West Nipissing Mayor Kathleen Thorne Rochon, who took office in 2022, aimed to restore civility to the council proceedings. Thorne Rochon emphasized the importance of upholding the expected conduct for herself and the other eight council members at the start of their term.
The council’s previous administration, before Thorne Rochon’s tenure, was known for its toxic and dysfunctional environment in the final two years. The provincial government had to intervene by appointing a facilitator to oversee meetings due to delays in approving agenda minutes and a standstill between factions leading to a nine-month hiatus in council sessions.
When Thorne Rochon was elected on a platform promoting civility, none of the previous council members seeking re-election were successful in reclaiming their seats. However, four members from the former council, including Chris Fisher, Yvon Duhaime, Roland Larabie, and ex-mayor Joanne Savage, are now running for office again in the upcoming 2026 municipal election.
Savage, now a candidate for Ward 4 in Sturgeon Falls, expressed her commitment to restoring financial discipline and asking critical questions about budget allocations based on her extensive experience in municipal politics. Fisher, who previously opposed Savage, acknowledged the challenges faced during his tenure but highlighted achievements such as securing funding for an OPP detachment and enhancing the local hockey arena.
Both candidates emphasized the need for community involvement and improvement projects. West Nipissing residents can participate in the upcoming municipal election through online voting from October 14 to October 26.
