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Ward 6 councillor Heather Ward-Russell is seeking re-election in the 2026 municipal election, pointing to her experience since amalgamation and a focus on collaboration, fair representation, and responsible growth.
Ward-Russell, who was first elected in 2023, has also served as interim mayor and deputy mayor, roles she says strengthened her leadership and ability to navigate complex municipal issues.
Ward 6 councillor Heather Ward-Russell is seeking re-election in the 2026 municipal election, pointing to her experience since amalgamation and a focus on collaboration, fair representation, and responsible growth.
Ward-Russell, who was first elected in 2023, has also served as interim mayor and deputy mayor, roles she says strengthened her leadership and ability to navigate complex municipal issues.
Background and Experience
Ward-Russell has deep roots in the community, living in Lower Coverdale where she is raising her family. “I’ve lived in Lower Coverdale for most of my life… that connection means I’m not just representing this community, I’m being part of it,” she said.
Professionally, she works with the Atlantic Grains Council, representing the agricultural sector—experience she says informs her approach to decision-making and economic development.
Before joining council, she spent more than a decade as chair of the Coverdale Parish Local Service District, gaining experience in grassroots advocacy and municipal processes.
Leadership Style
Ward-Russell describes her leadership style as collaborative and focused on bringing people together.
“Leadership isn’t about being the loudest voice in the room. It’s about listening, building trust, and helping move forward things in a way that benefit the whole community,” she said.
She pointed to her time as interim mayor as a key example, where she worked to ensure all voices were heard while maintaining respectful, solution-focused discussions.
Managing Conflict
She emphasizes patience and understanding as key tools in navigating disagreements. “The only way that you’re going to get anywhere… is with leadership, patience and guidance,” she said.
Ward-Russell views conflict as a natural part of governance but stresses the importance of maintaining a productive and respectful environment.
Why She’s Running Again
Ward-Russell says her decision to seek re-election comes from a strong commitment to her community and a desire to continue the work already underway.
“I deeply care about the community that I represent… I want a reliable voice for residents,” she said.
She highlighted “fair representation” as a key priority, particularly for rural and Local Service District (LSD) communities.
Her campaign efforts thus far include social media engagement, door-to-door outreach, and participating in community events such as a planned “Meet Your Candidate” session.
Platform and Priorities
Ward-Russell identified several key priorities:
She also raised the possibility of restructuring council representation, including reducing the number of wards and introducing councillors-at-large. If re-elected, Ward-Russell says her initial focus would be strengthening council collaboration.
“I think we need to understand each other… and then work in collaboration,” she said.
She also emphasized ongoing concerns around electoral boundaries and representation.
Training and Governance
Strongly supports mandatory training for councillors, Ward-Russell says “I think training… is so important. If you don’t have that, then I’m not sure where you’re going to end up,” she said.
She noted she has participated in training opportunities during her time on council and believes ongoing education is essential.
Time Commitment
Acknowledging the demands of the role, Ward-Russell said the time commitment was initially greater than expected but what she deemed as necessary. She credits organization, discipline, and family support with helping her balance responsibilities. “It’s not about finding time. It’s about making the time and using it well,” she said.
Transparency and Accountability
Ward-Russell addressed public concerns about transparency, particularly around closed council sessions. She noted that such sessions are permitted under legislation but emphasized the importance of clear communication.
“Public trust is earned and I work to maintain that every day,” she said. She added that she follows conflict-of-interest rules closely, including disclosure and recusal.
Environment and Natural Resources
With a background in agriculture, Ward-Russell highlighted the importance of sustainability. “Agriculture depends on healthy soil, clean water, and responsible land management,” she said.
On glyphosate spraying, she emphasized the role of science and multi-level government collaboration. “I do believe in science… that dialogue needs to be continued,” she said.
Housing, Poverty, and Cost of Living
Ward-Russell acknowledged the complexity of addressing housing and affordability challenges. “It’s a difficult question… there’s a lot of growth that needs to happen,” she said. She emphasized:
Economic Development
Ward-Russell sees economic growth as rooted in supporting local industries, particularly agriculture. “Protecting farmland, supporting our local producers is a key part of sustainable growth,” she said.
She also emphasized collaboration with regional partners and residents to guide development.
Arts, Culture, and History
“They [Arts, Culture, History] define who we are… and strengthen a sense of belonging,” she said and described arts and culture as essential to community identity.
She supports municipal involvement through strategic planning and collaboration with local experts and organizations.
Infrastructure
Ward-Russell emphasized proactivity and asset management. She believes “preventative maintenance is one of the most effective ways to stretch taxpayers’ dollars.”
She also highlighted the importance of partnerships with provincial and federal governments to secure funding.
Amalgamation and Regional Unity
Ward-Russell acknowledged ongoing challenges following amalgamation but expressed optimism and that building a unified municipality will take time but remains a priority.
“I know that we're trying our best to be all one...we have some hiccups to work with. But my goal at the end of every term or of my next term, if I am so honored to be reelected, is to have us be all for one,” she said.
Closing Thoughts
Ward-Russell framed her campaign around resilience and commitment to public service. She emphasized her continued dedication to serving residents and moving the community forward.
“Public service comes with challenges, difficult decisions and moments that really test you…I'm still here because I care deeply about where we live. I believe in the work that we're doing... I've stayed committed. I've kept showing up and I've kept putting residents first. I think that resilience and dedication are important. It's easy to step up when things are simple… what matters is that you stay when it's hard.
Contact Ward-Russell by phone: 506-380-9663, email: [email protected], or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100087384318727
Ward-Russell has deep roots in the community, living in Lower Coverdale where she is raising her family. “I’ve lived in Lower Coverdale for most of my life… that connection means I’m not just representing this community, I’m being part of it,” she said.
Professionally, she works with the Atlantic Grains Council, representing the agricultural sector—experience she says informs her approach to decision-making and economic development.
Before joining council, she spent more than a decade as chair of the Coverdale Parish Local Service District, gaining experience in grassroots advocacy and municipal processes.
Leadership Style
Ward-Russell describes her leadership style as collaborative and focused on bringing people together.
“Leadership isn’t about being the loudest voice in the room. It’s about listening, building trust, and helping move forward things in a way that benefit the whole community,” she said.
She pointed to her time as interim mayor as a key example, where she worked to ensure all voices were heard while maintaining respectful, solution-focused discussions.
Managing Conflict
She emphasizes patience and understanding as key tools in navigating disagreements. “The only way that you’re going to get anywhere… is with leadership, patience and guidance,” she said.
Ward-Russell views conflict as a natural part of governance but stresses the importance of maintaining a productive and respectful environment.
Why She’s Running Again
Ward-Russell says her decision to seek re-election comes from a strong commitment to her community and a desire to continue the work already underway.
“I deeply care about the community that I represent… I want a reliable voice for residents,” she said.
She highlighted “fair representation” as a key priority, particularly for rural and Local Service District (LSD) communities.
Her campaign efforts thus far include social media engagement, door-to-door outreach, and participating in community events such as a planned “Meet Your Candidate” session.
Platform and Priorities
Ward-Russell identified several key priorities:
- Protecting taxpayers and maintaining the current tax rate
- Ensuring fair representation, particularly for past LSD communities
- Advocating for consistent and reliable municipal services
- Supporting responsible and sustainable growth
She also raised the possibility of restructuring council representation, including reducing the number of wards and introducing councillors-at-large. If re-elected, Ward-Russell says her initial focus would be strengthening council collaboration.
“I think we need to understand each other… and then work in collaboration,” she said.
She also emphasized ongoing concerns around electoral boundaries and representation.
Training and Governance
Strongly supports mandatory training for councillors, Ward-Russell says “I think training… is so important. If you don’t have that, then I’m not sure where you’re going to end up,” she said.
She noted she has participated in training opportunities during her time on council and believes ongoing education is essential.
Time Commitment
Acknowledging the demands of the role, Ward-Russell said the time commitment was initially greater than expected but what she deemed as necessary. She credits organization, discipline, and family support with helping her balance responsibilities. “It’s not about finding time. It’s about making the time and using it well,” she said.
Transparency and Accountability
Ward-Russell addressed public concerns about transparency, particularly around closed council sessions. She noted that such sessions are permitted under legislation but emphasized the importance of clear communication.
“Public trust is earned and I work to maintain that every day,” she said. She added that she follows conflict-of-interest rules closely, including disclosure and recusal.
Environment and Natural Resources
With a background in agriculture, Ward-Russell highlighted the importance of sustainability. “Agriculture depends on healthy soil, clean water, and responsible land management,” she said.
On glyphosate spraying, she emphasized the role of science and multi-level government collaboration. “I do believe in science… that dialogue needs to be continued,” she said.
Housing, Poverty, and Cost of Living
Ward-Russell acknowledged the complexity of addressing housing and affordability challenges. “It’s a difficult question… there’s a lot of growth that needs to happen,” she said. She emphasized:
- Supporting diverse housing options
- Working with developers and non-profits
- Partnering with other levels of government
- Strengthening local food systems
Economic Development
Ward-Russell sees economic growth as rooted in supporting local industries, particularly agriculture. “Protecting farmland, supporting our local producers is a key part of sustainable growth,” she said.
She also emphasized collaboration with regional partners and residents to guide development.
Arts, Culture, and History
“They [Arts, Culture, History] define who we are… and strengthen a sense of belonging,” she said and described arts and culture as essential to community identity.
She supports municipal involvement through strategic planning and collaboration with local experts and organizations.
Infrastructure
Ward-Russell emphasized proactivity and asset management. She believes “preventative maintenance is one of the most effective ways to stretch taxpayers’ dollars.”
She also highlighted the importance of partnerships with provincial and federal governments to secure funding.
Amalgamation and Regional Unity
Ward-Russell acknowledged ongoing challenges following amalgamation but expressed optimism and that building a unified municipality will take time but remains a priority.
“I know that we're trying our best to be all one...we have some hiccups to work with. But my goal at the end of every term or of my next term, if I am so honored to be reelected, is to have us be all for one,” she said.
Closing Thoughts
Ward-Russell framed her campaign around resilience and commitment to public service. She emphasized her continued dedication to serving residents and moving the community forward.
“Public service comes with challenges, difficult decisions and moments that really test you…I'm still here because I care deeply about where we live. I believe in the work that we're doing... I've stayed committed. I've kept showing up and I've kept putting residents first. I think that resilience and dedication are important. It's easy to step up when things are simple… what matters is that you stay when it's hard.
Contact Ward-Russell by phone: 506-380-9663, email: [email protected], or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100087384318727
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