Getting the Jump on October's Vote

There’s a long-running tradition in Canadian politics that Labour Day is the unofficial start of any fall election campaign. Political strategy firm ONpoint recently warned in a summer newsletter that attention is hard to capture when the water is warm and the weather good.

“Virtually no one will earnestly begin paying attention to municipal campaigns until after Labour Day, with too many summer distractions going on.”

Well, tell that to Aidan Kallioinen, the 22-year-old challenger for Espanola Mayor Douglas Gervais’ job. Kallioinen — a sitting Councillor who has managed to complete an undergraduate degree at Carleton University while serving his community — spent the August 8-9 weekend shaking hands and talking issues with shoppers at the Espanola Mall. His literature and signs are printed, his volunteers already secured, and his social media full of campaign photos.

Isn’t Gen Z supposed to be introverted and not sure what they want to do with their lives?

Kallioinen has worked with his opponent for the past four years, and both men seem popular in the community (based on past vote counts), so this race may come down to energy and organization. One expects the 73-year-old Gervais to ramp up his own campaign come September, but by that point there’s a better than average chance Kallioinen will have knocked on every door in town.

“We’ve already knocked on about 400 doors,” the candidate said from his busy table at the mall, “and we intend to get to every single one.”

At the last census, Espanola indicated 2,305 private households.

The window to register as a municipal candidate is fast closing, and so far it looks like very few North Shore mayoral seats will go unchallenged come October.

Mayor Paul Lefebvre in Sudbury has six registered contenders for his job, one of whom — educator and organizer, Miranda Rocca-Circelli — already has a detailed platform on her slick campaign website.

Sault Ste. Marie’s popular Mayor Matthew Shoemaker faces off against local environmental activist Selva Rasaiah, who entered the race just last week.

Elliot Lake’s Mayor Andrew Wannan spent a good portion of the summer unopposed, but as of today, David Csikasz has registered to run against him. There is little information about Csikasz online, although he does appear to have survived a collision with a moose on Highway 17 near Cutler last fall.

Even smaller communities along the shore have decisions to make about their leadership. In the Township of Sables-Spanish Rivers, which has seen over a year of contentious public interaction concerning a proposed solar farm project northeast of Massey, Councillor Mike Mercieca registered to oppose Mayor Kevin Burke. The two men have squared off several times over the solar project, and judging by body language and facial expressions during those incidents, there is no love lost on SSR Council. As of this date, Mayor Burke has not registered to retain his seat, but if he does, watch for a colourful campaign season and a whole lot more drama over renewable energy.

Sally Hagman, two-term Mayor of Blind River announced in May she would not seek re-election. Her time heading Council was marked by strategic funding successes and hard work to maintain a repayment schedule and reduce the debt on the town’s $49.5 million federal loan for the financially troubled North Shore Power Group solar project she inherited at her election.

Councillor Jim Dunbar has declared a run for Hagman’s job, and he is opposed by Joshua Brown, who ran unsuccessfully for a Council seat in the past.

Huron Shores Mayor, Jane Armstrong has decided to vacate the mayoralty, and resume a regular seat on Council. She is running for Ward 3 Councillor. Current Councillor, Luke Vine, has declared for Mayor, and is challenged by Joseph Monette.

Longtime St. Joseph Township Mayor, Jody Wildman, will take a run for his eighth consecutive term in the big chair. As of today, Wildman is unopposed. And in nearby Thessalon, incumbent Mayor, Jordan Bird, who took over from MPP Bill Rosenberg when he went to Queen’s Park, will stand against Scott Dunlop, a local union president and lumber worker.

Shore Report will continue to watch the 2026 municipal elections along the North Shore.

Shore Report acknowledges the North Shore of Lake Huron is the traditional land of the Anishinabek and the Métis Nation. This is Treaty 61 (Robinson-Huron) territory. Anishinabek have lived in the Great Lakes region for thousands of years. Shore Report is very grateful to live and work here.

All written content in this issue is © Shore Report 2026

Advertisement

John Degen’s mystery novel, Seldom Seen Road — set on Lake Huron’s North Shore — is making national headlines.

Get it online, direct from the publisher, and wherever fine books are sold.