John McCormack Running for Ward 2 Council Seat

John McCormack has filed his nomination for councillor in Ward 2 (South Elmsley) in the 2026 Rideau Lakes municipal election.

McCormack, who moved to Ontario from Montreal in 1980, has a varied background that includes senior management in the automotive sector, running his own custom home-building company, and serving as a former member of council in Greater Napanee.

He and his wife, Inkeri, have four children and seven grandchildren. The couple moved from Greater Napanee to South Elmsley, where he currently resides, to be closer to their eldest son and his two boys.

McCormack has also been involved in a number of community organizations. He is a former board member of the Ontario Humane Society and Seniors Outreach Services, former chair of the Loyalist Parkway Association, and a member of an Ontario Youth Justice Committee.

He is a licensed wedding officiant in Ontario, has earned his pilot's licence, and a member of a pipes and drums band. He is fluent in English and French and speaks conversational Italian and Finnish.

McCormack said his decision to run for council is driven in part by what he describes as the "dysfunctional state" of the current council.

He pointed to what he said was "chaos" during a council meeting in October 2025, which he said led to the end of in-person council meetings.

"As taxpayers, we deserve better representation at council, as well we should have the right to attend meetings in person," McCormack said.

He also cited what he described as a lack of decorum, multiple integrity commissioner investigations and a loss of trust between staff and council as concerns he wants to address.

A priority for McCormack would be bringing together a new council whose members can work effectively with one another while rebuilding trust with municipal staff.

"My four years on council gave me a wealth of experience as well as important and useful perspective to bring to the table," he said.

McCormack said he would also insist that council follow Robert's Rules of Order, which he said are not currently being observed.

He believes community interest groups can also play an important role by providing council and staff with valuable information.

On Strong Mayor Powers, McCormack said the powers are provincially mandated and were designed to expedite decisions on housing development and move forward important decisions that could otherwise be stalled when councils are unable to reach a consensus.

"If you have a strong council, including the mayor, that work well together, then possibly you would not have to resort to using it."

McCormack said he has always followed politics and believes he can make a difference at the municipal level.

"I can make a difference and help to make my community the best it can be," he said.