I had difficulty finding information about the candidates. Only Wards 1 and 3 have options to vote for. I found some info from candidates in their own words here:
https://townofstratford.ca/release/municipal-election-candidates-written-forum/
I also used AI to generate information about the candidates including what the incumbents actually supported based on meeting minutes and votes. I'm not providing opinions, just what was generated. If any of this is factually wrong let me know and I can update it.
Stratford PEI Municipal Election: Ward 1 and Ward 3 candidates
Vote for up to two candidates in your ward. Steve Ogden is the only mayoral candidate and is acclaimed. Candidate positions come from their written answers to the Town's forum. Incumbent voting comes from council minutes (Jan 2024 to May 2026, with some meetings missing; the May 2026 minutes are unapproved).
Zoning terms
- R1: single-family homes, with some duplexes.
- R2: also allows small townhouse rows. Stacked townhouses (2 storeys, up to 12 units) need council approval case by case.
- R3: adds apartment-style buildings.
- TCR / TCMU: the town-centre residential and mixed-use zones near the shopping area.
- WMU: the waterfront redevelopment area.
Even Stratford's densest zones top out at roughly 3-4 storeys.
WARD 1
Gordie Cox (incumbent, council since 2022)
Record: The most supportive of new housing among the incumbents.
- For: stacked townhouses (Woodhouse Court 2024, CMLMT 8-unit 2025, a 20-unit proposal in May 2026), the waterfront rezonings, the Ducks Landing rezoning, and the Kinlock Rd commercial development.
- Against: the Nov 2025 R1 to R2 rezoning (Grove Developments), arguing for protecting the "edges" between zones. He also pushed for 2 parking spaces per unit on a 2024 project.
- Pattern: backs density but wants buffers and parking. No case found where he was the lone vote against.
Platform: Keep taxes low and be transparent. Affordable housing for seniors and young families while protecting neighbourhood character and green space. Finish the Community Campus and waterfront pavilion, add bus routes, and improve sidewalks, trails and speeding enforcement. Attract a year-round family restaurant, another big grocery store and business park employers.
Dylan Cooper
- Fiscal: fund water, sewer, emergency services and infrastructure first. Every capital project should pass three tests: residents asked for it, there is a funding plan, and running costs are known.
- Growth: apartments and stacked housing "approved where they fit," while keeping low-density options.
- Safety: press the province, using data, for safer walking paths and roads.
- Business: create conditions that attract commercial interest so residents can shop locally.
Derek Kronemeyer
- Housing (top priority): make it easier to build smaller, cheaper homes for first-time buyers and downsizing seniors. Says current council isn't treating this with enough urgency.
- Fiscal: cites the draft Official Plan's point that spread-out single homes cost the town more than they pay in taxes. Wants more homes on land that is already serviced.
- Transit: connected trails, sidewalks and bike routes, plus useful bus service.
- Transparency: plain-language communication, based on running a community information page. On the Planning, Development and Heritage Committee since January 2025.
- Business: shops with homes above, and home-based businesses.
Gail MacDonald (town councillor 2014-2022)
- Priorities: active transportation everywhere, more low or no-cost activities for seniors and families, and working "within our tax base" without raising taxes.
- Business: another family sit-down restaurant and a full-service bank.
- Services: if a wanted service would strain the budget, consult residents on what they'd give up.
- Housing: did not address density or zoning in her answers.
How the challengers differ from Cox
- Kronemeyer is the clearest contrast. He wants zoning changes across Stratford for smaller, cheaper homes, argues density improves town finances, and says council isn't acting fast enough. Cox's housing position is more cautious ("protecting the fringes"). He favours mixed-use buildings and easier home businesses, where Cox names specific businesses. He doesn't mention the Community Campus.
- Cooper is closer to Cox on housing but ties approval to infrastructure capacity. He is more restrictive on spending ("needs come first") and wants every capital item to pass his three tests. Cox lists completing the Campus and pavilion and adding bus routes.
- Gail MacDonald doesn't address housing, where Cox has an active record. She stresses active transportation, activities for seniors and families, and consulting residents on tradeoffs.
- Common ground: all four want stable taxes. Only Cox names completing the Community Campus and the waterfront pavilion.
WARD 3
Ron Dowling (incumbent)
Dowling is the incumbent in Ward 1 but is running in Ward 3 this time. He served four terms on Summerside council before Stratford.
Record: The most consistent "no" on density.
- Against: the Ducks Landing rezoning (the lone no on 1st reading, 2nd reading and adoption), the waterfront rezonings and Official Plan amendment (the lone no on every vote, Sep and Oct 2025), the 8-unit CMLMT stacked townhouse, the Nov 2025 R1 to R2 rezoning (calling it spot zoning), and the May 2026 20-unit proposal. In 2024 he was also the lone vote against an amendment raising parking, and against the 10-unit Woodhouse Court project.
- For: the Kinlock Rd commercial development, and he seconded the 2026/27 budget.
- Pattern: supports development in the core area and on commercial land but opposes rezoning or densifying established R1/R2 streets, and wants density decisions to wait for the new Official Plan.
Platform
- Community Campus: two ice surfaces, indoor turf, youth club and library, paid for with federal and provincial money and fundraising.
- Taxes: no further tax increase, and keep the existing 2-cent increase as a building reserve.
- Neighbourhoods: keep low and medium density neighbourhoods as zoned. Says "orderly" growth is not "growth at all cost."
- Mobility: trails, free gym programming, the on-demand bus and the accessible taxi pilot.
- Business: expand the business park.
Steve Gallant (incumbent, Deputy Mayor, two terms)
Record: Opposes density in or beside existing single-family areas but supports it in designated areas.
- Against: rezoning R2 to R3 for Forest Trails (Jun 2025), the Forest Trails subdivision (lone no, Jun 2025), the 8-unit CMLMT stacked townhouse (Oct 2025), the Nov 2025 R1 to R2 rezoning (opposed "picking away at neighbourhoods for density"), and the May 2026 20-unit proposal.
- For: the waterfront package, the Ducks Landing rezoning, the 10-unit Woodhouse Court project (2024), and the Kinlock Rd commercial development.
- Pattern: says Stratford already has density room in the core, waterfront and other designated areas.
Platform: "Residents first" with responsible finances. Responsible growth that protects established neighbourhoods. Infrastructure (roads, water, sewer, drainage) that keeps pace with growth. A mix of local business, retail, tourism and light industry. No specific tax pledge.
Wilfred MacDonald
- Taxes: make Stratford more affordable by managing the tax burden. No tax increases that result from not following a clear financial plan.
- Roads: a detailed plan to improve the main access corridor, because congestion will deter people and businesses.
- Revenue: open to "all options," including expanding the town's boundaries and aggressively recruiting businesses.
- Business: business park expansion and incentives to compete with other municipalities.
Kevin MacIsaac
- Green space: balance green space against development, with no "high rise" town.
- Taxes: hold tax levels, citing seniors on fixed incomes.
- Seniors: expand programs for them.
- Traffic: wants a long-term plan, starting with the Hillsborough Bridge's capacity.
- Business: more family sit-down restaurants and "buy local."
- Engagement: better two-way communication with residents.
### How the challengers differ from Dowling and Gallant
Both incumbents oppose rezoning or densifying established R1/R2 streets, and Dowling's platform centres on the Community Campus. Neither challenger takes a position on specific rezonings, and neither mentions the Campus.
- Wilfred MacDonald is the most growth-oriented of the four. He treats "expanding the revenue source" as a priority, including expanding town boundaries and aggressively recruiting businesses, where Dowling says no new tax increase and live within means. He wants incentives to compete for business. He doesn't mention protecting low-density areas, which both incumbents make central.
- MacIsaac sits closest to the incumbents. He shares their concern about overdevelopment ("many of us do not want to live in a town of high rise buildings") but doesn't oppose any particular rezoning. He differs by prioritizing seniors' programs, the Hillsborough Bridge and a "moving needle" approach to services guided by resident feedback.
Notes
- Dowling's Ward 1 incumbency is as stated by the author; CBC's 2022 list agrees, but Elections PEI and the Town's forum list him in Ward 3.
- Council minutes for April and June-October 2026 were not available, and Gail MacDonald's earlier votes were not reviewed.
- Votes not flagged as split in the minutes are recorded as unanimous, so some "for" entries are inferred.
- Challenger comparisons rest on five short forum answers each. Where a challenger doesn't mention something, that is an omission, not an opposing stance.
Sources
- Elections PEI candidates: https://www.electionspei.ca/municipal-stratford-candidates
- Town of Stratford candidate written forum: https://townofstratford.ca/release/municipal-election-candidates-written-forum/
- Council minutes: https://stratford.civicweb.net/filepro/documents/1344
- Zoning Bylaw #45: https://townofstratford.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Zoning-and-Development-Bylaw-45-April-2024.pdf