After Orillia mayor Don McIsaac announced he would not be seeking re-election in October, three candidates have entered the mayoral race looking to lead the city through the next term. Current term councilors Janet-Lynne Dunford and Whitney Smith both submitted their names onto the ballot earlier this summer, while former Orillia mayor Steve Clarke will look to return to council this fall. Dunford and Smith are both in Ottawa this week representing the sunshine city at the AMO conference. Speaking with CTV News on Tuesday, Smith said she is ready for the challenge and be the voice of the city. “There are many challenges Orillia is facing but there’s also many really great opportunities,” said Smith. “Over 50 per cent of our demographic is women and our median age is around 45 years old so I represent that.” Adding collaborations with council and local organizations and business will be key to the cities growth. “We want to work together with council, with the chamber, with county, with the province and the federal government,” said Smith. “I want to see the right jobs, and infrastructure coming to a really I want to see, stable incomes and pensions and salaries.” If elected, Smith is ready to put the residents of Orillia first. “I’m excited to be an effective decision maker and for generations to come that are benefiting from somebody who can speak both to the younger generation, but as well the aging generation.” she said. As residents head to polls in October, a familiar name will also be on the ballet as former mayor Steve Clarke will be seeking another term as mayor. Clarke was elected to the mayoral chair in 2015 and served for two terms until 2022. When asked why he wants to return, Clarke mentioned the next term of council has some big decisions to make. “We have some generational projects on the horizon and, I really would look forward to helping bringing those to fruition,” said Clarke. “One is, Lakehead University, our wonderful post-secondary institution, a brand new hospital,” said Clarke. “And what do we do with the existing hospital site? I think it’s almost as important as moving the other projects forward.” Clarke is hoping to lean on his previous experience as mayor into the next term. “My passion hasn’t gone away. I’m still excited for our city, I believed in it when I moved here 33 years ago, and I hope to believe in it for my remaining decades,” said Clarke. CTV News reached out to Janet-Lynne Dunford for an interview regarding her mayoral run but did not receive a response. The deadline to register to become a member of council or mayor is Aug. 21 at 2PM. Ontario’s municipal elections will take place on October 26, 2026.
