Residents of Lakeland Ridges are hoping the upcoming election brings a collaborative leadership
Residents of Lakeland Ridges share a common wish heading into the upcoming 2026 election: to have steady, practical leadership that works together fairly for the betterment of small communities.
“The constant bickering and infighting that occurred and was widely reported upon is embarrassing and is not how we want to be represented going forward. We need a true team that wants to collaborate, not dictate,” said Jillian Manuel, resident of Lakeland Ridges.
The municipality has faced some ups and downs over the past few years. The council has had members step down, leaving empty seats, and because it couldn’t operate properly, the province suspended it in July 2023. The suspension was later lifted in May 2024 after electing members to fill the spots.
The Municipality of Lakeland Ridges was established in 2023 by combining Canterbury and Meductic, with the Local Service Districts of North Lake, Debec Benton, Canterbury, and part of Lower Woodstock.
Canterbury resident and business owner Laura Russell says the merger has been a “hassle.”
“It used to be all one big family altogether, and it worked. But then they decided to divide it up into four and called it Lakeland Bridges, and now there’s nothing but a big fight all the time. One wanting this, and one wanting that, one section wanting something else,” said Russell.
Need for better communication with residents
Manuel says she has noticed not only a lack of communication among council members but also a lack of communication with residents.
She notes there seems to be a loss of connection between members and residents. Manual believes that council members should be approachable and well-known in the community. She also feels they should keep residents better informed about plans and budgets and seek public input.
“We need transparency on major decisions and plans that are proposed, with a clear understanding of the benefits, costs and potential risks involved,” said Manuel.
As a resident who cares about her community, Manuel says she would love to see it thrive in the years to come, noting that more needs to be done to support the elderly and attract younger generations.
She suggests a need for more ideas to enhance small businesses and spur the development of new businesses.
“We have an aging population that needs access to reliable core services. We need to be identifying opportunities to attract and retain younger residents to promote future growth,” said Manuel.
