcast

Book a Discovery Call
https://calendly.com/karlajoytreadway/connection-call

Listen to The Sovereign Sphere Podcast
https://open.spotify.com/show/2AuR4E7kUaambAtP79ZUHW?si=0eef079329af44fe

The Sovereign Sphere YouTube Channel 
https://www.youtube.com/@thesovereignsphere

I have made my home in Keewatin for almost 35 years and raised my three sons here.  Over the years, I have been honoured to work with a wide variety of people, organizations and First Nations throughout the region. This has given me a wealth of experience in governance, organizational leadership, health and social services, working in First Nations and with community partners. 

Those experiences strengthened my belief that healthy, thriving communities begin with strong relationships that include active local governance of public education. My approach is collaborative, thoughtful and accountable. I understand that the role of a trustee is to listen carefully to students, families, educators and communities, and to ask good questions, make thoughtful and prudent decisions, and keep the needs and well-being of students always in the forefront.

I have learned the importance of listening before acting, bringing different perspectives together and making thoughtful decisions grounded in both evidence and lived experience. I believe good governance is ultimately about relationships, trust, and accountability to the people we serve.

I bring a strong commitment to student success and well-being, responsible governance, meaningful community engagement and reconciliation, and equitable opportunities for students across the region. I am seeking election to the Kenora Patricia District School Board because I believe public education deserves informed, engaged and community-based leadership - because the decisions we make for children and young people today will shape tomorrow for our communities.

Contact information

You may email Ms. Cameron at a.cameron@me.com.

I was born in Kenora and grew up in this community. I made the choice early in life to make Kenora my home.

I was disappointed that only one candidate initially submitted their name for election to the Keewatin Patricia District School Board (KPDSB). Parents, students, and ratepayers deserve a full slate of trustees to ensure their views and concerns are listened to and addressed. Although the Ministry of Education’s Bill 101 limits the role of school board trustees, its impact on students and staff makes it essential that the Board have the resources needed to support student achievement. I will strongly advocate along with my fellow trustees pursuing these services.

I am and always have been enthusiastic about education. I attended and graduated from Beaver Brae Secondary School here in Kenora, Confederation College Social Services Diploma program, and later in life went on to complete an Honours degree in Social Work from Lakehead University and continued to receive a Graduate Degree in Social Work from the University of Manitoba.

The positions I have held during my career combined with time serving on both the School Board and Municipal Council have provided me with the opportunity to hold various and progressive roles in management and governance that includes program supervision, planning, community development, relationship building with indigenous communities and individuals and, frontline service delivery.

The opportunity to sit on and chair community boards and committees of both council and school board has allowed me to demonstrate my ability to function as an effective board member, decision maker, team player and leader. I do believe in giving back to our community and volunteering upon request for a variety of community events and services on an annual basis.

The role of the school board is complex re the understanding and application of legislation and policies addressing decision making, responsibilities to fellow trustees, parents, students, and ratepayers.

With this recent term on the KPDSB, along with 28 years on Kenora City Council, I will have dedicated 32 years to public service. Through my work in both the public and private sectors, I have travelled throughout the Kenora District and developed a clear understanding of the necessity to advocate strongly for services to address identified needs.

I look forward to collaborating with my fellow trustees, staff, parents, students, and community partners to build an inclusive educational community for all KPDSB students. This will be my primary focus, and I make the commitment required to serve on the Keewatin Patricia District School Board as a Trustee.

Contact information

You may email Mr. McMillan at rmcmill@tbaytel.net.