Four Candidates Enter Mayoral Race For Upcoming Municipal Election
/Four names in Neil Morton, Dr. Michael Eamon, Rebecca Schillemat and Keith Riel have placed their bids to become the Mayor of Peterborough for the upcoming 2026 municipal election on Oct. 26.
Photos courtesy of Neil Morton, Dr. Michael Eamon, Rebecca Schillemat and Keith Riel.
Morton placed his bid on Monday morning at City Hall.
The Peterborough native and PTBOCanada founder is known for his community-building and for being a local entrepreneur. He is a graduate of Adam Scott CVI and Trent University.
In addition to PTBOCanada, he also founded StudioPTBO and Cormor 3D. Morton has served with the Peterborough Chamber of Commerce, the Canadian Canoe Museum, the Trent Alumni Association and has chaired the United Way of Peterborough & District fundraising campaign.
“I've spent the last several months speaking with PTBO residents just like you and I've noticed a common theme during nearly every one: We’re stuck managing decline instead of managing growth,” said Morton. “I'm a community builder, and I know Peterborough isn't living up to its full potential. I'm developing a bold, pragmatic platform to get PTBO unstuck.”
Morton will outline his platform and officially kick off his campaign at a public launch event on May 26.
Neil Morton. Photo courtesy of Avery Morton and Jason Fiorotto.
Eamon filed his candidacy on Friday morning.
Eamon has nearly 20 years of leadership experience in Peterborough. He is the current Principal of Catharine Parr Traill College at Trent University. According to Eamon, he has managed multi-million-dollar budgets, overseen diverse teams and spearheaded major community infrastructure projects, including the $1.5 million Jalynn Bennett Amphitheatre.
He has held roles with federal and provincial governments, as well as in the academic sector.
Eamon’s volunteer work includes the United Way, the Peterborough Historical Society, Scouts Canada, and membership in the Peterborough Singers and the Peterborough Concert Band since 2006.
According to a press release, Eamon’s platform emphasizes good governance, civility, and compassion. His vision focuses on attracting new industries to expand the tax base, improving coordination with the non-profit sector to support vulnerable citizens and maintaining vibrant neighbourhoods across the city. Eamon pledged to be a sound financial manager, ensuring property taxes are applied efficiently while advocating for increased support from provincial and federal levels of government.
“A better future for Peterborough starts with stronger leadership today," said Eamon. “My vision is a consultative, coordinated, and compassionate approach. I am a problem-solver who respects the complexity of our issues, and I am ready to find productive, sustainable solutions with and for everyone in our community.”
Eamon says his goal over the next few months is to meet with as many people as possible throughout Peterborough to hear their thoughts on the future and develop informed plans that meet residents’ needs.
Dr. Michael Eamon. Photo courtesy of Dr. Michael Eamon.
Schillemat joins the mayoral race after placing her bid at Market Hall on Monday morning.
According to Schillemat, her campaign will focus on building a safer, more affordable and more functional city through responsible leadership, stronger community partnerships and transparent decision-making at City Hall.
Schillemat is a Clarington native, graduated from Trent University in 2010 and worked in Peterborough for six years. She moved away and back to Peterborough in 2021.
She expressed concern about the city's current state and said she wants to make changes if elected.
“This is not the city I remembered, it is not the city my husband grew up in, it isnot the city we planned to raise our children in,” explained Schillemat. “I want to change that. I want a better Peterborough. I want a city that has opportunities for our children from jobs and housing to sports and the arts. I want a city that is safe and affordable to build a life in. I want a city that is thriving for everyone.”
Schillemat outlined her key priorities of the campaign which include:
Improving housing attainability including increasing capacity across the housing continuum
Supporting safer and healthier public spaces for everyone
Strengthening accountability and transparency
Supporting economic growth and local business development
Investing responsibly in infrastructure and city services
Building collaborative solutions to complex social challenges
Schillemat has been involved with local tradespeople and home builders, with the arts community and environmental organizations. She has been on the Board of Directors for the Peterborough + Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce and the Peterborough Folk Festival.
Her volunteer work includes the Cancer Society for Relay for Life, the Big Bike for Heart & Stroke, Santa’s Sleigh for the Kawartha Haliburton Children’s Foundation and the Peterborough Folk Festival.
“My ideal Peterborough is a thriving community that has something for everyone—housing, employment, entertainment, healthcare, safety, and a sense of community and belonging,” said Schillemat. “I want opportunities for my children and future generations to build a life right here in Peterborough.”
Rebecca Schillemat. Photo courtesy of Rebecca Schillemat.
City Councillor Riel placed his bid as Mayor on Friday, backing up his declaration to run for the role back in mid-November.
Riel grew up in Peterborough’s south end and has served on City Council for 17 years, having been elected four times. He has worked for 38 years at General Electric as an industrial electrician and electrical technician.
He served as president of the local union representing General Electric workers. Riel was also president of the Peterborough and District Labour Council.
In that span, he ran three local businesses: a bar (five years); a retail shop, The Green Door; (five years) and a DJ company, RMS Music (20 years).
Riel outlined his key priorities of the campaign which include:
A City That Works
Housing People Can Afford
A Local Economy That Grows Here
Safe Communities, Strong Services
Arts, Culture and a City That Creates
A Council That Acts
“We’re at a jumping-off point,” said Riel. We have to do something concrete to build the city we want, not just accept a slow decline into something we don’t recognize.”
Riel is hosting a launch party on Wednesday night.
Councillor Keith Riel. Photo courtesy of Justin Sutton.
Mayor Jeff Leal is undecided if he will run for reelection this October.
“First of all, it will truly be a family decision and my family is chatting about this as we speak,” explained Leal. “There's a lot of time to file nomination papers and in my view, I've never let politics ever distract you from the work that needs to be done. I think this (multi-sport and Event Centre) is a good example of work that still needs to be done.”
He defeated Henry Clarke, Stephen Wright, Brian Lumsden and Victor Kreuz in the 2022 municipal election to become the Mayor of Peterborough after a four-year hiatus from politics from 2018 to 2022.
Leal served four consecutive terms as the Peterborough-Kawartha MPP for the Liberal Party from 2003 to 2018 until current Conservative MPP Dave Smith won the seat.
Candidates have until Aug. 21 at 2 p.m. to file submissions for the City of Peterborough municipal election. Submissions are accepted by appointment only and can be scheduled by emailing elections@peterborough.ca.
Mayor Jeff Leal served under former Liberal Premier Kathleen Wynne. He worked in several ministries as an MPP such as the Ministry of Energy, Ministry of Environment and the Minister of Agriculture and Food and Rural Affairs. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
