Brent Calder and six councillors begin Fort Frances’ new term Nov. 15, with the first regular council meeting scheduled for Nov. 23
FORT FRANCES – Mayor-elect Brent Calder and six elected councillors are set to begin the 2026-30 municipal term on Nov. 15, with an appointment ceremony scheduled for the following day and the new council’s first regular meeting set for Nov. 23.
Calder won the mayor’s office with 1,561 votes. John McTaggart received 1,200 votes, while 40 mayoral ballots were declined, according to the official results.
Bill Morrison led the council field with 2,230 votes. The other elected councillors were Kathy McKenzie with 1,854, Anthony Andrusco with 1,677, Mike Behan with 1,305, Kaleb Firth with 1,294 and Gary Cousineau with 1,283.
Doug Brown finished 76 votes behind Cousineau, receiving 1,207 votes. Steven Maki received 1,107 and Nathan Galusha received 754. Twenty-nine council ballots were declined.
The town counted 2,809 ballots among 6,746 eligible voters, producing a participation rate of 41.6 per cent.
The election calendar lists Nov. 16 for the appointment of the mayor and council, followed by orientation sessions on Nov. 19, 20 and 27. The first regular meeting is scheduled for Nov. 23.
The official results do not establish committee assignments or a shared council agenda. Immediate files for the incoming council include budget preparation, economic-development staffing and the continuing work identified in the town’s strategic and infrastructure plans. Specific priorities should be confirmed through the inaugural meeting, council records and direct interviews rather than inferred from the vote totals.
