Paul McQueen has been re-elected Mayor of Grey Highlands, a position he has held since 2014.
During an interview on the 2026 Municipal Election show on 89.3 CFOS, McQueen says his goals for his next term include being open and transparent about where money is going and making sure the right information reaches the public.
“I think we have to be very communicative in the sense of where we spend the money,” McQueen says. “It is all about education and communication, and you know sometimes, if people don’t have the right information, it’s not good.”
McQueen explains that the trade war with the United States has resulted in higher costs in many sectors, while other expenses – such as Ontario Provincial Police and insurance spending – are out of the municipality’s hands.
“OPP costs were up $200,000, our insurance costs were up $186,000, those are things that are out of our control,” McQueen says. “You hear zero per cent budget, we need to come in with a zero per cent budget, well, it’s tough when you have these things that are external that we can’t control.”
Relaxing after a successful campaign, McQueen also mentioned the toll a months-long campaign takes on candidates.
“A neighbouring mayor made a comment to me, and it sometimes makes sense that the election period is maybe too long,” McQueen says. “Because it does wane on you a lot, and it does take up a lot of time.”