Prince Edward County is approaching one of the most important municipal elections in its history.
The decisions made in 2026 will determine whether PEC becomes a thriving, affordable, sustainable community — or continues down the path of rising taxes, stagnant job growth, failing infrastructure, and deepening affordability issues.
We need new leaders.
We need people with real-world expertise.
We need residents who understand today’s challenges — not just yesterday’s.
And that means we need you.
Whether you are a working professional, a small business owner, a parent, someone who has struggled with affordability, a tradesperson, a healthcare worker, an entrepreneur, or a resident who simply wants better — you are exactly who should consider running for council.
Why You Should Step Forward
1. Because the community needs a new generation of leadership
PEC’s challenges have outgrown the skillset of the current council:
- rising taxes
- deteriorating roads
- zero affordable housing units built in 10 years
- no year-round job creation strategy
- overreliance on tourism
- poor long-term planning
- growing debt pressures
- stalled economic diversification
Our municipal government no longer reflects the complexity of the issues — or the diversity of the people who live here.
You can change that.
2. Because PEC needs councillors with modern skills
The County is an $80+ million organization. Councillors today must understand:
- budgeting and financial oversight
- infrastructure life-cycle planning
- housing development and land-use policy
- digital transformation
- economic development
- human resources and labour strategy
- contract and procurement oversight
If your professional background includes any of these — or if you’ve built teams, managed budgets, solved problems, or led projects — then you have the skills PEC desperately needs at the council table.
3. Because decisions made today will shape PEC for the next 20 years
Who sits on council in 2026 will decide:
- whether families can afford to live here
- whether we attract year-round employers
- whether roads finally get fixed
- whether young people stay or leave
- whether the County invests in core services or continues drifting
- whether the County plans intelligently or reacts late to every crisis
This is a rare moment where one term of council could completely reset PEC’s future.
Your leadership could be the difference between decline and renewal.
4. Because qualified leadership deserves qualified compensation
Municipal governance has become highly technical.
CountyFirst supports councillor salaries of $100,000 and a mayor’s salary of $140,000, reflecting:
- the size of PEC’s budget
- the complexity of modern governance
- the time commitment required
- the need to attract working professionals, not only retirees
You should not have to sacrifice your career or financial stability to serve your community.
A professionalized council means a more effective PEC.
5. Because everyday residents make better leaders than career politicians
Strong candidates come from:
- offices
- farms
- schools
- clinics
- courtrooms
- construction sites
- restaurants
- startups
- community organizations
- family homes
The only qualification that truly matters is the desire to improve your community — combined with a willingness to learn and listen.
If you’ve ever thought, “I could do this better,”
you probably can.
What’s In It for You? The Benefits of Running
Running for council isn’t just about civic duty — it can be personally transformative:
• Influence real change
You will directly shape decisions that affect thousands of residents.
• Build powerful leadership skills
Public speaking, policy analysis, budgeting, negotiation — skills that enrich every part of life.
• Expand your professional network
You will work with regional leaders, provincial ministries, local businesses, and community organizations.
• Make PEC better for your kids, family, and neighbours
You become part of the solution instead of watching from the sidelines.
• Earn meaningful compensation for meaningful work
Serving the community should not require personal financial sacrifice. A modern salary ensures that ordinary working residents can serve.
How CountyFirst Will Support You
If you step forward, you won’t do it alone.
CountyFirst offers:
1. Campaign Strategy Support
Messaging, theme development, branding, and positioning.
2. Research & Policy Development
We can help you prepare strong, fact-based positions on housing, roads, budgeting, economic development, environment, governance reform, tourism, labour strategy, and more.
3. Voter Outreach Tools
Guidance on door-to-door canvassing, social media campaigns, community engagement, and debate preparation.
4. Logistics Assistance
Signs, printing, digital communications, website setup, and data tracking.
5. Team Building
Help identifying volunteers, endorsers, and supporters.
6. Candidate Readiness Training
We can help you understand:
- council procedures
- committee structures
- municipal budgeting
- conflict-of-interest rules
- how to read staff reports
- how to vote intelligently and confidently
CountyFirst’s purpose is to help capable people win — so the County wins.
If You’ve Ever Thought About Running, This Is the Year.
PEC is changing.
It needs leadership that understands today, not leadership stuck in yesterday’s assumptions.
The next council must be:
- younger
- more diverse
- more skilled
- more professional
- more accountable
- more future-focused
- more representative of working families
If that sounds like you, then you are the candidate PEC needs.
Want to Explore Running? Start Here.
CountyFirst will confidentially support anyone who wants to explore what running for council could look like.
Send us a confidential message.
This County is worth fighting for. But it needs new voices — and your voice might be the one that changes everything.
2026 Municipal Election – Web Guide
- 2026 Municipal Election – Web Guide Why Run? Running for council is about shaping everyday decisions: taxes, roads, housing, staffing, and by-laws. Prince Edward County needs candidates with skills, curiosity, and the courage to ask better questions. Eligibility & Registration You must be 18, a Canadian citizen, and a resident or property owner. Nomination opens May 1, 2026 and…Read more
- Prince Edward County 2026 Municipal Election Candidate Manual A practical, comprehensive guide for first-time and returning candidates (for your mini-site and downloadable manual) This guide is written for Ontario municipal elections under the Municipal Elections Act, 1996, and reflects widely posted 2026 key dates and standard Ontario requirements. Final local details (hours, filing logistics, forms package, and any PEC-specific procedures) will be confirmed…Read more
- Prince Edward County Needs You: Why New Candidates Should Step Forward in 2026 Prince Edward County is approaching one of the most important municipal elections in its history. The decisions made in 2026 will determine whether PEC becomes a thriving, affordable, sustainable community — or continues down the path of rising taxes, stagnant job growth, failing infrastructure, and deepening affordability issues. We need new leaders.We need people with…Read more
- Time for Renewal: Why Prince Edward County Needs a New Council in 2026 Prince Edward County is at a crossroads. After years of rising taxes, worsening service levels, stalled infrastructure work, and governance failures across critical files — from affordable housing to economic development — residents are increasingly asking a difficult but necessary question: Is this the right council to lead the County into the next decade? A…Read more
- Running for Council in Prince Edward County: A Practical Candidate Manual for the 2026 Municipal Election PART I — THE CANDIDATE MINI-BOOK (Printable PDF / handbook version) 1. Why Run for Council? Municipal councils make decisions that affect daily life more than any other level of government: property taxes, roads, housing approvals, staffing levels, by-laws, and enforcement. These decisions shape affordability, local … Continue reading