Will Bouma is heading back to Queen’s Park for another term, having been declared the MPP elect for Brantford-Brant less than 20 minutes after the polls closed. Bouma's victory marks his third term in office, and he reflected on the mandate granted to him upon his win. “When the Premier (Doug Ford) called the election he said we needed a strong mandate to combat the tariffs from the United States,” Bouma stated after his victory was confirmed. “The people of Brantford-Brant recognized the need to protect our economy, jobs, and our community. They’ve give us the mandate we need.”
Emotion welled up for Bouma as he thanked his supporters, family, and friends, expressing gratitude for their confidence as he embarks on another term. “I want to thank the people of Brantford-Brant for their confidence and their support,” said Bouma. His commitment to tackling community issues includes the establishment of new educational facilities and healthcare services. “We have four elementary schools underway right now, as well as a new Catholic secondary school. Of course, what’s top of mind for everyone is a new hospital,” he elaborated, underscoring local needs.
Specific commitments made by Premier Ford include more than $21 million allocated to repair infrastructure at Brantford General Hospital and the initiation of planning for the new hospital. Bouma received 24,169 votes, securing 47.3 percent of the ballots cast, outperforming his nearest rival, Harvey Bischof of the New Democratic Party (NDP), who garnered 12,002 votes, or 23.5 percent. Other candidates included Ron Fox of the Liberals, with 10,364 votes and Karleigh Csordas of the Greens, with 2,567 votes.
Bischof, reflecting on his campaign's outcome, thanked his volunteers and expressed concern for the community’s disenfranchised. “We ran a good, positive campaign,” he noted. “I think the results show there are thousands of people who need our voice and need our support.” Displaying resolve, Bischof acknowledged the challenges voters face, particularly concerning housing and living costs. “We want to be part of the fight to help those who have been forgotten and left behind,” he assured his supporters.
On the other hand, Ron Fox also conveyed appreciation for his campaign's progress and the support he received. “I think we ran a good campaign and I think we laid the foundation for future campaigns,” Fox remarked. Recognizing increased voter turnout, Fox was optimistic for his party’s future prospects, thanking the federal Liberal riding association for their help.
Meanwhile, other candidates like Joshua Carron from the New Blue Party, Rob Ferguson from the Libertarian Party, and Mike Clancy from the None of the Above Party were mentioned for their less impactful vote counts, with Carron receiving 1,138 votes (2.2 percent) and Ferguson getting 500 votes (1 percent).
This recent election illustrated not only Bouma's ability to hold his seat but also the challenges and vibrations of local politics as sentiments evolve. Bouma was first elected to the Ontario legislature back in 2018, receiving with 24,437 votes at the time. He returned to office again in 2022 with 20,738 votes, reinforcing his continued presence and influence among voters, eclipsing the nearest competitor.
While Bouma’s future looks promising, another local political shift occurred as Debra Stamper announced her resignation from the Sadieville City Commission, effective March 25, 2025. She cited personal reasons, saying, “I need to do what’s best for my family,” alluding to her husband’s medical needs and her new job responsibilities. While expressing pride over her six years of service, she felt it was time to prioritize her family's wellbeing above her public duties.
Stamper left on good terms, expressing willingness to assist during the transition and help guide her successor. Mayor Jennifer Halsey noted this enabled the commission to begin the search for candidates before her official departure, emphasizing the need for agility during such political shifts. If no candidates are nominated within 30 days, protocol mandates the governor's involvement.
The recent commission meeting minutes also revealed proactive steps as city attorney, Jason Obermeyer, completed the first reading of new ordinances for monthly workshops and proposed community surveys concerning school property development. City Clerk Laura Centers indicated efforts to construct budgets for events more efficiently, aiming to streamline the commissioning process, showcasing the forward-thinking planning within Sadieville’s governance.
Overall, the situations of Bouma and Stamper present two sides of political stories—one thriving and continuing with strong community support, and the other stepping back for personal reasons. Their situations highlight the impact of elected service on community dynamics and the importance of smooth transitions within local government.