Municipal Council
2024-2028 Term
Municipal Council consists of a Warden, Deputy Warden, and eight Councillors, each elected for a four-year term. The Municipality is divided into 10 electoral districts, with one Councillor elected to represent each district. Following each municipal election, Council selects and appoints a Warden and Deputy Warden from among its elected members. Together, Council is responsible for establishing policies, setting strategic priorities, and making decisions that serve the residents of the Municipality.
Municipal Council represents the interests of residents and provides leadership for the Municipality of the County of Antigonish. Under the Municipal Government Act, Council establishes strategic priorities, adopts by-laws and policies, approves budgets, sets tax rates, and makes decisions that support the delivery of municipal services and the long-term well-being of the community.
Council is supported by a number of boards and committees that provide advice and recommendations on municipal matters.
District 1
Councillor Mary Maclellan
mary.maclellan@antigonishcounty.ca
902-863-1101
District 2
Councillor Adam Baden-Clay
adam.baden-clay@antigonishcounty.ca
902-872-0364
District 3
Councillor Richelle MacLaughlin
richelle.maclaughlin@antigonishcounty.ca
902-867-0838
District 4
Councillor Shawn Brophy
shawn.brophy@antigonishcounty.ca
902-863-8485
District 5
Councillor Wayne Melanson
wayne.melanson@antigonishcounty.ca
902-971-0590
District 6
District 7
Deputy Warden John Dunbar
john.dunbar@antigonishcounty.ca
902-338-2200
District 8
District 9
Boards and Committees of Council
Council appoints Councillors and, in some cases, residents to a variety of boards, committees, and working groups that support municipal governance and decision-making. These groups provide advice, oversee specific areas of responsibility, represent the Municipality on regional organizations, and help advance projects and initiatives that benefit the community.
Advisory committees are made up of Councillors and community members who provide recommendations and specialized advice to Council on a range of municipal issues. Their input helps inform policies, programs, and decisions while ensuring community perspectives are reflected in the decision-making process.
Council also appoints members to a number of boards and external organizations, including inter-municipal committees, regional service boards, and organizations established through provincial legislation or partnerships with other municipalities.
Appointments are made by Council in accordance with the terms of reference, by-laws, or governing policies of each board or committee, typically at the beginning of each Council term or as vacancies arise.
A complete list of Council’s current board and committee appointments is available here: List of Standing Committees
Municipal District Boundaries
To view a map of the current district boundaries click here.
To learn more about the 2025 Boundary Review, see the webpage here: Municipal Boundary Review
Municipal Code of Conduct for Elected Officials
Effective October 7, 2025, amendments to the provincial Code of Conduct for Municipal Elected Officials Regulations limit the ability to file a complaint through this process to members of Council only. Members of Council may not submit a complaint on behalf of any other individual or organization.
The purpose of the Code is to outline expectations for the behaviour of elected Council members as they carry out their duties and make decisions in the best interests of their constituents. In accordance with provincial legislation, the Municipality has appointed independent legal counsel to manage any complaints or investigations related to the Code of Conduct.
The Municipality of the County of Antigonish’s Code of Conduct for Elected Officials can be found here: Policy 51: Code of Conduct for Elected Officials
If you wish to file a complaint, please contact:
Charles Thompson
Burchell MacDougall LLP
cthompson@burchellmacdougall.com
T.902-896-7543 F.902-843-4307
| Date of Decision | Section of Code of Conduct | Investigator’s Conclusion | Council’s Determination |
| March 16, 2026 | Sections 6(2), 16(1), 18(1), and 19(3) |
The Member of Council did contravene Section 6(2) of the Code of Conduct. The Investigator recommends that: a. Council issue a letter of formal reprimand to the Member of Council for the contravention of the Code of Conduct; and |
Council does not accept the Investigator’s conclusions and recommendations where the report was received more than six months after the initial complaint was filed, as per Section 11(1) of the Code of Conduct for Elected Officials Regulations. |
Strategic Priorities
In February 2025, Municipal Council took part in a Strategic Priority Setting exercise. Facilitated by Gordon McIntosh of the Local Government Leadership Institute. The session identified specific priorities for Council to address in the short term (NOW), as well as those to focus on NEXT and LATER as resources allow. These priorities can be found here, Strategic Priorities.
The Strategic Priorities outlined in the linked document are based on a shared community vision of Antigonish as articulated in the Municipality’s Integrated Community Sustainability Plan:
“Antigonish is a vibrant, safe, diverse and affordable community, caring in nature, proud in its heritage and committed to sustainability. Central to this vision are our values of preserving a high quality of life and well-being of our citizens, celebrating our heritage and culture, protecting our natural environment, enhancing learning opportunities and working collectively and peacefully to advance prosperity.”
The Priorities identified here will serve to guide Council for the remainder of the current term and shape staff work.
Quarterly Updates
Council receives updates on the Strategic Priorites on a quarterly basis.