• Mayor Iain Lovatt formally launched his 2026 reelection campaign during the Greater Stouffville Chamber’s May 21 Spring Dinner.
  • Lovatt described the next term of Council as critical to Stouffville’s long-term outlook.
  • The Mayor highlighted affordability, infrastructure delivery, local business support, and Main Street reconstruction as priorities.
  • Lovatt joins Councillor Hugo Kroon as the first registered incumbent candidates ahead of the Oct. 26, 2026 municipal election.
  • Council races are already beginning to take shape across Wards 1, 2, 4, and 6.
  • Lovatt addressed low voter turnout in 2022, encouraging greater participation this year through the use of internet voting.

 

Iain Lovatt formally launched his 2026 mayoral campaign Thursday evening, using the Greater Stouffville Chamber of Commerce’s Spring Dinner to frame the next term of Council as a defining period for the municipality’s future.

The announcement marks the beginning of Lovatt’s bid for a third term as mayor ahead of Stouffville’s Oct. 26, 2026 municipal election. He is only the second incumbent to indicate their desire to remain in office, as potential ward ballots slowly come together.

Speaking to local business and community leaders at the Chamber event, Lovatt touched on Stouffville’s past, present, and future before calling for continued momentum in Council Chambers and the Town’s Municipal Offices building.

“Stouffville deserves leadership that is fully invested in its future,” he said. “Not halfway in, not cautiously standing on the sidelines, and not treating public service like a stepping-stone to something else.”

The Mayor positioned the 2026-2030 Council term as critical to shaping the community’s long-term direction, arguing that upcoming decisions will influence housing affordability, economic development, infrastructure delivery, and quality of life for years to come.

“The decisions we make over the next several years will shape this community for decades,” Lovatt told attendees, adding they will determine “whether young families can still afford to live here, whether businesses continue to invest here, and whether Stouffville remains the connected and welcoming community we all love.”

Lovatt also argued leaders cannot afford hesitation as the Town grows. He emphasized the importance of completing the Main Street reconstruction project, supporting local businesses, expanding hard and soft infrastructure, and continuing to improve workplace culture at Town Hall as key priorities moving forward.

While Lovatt is the first candidate to enter the mayoral race, he will not be the first incumbent member of council to file nomination papers for reelection.

Hugo Kroon has again registered in Ward 1, where he is expected to face returning candidate Michael Cleverdon in what is currently the only confirmed incumbent-versus-challenger race.

In Ward 4, educator and Stouffville Library board director David Parmer has filed nomination papers and could challenge Rick Upton. Social worker and Fill a Purse for a Sister Campaign founder Angel Freedman has again registered in Ward 6, where Keith Acton has yet to formally enter the race.

Two new candidates have come forward in Ward 2, with Jared Simpson of Simpson Family Farms and Rocco Priore of Country Casa Montessori & Daycare both registering. Incumbent Maurice Smith has not yet filed nomination papers.

Before formally announcing his reelection campaign, Lovatt reflected on Stouffville’s low voter turnout during the 2022 municipal election and encouraged greater public participation in 2026. “I know we can do better,” he said.

Although the upcoming election will offer fewer in-person polling locations, it will be the first in Stouffville to include online voting. Lovatt suggested the change will make it “even easier to cast your vote for the candidates of your choice.”

Adding that he “believes deeply” in the direction Stouffville is heading, he argued the community’s strongest years still lie ahead.  “Now is the time to keep the momentum and look to the future,” Lovatt said just before declaring his candidacy. “Now is the time to stay ‘All in!’ for Stouffville.”

Additional information on registered candidates, third-party advertisers, and the 2026 municipal election is available through the Town’s official election website, StouffvilleVotes.ca.