With just a week left before the municipal election, three mayoral contests in Durham Region are particularly noteworthy.
In Pickering and Whitby, mayors seeking re-election are up against challengers they’ve previously clashed with on council.
In Oshawa, three current councillors are competing to succeed an outgoing mayor – making the future of the city’s downtown a major topic for voters.
Here’s an overview of the candidates and important issues in each race.
Pickering
Incumbent Mayor Kevin Ashe is running against city councillor Lisa Robinson, who is often seen as a controversial figure on Pickering council.
Robinson has been investigated nine times by the city’s integrity commissioner since 2023. She has faced multiple pay suspensions that range from 30 to 90 days.
WATCH | Mayor Kevin Ashe condemned Robinson after appearance on ‘extremist’ podcast:
Pickering mayor condemns councillor’s appearance on podcast
WARNING: This video contains graphic language. The mayor of Pickering and five city councillors have signed a letter to Premier Doug Ford urging the province to enforce stricter penalties for councillors who breach codes of conduct. As CBC’s Chris Glover reports, this latest action follows Robinson’s appearance on a podcast where harsh language was directed at her fellow councillors. The claims made by Johnston were not substantiated and the councillors are contemplating legal action.
In June, comments Robinson made regarding residential schools prompted an investigation by the commissioner.
The subsequent report indicated that while it lacked jurisdiction over what it termed “residential school denialism,” it recommended a 90-day suspension without pay due to comments deemed disrespectful toward city staff.
Robinson has consistently denied all accusations against her.
These tensions have also led to conflicts between Robinson and the mayor, altering how council meetings operate.
Ashe told in August 2024 that he found Robinson’s behavior irresponsible and unethical after she appeared on what he and other council members called an “extremist” podcast.
In January 2025, Ashe moved all Pickering council meetings online, citing safety concerns linked to supporters of Robinson.
That same month, reported that Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) were looking into a criminal harassment complaint that Ashe filed on behalf of the city’s council against Robinson.
Accordingto Det. Insp. Chris Folz, the OPP investigation wrapped up in March2026withoutfinding evidenceforcriminalcharges, inanan emailedstatementon Monday.
Despite these controversies. Ashewasakeyadvocateforan Ontariobillthatgrantsmunicipalitiespowertoremovemembersfoundtoseriouslyviolateconductcodes. The bill passedin May.
Whitby In Whitby, in incumbent Mayor Elizabeth Royfacesregionalandcitycouncillor Chris Leahywhofiledhumanrightscomplaintagainstherwhichwasdismissedlastmonth.
Whitby regionalandcitycouncillor Chris Leahyisrunningagainstincumbent Mayor Elizabeth Roy. Leahyfiledanapplicationagainst Roitothe Human Rights Tribunalofthe Ontariobutthemayorsaidlastmonththatthetribunalhaddismissedtheapplication.(Townof Whitby/Facebook)
Leahyfiledtheapplicationalongsidefellowcouncilor Steve Yamada. The applicationalso namedthe Townof Whitby, thetown’sintegritycommissionerandtwoothercouncillors, themayorsaidinastatementon Sept29
hasreachedoutto Leahy’campaigntoseekacopyoftheoriginalapplication.
Inherstatement, Roysaidthetribunalhaddismissedtheapplication. Shesaidthetownhadspent$53,682inrelatedlegalcosts.
Thehumanrightsapplicationisn’tfirsttime Leahy(and Yamada)haveclashedwiththemayorandfellowcouncilorsoveraccusationsofracism. In October2024, bothcouncilorsaccusedthecouncilofanti Asianracismduringacouncilmeeting.
OSHAWA H2 >
Unlikeotherraces, Oshawasmayoralcontestdoesn’t havetensionsbetweenincumbentsandchallengers. Insteadthreecurrentcouncilorscompetingtosucceedoutgoing Mayor Dan Cartersetupachangeinleadershipatcityhall.
WATCH | CBC’s Durham reporters break down Oshawa’s mayoral race:
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Oshawa’smayoralraceiswideopen. CBC’s Durhamteamgivesyouaprimer
Ninemayoral candidatesin Oshawavieingforyourvotethis October. Here’sarundownofwhere_theystandon_thebiggestissuesfacingthecity.
hasasked Carter’sofficewhethertheispubliclyendorsingcandidatebuthasn’treceivedresponse.
The candidatesinclude Tito-Dante Marimpietri theregionalandcitycoumillerfor Ward2whoalsoiscityschairofeconomicdevelopmentservices. Ward2willbegettingtwonewcounsellorstwoafterelectiondayasitscurrentcityco un c i l l o r J i m L e e i s al so run n i ng f o r ma y or. L ee ha s pre vi ou sl y sa id he pla nn ed t o ret i re thi s ye ar , bu t de ci ded t o ru n af te r re si dents as ke d hi m t o re co ns ide r.
The fu tu re o f do wnt ow n Os ha wa ha s em er ge d as a ke y is su e in th e ma yo ra l ra ce. Re si de nt s , bu si ne ss es , an d so ci al se rv ic es ha ve be en ra isi ng co nt inu ing co nc er ns ab ou th om el es sn ess an dd ru g us ei n th ec ity ’s co re.
Downtown Oshawafallswithin Ward4representedbycity counsellor Derek Gibersonwhoalsorunningformayor. All candidateshaveputforwardideasforaddressingdowntownconcernsincludingatamayoraldebateearlierthismonth.
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