Public servants cleared to run in municipal elections

Summary#

The Public Service Commission has granted permission under the Public Service Employment Act for four federal employees to seek nomination and run in municipal elections this fall. Those elections take place on October 2, 2025 and November 2, 2025.

What it does#

• Grants permission to Christine Doré (employee of Employment and Social Development Canada) to seek nomination and be a candidate for Councillor, Chicoutimi Borough – district 12, City of Saguenay, Quebec, in the municipal election on November 2, 2025.
• Grants permission to Jonathan Fortier (employee of Shared Services Canada) to seek nomination and be a candidate for Councillor, District Pointe-Gatineau, City of Gatineau, Quebec, in the municipal election on November 2, 2025.
• Grants permission to Sheldon Handcock (employee of National Defence) to seek nomination and be a candidate for a Councillor position for the Town of Gander, Newfoundland and Labrador, in the municipal election on October 2, 2025.
• Grants permission to Eric Harrington (employee of Environment and Climate Change Canada) to seek nomination and be a candidate for Mayor, Municipality of Bryson, Quebec, in the municipal election on November 2, 2025.

Who's affected#

• The four named public servants: Christine Doré, Jonathan Fortier, Sheldon Handcock, and Eric Harrington.
• Their employers: Employment and Social Development Canada, Shared Services Canada, National Defence, and Environment and Climate Change Canada.
• Voters and municipal officials in the City of Saguenay, City of Gatineau, Municipality of Bryson, and Town of Gander.
• More broadly, other federal public servants who may seek similar permissions. The notice does not say whether other people are affected.

Why it matters#

• The notice lets these federal employees take part in local elections while remaining subject to rules about public servants running for office.
• Local voters might want to know that candidates are current federal employees.
• This is a routine administrative step by the Public Service Commission to allow participation in municipal politics; it does not announce election results.