Council

Mayor Kirkland has served six terms as a member of South Bruce Peninsula Council, three terms as Councillor and three as Deputy Mayor before being appointed unanimously by Council to the position of Mayor on October 3, 2023. 

His family has deep roots in the municipality, his great grandfather established the family farm just out of Hepworth in 1893, his family still resides there to this day.

Before running for Council, Deputy Mayor Kirkland operated a successful grocery business in Sauble Beach.  He is passionate about the community and he feels that it is important for Council to run for the long-term so that they can see projects through to completion. 

Email Mayor Kirkland
Call Mayor Kirkland 519-534-1400 ext.201 

Deputy Mayor Hull was born and raised in Wiarton. Caleb gained a Bachelor of Religious Studies from Heritage College and Seminary and continued his education at Niagara College - School of Horticulture. After becoming a Horticulture Technician and licensed Greenhouse/Landscape Exterminator, Caleb moved back from the Niagara area to build a life on the Bruce/Saugeen Peninsula.

As a Horticulturist, he has worked with the Chippewas of Nawash at the Kitaamgwedaagwad Gindaaswin Adult Learning Centre as a Horticultural Mentor, Kikendaasogamig Elementary School facilitating a Tree Canada grant to continue efforts to green school spaces with culturally relevant plants, The Healthy Living program planning community garden spaces, and at Peninsula Out of Doors Garden Centre as an Assistant Grower. He also grows herbs/vegetables to sell during Spring and promotes seed sharing amongst local gardeners.

Caleb also works at one of the area’s most iconic businesses - Lloyd’s Smoke Shop and Pool Hall. He enjoys working downtown year-round and sharing his love for the area with those who live/visit here.

He currently serves on the Board of Management of the Wiarton BIA (Business Improvement Area), The Wiarton & District Agricultural Society, The William Wilfred Campbell Appreciation Society and Arts Festival, and has facilitated community recreational volleyball for 7+ years.

Previous community involvement includes serving as a Director of the Bruce Peninsula Hospitals Foundation and on the board of the Heritage Committee fo the Town of South Bruce Peninsula. He also volunteered as a coach for the Senior Boys and Girls High school Volleyball teams at Peninsula Shores District School.

Caleb is a member of the Bruce Trail Conservancy, Ontario Invasive Plant Council, and is a social member of the Wiarton Curling Club. 

Email Councillor Hull

Phone 519-534-1400 ext. 204

Councillor Terry Bell has lived in Wiarton since 1989. He has two children and four grandchildren and has served the O.P.P. for 28 years including eight years in Wiarton.

Councillor Bell is passionate about minor sports and has coached hockey and softball for twenty-five years, he is still active as an umpire for men’s and youth softball as well as a minor youth hockey coach.

Councillor Bell has served as School Board Trustee for the Bluewater District Board of Education representing South Bruce Peninsula for a four-year term 2010-2014. His commitment to serving his community is strong, having volunteered for the Salvation Army for the last ten years. He further served as Chair for the Wiarton Recreation Committee for two years during the early 1990’s as well as Chair of the Peninsula Safe Communities since its inception. 

Councillor Bell is dedicated to South Bruce Peninsula, he enjoys his work as Councillor, helping to make the community a great place to live for residents.  

Email Councillor Bell

Call Councillor Bell 519-534-1400 ext.202

Councillor Kathy Durst ‘s family have been seasonal residents of South Bruce Peninsula since 1962 and in 2011 when she retired from fulltime work made Hope Bay her permanent home.

Councillor Durst has dedicated thirty-six years to public service. During her tenure with the City of Waterloo, she held many leadership roles such as Director, Seniors Services, Commissioner of Community Services, Assistant CAO, Operations, Human Resources and Chief Administrative Officer. She further served six years as Chair of the Waterloo Wellington Local Health Integration Network (LIHN).

As a lifelong volunteer with a strong sense of community, Councillor Durst continues to support the local community as a first-term member of Council (2018-2022). Throughout  her career she has sat  on numerous boards and committees and is currently an active member of the St. Mary’s and Missions Church and avid volunteer for the Salvation Army as well as assisting with many community special events. Further, Councillor Durst sat on the Board  of Director’s for the Bruce Peninsula Health Services Foundation (2011-2017).

Email Councillor Durst

Call Councillor Durst 519-534-1400 ext. 203

Councillor Deacon, a devoted resident of Wiarton since 1995, brings a wealth of experience and unwavering commitment to his current role in local governance. His roots in the community run deep, as evidenced by his successful tenure as the proud owner of the Home Hardware in Wiarton. Throughout his years as a seasoned local businessman, Councillor Deacon demonstrated a proven track record of leadership and community engagement.

Beyond the realm of entrepreneurship, Councillor Deacon actively participated in initiatives aimed at enhancing the community he proudly calls home. His extensive involvement in the local Business Improvement Area (BIA) board is a testament to his dedication to the betterment of South Bruce Peninsula. Starting as a director and later assuming the role of President, Councillor Deacon played a pivotal role in fostering a thriving local business environment.

In addition to his contributions to the BIA, Councillor Deacon continued his dedicated service as a Director and, until recently, held the prestigious position of Chamber President with the Wiarton and District Chamber of Commerce. Even in his current role as a board director, he remains actively engaged, emphasizing his enduring commitment to community development and economic prosperity.

Councillor Deacon's volunteer work extends to chairing various sub-committees, showcasing his commitment to community activities and events. From overseeing the Wiarton Willie Festival to coordinating the Canada Day Festival and the Santa Claus Parade, he has consistently demonstrated leadership skills that have become integral to the success of these beloved community gatherings.

In summary, Councillor Deacon's journey in Wiarton reflects not only his professional accomplishments as a business owner but also his profound dedication to community service and development. His leadership, experience, and commitment make him a valuable asset to the local government and a trusted advocate for the residents of South Bruce Peninsula.

Email Councillor Deacon

Phone 519-534-1400 ext. 200

Council meetings are now available by livestream through the Town's YouTube Channel.

Speaking at a Council meeting is one way of sharing with Council.  To speak (or be a delegation), you must complete the Delegation Request Form.  The form and any material that you will be showing Council (ie. a PowerPoint presentation, flyers, brochures, books, pictures, etc.) must be given to the Town Clerk no later than Wednesday at noon before the Council meeting.

If you want to speak to Council in a Closed Session, you must follow the instructions in the paragraph above and you must complete and submit an Ancillary Request Form.  On this form, you must explain why you feel that your delegation should be in Closed Session.  Your explanation must be very detailed because your explanation, along with your presentation materials will be used by the Town Clerk and Mayor to decide if your request falls under any of the exceptions in the Municipal Act, 2001 which would allow you to speak to Council in Closed Session.

There are reasons why you may not be able to speak to Council as a delegation.  These are part of the Procedural By-Law and include:

• missing the deadline for submission,
• wanting to speak about an issue that is not common to all members of Council,
• wanting to speak about an issue that is in the court,
• if the information has harassing or demeaning content,
• you are in litigation with us,
• your delegation material does not fit within the rules for Closed Session, or
• you or someone else have already spoken to Council about the issue in the last three months with the same position as you have. 

When a member of Council, a Committee of Council and a Local Board declares a pecuniary interest at a meeting, the member must complete a written statement and file the statement with the Clerk.

The Clerk must keep a registry which is available to the public. 

The Ombudsman investigates complaints about members of Council, Committees of Council and Local Boards.  The complaints must be about closed versus open meetings or if you have complained to us and we haven't followed our complaint process.

If the Ombudsman issues a report after an investigation, it must be made public.  

Ombudsman reports

The Integrity Commissioner investigates complaints against members of Council, Committees of Council and Local Boards.  The complaints must be about the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act or Code of Conduct breaches. 

The Integrity Commissioner also gives advice to members and provides education to members and the public about the Municipal Conflict of Interest and Code of Conduct.   

The Integrity Commissioner does not investigate complaints against members of the Police Services Board, Town staff, contractors working for the Town or volunteers not serving on a Committee or Local Board.   

• By-Law to Establish the Office of the Integrity Commissioner

Making a Complaint

Before contacting the Integrity Commissioner, please review the Code of Conduct and the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act to be sure that your complaint can be considered by the Integrity Commissioner.  

• Council Code of Conduct
• Municipal Conflict of Interest Act

If after your review, you believe that the Integrity Commissioner has jurisdiction to consider your complaint, you will need to make your complaint in writing using the form provided.  You must send your complaint directly to the Integrity Commissioner by email, fax or courier.

Make sure that you use the correct form to make your complaint.  You will be required to provide details including the sections of the Code of Conduct and/or the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act which you believe have been breached.  Your application should include any evidence in support of your allegations and should identify any witnesses you rely on.

• Form-Complaint to the Integrity Commissioner-Code of Conduct
• Form-Application to the Integrity Commissioner-Municipal Conflict of Interest Act

 You are only allowed to make a complaint within six (6) weeks of becoming aware of the alleged contravention.  You will be required to make a statutory declaration to this fact when you submit your complaint.  

Investigation

The Integrity Commissioner will conduct an initial review of the complaint and decide whether or not the Integrity Commissioner has jurisdiction or whether an investigation is warranted.  

If the Integrity Commissioner does not have jurisdiction or has decided not to conduct an investigation, you will be notified and there will be no further action taken by the Integrity Commissioner.

If the Integrity Commissioner has decided to conduct an investigation, the complaint and any evidence will be provided to the member of Council, Committee or Local Board so that they can give the Integrity Commissioner an explanation of their actions.

The Integrity Commissioner's final report of the investigation is given to the member, the complainant and is placed on a Council agenda.

Who is the Town's Integrity Commissioner?

The Town has appointed Robert J. Swayze as the Integrity Commissioner.  Mr. Swayze has delegated his authority to Aird & Berlis LLP.

Public Code of Conduct Complaints and Municipal Conflict of Interest Act Applications

Integrity Commissioner Annual Reports

• 2019 Annual Report
• 2020 Annual Report
• 2021 Annual Report
• 2022 Annual Report
• 2023 Annual Report
• 2024 Annual Report

• anniversaries
• birthdays
• milestone occasions
• official openings
• outstanding community events
• special honours

Make a request for a certificate by submitting a completed form to the Clerk's Department. We need at least two weeks to make a certificate.

If you want the Mayor to present the certificate, let the Clerk's Department know three weeks before the date of the event. We can't guarantee that the Mayor will be available but we will make every effort to attend the event.