Scugog mayor-elect Ian McDougall won the October 26, 2026 election with 39.3 per cent of the vote, or 3,326 votes, ahead of Mike Coll at 23.3 per cent and incumbent Mayor Wilma Wotten at 20 per cent. Turnout was 41 per cent, described as one of the highest in Durham Region. He takes office November 15 and will chair his first council meeting November 23; council has four brand-new members and three returning members.
McDougall said that in his first 45 to 100 days he will review the capital projects list, drop projects that are no longer required, and build trust with council. Longer term, he said he favours incremental change rather than a list of promises, with roads and recreation as the focus, naming a pickleball court and a pump track.
On the Port Perry fairgrounds, McDougall said he wants the Port Perry Fair to continue at its current location, is working with the Port Perry Agricultural Society, and hopes the matter is resolved before the 2027 fair. He declined to say when it will come before council and said he will not sell the four acres for development.
On the budget, McDougall said he has not yet met staff on specifics, has no agenda to cut anything, and may re-jig the five-year capital plan. He noted the budget survey drew only 86 respondents.
Behind the story
Sources & publication details
- Byline
- Daily Durham News
- Published
- Nov 12, 2026, 8:34 a.m.
- Source
- www.durhamregion.com
