Candidate Profiles

Learn about the candidates running in the 2026 Municipal and School Board Elections by reviewing their profiles.

Candidates are given the opportunity to provide a profile that shares their background and platform allowing you to make informed choices. The profile content is presented as submitted from the candidate, ensuring you have accurate and authentic information about each candidate.

Candidates for councillor-at-large

Get to know the candidates.

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

Email Mrs. Marcino at cecile.marcino@hotmail.com.

I am a lifelong resident of Kenora.

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

Email Mr. Booth at booth.bryan12@gmail.com

Bryan Booth Headshot

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

Email Mr. Malashewski at ronforcouncil2026@gmail.com.

Ronald Malashewski Headshot

Councillor 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. Councillor 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

Call Mr. Bernie at 807-464-3935.

Contact Us

City of Kenora
1 Main Street South
Kenora ON P9N3X2

Phone: 807-467-2000
After hours: 807-467-2080

8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Monday to Friday
Closed on Holidays

 

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