EZT mayor re-elected as two new councillors join township council
By Amanda Nelson
The Township of East Zorra-Tavistock (EZT) held its 2026 municipal election Monday, Oct. 26, and the council will look largely the same, with a few new members joining for the next four-year term.
Re-elected with 1,597 votes, or 65.1 per cent of the vote, was Mayor Phil Schaefer. Deputy mayor Brad Smith was acclaimed, while Ward 1 Coun. Steven Van Wyk and Ward 3 councillors Matthew Gillespie and Jeremy Smith were re-elected for another four-year term.
New to council this term are Nicolas Faye in Ward 1 and Angie Brenner in Ward 2. Schaefer said he plans to mentor the new councillors while also benefiting from their feedback.
“Our new council will be a blend of veterans and new members of council,” said Schaefer. “I am confident this makeup will make for another successful term of council to keep this township the envy of many.”
“I want to make sure our two new councillors receive the support they need to hit the ground running on township business. Our secondary plan is of immediate importance, as well as looking at initiatives to address road safety.”
EZT’s previous council had seven men, including the mayor and deputy mayor. The new council will have six men and one woman, with Brenner’s election in Ward 2 marking a change in the council’s composition.
“Growing up in Waterloo Region, I was taken by the strong female voices at the school board, at the regional council table and in our MPP at the time. They were present in our school, at local events and they worked to engage children and youth in local matters,” said Brenner. “Community, order and procedure have always been important to me, and I hoped then that one day I could be a strong female voice in my community.
“I look forward to following in the paths of other women who have had roles at the council table in East Zorra-Tavistock, and I am humbled to fulfil a vision formed way back then by eight-year-old me.”
Brenner said she is thrilled with the results and plans to work diligently to communicate effectively with the community.
“I believe in the next term we must focus on effective and efficient communication, safety, recreation, infrastructure and planning,” she said. “Through open discussion, meaningful opportunities for feedback and active engagement with residents, we can preserve the strong rural values that make this a safe and thriving place to live.”
Brenner also said she was pleased with the number of candidates who put their names forward in the election, adding that it made her hopeful about the future of local government in the community.
Schaefer said he is eager to get moving on township priorities and is thankful for the ongoing support of the community, friends and family.
“I am feeling both humbled and thankful for the support I received last night, and I am looking forward to working with this new council for the betterment of the township over the next four years.”
Right away, Schaefer is committed to completing the Hickson firehall and developing family-oriented community spaces.
“As I mentioned, our secondary plan is overdue to be completed,” he said. “We need to deal with our former offices and get started on our new Hickson firehall. I am also hoping the Innerkip community will partner with us for a potential Innerkip splashpad, and I am hopeful the township can secure some much-needed daycare spaces.”
Schaefer said he was pleased with the election results and encouraged by the respectful relationships between candidates and the community throughout the 2026 race.
“The races in the township demonstrated respect between the candidates, and I want to commend all candidates for stepping up for their communities, regardless of outcome.”
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