08/20/2026
Thank you Sarah from the Hometownist!
Mayoral candidate Stephanie Drummond says Perth needs ‘fresh leadership’ that gets back to basics
18 August 2026
Sarah Burtch
Perth resident and local business owner Stephanie Drummond says she’s entering the race for mayor because she believes the town has fallen behind neighbouring communities and needs a renewed focus on financial management, improved infrastructure and attracting more young families to the town.
Drummond, who has spent nearly two decades running a local hair salon, says her campaign centres on restoring core municipal services while preserving the small-town character she has treasured all her life.
In an in-depth interview with Lanarkist, Drummond discussed her background, priorities and vision for Perth as a the municipal election draws nearer.
Q: Can you tell readers a little about yourself and your background and your connection to Perth?
A proud lifelong resident of Perth, Drummond’s local lineage goes back five generations. “I have lived here my whole life. I was born and raised,” she said. “This community has pretty much shaped who I am… I’m a fifth-generation Perth resident. It’s more than just where I live.”
Drummond said she finished high school later than most after becoming a young mother at 17. Not wanting to leave her hometown, she commuted from Perth to Brockville every day to attend St. Lawrence College, where she graduated at 22.
She began working at a local hair salon before opening her own business, which she has operated successfully for the past 18 years. More recently, she also started working as a mortgage agent and is now in a transitional state of her career. Drummond said she hopes to devote more time to pursue this new career path, while also dipping her toes into the world of municipal politics.
Q: What do you love most about living in Perth, and what gives you hope for the town’s future?
“What I do love most about Perth is the people,” Drummond told Lanarkist. “We have a really strong sense of community here, and there’s just something really special about living in a place where people look out for one another.”
She also pointed to the town’s history, parks, historic downtown and small-town character as qualities worth celebrating and protecting.
“What gives me hope for the future is the incredible potential that we have in front of us,” Drummond stated. “I see a community that can grow while still protecting what makes us unique, like our heritage.”
Drummond said that to achieve this potential, she believes the town must attract new families and businesses, strengthen the local economy, improve recreational facilities and make thoughtful investments.
“We can still maintain the character of and sense of belonging that we’ve created for generations,” she added.
Q: What inspired you to run for mayor in 2026?
After spending several decades living in Perth, Drummond says she has truly seen the town at its best, and also when times have been more challenging.
She believes that Perth is facing one of those challenging periods right now.
“When you look at the communities around us, like Smiths Falls, Carleton Place, Almonte, all of them are enjoying the benefits of investment and growth, while Perth’s infrastructure is in decay,” she told Lanarkist.
Drummond said that while “taxes are increasing astronomically,” she has noticed there is “little to show” for them, adding that young residents and families have left or are not choosing to live in Perth.
To address these challenges, she asserts “Perth needs a fresh leader, new leadership and new people.”
Q: What experiences have prepared you to become mayor?
Drummond believes her nearly 20 years of navigating the economy and building connections as a small business owner have provided practical experience that would translate well to municipal leadership.
“I’ve learned everything about managing budgets, expenses, providing services to clients, navigating through cycles in the economy,” she explained. “These are skills and experiences that have been lacking on council, and there’s no greater teacher than running your own business.”
She also stays involved in the community by serving as vice-chair of the YAK Youth Services Board of Directors, while also running the local Toastmasters Club.
Q: What is your vision for Perth over the next four years?
On the simplest level, Drummond said a new mayor and council should prioritize rebuilding the town’s foundation, focusing on restoring core services above everything else.
According to Drummond, that includes better financial management to keep taxes under control, restoring roads and sidewalks, and rebuilding recreation facilities for seniors and families to enjoy.
“We also need to change how we do business at town hall and attract new investment and growth, so the town can thrive and draw young people and families,” she stated.
Q: What do you see as Perth’s biggest challenges and opportunities?
Drummond identified lack of development, tax increases, aging infrastructure and depleted reserves among the municipality’s biggest challenges. She wants to see municipal leaders rebuild a financial security net, noting that the town’s reserves have been depleted over the last four years.
Looking ahead, she believes prioritizing new residential development is key to attracting young families and employers.
“When we have all these developments coming, that attracts young families, which also attracts industry, so these families have somewhere to work,” she explained. “But these families are only going to come here if they have somewhere they can live.”
Q: Housing affordability remains a major issue across Ontario. What role should Perth play?
“I think Perth can only really thrive if we can attract new families,” Drummond reiterated, adding that municipal leaders should focus on attracting new investment and growth to bolster the local economy.
“That means having good-paying jobs and homes within reach for our families, and a mayor and council can play a role by attracting investment and facilitating smart growth,” she told Lanarkist.
Q: How should Perth address homelessness, mental health and addictions?
Drummond believes building a more supported and stable local community is part of the solution. “I think a strong and vibrant community can address these challenging social issues,” she told Lanarkist.
Q: What qualities would make you an effective mayor?
In response to this question, Drummond again pointed to her experience and business background.
“Having been a small business owner for almost 20 years, I have developed strong leadership skills, including the ability to plan and manage, and to react and adjust when circumstances change,” she explained.
She noted that growing up and operating a business in Perth has also given her a deep understanding of both the community’s history and the nature of its residents.
“People want change,” Drummond emphasized. She pointed to the support she’s received from residents, friends and family after announcing her decision to run for mayor despite balancing multiple professional responsibilities.
Lanarkist will continue to share profiles for mayoral candidates in Lanark County as the municipal election approaches on October 26, 2026.
