Carling

Today on Municipal Affairs, this conversation takes place directly with those responsible for making many of those decisions.

This discussion was recorded live before an audience at the 2026 Fall District of Parry Sound Municipal Association Summit in the township of Carling, Ontario in September.

Joining us were three municipal leaders with perspectives from different municipalities across the district, Seguin Mayor Anne McDermott, Armour Mayor Rod Ward, and Burk's Falls Mayor Chris Hope.

We asked them to look back on where their municipality stood four years ago, and to look ahead at where they may be four, 10, even 20 years from now.

[upbeat music] In the township of Carling, municipal government is closely connected to the day-to-day realities of a rural and waterfront community.

From infrastructure and services to development and protecting the character of the area, local decisions can have a lasting impact on the people who live there, who work there, and who spend their time there.

Today, on Crossborder Interviews, we sit down with the township of Carling Councilor, Bruce Kelly.

Now, our conversation was filmed at the 2026 Fall District of Parry Sound Municipal Association Summit, where we discussed the issues facing Carling, the realities of municipal leadership, and the challenges, and yes, even opportunities ahead.

This is a conversation about local government, community priorities, and the future of rural Ontario.

I'm Christopher Brown, and this is Crossborder Interviews.

Bruce, thank you so much for chatting with me today in beautiful Carling, your home community, w- at the District of Parry Sound Municipal Association.

I wanna start with a very simple question, if you don't mind.