With just a week left until the municipal election, three mayoral contests in Durham Region are drawing attention. In Pickering and Whitby, incumbent mayors are being challenged by familiar faces from the council. Meanwhile, in Oshawa, three council members are competing to succeed the outgoing mayor, with the city’s downtown future at stake.
Let’s delve into each race:
**Pickering**
Mayor Kevin Ashe is up against city councillor Lisa Robinson, known for her controversial track record on the council. Robinson has been scrutinized by the city’s integrity commissioner multiple times since 2023, resulting in several pay suspensions. The tensions between Robinson and the mayor have significantly impacted council proceedings.
**Whitby**
Incumbent Mayor Elizabeth Roy is facing off against regional and city councillor Chris Leahy. Leahy, along with fellow councillor Steve Yamada, filed a human rights complaint against Roy, which was recently dismissed. The clash between Leahy, Yamada, and other council members over racism allegations has been a recurring issue.
**Oshawa**
In Oshawa, the mayoral race features three sitting councillors competing to succeed Mayor Dan Carter. This race signals a forthcoming change in city leadership without the usual incumbent-challenger tensions. Downtown Oshawa’s revitalization and addressing homelessness and drug-related challenges are key topics in this race.
The candidates’ proposals and actions in response to these issues have been the focus of public attention and debates leading up to the election.
