• Ward 6 Council candidate Greg Smith has withdrawn from Stouffville’s 2026 municipal election.
  • Announcing his decision on Facebook Oct. 4, he cited family health concerns requiring regular travel to Halifax.
  • Provincial regulations require Smith’s name to remain on the ballot, despite his withdrawal.
  • Smith said residents are focused on maintaining quality of life, addressing traffic and road safety concerns, and responsible taxation.
  • He also called for a stronger commercial tax base to ease the burden on residential taxpayers, alongside infrastructure that keeps pace with growth.
  • Incumbent Councillor Sue Sherban and challenger Angel Freedman remain the two active candidates in the Ward 6 race.

 

Citing significant health concerns involving family members and related travel demands, Ward 6 Council candidate Greg Smith announced his withdrawal from Stouffville’s 2026 municipal election.

“After a great deal of thought and soul searching, I have made the difficult decision to withdraw from the upcoming election for Ward 6 Town Councillor,” Smith posted to his campaign Facebook account.

“Given the uncertainty around when I may be needed back in Halifax, I do not believe continuing in this election would be in the best interests of Ward 6 residents, or of my family,” he wrote.

Smith thanked his supporters and family for their “guidance and support,” adding that he was “very grateful” for the conversations he had with residents.

He also extended his best wishes to his Ward 6 competitors, incumbent Councillor Sue Sherban and fellow challenger Angel Freedman, saying it is a privilege to serve in municipal government.

“It is also the level of government that has such a direct impact on our everyday lives, and I remain deeply committed to this community and to Stouffville,” he said.

Because the nomination period has closed, provincial regulations require Smith’s name to remain on the ballot. He acknowledged as much, asking voters to “please keep this in mind when casting their vote.”

Why Smith Ran

In an earlier interview with 102.9 Whistle FM and Bullet Point News, Smith discussed his candidacy and the reasons behind his decision to run for office.

A Stouffville resident for two decades, he raised three children in the community and is actively involved as a hockey coach, he explained. Professionally, Smith spent 35 years in the private sector, holding leadership roles with companies such as Procter & Gamble and Molson Canada.

Smith said a run for Council offered a substantive way to give back to the community. He also recognized that Ward 6 lacks a larger, significant concern like other wards, noting that it is mostly developed.

While cognizant of real micro issues in the area, “protecting the quality of life is the thing that [came] back over and over” at the doors, he told us. Traffic concerns were also prevalent, Smith added, citing speeding through subdivisions as a sticking point.

The Ward 6 candidate said resident comments about taxes also “come up overwhelmingly.” He called for a stronger commercial base to ease the burden on residential property taxpayers.

On growth, Smith focused on management, saying the municipality needs to ensure infrastructure keeps pace with development. He identified roads, traffic, water capacity, and parks as needs across Stouffville, adding that growth “has to make financial sense” and development must contribute to the community.

“We need to treat every tax dollar with reverence,” Smith said. “People are giving us their taxes, and they want to see something back. They want to see that responsible growth.”

Ward 6 Race Narrows

With Smith out, incumbent Ward 6 Councillor Sue Sherban and challenger Angel Freedman are the remaining two candidates actively campaigning. Both wished Smith well in comments to Bullet Point News.

“I am sorry to hear Greg Smith has withdrawn from the Ward 6 campaign,” Freedman said. “I wish him and his family the very best during this difficult time.”

Sherban offered similar support, wishing Smith and his family “strength and comfort as they navigate this very difficult time.” She also commented on the race ahead.

“The people of Ward 6 deserve a representative who is fully invested in their community and able to be present and engaged in the work of representing them,” Sherban said. “While Greg has chosen to withdraw from the election, his name will remain on the ballot, and I encourage residents to engage and make an informed choice about who they believe is best positioned to represent Ward 6 and serve our community.”

 

Cover image used with permission from the Greg Smith for Stouffville campaign