Tracy Richardson elected as deputy mayor

Ward 8 councillor served for two years in this role previously

Ward 8 Coun. Tracy Richardson will serve as Kawartha Lakes’ deputy mayor for 2026 after being acclaimed to the role during council’s Dec. 9 meeting.

Her 12-month term begins Jan. 1. Richardson previously served as deputy mayor in 2022 and 2023.

“I am truly honoured to accept this role as deputy mayor,” Richardson told council following her acclamation.

Richardson, who is in her eighth year on council, told members she was grateful for their support and emphasized the importance of the collaborative spirit she has seen from council.

“Serving alongside each of you has shown me the strength and dedication and the heart that drives a municipality forward, and how we’ve worked together towards all our wards accomplishing great things,” she said.

“Our municipality is full of a tremendous amount of opportunity and the work we do continues to be meaningful (with) lasting benefits to the communities we serve.”

Richardson was nominated by outgoing deputy mayor and Ward 7 Coun. Charlie McDonald. Ward 5 Coun. Mark Doble seconded the nomination.

In his nomination, McDonald said Richardson has shown “unwavering dedication” to several city projects and initiatives that she has taken the lead on, citing the growth management strategy, pushing for increases from Ontario Works and asking the province to prioritize the review of the Greenbelt Plan, as some examples.

McDonald added that Richardson has pushed for improved customer service between residents and city staff, “and I am sure she will continue to push the great momentum that we’ve seen in our city-wide customer service.” He also said Richardson is supportive of other council members, boards and committees.

“They are the reasons I have nominated Coun. Tracy Richardson in 2026 – her leadership, integrity and her proven track record makes (her) the right choice to guide us in our last year of our term,” McDonald said.

Doble said Richardson has provided him with strong support since he was elected to council on April 10, adding she has demonstrated commitment to the entire city.

“Coun. Richardson … looks beyond her ward,” he said. “She’s well aware of city-wide issues and concerns and cares about them deeply and works very hard on behalf of constituents, regardless of their ward.”

Deputy mayors are elected by council every year for one-year terms. The deputy mayor serves as a stand-in for the mayor when they are unavailable for events, committee meetings or council meetings.

Ward 3 Coun. Mike Perry was nominated by Ward 6 Coun. Ron Ashmore and seconded by Ward 1 Coun. Emmett Yeo, but he declined when city clerk Cathie Ritchie asked if he would accept the nomination.

“That is very flattering and very affirming to be nominated here just now, but I am going to respectfully decline the nomination and continue to focus on my work for the good people in Ward 3,” Perry said.

Perry added that he knows Richardson “will do an excellent job and we need women in municipal leadership roles.”

Mayor Doug Elmslie took a moment during the meeting to thank McDonald for his service as deputy mayor, telling council McDonald has been supportive over the past two years and that he has “enjoyed” working with him and “benefited” from the experience.

“I really appreciate everything he’s done over that period of time,” Elmslie said.