Kawartha Lakes Deputy Mayor Charlie McDonald hands over reins to Deputy Mayor-Elect Tracy Richardson

Kawartha Lakes – On December 9, Deputy Mayor Charlie McDonald delivered his final report to Council, summarizing his achievements and priorities over his two-year term, and emphasizing progress through collaboration with staff and colleagues.

McDonald championed Kawartha Lakes’ successful Short-Term Rental (STR) program, noting it is self-supporting, and the project recently secured a grant exceeding $450,000 over three years to improve program efficiency and response times.

He also prioritized Customer Service, leading an initiative that established new standards to improve the consistency and transparency of service request handling for residents.

Another key priority was protecting stable housing, where McDonald worked to ensure residents had access to tools to fight renovictions.

He also highlighted his experience serving on the Emergency Operations Centre during the March ice storm, which led to ongoing efforts to better prepare the municipality for future large-scale emergency events. As Budget Committee Chair, he oversaw historical investments in infrastructure and increased policing, while working to control costs.

On the conclusion of his service as Deputy Mayor, McDonald expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve:

“Together we achieved a lot this year, even with all the challenges we face. I believe that we're on the right track. It’s been very educational, it’s been very rewarding, and I couldn't have done it without all of your [Council’s] support.”

Richardson acclaimed Deputy Mayor for 2026

Following McDonald’s report, Council held the election for the next Deputy Mayor. Ward 8 Councillor Tracy Richardson was nominated by McDonald and subsequently acclaimed to serve as Deputy Mayor for the 12-month term beginning January 1, 2026.

McDonald praised Richardson’s unwavering dedication to large city projects, noting her leadership in getting the Growth Management Strategy and Development Charges (DC) strategy across the finish line.

Upon accepting the role, Deputy Mayor-Elect Richardson thanked her colleagues and emphasized her goals for the coming year.

“I am truly honored to accept this role as the Deputy Mayor. I want to begin by expressing my sincere gratitude to my colleagues on Council for your confidence and support,” said Richardson in her acceptance speech. “Serving alongside each of you has shown me the strength, dedication, and heart that drive our municipality forward, and how we work together across all wards. We should take a moment to recognize the achievements of this Council: despite challenging economic pressures, we have continued to move forward, support one another, and make thoughtful decisions together.”

Richardson added that her focus will be on strengthening community engagement through the customer service strategy while continuing the momentum established by McDonald.