Voting is officially underway for the 2026 Municipal and School Board Election.  

The Voting Period opens Monday, October 19, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. and will remain open until Monday, October 26, 2026 at 8:00 p.m. Electors can cast their ballot by telephone or internet, anytime during the voting period.  

For more information about the 2026 Municipal and School Board Election, including Voter Assistance Centre hours and election updates, electors are encouraged to visit saugeenshores.ca/Elections or contact the Elections Team 519-832-2008 ext. 100. 

Have Your Voter Information Letter (VIL) Ready 

Electors will need their Voter Information Letter (received by mail) to access the voting system. Each letter includes voting instructions and your unique Voting PIN.  

Need Help Voting?  

Electors who have questions about voting, have not received their Voter Information Letter, or require assistance accessing the voting system should contact the Elections Team or visit the Voting Assistance Centre. 

Electors are encouraged to bring identification showing their name and qualifying address (e.g. utility bill) when visiting the Voting Assistance Centre.  

The Voting Assistance Centre will be available at the Pryde Aquatic and Wellness Centre (AWC) in Port Elgin throughout the voting period to assist voters with internet voting. Voting kiosks will be available for those who need access to a computer or support casting their votes. 

The Pryde AWC offers accessible parking and entrances, and members of the Elections Team will be available to provide assistance and answer questions throughout the voting process. 

Voting Assistance Centre Hours: 

·       Monday, October 19, 2026, 10:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. 

·       Tuesday, October 20, 2026 - Friday, October 23, 2026, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. 

·       Saturday, October 24, 2026, 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. 

·       Sunday, October 25, 2026, 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. 

·       Monday, October 26, 2026, 8:30 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. 

Haven’t Received Your Voter Information Letter?  

Eligible voters who have not received their Voter Information Letter by Monday, October 19, 2026 will need to contact the Town’s Election staff by email elections@saugeenshores.ca or phone 519-832-2008 ext. 100 as soon as possible. 

If you are not on the Voters’ List, you may be added by visiting the Municipal Office or Voter Assistance Centre in person. You will be required to complete an Application to Amend the Voters’ List – Form EL15 and provide identification showing your name and qualifying address. 

Town of Saugeen Shores 
Elections Team 
600 Tomlinson Drive, Port Elgin 
Phone: 519-832-2008 ext. 100 
Email: elections@saugeenshores.ca 

Seasonal residents can vote in Saugeen Shores municipal election

Did you know that seasonal residents may be eligible to vote in the upcoming election?

If you are a Canadian citizen who is at least 18 years old, and you own property in Saugeen Shores, or are the spouse of a property owner, even if you own property and vote elsewhere,  you’re welcome to cast your vote in the upcoming municipal election. You are also eligible to vote if you rent property in Saugeen Shores. 

Visit www.RegisterToVoteON.ca to confirm you are registered and then watch for your voter information letter in the mail this fall. Voting can be done online, so you can participate even if you’ve closed up the cottage for the season!

Register to vote or update your information on the voters' list

• Residents can contact the Elections Team directly regarding voter information updates or corrections
• Electors can:
  • Email: elections@saugeenshores.ca
  • Phone : (519) 832-2008 ext. 100
  • Visit in-person at the Town office to update or correct their information
• To be added on the Voters' List, electors must visit the Town office in-person with acceptable identification and Form 24 (EL15) - Application to Amend Voters' List.
• If you require accommodations, please contact the Elections Team to arrange an appointment. 

Find more information on Voting Methods here.

https://www.saugeenshores.ca/town-hall/elections/#Resourceshttps://www.saugeenshores.ca/town-hall/elections/#Resources

Mayor

Name of Candidate (in alphabetical order by first name)	Date Filed	Contact Information
Brian Putman	August 13, 2026	Telephone: (226) 887-1028  Address: 210 Cole Blvd, Southampton, ON N0H 2L0 Email: brian@putmanlistens.ca
Jeff James	July 21, 2026	Telephone: (416) 671-8854 Address: 54 Breadalbane St S, Southampton, ON N0H 2L0 Email: adventeco@gmail.com  Website: www.jeff-for-mayor.com
Luke Charbonneau	May 19, 2026	Telephone: (519) 386-9786 Email: electcharbonneau@gmail.com  Website: www.lukecharbonneau.com

Deputy Mayor

Name of Candidate (in alphabetical order by first name)	Date Filed	Contact Information
Diane Huber	August 5, 2026	Email: dianehuber228@gmail.com
Odette Bartnicki	August 12, 2026	Telephone: (289) 937-1801 Address: 18 Lakeforest Dr, Southampton, ON N0H 2L0 Email: odetteforcouncil@icloud.com
Peter Stanley	August 12, 2026	WITHDRAWN - August 20, 2026

Vice Deputy Mayor

Name of Candidate (in alphabetical order by first name)	Date Filed	Contact Information
Bud Halpin	August 4, 2026	Telephone: (519) 353-8898 Address:  PO Box 1749 Port Elgin, ON N0H 2C0 Email: budhalpin@gmail.com
David Myette	June 12, 2026	WITHDRAWN - August 4, 2026
Don Matheson	July 31, 2026	Email: donmatheson@bmts.com

Port Elgin Ward Councillor

Name of Candidate (in alphabetical order by first name)	Date Filed	Contact Information
Bud Halpin	May 13, 2026	WITHDRAWN - August 4, 2026
Dane Buttenaar	August 19, 2026	Address: 136 High St, Southampton, ON N0H 2L0 Email: dasa@dasaproperties.ca
Jordan MacKinnon	August 21, 2026	Telephone: (519) 385-0807 Address: 771 Briarwood Dr, Port Elgin Email: jordan.mackinnon1@gmail.com
Patricia Corrigan-Frank	August 21, 2026	Telephone: (519) 386-8243 Address: PO 1393, 225 Mill St, Port Elgin, N0H 2C0 Email: patricia4portelgin@gmail.com
Rachel Stack	August 6, 2026	Telephone: (647) 232-9217  Address:  646 Christopher Dr., Port Elgin, ON N0H 2C3  Email: ElectStackPEWard@gmail.com
Tamara McDonald	August 14, 2026	Address: 225 Stickel St, Port Elgin, ON N0H 2C1 Email: tamaramcdonaldrmt@gmail.com

Saugeen Ward Councillor

Name of Candidate (in alphabetical order by first name)	Date Filed	Contact Information
Eric Tolton	July 6, 2026	Telephone: (519) 927-3447 Address: 333 Lake St, Southampton, ON N0H 2L0 Email: eric.tolton@gmail.com
Neil Sarginson	May 28, 2026	Telephone: (519) 778-2275  Address: Normanton Street, Saugeen Shores   Email: neil.sarg.saugeen@gmail.com
Sterling Thiele	July 13, 2026	Telephone: (519) 386-1526 Email: thiele4council@gmail.com

Southampton Ward Councillor

Name of Candidate (in alphabetical order by first name)	Date Filed	Contact Information
Brenda Reeves	May 28, 2026	Telephone: (519) 386-8151 Email: brenda4councillor@gmail.com  Website: brendareeves.ca
Cathe McIntosh	June 29, 2026	Telephone: (807) 598-0933  Email: catheforcouncil@gmail.com
Cheryl Grace	May 1, 2026	Telephone: (519) 389-7582  Address: 225 Emerald Drive, Southampton, ON N0H 2L0  Email: cherylgrace1@gmail.com
Harry Mazmanian	May 12, 2026	Telephone: (519) 377-3013 Address: 142 Grenville Street South, Southampton, ON N0H 2L0  Email: maz260@icloud.com
John Divinski	May 4, 2026	Telephone: (519) 385-0080  Address: 115-383 McNabb Street, Southampton, ON N0H 2L0  Email: jd@bmts.com

School Trustee - Bluewater District School Board

Name of Candidate (in alphabetical order by first name)	Date Filed	Contact Information
Julia Bates	August 18, 2026	Email: juliaforboard@gmail.com
Katie Lutz	May 19, 2026	Address: Port Elgin Email: katielutzfortrustee@gmail.com

School Trustee - Bruce-Grey Catholic District School Board

Name of Candidate (in alphabetical order by first name)	Date Filed	Contact Information
Lucie Desbiens	May 4, 2026	Address: 951 Wellington Street, Port Elgin, ON N0H 2C3  Email: ldesbiens1956@gmail.com

French Language Public District School Board - Conseil Scolaire Viamonde

Please see the City of Barrie's 2026 Election Candidates List for an up-to-date list of Candidates (under School Boards Candidates > Member - Conseil Scolaire Viamonde).

French Language Separate School Board - Conseil Scolaire Catholique Providence - Area 1

Please see the City of Sarnia's 2026 Unofficial List of Candidates for an up-to-date list of Candidates (under Trustee, Conseil Scolaire Catholique Providence - French Separate School Board).

Join us for the Southampton and Saugeen Ward All-Candidates Meeting on Monday, August 31, from 7:00–8:30 p.m., in person at Bevan Hall or via Zoom.

Everyone is welcome — you do not need to be an SRA member to attend.

Bring your questions and hear directly from the candidates.

Join by Zoom:
https://zoom.us/j/99721971689?pwd=c6LOTZAebuFNIrSLTxXoiCYflKxGjv.1

Meeting ID: 997 2197 1689
Passcode: 556100

Prefer to join by phone?
Call +1 647 374 4685 and enter the Meeting ID and passcode when prompted.

Full meeting details are below.

WHEN: MONDAY, AUGUST 31, 2026

              7:00-8:30 PM

WHERE: BEVAN HALL , ST PAUL'S ANGLICAN CHURCH, 248 HIGH ST., SOUTHAMPTON

IN PERSON & VIA ZOOM: ZOOM ACCESS DETAILS WILL BE PROVIDED AT  A LATER DATE.   

MODERATORS : JEANNE HOLMES AND FRANCES BARRICK, SRA BOARD CO-CHAIRS

The Town of Saugeen Shores is holding a Statutory Public Open House to share information and to receive public comments on the draft Port Elgin and Southampton Downtowns Community Planning Permit By-law and a related Amendment to the Town of Saugeen Shores Official Plan:

Location: Powerlink Building – 3rd Floor, 1020 Goderich St. Port Elgin
Date: Wednesday, June 24, 2026
Time: 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. (Drop-in format, Presentation at 7:00 p.m.)

Purpose and Effect

The purpose of the proposed Community Planning Permit (CPP) By-law is to create a set of development regulations for Port Elgin and Southampton Downtowns that would align with the vision of the Official Plan, support mixed-use development, and help to address housing needs.

A map showing the proposed CPP Area is included below. The CPP By-law would replace the Town’s existing Zoning By-law and Site Plan Control By-law and become the Town’s primary tool for regulating development in these areas. The Community Planning Permit System (CPPS) as set out in the CPP By-law is intended to streamline the development approvals process by combining zoning amendments, minor variances, and site plans into one application and review process. The proposed Official Plan Amendment would enable the CPP By-law to be established and provide policy guidance.

Permit Areas

Additional Information

Updated drafts of the By-law and Official Plan Amendment will be posted on June 17, 2026 for public review on the project web page: www.engage.saugeenshores.ca/CPPS 

For more information, please contact:

Town of Saugeen Shores

Planning Services 
Phone: 519-832-2008
Email: planningteam@saugeenshores.ca

Information will be collected in accordance with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. With the exception of personal information, all comments will become part of the public record.

• Save the Date – SRA Annual General Meeting

  Saturday, July 11, 2026.  11:00 am.
  248 High St. Southampton, ON

SRA Annual Beach Clean-Up – Saturday, April 25 

Join the Southampton Residents Association (SRA) for our Annual Beach Clean-Up, held as part of Saugeen Shores’ Spring Clean Week (April 18–26).

Location: Foot of Chantry View Drive

Time: 10:00 AM start

Date: Saturday, April 25

Please meet Co-Chair Frances Barrick at the foot of Chantry View Drive—she will be coordinating the clean-up and will have gloves, bags, and other supplies provided by the Town.

After a long winter, our shoreline is ready for a refresh. Bring your family, friends, and neighbours and help clean up the beach!

What to know:

• Dress warmly for the lakeshore conditions

• Please bring your own refreshments

• SRA t-shirts will be available for those who participate

Fingers crossed for good weather and a great turnout!

SRA t-shirts are available for the all inclusive price of $15.00 and are available in medium, large and extra-large sizes. They are made using a high quality fabric  of 100% cotton.  

Images coming soon!

You can get yours now by contacting Corwin Cambray at ctcambray@gmail.com

Thank you for your support!

SRA Annual General Meeting. Saturday, July 12, 2025. 1:00pm -3:00pm. Location: Bevan Hall, adjacent to St. Paul’s Church at the corner of High and Victoria Streets in Southampton. In order to accommodate as many members as possible, this will be a hybrid in-person and Zoom meeting.  Details to follow.