Tracy Richardson won’t seek re-election, citing harassment to self, family

Ward 8 councillor was widely expected to run for mayor

Coun. Tracy Richardson – who serves now as deputy mayor of Kawartha Lakes – has formally announced she will not run for re-election in the upcoming municipal election.

Widely perceived as a mayoral frontrunner had she decided to put her name on the ballot, Richardson, 59, instead told committee of the whole that she no longer feels safe in her role.

“Over time, the environment has become increasingly marked by incivility; being yelled at, unfairly blamed, and subjected to ongoing harassment, online abuse, social media trolling and personal threats,” Richardson told council.

“As a woman in this role, those experiences have too often been sharpened by bias, scrutiny, and unequal expectations,” she said, trying to contain her emotions.

The Pontypool-area councillor, who represents Ward 8, said what is especially concerning is that this behaviour “has not remained confined to public meetings or online spaces.”

“Repeated, uninvited visits to my home and my family’s business have crossed a clear boundary, raising legitimate concerns about safety and the wellbeing of those closest to me.”

The councillor told Kawartha Lakes Weekly that trash has been left on her home’s doorstep after rules were changed related to recyling. Another person called and said, ‘I’ll phone you every f**king day until you deal with this (issue),’ and she has received threats over a road not getting plowed in time after bad weather.

“There is no respect for personal space,” she said.

In her remarks to council, Richardson said she appreciates that public service “will always involve scrutiny and criticism – that is part of the responsibility.”

“But when conduct crosses into intimidation and personal intrusion, it takes a real toll. These realities have weighed heavily on me and have been a significant factor in my decision to step away from municipal politics.”

Richardson said she cannot, in good conscience, “continue at the expense of my family’s privacy, safety, and my own wellbeing.”

The councillor says that by speaking openly, she hopes to encourage more respectful engagement with elected officials.

“We can do better by choosing civility, demonstrating mutual respect, and recognizing that those in public office are individuals with families, just like everyone else.”

She said she hopes residents will vote thoughtfully in the next election.

“Support individuals who demonstrate a genuine commitment to Kawartha Lakes, those who will work diligently on your behalf, lead with integrity, and prioritize the community’s best interests. Choose leaders grounded in honesty and accountability, not just promises. Take the time to do your homework.”

So far, the only declared mayoral candidate is Ward 6 Coun. Ron Ashmore.

Richardson says the next chapter of her life is about “stepping back, prioritizing my family, restoring balance in my life, and spending more time with my grandchildren.”

Coun. Charlie McDonald told Kawartha Lakes Weekly that Richadson could have been “a fantastic mayor” had she declared and won the next election.

“It’s unbelievable, how she has been threatened and harassed. She might be in a grocery store with her granddaughter and people will come up and start screaming at her. That never happens to me.”

McDonald said this is a “sad story.”

“I’m appalled by this,” noting women are bearing the brunt of bad behaviour by voters.

Many Canadian women in politics — federally, provincially, and municipally — have publicly said that harassment and intimidation made them consider leaving politics or decide not to run again.

Pam Damoff, a former Liberal MP for Oakville North–Burlington announced she would leave federal politics and explicitly linked her decision to the growing threats and harassment directed at women in public life.

Catherine McKenna, a former federal environment minister, left federal politics in 2021 after years of intense harassment, including violent online threats, misogynistic slurs, threats against her children, and men showing up at her home.

Marianne Meed Ward, the current mayor of Burlington, has spoken extensively about death threats, threats of physical harm, and online abuse. In an interview with Equal Voice, she said she was told she should be “hanging from the rafters at city hall,” received threats of being set on fire, and was advised not to attend public meetings due to safety risks. While she has not stepped down, she has said the environment is so unsafe that women may feel forced out of politics — and she has publicly acknowledged fearing for her own safety to the point of altering her behaviour.

Closer to home, Peterborough’s former mayor, Diane Therrien, has publicly said that harassment and abuse were major reasons she did not run again. Therrien has stated in interviews that the level of harassment and toxicity was a major factor in her decision not to seek re‑election in 2022.