Re Elect Councillor Mark Hinton

10/15/2026

Stop by, have a b**r and lets chat.

Looking forward to Candi-DATE Night (part 2) on Monday! hope to see many folks out to chat and get to know the candidates running for office this term!
Thank you to Braumeister Brewing Co. for hosting!!

10/15/2026

It has been my absolute pleasure sitting as the Council Representative to the Carleton Place Public Library for the past 4 years. Get involved and make a difference in Carleton Place.

Love the library? Join the library board!

The current library board's term is almost at an end, and the library needs engaged community members to sit for the 2027-2030 term.

What does a library board do?

A Library Board sets the library’s future direction and ensures the library is meeting the unique needs of its community. A board advocates for its library, and it provides governance.

Yes, library board trustees review policies, consider reports, and look at budget statements. It is all part of ensuring good governance for an important and active community institution.

What makes a good library board trustee?

-You love your library and your community
-You’re open to continuous learning and new ideas
-You’re able to work collaboratively with the rest of the Board to respectfully discuss complex issues and make reasonable decisions
-You have the time and energy to consider reports, attend Board meetings, and contribute to library activities.

Want to learn more?

Check out our Library Board Trustee Position Description, Succession Plan, and application instructions at https://carletonplacelibrary.ca/make-a-difference-in-your-community-join-the-library-board/

You can also contact library CEO Meriah Caswell at [email protected] or 613-257-2702 ext. 6501 to learn more about the Library Board.

How to Apply:

Residents of Carleton Place can email their completed application to Clerk Stacey Blair at [email protected] by Friday, November 6, 2026.

Residents of Beckwith should contact Cassandra McGregor at [email protected].

Carleton Place Town Hall Beckwith Township

10/15/2026

The Friends of Carleton Place Library will be holding a Trivia Night at Final Score on November 12th at 7pm.

Enjoy a night of bookish trivia and help raise funds for the library.

Book tickets on:

https://a-night-of-bookish-trivia.ticketsplease.ca/events/a-night-of-bookish-trivia/

10/15/2026

We made it so easy for you to vote.

Vote By Phone/Internet – 2026 Municipal Election

Carleton Place electors will be voting by phone or internet for the 2026 Municipal Election. There will be no paper ballot.

Voter Help Centres will be available from Monday, October 19th – Monday, October 26th, 2026.

Carleton Place Town Hall
• Monday, October 19th – 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
• Tuesday, October 20th – 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
• Wednesday, October 21st – 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
• Thursday, October 22nd – 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
• Friday, October 23rd – 9:00 a.m. to noon
• Saturday, October 24th – Closed
• Sunday, October 25th – Closed
• Monday, October 26th – 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Carleton Place Public Library
• Saturday, October 24th – 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Arena Upper Hall – Election Day Only
• Monday, October 26th – 8:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Have questions? Please reach out to Aynsley Buchanan, Deputy Returning Officer, at [email protected] or 613-257-6252

10/09/2026

🍁 Happy Thanksgiving, Carleton Place! 🦃🍂

Thanksgiving is a wonderful time to reflect on everything we have to be grateful for.

I'm especially thankful for my family, friends, neighbours, and the incredible community we are fortunate to call home.

One of the things that makes Carleton Place so special is the kindness, generosity, and community spirit of the people who live here.

As we gather with family and friends this Thanksgiving weekend, let's also remember those who may be spending the holiday alone or facing difficult times. A small act of kindness can make a big difference.

From my family to yours, I wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving filled with love, laughter, good food, and wonderful memories.

🍁 Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

10/09/2026

Sarah, this is exactly what makes you a GREAT councillor for Carleton Place!! It has been a privilege to work alongside you for the past 4 years and I hope both we get another 4 years to continue moving Carleton Place forward.

Truth is - talking about myself or about things I've done - feels....well...icky. Counterintuitive to politics certainly but I have always believed that a person should be kind (for kindness sake), should help someone (if they can), should never watch while someone works (lending a hand if you have one), and that making a whole deal out of any of it made it less genuine. I guess it's why I always loved random acts of kindness, unsigned cheer up notes and am super awkward if someone gushes lol

But let's face it - when you love the work of council (and I do!) I need to give myself permission to let people know why I love it and why I am good at it. Unabashedly braggy style....

Here goes - I am a GREAT councillor. I work hard, very hard! I read all the documents, do my own research and ask the experts questions and then research some more. I am a sponge - watching and learning how other areas regionally, nationally, globally tackle the same issues. I don't just talk the talk - I walk it. I have a spreadsheet (colour coded) that is a testament to the 1001 ideas I am running down at any given moment.

I don't always agree with my colleagues but I listen and wait to share my thoughts - respectively and with an eagerness always to debate it out.

The many, many years I spent working in high tech and managing large remotes teams awarded me with a keen attention to detail, exceptional problem/puzzle solving skills and the ability to think like an engineer when it comes to finding a path forward.

My experience as a small business owner for 19 years has taught me creativity, to predict market trends, to live through the lean and make hay while the sun shines ;) (oh I also grew up on a farm - if that's not work ethic, not sure what is).

I spent years writing about Carleton Place and area - for local newspapers, magazines, digital campaigns. I also LOVE writing!

Whether it is through my contribution on local boards, planning and executing over 3 dozen community events in the last 15 years, starting initiatives like the Backpack Fairy Project, Teen Expo, Carleton Place Community Care Coalition or supporting my children in hosting the Children's Holiday Shop each year and their new Rural Roots Science Fair....I am always hard at work with laser focus on sharing and preserving what's great about Carleton Place

10/09/2026

I do not frequently share details about my day-to-day activities as a Council member or the full scope of my work, as the focus is truly on our team and you, the residents, rather than on myself..
However, the events of yesterday evening and today warrant sharing to provide insight into a day in the life of a Councillor in Carleton Place.
Yesterday afternoon and evening, Councillor Sarah Cavanagh and I went out together to canvass. We discussed collaboration within our current Council and demonstrated our commitment by visiting over 150 homes. Some were confused because we are both trying to get re-elected and to most they understood the connections we have with each other all working together for a common goal. Thanks Sarah for an enjoyable evening.

Today I met with a resident at their home for over an hour to listen to concerns they have about our proposed aquatic center location. I listened over coffee, heard his concerns and spoke about how we arrived at this location. We discussed ideas and opportunities to make the location safer for residents to access who would be using active transportation to get there. I listened, heard and learned and I think we're both in a better place because of it.

This evening I was at Waterside - A VIVA Retirement Community speaking to the residents and answering their questions. What an amazing group with incredible knowledge and experiences to share. I was even invited to join them at card bingo and let me tell you, you've never met a more competitive group! Thanks to Mary Cook who spent time speaking with me and sharing her stories and to all the other residents who made me feel welcomed into your home.
This is why we do what we do and I'm a better person today because of it.
Thank you to the residents of Carleton Place for making me a better person every day. I will continue to work for you each day and make hard decisions that have the residents best interests at heart.
If you have a concern or question, please reach out and I would love to connect and discuss. I take my coffee with milk and sugar. 😆

10/06/2026

This is a very important part of the election process in Carleton Place and unfortunately there has been some misinformation and confusion. You CAN select up to 5 council members when you vote for Council.

Good morning Carleton Place!

The local election will soon be upon us. Did you know that all 444 Ontario municipalities elect their councils on the same day?

In a conversation with a citizen recently, they mentioned that it would be hard to pick 1 council member out of the 11 running. I was confused and asked why they would only vote for one? They had been told they could only vote for one candidate.

This is not the case.

Each eligible citizen can vote for up to 5 candidates. They can vote for any number 1-5 or frankly spoil their ballot if they want. But again to be very clear and stop this rumour, your right as a voting citizen is to choose up to 5 candidates from the 11 running for a council position.

Have a great day!

10/06/2026

I have heard from the community that at the All Candidates event last week Seniors' issues were not addressed and I'd like to respond to that concern. As a 60 years old myself this is not too far off for me, and is of particular importance.

Seniors’ programs, activities and services are an important part of municipal planning, particularly as our community continues to grow.
For me, the issue is not about ranking seniors against other groups in our community. It is about recognizing that as our population grows and changes, our services and facilities need to respond to those changing needs.
I would focus on making sure we are planning ahead rather than reacting later, which this council has certainly done. That means listening directly to seniors, working with our Seniors Active Living Centre and other community organizations, and identifying where there are gaps in recreation, fitness, social activities, accessibility and transportation.
When it comes to funding, I believe we need to look beyond simply putting additional costs onto the municipal taxpayer. We should continue pursuing provincial and federal grants, partnerships with community organizations, shared use opportunities and other funding sources that can help expand programs and services in a financially sustainable way.
We also need to consider seniors when we're planning future recreational facilities and community spaces. Accessibility and programming shouldn't be an afterthought they should be part of the planning from the beginning. Our proposed Aquatic Center is a prime example of this planning for seniors.
Most importantly, I want our seniors to have opportunities to remain active, connected and engaged in the community they helped build.
My approach is simple: listen to seniors, understand the need, plan for it, identify the funding, and make sure we're investing responsibly for both today's residents and future generations.

10/05/2026

UPDATE: Unfortunately, we have had to cancel the meet and greet due to a conflict. Stay tuned for an updated event to meet one on one.

This Thursday October 8th, join current Councillors Mark Hinton, Sarah Cavanagh and Dena Comley for a relaxed and informal community conversation.
There’s no formal presentation and no set agenda. This is simply an opportunity to stop by, meet with us, ask questions, share your thoughts and talk about the issues that matter to you as we head toward the municipal election.
📅 Thursday, October 8th
⏰ 6:00–8:00 p.m.
📍 Barbra Walsh Room, Carleton Place Library
101 Beckwith Street.

We’ll also have refreshments and snacks available for you to enjoy.

Whether you have a question that hasn’t been answered, an idea you’d like to share, or you simply want to have a conversation about our community, we’d be happy to see you.
Your voice counts, and we want to hear from you!
Meet • Ask • Share • Connect
Hope to see you Thursday evening