Bondy Defeats Canniff in Chatham-Kent Mayoral Race

Michael Bondy defeated incumbent Darrin Canniff in Chatham-Kent's mayoral race, taking 15,818 votes to Canniff's 11,501 in Monday's unofficial count. Bondy claimed 43.4 per cent of the 36,410 ballots cast, while Canniff finished with 31.6 per cent. Turnout reached 40.79 per cent.

Bondy first joined Chatham-Kent council in 2010. Canniff became mayor in 2018 after serving a single council term and ran for re-election this cycle.

Ward results filled out the rest of the council ballot. Mark Authier and Melissa Harrigan took ward 1's two seats; Anthony Ceccacci and Albert Pilbeam won ward 2; Emery Huszka took ward 3's single seat; Rhonda Jubenville claimed ward 4; Jim Blake and Bill Wolsing won ward 5; Alysson Storey and F. Brian Machado won ward 6; Steve Kenney and Amy Finn won ward 7; Brock McGregor and Conor Allin won ward 8's two seats.

Bondy said he changed his position on local matters after hearing from residents, citing Victoria Avenue and The Hub among the issues he revisited. He said the question of a new arena, which he expects to arise during this term, would follow the same approach.

Canniff said the electorate had delivered the change it wanted. "So the people spoke and they want change, so they're getting change, and I accept that and it's time to move on, and when one door closes more open," he said. He added that he wants council to "rally and keep the progress that we've made the last eight years going."

The results remain unofficial as of Tuesday, October 27, 2026.