The incumbent Mayor of Prince Edward County has confirmed he has decided not to throw his hat in the ring for the upcoming municipal election this fall.
Steve Ferguson made the official announcement on Wednesday morning outside Shire Hall in Picton that he will not seek re-election for the 2026-30 council term.
Ferguson has spent the past two terms as County Mayor, starting in 2018 and being re-elected in 2022.
InQuinte.ca will have more on candidates for all municipalities in the leadup to the October 26 election.
Ferguson’s full statement can be read below
I want to share with you the news that I will not be seeking re-election as mayor this October.
This decision has not been made lightly, but I think it important that you hear this news directly
from me.
It has been an honour and a privilege to be the mayor of Prince Edward County, and it has been made all the more meaningful by the strong working relationships I have built over the past
eight years in this position, in addition to the four prior years during my term as Councillor for South Marysburgh.
Together, over these twelve years, I and the councils I have been a member of, have accomplished a great deal on behalf of the municipality.
The collective record of our achievements during this period is both considerable and commendable. I am very proud to have contributed to these outcomes, however, our success
has been driven in large part by the leadership, commitment, and collaboration of the members of council and our municipal staff, not to mention dozens of volunteers.
Absent any of those qualities it would have been near impossible to deal with the declaration and management of three states of emergency related to flooding and severe weather; the
approval and construction of a new hospital and long-term care home; securing the Queen Elizabeth School property for affordable housing and social services; navigating and
responding to the significant challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic; the approval of the County Road 1/Highway 62 roundabout; supporting and approving Campfire Circle’s new facility in
Bloomfield; implementing the Municipal Accommodation Tax (MAT) and financial relief programs; developing and adopting both a new Asset Management Plan and a revised Official
Plan; and most recently securing the necessary funding that will lead to the full reconstruction of County Road 49.
There are many more examples.
I also wish to acknowledge the essential contributions of our staff. Their professionalism, leadership, and expertise have been instrumental in achieving these results.
We live in a community unlike any other in the province and, I dare say, the country, and it remains my distinct honour and privilege to serve as the Mayor of Prince Edward County – a fact
I am reminded of every time I wear the chain of office – until the conclusion of our term on November 14th.
