Suzanne Gammon
Tribune
With less than three weeks left until nominations close for the upcoming municipal election, the mayoralty race in West Nipissing is heating up but the wards remain largely uncontested, save one.
So far, only the incumbents are seeking re-election in six of the eight wards: Kris Rivard in ward 1; Roch St. Louis in ward 2; Jamie Restoule in ward 4; Roland Larabie in ward 6; Fern Pellerin in ward 7; and Georges Pharand in ward 8. However, ward 3 is turning out to be hotly disputed, with three hopefuls challenging incumbent Daniel Gagné. Denis Sabourin is trying again after running in 2022, with newcomers Corrin Smith and Richard Forget also throwing their hat in the ring for a four-way race so far.
Ward 5 incumbent Kaitlyn Nicol has not registered as a candidate so far, and no one else is seeking that seat yet either. Nominations are open until August 21 at 2 pm.
On the mayoralty front, early registrant Charles Desgroseilliers is now facing two opponents with council experience. Incumbent mayor Kathleen Thorne Rochon officially registered after signalling her intent to do so (read our interviews with Desgroseilliers and Rochon in the June 10, 2026 edition of the Tribune). More recently, past council member Yvon Duhaime decided to run for the top spot after considering another run as councillor.
