By Michael Bennett
Local Journalism Initiative
The Ridgetown Independent
If you are considering running for Chatham-Kent council – especially if you’re from the rural area – the United Farm Voice has your back.
The UFV is hosting a Chatham-Kent Growing Leadership Brunch on March 22 at the Portuguese Canadian Club in Chatham.
The UFV is comprised of two representatives from the Kent Federation of Agriculture, Chatham-Kent Property Rights Association, Essex-Kent Christian Farmers of Ontario and Grain Farmers of Ontario Dist. 2.
The purpose of the event is to educate potential candidates on the election process, running a campaign and the expectations of being a councillor.
While promotional materials focus on those interested in representing the agricultural voice on council, organizers say the training sessions are for anyone interested in running, whether they want to run in urban or rural wards.
“I hope we attract any person who is interested in running because every councillor, no matter what ward they’re in, will have to deal with rural issues,” said Jim Brackett, president of the KFA. “The objective is to help people understand what it would entail to run, as this is a training session.”
“Hopefully this will encourage good people to run and help councillors from all across Chatham-Kent make good, informed decisions,” Brackett said.
One of the reasons that sparked the idea to host a training session is the ward boundary changes and reduction in the number of councillors to 14 from 17 for the 2026 municipal election.
Two councillors – Ward 3 East Kent’s John Wright and Ward 2 South Kent’s Trevor Thompson – have already announced they will not seek re-election and there is speculation that another six to eight current councillors may not return.
Doors open at 8 a.m. for the UFV event and breakfast will be served at 8:30 a.m.
Following opening statements, there will be five sessions touching on various subjects to educate participants on running for municipal council.
Chatham-Kent Mayor Darrin Canniff, several current councillors, MPP Steve Pinsonneault as well as other municipal officials, former politicians and community leaders will be involved in panel discussions.
The Portuguese Canadian Club is located on Grand Ave. E. in Chatham, just east of the former C&O tracks.
