Derek McCaughan
Guelph Ward 4 | 2026 Municipal Election
Campaign Archive
The 2026 municipal election has concluded.
This website preserves my campaign priorities, positions on municipal issues and responses to community questionnaires as a public record of my candidacy.
Thank you to the residents of Ward 4 who shared their perspectives, considered my candidacy and participated in the election.
My campaign focused on three priorities: Responsible Spending, Reliable Services and Accountable Decision-Making.
These priorities reflected my belief that residents should receive value for the taxes they pay, that City services are delivered effectively and consistently, and that Council should make well-informed decisions about how limited public resources are used.
They also recognize the need to accommodate Guelph’s growth and future investments while maintaining a focus on affordability.
My 2026 Campaign Priorities
Property Taxes
Review the property tax comparison distributed during my 2026 campaign, including the supporting figures, methodology and sources.
Experience That Matters
I spent 34 years working for the City of Guelph, concluding my career as Executive Director of Operations, Transit and Emergency Services and a member of the City’s Executive Team.
That experience taught me how decisions made by Council become budgets, projects and the everyday services residents experience. It also gave me a practical understanding of how a municipality works — what it takes to turn decisions into results.
Since retiring from the City organization, I’ve also been called upon by other Ontario municipalities during periods of leadership transition, supporting councils and senior staff and helping organizations address operational challenges.
During the 2026 municipal election campaign, community organizations and local media invited candidates to respond to questionnaires addressing a range of municipal issues. My completed responses are preserved here as part of the public record of my candidacy.