Two Councillors announce intention to not seek re-election

By Riley Murphy

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

On their personal Facebook pages, within one day of one another, Councillors Nick de Boer and Lynn Kiernan announced their decisions not to seek re-election in this fall's municipal election.

Both Councillors have served their wards for numerous years.

For the past 23 years, de Boer has been a Councillor representing both Wards 3 and 4.

In his post, he stated that he has enjoyed representing the voice of rural Caledon and agriculture, both at the Council table and at other levels of government.

“I do fondly look back at the many staff and fellow councillors that I have been able to work with over the years who have helped deliver the needs of our community.  I will continue to remain active in Caledon as a volunteer, as I have for over 40 years and to help raise the 5th generation on our Caledon Farm,” stated de Boer in the post.

Kiernan has represented Ward 1 for the past eight years. She stated in her post that “serving this community has been one of the greatest honours of my life.”

In her post, Kiernan touched on recent planning and development concerns, stating that “Caledon is at a turning point.”

“From a package of 12 contentious zoning by-laws introduced all at once, to a proposal that would allow Swan Lake to be filled in, and others which would fundamentally reshape our rural landscape. These are not abstract policy debates. They will determine what Caledon looks like, feels like, and stands for for generations to come,” she stated.

She notes that Ward 1 is “facing pressures” and says she believes “development pressures have been prioritized over the natural environment, farmland, and the rural character that define who we are.”

“I have also been deeply concerned by a pattern of decision-making that has not always felt as open or accountable as it should be. When the public is not fully informed, or when meaningful public engagement is limited, trust is eroded and our community deserves better.”

Kiernan stated that she believed it was important to “stand firm in protecting what makes Ward 1 so special.”

In her post, she encourages people to “carefully consider” the next four years of Caledon when it comes time for the upcoming municipal election.

“The decisions made in this election will shape our Town in ways that cannot easily be undone,” she says.

“Through it all, the people of Ward 1 have remained resilient, engaged, and deeply committed to this community. Your voices, your advocacy, and your care for this place have stayed with me every step of the way. For that, I am truly grateful,” stated Kiernan. “As I step away from elected office, I do so with a deep appreciation for the opportunity I was given to serve. I hope I have honoured the trust you placed in me by standing up for this community, especially when it mattered most.”