Housing affordability and homelessness, growth and infrastructure spending, and transportation are the central issues in Brantford's 2026 mayoral race — a wide-open contest after Mayor Kevin Davis chose not to seek re-election.
Core issues
What this election is actually about
Housing affordability & homelessness
Shows Council under Kevin Davis was putting substantial municipal money behind housing affordability and homelessness.
Growth, infrastructure & taxes
Shows the City's strategy of building infrastructure alongside rapid population and housing growth.
Transportation & traffic
Probably the most important transportation decision: a major redesign intended to accommodate growth and reduce congestion.
Key votes and spending
Council decisions that shaped the issues above
| Decision | Result | Amount | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024–27 multi-year budget | Significantly increased housing/homelessness spending, including transfers to affordable-housing reserves and housing-provider supports | — | |
| Dec. 2024–25 Transit Moving Forward Plan | Approved — expanding annual service hours from 86,300 to 204,700, creating three high-frequency routes, five hubs and on-demand service | — | |
| 2025–26 capital investment | Advancing infrastructure projects: $13M for road restoration, $26M for downtown infrastructure, plus bridges, water/wastewater and arterial roads | $13M + $26M | |
| Jan. 2026 Mayor's Budget | Reduced the proposed tax increase from 5.81% to 4.22%, while preserving transit improvements and prioritizing roads | 4.22% | |
| June 2026 Housing Stability Plan | Council unanimously approved the 2025–2035 Housing Stability Plan | — |
The other candidates
Drawn from published platforms and public statements
Dan McCreary
Running for Mayor of Brantford
A two-decade councillor and self-described fiscal conservative running on tax restraint, financial accountability, and community safety.
- AI data centres
- Unclear
- Environment
- Heritage & cycling advocate
- Housing
- Housing + homelessness supports
Leslie Bory
Running for Mayor of Brantford
An independent candidate whose candidacy is defined by a 2025 criminal conviction, currently under appeal, rather than a developed municipal platform.
- AI data centres
- Unclear
- Environment
- Unclear
- Housing
- Unclear
Mandy Samwell
Running for Mayor of Brantford
A sitting councillor running as a people-first, "Growth With Purpose" candidate who pairs new housing and infrastructure with resident engagement and taxpayer value.
- AI data centres
- Unclear
- Environment
- Parks & green space
- Housing
- More housing options
Richard Carpenter
Running for Mayor of Brantford
A three-decade councillor running on experience, fiscal responsibility, and open, accountable government.
- AI data centres
- Unclear
- Environment
- Parks & natural areas
- Housing
- Affordable housing + supports
Richard Michael Misura
Running for Mayor of Brantford
A retired local real-estate agent and political newcomer with no substantive public platform found as of August 2026.
- AI data centres
- Unclear
- Environment
- Unclear
- Housing
- Unclear
Ricky Willdy
Running for Mayor of Brantford
A local professional wrestler and community-event organizer running as an outsider on community building and civic pride.
- AI data centres
- Unclear
- Environment
- Unclear
- Housing
- Unclear
Rose Sicoli
Running for Mayor of Brantford
Brantford's Deputy Mayor for External Relations, running on public safety, affordability, and a new hospital as her headline priorities.
- AI data centres
- Unclear
- Environment
- Parks, trails & community spaces
- Housing
- Expanding housing options
Side by side
Pick who you want next to each other
“Unclear” means we could not find a documented position, not that none exists.
| Issue | Dan McCreary | Leslie Bory | Mandy Samwell | Richard Carpenter | Richard Michael Misura | Ricky Willdy | Rose Sicoli |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AI data centres | Unclear | Unclear | Unclear | Unclear | Unclear | Unclear | Unclear |
| Environment | Heritage & cycling advocate | Unclear | Parks & green space | Parks & natural areas | Unclear | Unclear | Parks, trails & community spaces |
| Housing | Housing + homelessness supports | Unclear | More housing options | Affordable housing + supports | Unclear | Unclear | Expanding housing options |
| Land use | Development-oriented | Unclear | Growth With Purpose | Sustainable growth | Unclear | Unclear | Infrastructure-led growth |
| Policing | Supports policing/public safety | Unclear | Community-oriented safety | Police Services Board oversight | Unclear | Unclear | Unclear |
| Public funds | Taxpayer relief | Unclear | Taxpayer value | Fiscal responsibility | Unclear | Unclear | Invests, less fiscally focused |
| Transit | Limited transit platform | Unclear | Transit as part of growth | Infrastructure over transit specifics | Unclear | Unclear | Unclear |
| Transparency | Value-for-money audits | Unclear | Resident engagement | Open & accountable government | Unclear | Unclear | Public engagement |
Documented position Opposes Unclear or partial
Money and donors
- Mandy Samwell — 2022 filing
- Her 2022 Ward 5 filing reported $5,701.94 in contributions and $5,701.94 in expenditures. 2026 fundraising is public, but donor totals are not yet disclosed.
- Richard Carpenter — 2022 filing
- His 2022 Ward 4 filing reported $8,657.25 in contributions and $8,657.25 in expenditures. 2026 fundraising is public, but donor totals are not yet disclosed.
- Dan McCreary — 2022 filing
- His 2022 Ward 3 filing reported $16,555.28 in contributions and $14,109.39 in expenditures. 2026 fundraising is public, but donor totals are not yet disclosed.
- Rose Sicoli — 2022 filing
- Her 2022 Ward 1 filing reported $15,182.97 in contributions and $15,123.80 in expenditures. 2026 fundraising is public, but donor totals are not yet disclosed.
Do something with this
Ask every candidate the same questions we did, then tell us what they say.
Something wrong or missing? We publish corrections.
