Matthew Brearley, 2026 Deputy Mayoral Candidate for the Township of McNab/Braeside | Photo Credit: Matthew Brearley
The 2026 Ontario Municipal Election is set for October 26th, and it’s time for constituents to make an informed decision.
WOW FM reporters reached out to all deputy mayoral candidates running for the seat in the Township of McNab/Braeside.
In this article, you’ll be able to hear from candidate Matthew Brearley. He has spent most of his life within the township, being born and raised in White Lake. Growing up in the community, Brearley spent a lot of his early years on the farm gaining valuable experience in the agricultural industry.
Over the years, he’s also attended post-secondary focused on food and beverage and worked at multiple restaurants including owning and operating the former Castlegarth Restaurant. He’s also put his education to work managing and cooking for local care homes and has been heavily involved in the community.
In municipal politics, Brearley ran for council in 2022, however he was not elected to the role. Now, he hopes to be able to represent the residents of McNab/Braeside in the deputy mayor’s seat.
In our interview, Brearley was asked three questions focused on future concerns within McNab/Braeside. These are his answers.
Question one: It’s no mystery that The Township of McNab/Braeside is seeing a growth in population. The Township’s website says the population total from the 2021 census is just under 7,600 people, with projections that the population could be closer to 8,400 people. As deputy mayor, how would you work with the council to control the population growth?
Question two: The Township and the County held a traffic calming open house in June talking about the increasing dangers on all levels of roads. Provincial, county and municipal. The main concern, speeding. If elected, how would you and your council approach and handle the speeding issue and how would you work with the county and province to get it done?
Question three: In February of 2025, former mayor Mark MacKenzie stepped down following an integrity commissioner report that found multiple code of conduct violations, bringing a distrust of council from some residents. As deputy mayor, what would be your plan to help restore that trust back into council?
In our interview, candidates were also given a two minute time period to share their platform on why you should choose them as your mayor. This is Brearley’s response.
The election is fast approaching and there’s a lot information to take in. Ensure you’re registered to vote by contacting the township.
Registered voters will receive a Voter Information Letter in the mail approximately two weeks before the election. If you do not receive the letter, contact the township via email at election@mcnabbraeside.com, by phone at 613-623-5756 or in person at the township offices at 2473 Russett Drive, Arnprior, ON.
The advanced voting period begun Tuesday, October 13th at 10 a.m. and will run until Sunday, October 25th.
Voting day will take place Monday, October 26th. Voting will take place over the internet or by telephone until 8 p.m.
The clerk will then declare the results of the election and provide information to the public on the township’s website.
(Written by: Bob Kubbinga)
