Huron East - 2026 municipal candidate questions and responses

We emailed every candidate in Huron County running in the upcoming municipal election (including those who were acclaimed).

We asked four questions.

Everyone was given the same timeframe to respond.

1. If elected, will you support your municipality declaring June to be Pride Month, in support of 2SLGBTQIA+ residents and the work of inclusion in our communities?

Candidate’s name	Role	Yes	No	Unclear	Did not answer
Jonathan Hugill	Mayor				X
Alvis McLellan	Mayor	X
Conlan Melady	Mayor	X
Raymond Chartland	Councillor - Tuckersmith				X
Rylan McGregor	Councillor - Tuckersmith				X
William (Bill) Tremeer	Councillor - Tuckersmith				X
Bruce Williams	Councillor - Tuckersmith	X
Robert Fisher*	Councillor - Seaforth				X
John Steffler*	Councillor - Seaforth				X
Randy McClure*	Councillor - McKillop				X
Heather Ashwin*	Councillor - McKillop				X
Lisa Glanville*	Councillor - Brussels				X
Justin Morrison*	Councillor - Brussels	X
Dianne Diehl*	Councillor - Grey	X
Hilary Machan*	Councillor - Grey	X

*acclaimed

2. If elected, will you support your municipality flying the Pride Flag during the month of June, showing tangible support for 2SLGBTQIA+ residents?

Candidate’s name	Role	Yes	No	Unclear	Did not answer
Jonathan Hugill	Mayor				X
Alvis McLellan	Mayor	X
Conlan Melady	Mayor	X
Raymond Chartland	Councillor - Tuckersmith				X
Rylan McGregor	Councillor - Tuckersmith				X
William (Bill) Tremeer	Councillor - Tuckersmith				X
Bruce Williams	Councillor - Tuckersmith	X
Robert Fisher*	Councillor - Seaforth				X
John Steffler*	Councillor - Seaforth				X
Randy McClure*	Councillor - McKillop				X
Heather Ashwin*	Councillor - McKillop				X
Lisa Glanville*	Councillor - Brussels				X
Justin Morrison*	Councillor - Brussels	X
Dianne Diehl*	Councillor - Grey		X
Hilary Machan*	Councillor - Grey	X

*acclaimed

3. Would you attend Huron County Pride events, including its Pride Week, year-round programming, and support its decal program and other educational events?

Candidate’s name	Role	Yes	No	Unclear	Did not answer
Jonathan Hugill	Mayor				X
Alvis McLellan	Mayor	X
Conlan Melady	Mayor	X
Raymond Chartland	Councillor - Tuckersmith				X
Rylan McGregor	Councillor - Tuckersmith				X
William (Bill) Tremeer	Councillor - Tuckersmith				X
Bruce Williams	Councillor - Tuckersmith	X
Robert Fisher*	Councillor - Seaforth				X
John Steffler*	Councillor - Seaforth				X
Randy McClure*	Councillor - McKillop				X
Heather Ashwin*	Councillor - McKillop				X
Lisa Glanville*	Councillor - Brussels				X
Justin Morrison*	Councillor - Brussels	X
Dianne Diehl*	Councillor - Grey			X
Hilary Machan*	Councillor - Grey	X

*acclaimed

4. What do you see as your responsibility, as an elected official, towards the 2SLGBTQIA+ residents and allies in our communities?

ALVIN MCLELLAN, Mayor candidate

What do you see as your responsibility, as an elected official, towards the 2SLGBTQIA+ residents and allies in our communities? 

"As an elected official it is my job, along with Council, to promote an inclusive community."

CONLAN MELADY, Mayor candidate

What do you see as your responsibility, as an elected official, towards the 2SLGBTQIA+ residents and allies in our communities? 

"To be a constant advocate and an active listener."

BRUCE WILLIAMS, Councillor - Tuckersmith candidate

What do you see as your responsibility, as an elected official, towards the 2SLGBTQIA+ residents and allies in our communities? 

"Simply,  'People are people wherever you go!  To be accepted you must accept'. It is up to me to try to persuade/dissuade folk this premise.

"I trust that you will treat these answers as succinctly as I have responded. My heart speaks.  May you put a mirror in your face as you have mine."

JUSTIN MORRISON, Councillor - Brussels (acclaimed)

What do you see as your responsibility, as an elected official, towards the 2SLGBTQIA+ residents and allies in our communities? 

"As an elected official, I see my responsibility as ensuring that all residents feel respected, included, and able to participate fully in our community. I believe that means listening to residents, standing up for their right to feel included and safe, and ensuring our municipality remains a welcoming community for everyone - both for current residents and those of the future."

DIANNE DIEHL - Councillor - Grey (acclaimed)

What do you see as your responsibility, as an elected official, towards the 2SLGBTQIA+ residents and allies in our communities? 

"As an elected official, my primary responsibility is to ensure that every resident is fully represented in our community.  My role is to listen at the local level, and advocate for policies that are equal for everyone, and build a community where everyone can grow."

HILARY MACHAN - Councillor - Grey (acclaimed)

What do you see as your responsibility, as an elected official, towards the 2SLGBTQIA+ residents and allies in our communities? 

"I believe as elected officials it is our duty to ensure that Huron East is inclusive and supporting toward 2SLGBTQIA+ residents and allies. We need to ensure we have a diverse community where people can live without fear of being themselves. Everyone deserves to live without discrimination in our beautiful communities."