October 2, 2026
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A capacity crowd filled the Kincardine Hall at the Davidson Centre in Kincardine, Tuesday night (Sept. 29), for the all-candidates meeting hosted by the Kincardine and District Chamber of Commerce.
While nine candidates were available for questions, the focus was on the three running for mayor: incumbent Kenneth Craig, Ward 2 councillor Bill Stewart and Barb Fisher.
Chamber president Jaye Boyer welcomed everyone and then turned the meeting over to secretary Linda Bowers who was moderator of the event. She laid out the rules and emphasized there would be no shenanigans - people were to ask their questions clearly and succinctly.
The meeting saw the mayoral candidates give their brief introduction, followed by questions from the floor. Then the Ward 2 candidates introduced themselves, followed by questions; and finally, the councillor-at-large candidates gave their introductions and answered questions.
Several who came to the microphone to address the candidates wanted all of them to respond to their questions. However, that was not how the meeting was set up.
The questions ranged from concerns about care for seniors, public transportation, and the new high school, to dealing with the federal and provincial governments, the status of the airport, how to truly conduct public consultation, and the fate of the Bluewater Trailer Park.
The first question to mayoral candidates was about the need for care for seniors and improved public transportation options.
Fisher agreed, saying that public transportation for all people should be available and affordable.
"We also need to bring back the Kincardine Day Away Program, along with other services needed in the community," she said.
Craig said transportation in rural Ontario is a challenge because of the disparity between provincial funding for public transit in Toronto and for public transit outside of Toronto.
"The Municipality of Kincardine has expanded the SMART (Saugeen Mobility and Regional Transit) service hours in our area," he said, "but senior care is a county responsibility."
Stewart said that the provincial and federal governments have failed on this issue and people are now looking to the municipal government. "We have to be careful because anything we do takes taxpayer dollars."
Kincardine mayoral candidates Bill Stewart (left), Barb Fisher and Kenneth Craig answer questions at the all-candidates meeting, Tuesday (Sept. 29), at the Davidson Centre in Kincardine
When asked about support for the new high school, slated for east of Highway 21, at the corner of Millennium Way and Russell Street in Ward 1, all three mayoral candidates agreed the building is more than overdue.
"Council has in place a priority resolution to support the new school build," said Craig.
Fisher said she supports the school board trustees in the work they do and while she is concerned about where the school is being located, she agrees to look to the future not the past.
Stewart said Kincardine has been waiting since 2019 for this new high school. "Once we get the spades in the ground next spring for the hospital, then we can concentrate on the new school, and make it the best one in the county."
Ward 2 councillor candidates, Mike Ferrier and Kyle McKay, were asked mainly about the airport and the landfill site which are both located in that ward, the former Kincardine Township.
Both agreed there needs to be more public input about the airport, and as for the landfill, there are issues that need to be dealt with there, particularly pertaining to recycling.
Ward 2 councillor candidates include Kyle McKay (left) and Mike Ferrier
Next up for questions, were the four candidates for councillor-at-large: incumbent Mike Hinchberger, Michael McKechnie, Darrel Perry and Ali Shah.
First off the mark, was a plan for the Bluewater Trailer Park lands, located near the waterfront in Ward 1, with the trailer park to be closed at the end of October next year.
Shah said if there is a plan for the property, the people should be able to see it and comment on it. "Otherwise, work with the people on a plan."
Perry said the property has been used as a trailer park for many years, and now legally, it's not a proper use. "I thought we were in the mindset of not making people homeless. I'm confused with this process."
McKechnie said council should consider what the community wants done with this area. "When the property was donated to Kincardine in 1882, there were no cars yet and certainly no RV parks. As a community, we want the best use for the Bluewater Trailer Park lands."
Hinchberger said that at the last Kincardine council meeting, direction was given to staff to include in the 2027 budget, the hiring of a landscape architect to draw up designs for this property. From that, council would set up a plan for the Bluewater Trailer Park lands.
Answering questions, are the councillor-at-large candidates, Ali Shah (left), Darrel Perry, Michael McKechnie and Mike Hinchberger
The candidates were questioned about how they would listen to the community and get public input.
McKechnie said he understands the frustration because he has filled out municipal surveys and received no response or any indication that his voice had even been heard.
"I'm very approachable and I talk to people," he said. "When the municipality conducts these surveys, I want to see them, read all the responses and go through the answers."
Shah said he makes an effort to reply to people on social media, and listen to what they have to say. "We're here for you, and it's our duty. That's the standard I hold myself to."
Hinchberger said often surveys provide answers that conflict with each other. "It's a challenge because no matter what decision we make, people are going to be cheesed off. If you're not getting answers, go directly to a council member."
Perry said council needs sub-committees, providing people with meaningful conversation. Then, the feedback can be presented to council and better decision-making is the result.
The candidates each gave closing remarks and the meeting ended.
A second all-candidates meeting, focusing on Ward 2 matters, was held Thursday evening in Armow. A third all-candidates meeting is slated for Thursday, Oct. 8, at the Whitney Crawford Community Centre in Tiverton, with doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the meeting beginning at 6 p.m.
Election timetable:
Oct. 19 - Voting period for electors begins at 10 a.m.
Oct. 23 - Third-party registration period closes
Oct. 26 - Final day to vote (ends at 8 p.m.)
Nov. 15, 2026 - council term begins
Nov. 14, 2030 - council term ends
The Kincardine all-candidates meeting draws a capacity crowd to the Kincardine Hall at the Davidson Centre, Tuesday night (Sept. 29)
Written ByLiz Dadson is the founder and editor of the Kincardine Record and has been in the news business since 1986.
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