Episode 64 of the People of Durham podcast, published Friday, features Melissa Heckbert, a candidate for Regional Councillor in Whitby's Centre Ward in the October 26 municipal election. Heckbert is a long-time Whitby resident in the downtown heritage neighbourhood, an HR professional with more than 25 years of experience, runs her own business, and founded a trade association that helps small businesses find opportunities abroad. She faces Niki Lundquist, the current Centre Ward councillor, for the regional seat.
In the interview, Heckbert discusses her proposed two-year property tax freeze, the library and Station Gallery, community safety, restoring pride and heritage downtown, support for a new Whitby hospital, bringing back express GO trains, the Port Whitby GO station development, an auditor general, and a proposed Terry Fox park downtown.
Whitby's regional councillors are being elected by ward for the first time in this election, following a 2025 council vote that ended at-large regional voting. The podcast says it shares conversations with candidates to help residents get to know them, does not endorse any candidate, and that the views shared are the guest's own. Election day is Monday, Oct. 26, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Whitby advance voting runs Oct. 22 to 25, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Behind the story
Sources & publication details
- Byline
- Daily Durham News
- Published
- Oct 23, 2026, 10:10 p.m.
- Source
- www.youtube.com
- Original link
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KcHbC214RNo
