By KATHRYN FRASER

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The 2026 municipal election is slowly creeping closer and with August 21 being the last day to register as a candidate, those who made the ballot are off and running.

With several positions such as mayor, councillors and school board trustees up for grabs, there is a wide variety of candidates, each with their own background, experience and reasons for running.

Over the next two months leading up to the election the Caledon Citizen will be taking the time to speak to each representative in the race on their reasons for running and what makes them the best candidate for the role being sought and for the local community.

Here are the confirmed candidates for the 2026 Municipal Election

MAYOR

Christina Early – Incumbent Regional Councillor for Ward 1,2 & 3 , Caledon Community Services Board Chair, Rural Ontario Municipal Association Board Member, Region of Peel Diversity equity and Inclusion Chair.

Alan Hart

Mario Russo – Current Regional Councillor for Ward 4,5 & 6, Real Estate consulting and property management background, Vice Chair for Caledon Council Community Golf Tournament Committee. Website: https://mariorusso.ca/

Jagdeep Sacha- President of Indian Overseas Congress Canada (IOC) and Real Estate professional.

Manjit Bhondhi Saini- Chairman and CEO of Child Rights and Welfare Networking, President at Royal Capital Investment Group, Chair Registration Committee at College of Medical Imaging Technologists of Ontario.

WARD 1 COUNCILLOR

Jeffrey Halsall – Small business owner, volunteer and community activist

Kate Hepworth – President of the Caledon Village Association

Keri Parfitt – Local food entrepreneur, Environmental and Water Specialist at Regional Municipalities of York and Peel, led and supported the resistance against Swan Lake proposal.

Aanya Shahi

Tom Sweeney – Longstanding involvement with the Caledon Lions Club, previously ran for Regional Council positions

WARD 2 COUNCILLOR

Yogi Chahal – Realtor for Homelife Miracle

Hunar Kahlon – Business owner and community builder, founded Humanity Sewa and led many food drives, blood donation etc.

Rakesh Madhok – CIBC Mortgage Advisor and Real Estate Agent

Jagraj Sekhon – Real Estate Broker for 17 years.

WARD 3 COUNCILLOR

Stan Cameron – Trustee for the Peel District School Board, former Psychology teacher at Centennial College, Caledon Public School Vegetable Garden Project lead. Recipient of the Paul Harris Fellowship.

Doug Maskell – Incumbent Ward 3 Councillor, Board of Directors of Southwestern Integrated Fibre Technology Caledon Council representative, retired teacher.

WARD 4 COUNCILLOR

Cheryl Connors – Founder of non-profit Palgrave Residents Association, Past Director of Caledon Chamber of Commerce, Community Advocate.

Pat Fortini – Brampton Regional Councillor for Ward 7 and 8

Heather French – Farmer and Business Owner, Volunteer, Former Teacher. Recipient of Queen Elizabeth II Golden and Diamond Jubilee Medals, Town of Caledon Civic Award and OASS Meritorious Service Award.

Paul Parete – 25 years professional experience as a physical scientist, devoted career to environmental stewardship, protecting water quality and safeguarding community health.

WARD 5 COUNCILLOR

Anthony Caputo – Local business owner, community leader and volunteer, past Chamber of Commerce president.

Diana Mollicone – Licensed Professional Engineer, community organizer, award winning local business owner of Coffee Time Bolton, BrightStart Caledon Board member, Downtown Bolton BIA Board Member, Town of Caledon Distinguished Citizen 2026 Recipient.

John Muir – Served on the Bolton Wanderers Soccer Club Board of Directors for nearly a decade, experience in telecommunications, retail property management, marketing, sales and advertising, long-time volunteer with youth organizers.

WARD 6 COUNCILLOR

Cosimo Napoli – Incumbent Ward 6 Councillor, co-owner of successful security company, Chair of the Caledon Council Charity Golf Tournament, Library Board Committee member, Bolton BIA Committee.

Carmela Palkowski – Caledon Community Road Safety Advocacy President

REGIONAL COUNCILLOR, WARDS 1, 2, 3

Harpreet Grewal – Community Advocate, Business Owner, President of the Peel Multicultural Council.

Dave Sheen – Incumbent Councillor for Ward 2, Governance Review Committee Chair, Audit Committee Vice Chair, Appointed Alternate Member of Peel Regional Council.

Mauro Testani – Business Owner and Entrepreneur, member of the Caledon Lions Club.

REGIONAL COUNCILLOR, WARDS 4, 5, 6

Tony Rosa – Incumbent Ward 5 Councillor (ACCLAIMED)

SCHOOL BOARD TRUSTEES

English Separate:

Paula Giovannozzi-Dametto – ACCLAIMED

English Public:

Firdausi Homam

Rosey Kaur – Founder of Concept 1 Learning centre and Patka Box Movement, CEO Conquer Kids, Women's Canada Award Recipient.

Pamela McGugan – School administrator for 11 years for students with developmental disabilities ages 14 to 21, teacher, mentor graduate students at University of Toronto.

Gagan Sandhu – Founder of StarG Events, organized and supported hundreds of community programs, cultural advocate, media collaborator.

French Separate:

Genevieve Grenier – ACCLAIMED

For more information , including contact information for each candidate, visit https://www.caledon.ca/en/news/certified-candidates-and-acclaimed-offices-for-the-town-of-caledon-s-2026-municipal-elections.aspx