BREAKING: Double Leadership Shakeup for Municipal Federations

Both the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) and the Nova Scotia Federation of Municipalities (NSFM) will be searching for new presidents following the results of Saturday's municipal elections in Nova Scotia.

Geoff Stewart, President of the FCM and former Deputy Mayor of the Municipality of Colchester, was a key candidate aiming to replace Christine Blair as Mayor of Colchester.

However, with 21 polls reporting, Blair secured re-election with 5,784 votes, while Stewart fell short with 5,440 votes. Stewart had only taken over as FCM President in May, following Scott Pearce of Gore, Quebec.

Meanwhile, the NSFM will also face a leadership change after District of Lunenburg Mayor Carolyn Bolivar-Getson was defeated by challenger Elspeth McLean-Wile. McLean-Wile won the election with 6,240 votes, compared to Bolivar-Getson’s 3,752 votes. Bolivar-Getson had served as NSFM President for just a year, having succeeded Brenda Chisholm-Beaton in November 2023.

With both municipal organizations now in search of new leaders, the aftermath of these elections marks a significant shift in local governance.

Further updates on these developments are expected as the situation unfolds.