Paul Groulx, Casselman’s mayor-elect, shakes hands with mayoral candidate François Richard following the announcement of the preliminary election results on October 26. (Gabrielle Vinette, EAP)

Paul Groulx has been elected mayor of Casselman, defeating incumbent Geneviève Lajoie and fellow challenger François Richard in the municipality’s 2026 municipal election.

Groulx received 1,226 votes, compared with 537 for Richard and 292 for Lajoie, according to preliminary results released after voting concluded.

Approximately 75 people gathered at Paul-Émile Lévesque Hall to follow the results. Lajoie was not present at the hall.

Of Casselman’s 3,508 eligible electors, 2,064 cast ballots, representing a voter turnout of 58.8 per cent.

Four councillors were also elected from a field of six candidates. Sylvain Cléroux received the most votes with 1,217, followed by Francyn Leblanc with 1,198, René Laflèche with 1,152 and Antonella De Dona with 997.

The remaining candidates were Katy Morin, who received 949 votes, and Anik Charron, who received 919.

Groulx prepares to take office

Groulx said the results reflected the confidence residents had placed in him, adding that he hoped to meet their expectations and continue moving the municipality forward.

“Seeing the results, seeing the trust everyone is giving me, it’s something I’ve felt for a long time,” he said. “It’s what led me to run.”

His first priorities include meeting with the incoming councillors, establishing committees and reviewing the municipality’s upcoming budget.

“We need to start looking at the budget,” Groulx said, noting that the period leading up to Christmas would be busy as the new council prepares to take office.

He described the incoming council as a good mix of returning and new members and said he looked forward to working with the group.

New and returning councillors ready for the work ahead

Laflèche, who was elected to council for the first time, described a mixture of relief and excitement after a demanding 60-day campaign.

“It’s a relief, full of emotions at the same time, knowing there’s work to do,” he said.

Laflèche acknowledged that joining council would mean balancing his municipal responsibilities with his existing job and family life, including raising two children. He said he was ready for the challenge and had the full support of his partner.

He also welcomed the change in leadership, saying he believed new perspectives could help move forward issues that had stalled over the previous four years.

“I think change is always good. We need to move forward with ideas,” he said. “The community has spoken, and we need to move forward with that decision.”

De Dona, also elected to council, said she felt excited, happy and nervous about taking on the responsibility of public office.

Her next steps will include meeting with the people she will work alongside and thoroughly reviewing municipal files.

“I feel very confident,” she said of the incoming council, adding that experienced members would be able to support those joining the table for the first time.

Returning councillor Leblanc, who is preparing for her fifth term, called her re-election an honour and said she continued to approach the role with the same determination and ambition as when she first ran.

She welcomed Groulx’s election and said she expected the incoming council to work well together.

“He’s wanted to be there for a long time. He’ll do a good job. We’ve always worked well together, and we’ll continue to work well together,” she said.

Leblanc also expressed confidence in the two newly elected councillors, describing them as active members of the community who would bring energy and ideas to the table.

Cléroux said he accepted his re-election with humility and viewed the role as an ethical responsibility to make decisions for the right reasons.

He emphasized the importance of collaboration between returning and newly elected members, particularly as the new councillors familiarize themselves with municipal files.

“My door will always be open to discuss things,” he said, adding that decisions ultimately needed to be made collectively and in the best interests of Casselman residents.

Official results

The municipality indicated that official election results, along with more detailed information, would be published on its website on October 27, 2026.

The new council will serve a four-year term, beginning November 15, 2026, and ending November 14, 2030.