Owen Sound’s Future on the Line in 2026 Election
 

Too often, municipal elections slide under the radar. Turnout is low. Many residents stay home. But city hall decisions are the ones we feel most directly—on our streets, in our taxes, and in our neighbourhoods.

Who clears your snow?      Who sets your water bill?
Who decides if a new housing project or business opens downtown?
Not Ottawa.     Not Queen’s Park.
City council.

And right now, Owen Sound faces tough choices. Housing is scarce and expensive. Seniors need more support. Downtown businesses are fighting to survive. Jobs are too few, and young families too often choose to live elsewhere. Add aging infrastructure and climate pressures, and the stakes could not be higher.

If we don’t get involved, we risk leaving those choices in the hands of too few. When only a small slice of voters shows up, a small slice decides for everyone. And when councillors think no one is watching, accountability slips.

That’s why this election matters. Citizens must engage—not just on voting day, but in the months leading up to it. Ask candidates hard questions. Attend a council meeting. Speak up about what kind of city you want.

The bottom line is:  if you don’t, someone else will.
and their vision may not be yours.

Owen Sound can either grow and thrive—or drift and fall behind. The choice belongs to us.

The 2026 municipal election isn’t a sideshow. It’s the main event. Don’t sit this one out.

Your city. Your voice. Your future.

These dynamics shift the balance of power. Instead of elected officials directing municipal priorities and providing oversight, staff may begin to shape policy direction, budget allocations, and long-term planning with minimal democratic scrutiny. While most municipal staff are competent and well-intentioned, the potential for unelected personnel to influence or even dominate decision-making is a concern in a representative democracy.

Review our ideas for changing this dynamic at: RemakeCouncil.COM