Around 1,103 individuals submitted nomination papers to be representatives across the 77 local governments in New Brunswick.
Two council positions in two communities remain vacant.
Karine Pitre with Elections New Brunswick (ENB) said it is hard to compare the turnout between the 2022 elections and this one given the amalgamation in 2023, where not every municipality held an election.
“However, I can say that in 2022, four positions remained vacant at the close of nominations,” she said in response to questions from The Courier.
According to ENB, 52 mayoral positions will be decided by an election, representing about 68 per cent of the available positions. The remaining 25 were acclaimed. For councillors, elections will decide 211 councillor contests. Another 136 positions were filled by acclamation.
Acclamation happens when one person runs unopposed in a specific ward or mayoral seat.
“Democracy is always better served when positions are contested and electors actually get to go to a polling station and vote,” Pitre said.
Municipalities like McAdam saw the entire council acclaimed. Eastern Charlotte and Saint Andrews both saw acclamations.
Stepping away
Meanwhile, in St. Stephen, there is a three-way race for mayor.
Current Municipal District of St. Stephen Mayor Allan MacEachern did not reoffer for the next term, a decision he did not make lightly, he told The Courier.
“Under the circumstances, I think it’s time for a change,” he said in an interview with The Courier. “Sometimes a new slate will bring that change.”
MacEachern has spent close to 16 years around the council chamber, both as a councillor and as mayor.
He said this is a challenging time for the Municipal District of St. Stephen (MDSS). It continues to grapple with a homelessness crisis — a flashpoint for the community.
It is estimated that roughly 100 people are unhoused in the small border town. He said, right now, the community needs a steady hand.
During the last term, the local government has worked on several files including health care and housing.
“The hotel, housing development, health care clinic and getting through amalgamation,” he said. “We did OK, we didn’t raise taxes.”
The council has been able to attract doctors through a new compensation incentive program. It paved the way for development agreements for a new 66-unit apartment building at the site of the former Border Arena and a hotel in partnership with Amsterdam Inn and Suites.
But still, there are things that linger, he explained.
“I just don’t feel like going out and enjoying the wins like I wish I was,” he said, noting the amount of frustration around homelessness and community safety. “There is just so much frustration and anger behind it. We’re getting there, but that is the part I don’t feel that has been finished.”
The municipality has also put itself in a position to be able to make progress on roads and streets, borrowing $5.4 million for upgrades.
He’ll miss the personal connection most, he said.
“Even though they’re tough conversations, I’ll miss being there for people that need to meet [me] in that role,” MacEachern said.
Other races
In Grand Manan, incumbent mayor Bonnie Morse will face off against newcomer Nora Davidson. A total of 15 candidates are vying for nine spots on the island.
Incumbent Eastern Charlotte Mayor John Craig will face off with Ward 3 Coun. Alexia Detorakis. Fifteen candidates will be on the ballot seeking eight positions.
Sam Rubin was the municipality’s only acclaimed candidate.
In Saint Andrews, five councillors will seek four positions within the town plat. Current councillors Annette Harland and Darrell Weare have been acclaimed.
There is also a three-way race for mayor in Saint Andrews. Over on Campobello Island, there is a two-way race for mayor. Two councillors were acclaimed. Three others will vie for two seats in Ward 2.
Fundy Shores will see one race for the at-large position, but the mayor and remaining councillors were acclaimed.
ENB said this election is expected to be a good benchmark following the amalgamation of several communities.
“For the residents in those amalgamated areas, this election was [sic] their first opportunity to run and will be their first opportunity to vote for their council,” Pitre said. “Overall, this election will be the one that will set the benchmark for the future.”
She said while some councils were entirely or partially acclaimed, others are the exact opposite.
“There are local governments that are entirely acclaimed, but you also have local governments like Miramichi, which has 5 mayoral candidates and 24 candidates running for 8 councillor positions,” she said.
Voters go to the polls May 11.
Editor’s Note: An earlier version of this story incorrectly reported that Ward 1 in Fundy Shores was slated for an election. In fact, it is the at-large position that is up for election.
