This story originally incorrectly identified a donor to Alison Strachan’s campaign as a teacher, It has also been updated to note that Jo-Ann Ramsey is the previous owner of Jo-Ann’s Deli Market & Bake Shop.

Under the Municipal Elections Act election candidates are required to report the campaign contributions that they receive. The Barnacle reached out to the local municipalities to share the lists of reported donations over $50.

In the Municipality of the District of Lunenburg (MODL), Elspeth McLean-Wile’s mayoral campaign reported raising $29,350 in cash donations. That amount increases to $30,636 total if you include in-kind donations.

The mayor’s reported donations represent just over half (56.2 per cent) of all donations made during the 2024 municipal elections for Bridgewater, Mahone Bay, Lunenburg, and other candidates in MODL. The Barnacle reached out to the District of Chester to obtain campaign disclosure reports, but did not receive them by the time of publication.

Most of Mayor McLean-Wile’s donations were local. Just under two-thirds (65.5 per cent) came from donors within the municipality.

The mayor received most of her support from business interests who contributed a combined $14,900 (51 per cent) in cash donations. That value increases to $16,185 (53 per cent) if you include a $1,285 in-kind donation from the owner of Spitfire Signs. Business ownership for this analysis was identified to the best of our ability through online searches of people and companies listed in disclosure reports.

The largest sector represented in the mayor’s donations are development, real estate, and building supplies, accounting for 39.7 per cent ($11,650) of cash donations. Town and County Property Improvements and the spouse of the company’s recently deceased owner donated a combined $10,000, which accounts for 34 per cent of all the cash donations she received. Other donors in the sector include: Michael Kontak of The Shaw Group ($750), South Shore Ready Mix Ltd. ($500), Gigi Turner connected to Turner & Turner Lumber Limited ($300), and Realtor Karsa Melnick ($100).

Food and hospitality-affiliated donations came in second, representing 8.6 per cent ($2,600) of cash donations. These donations include: Jo-Ann Ramsey, the previous Owner of Jo-Ann’s Deli Market and Bake Shop in Mahone Bay ($1,000), Mark Eisner of Atlantic Beef Products Inc, Armstrong Food Service, and High Liner Foods ($500), Bridgewater Best Western ($500), Dale Kelly President and CEO of 101141997 Saskatchewan Ltd. ($500), and Steven Saunders the Director of Regulatory and Technical Services at High Liner Foods Inc. ($100).

Finance was the third largest sector represented in her donations, representing $1,300 (4.4 per cent) of cash donations, from: Michelle Crouse of BMO Nesbitt Burns ($500), Greg Flynn of CIBC Wood Gundy ($500), Danny Carey’s Insurance Agency ($200), and David M Jordan of Manulife. The automotive sector came in close behind at $1,200 (4 per cent), which included donations from: GW Mosher Holdings Ltd. ($500), Saunders Motors ($300), Ian and Daphne Tufts of Ian’s Automotive ($200).

Lunenburg Mayor Myra Also Raised Large Sum, Supported by Business Interests

Lunenburg Mayor Jamie Myra reported raising $9,550 in cash donations, $9,825 if you include in-kind donations. This total accounts for almost two-thirds (63.2 per cent) of all donations for the 2024 election in the Town of Lunenburg.

Donations to Myra came significantly from local business interests. Just under half ($4,897, 49.8 per cent) of his reported donations came for either a local business or a business owner in Lunenburg County.

Myra’s business donations came primarily from companies or individuals involved in the real estate and development sector (17.3 per cent, $1,700), which includes a $1,000 donation from former Conserative-turned-Liberal politician and national finance personality Garth Turner. Hospitality and recreation sector interests account for 11.7 per cent ($1,150) of Myra’s reported donations. Business interests in the fisheries sector account for a similar 10.9 per cent ($1,075).

Christy Kelly-Bisson, PhD, is an agrarian political economist and garlic farmer living in Sulieweykitk (New Germany), Lunenburg County. You can follow them on Bluesky at @garlicbreath644.bsky.social

Table 1 – 2024 Campaign Donations for Town of Bridgewater
Position(*elected)Candidate (votes)Number of DonationsAverage DonationTotal Donation AmountIndividuals
Mayor*David Mitchell
Acclaimed
0$0$0None
CouncillorDavid Carter
634
0$0$0None
Councillor*Stacey Colwell1,
456
0$0$0None
Councillor*Mike Conklin1,
209
0$0$0None
Councillor*Cheryl Fougere 
1,504
1$300$300Aubrey Dakin (Owner: DAKIN’S CORNER STORE)
CouncillorDonette Getson
962
1$500$500Darren Young (Owner: FRESH CUTS)
Councillor*Jennifer McDonald  1,3430$0$0None
CouncillorJane Morrel
763
0$0$0None
Councillor*Braden Newell
1,092
2$75$150Mitch Archibald – $100 (Executive Director: Student Housing Nova Scotia)Janet Weldrick – $50 (unknown)
Councillor*Eric Whynot
1,303
0$0$0None
TOTALS$950
Table 2 – Town of Chester (No Reports Provided by Town)
Position(*elected)Candidate (votes)Number of DonationsAverage DonationTotal Donation AmountIndividuals
District 1Terri Demont
188
District 1Andre Veinotte
528
District 2Clarissa (Issie) Coolen
721
District 2Heather Norwood
68
District 2Ross Shatford
159
District 3Tom Bremner, 
414
District 3Amber Brown Keddy
237
District 4Lee Harnish
299
District 4Allen Webber 
322
District 5Abdella Assaff ACCLAIMED
District 6Tina Connors – ACCLAIMED
District 7Sharon Chruch
334
District 7Theresa Giffin
222
Table 3 – 2024 Campaign Donations for the Town of Lunenburg
Position(*elected)Candidate (votes)Number of DonationsAverage DonationTotal Donation AmountIndividuals
Mayor*Jamie Myra
811
Agent: Connie Martin
39$258.11 cash$244.87 total (including in-kind)$9,550 Cash (37 donations)
$275 In-Kind(2 donations)
$9,825 total
See Table 2A
MayorJesse Ward
546
Agent: Jesse Ward
8$271.4$1,900Matteo Niccoli – $200 (Advisor for Canada Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board)Stephen Song – $100 (Senior Director, Infrastructure Mapping and Development – Internet Society)Julian Ambrose-Green – $1,000 (Artist)Catherine Walker – $200 (Writer, editor and consultant with Blue Window Communications)David Clingan – $100 (artist)Carol Lord – $200 (artist, donated to Elspeth McLean-Wile)Marion Moore – $100  (Amnesty International, Council of Canadians)
Councillor*Renea Babineau
721
Agent: Renea Babineau
1$500$500Robin Joost – $500 Lunenburg Heritage Homes consultant
Councillor*Rachel Bailey
1051
Agent:Rachel Bailey
0$0$0None
CouncillorIrma Da Sie
573
Agent: Irma Da Sie
0$0$0None
Councillor*Debbie Dauphinee
848
Agent: Jenni Birtles
7$303.57$2,125Benjamin Smith – $1,000 (Horizon Maritime)Marcia Powers-Dunlop – $500Lynn R Hannah – $200 (Sales Representative at Jones Healthcare Group)Heather Langille – $200Jane Ritcey Moore – $100 (President of Adams and Knickle)Heidi Susan Robertson – $100Jennifer Birtles – $25 (Former council candidate and accounts receivable clerk for local fuel company)
Councillor*Gale Fullerton
626
Agent: Gale Fullerton
1$200$200Colin Carroll – $200 (Self-Employed)
Councillor*Alex Greek
849
Agent: Alex Greek
0$0$0None
CouncillorJohn McGee
601
Agent: None
0$0$0None
Councillor*Alison Strachan843
Agent: Alison Strachan
1$1,000$1,000Nancy Murray – $1,000
CouncillorAmanda Williams
293
Agent: Emily McCallum
0$0$0None
TOTAL$15,550
Table 3A – Jamie Myra 2024 MODL Lunenburg Election Campaign Donations
NameDonationKnown Companies or Properties OwnedKnown Companies They Work For (past and present)Known Political, Non-Profit, or Interest Group Affiliations
Barry Fader$1,000–––
Shane Pittman$1,000Owner of Ocean Gear Inc––
Robert Smith $1,000–––
Garth Turner$1,000Owner of Turner Investments (Financial and Real Estate Investments)
Former owner of xurbia.ca (sells survivalist equipment)
Author of Greater Fool, The Troubled Future of Real Estate, After the Crash, Sheeple: Caucus Confidential in Stephen Harper’s Ottawa and the Greater Fool blog
–– Former Federal PC and Conservative MP for Halton—Peel, Ontario (1988 to 1993) and Halton, Ontario (2006 – dismissed by party)- Former Federal Liberal candidate for Halton (2008 – unsuccessful) and Dufferin—Caledon (2009 – resigned candidacy)
Cris and Karen Comstock$500–Karen: Bookkeeper–
Edward R. Honneyman Electrical$500Edward R. Honneyman Electrical––
Jeff Green$300General Manager at Oak Island Resort and Conference Centre
Heidi McHale$300–––
Craig Munroe$300Owner of Craig Munroe Financial Services–President of Bluenose Golf Club and Lunenburg Curling Club
Kurt Lohnes$250–––
Rachel Martin$250–––
Francis’ Independent Grocery Store$222Francis’ Independent Grocery Store––
Denyse Flower$200Owner of the Knot Pub––
Hubert Francis$200Owner of Francis’ Independent grocery store (see in-kind donations – $222 from the store)––
George Myra$200–––
Paula Rennie$200–Retired Translator formerly with 723186 Alberta Ltd.–
Jake Smith$200–Past President: Bluenose Golf Club–
Terry Whynot $200–––
Wesley Pratt$175–––
Sonya Major & Ian Hutchinson$150–––
Katherine Eisenhauer$100Owner of the Savvy Sailor Cafe––
Linda Heaver$100–––
Robin Joost$100Lunenburg Heritage Homes consultant–Director on Council for Lunenburg Board of Trade
Ron Kaulbach$100–––
Heather Langille$100––Contributed an article to the Lunenburg Barnacle
John McGee$100––Former councillor and deputy mayor
Russell Mossman$100–––
Sylvia Mouzar$100–––
Kathy Powers$100Former owner of Golf CentralBoard member of Golf Nova Scotia
Melissa Risser$100Co-Owner of Risser Design + Build––
Paul Smith$100–––
Jim Snair$100–Senior Broker – Sunnybrook Yachts–
Stephen VanDine$100Owner of Arctic Unlimited––
Deana Zinck$100–––
Dale Martin$75Vice President: Seafood Procurement with High Liner Foods Inc.
Lisa Bozek$50–Director of IT – Municipal Joint Services Board–
Kim Dickson$50Owner of Ashlea House Bed and Breakfast––
Mark Tibbo $50–––
Nick’s Independent (Mahone Bay)$50 (In-Kind)Nick’s Independent (Mahone Bay)––
Table 4 – Town of Mahone Bay
Position(*elected)Candidate (votes)Number of DonationsAverage DonationTotal Donation AmountIndividuals
Mayor*Suzanne Lohnes-Croft
354
3$117$350Margaret Millar – $150 (Miller House By the Bay B&B)Joyce Treen– $100 (Former Liberal MLA for Cole Harbour Eastern Passage) Outside the RidingChristine Lohnes – $100 Located outside the Riding
MayorTony Sampson
290
0$0$0None
Councillor*Penny Carver
370  
1$100$100David Puxley – $100
CouncillorAaron Michael Collery 
160
1$100$100Bruce Bardon – $100 (Owner of Layline Capital Inc.)
CouncillorJoseph Maxwell Feeney*
420  
0$0$0None
Councillor*Colin Kingsmill
421 
1$100$100Bruce Bardon – $100 (Owner of Layline Capital Inc.)
CouncillorWilliam D. Lewis
264
–––No disclosure report provided
CouncillorRichard L. Nowe
283
0$0$0None
Councillor*Bryan Palfreyman
390 
0$0$0None
Councillor*Rebecca Twanow
363 
1$100$100Bruce Bardon – $100 (Owner of Layline Capital Inc.)
Councillor*Kelly Wilson
351 
0$0$0None
TOTAL$750
Table 5 – Municipality of the District of Lunenburg
Position(*elected)Candidate (votes)Number of Donations Greater Than $50Average Donation Greater than $50Total Donations Over $50Individuals who donated more than $50
MayorElspeth McLean-Wile*
6240 (62.4%)
Agent:Mark Winfield
60 – Cash1  – In-Kind$489 – Cash$502 – Total$29,350 Cash$30,636 TotalSee Table 5A
MayorCarolyn Bolivar-Getson (incumbent)3752 (37.6%)
Agent: Claire MacDougall 
4$400$1,600Terry Whynot – $1,000Donna Malone – $200 (Realtor)Danny/Rhona Carey – $200 (Danny Carey’s Insurance Agency – Cooperators)Bruce and Heather Veinotte – $200 (Author)
District 1Morgen Reinhardt*
604 (67.9%)
Agent: No Agent
0$0$0None
District 1Tyler Veinotte
285 (32.1%)
Agent: No Agent
0$0$0None
District 2Martin E. Bell* (incumbent) (acclaimed)
Agent: Joanne Whynacht
3$567$1,700Martin Bell – $1,200Cheryl Bell – $450Marilyn Neily – $50
District 3Wendy Oickle* (incumbent)519 (54.5%)
Agent: No Agent
0$0$0None
District 3Andrew Himmelman434 (45.5%)
Agent:No Agent
1$1,815$1,815Andrew Himmelman – $1,815
District 4Pam Hubley*(incumbent)698 (62.3%)
Agent: No Agent
0$0$0None
District 4Gary B. Mailman
422 (37.7%)
Agent:Jolene Emino-Mailman
0$0$0None
District 5Cathy Moore* (Incumbent)582 (55.5%)
Agent:No Agent
0$0$0None
District 5Andy Veinotte
317 (30.2%)
Agent: No Agent
0$0$0None
District 5Suzanne Kutach
149 (14.2%)
Agent: No Agent
2$435$870Viola and Dexter Gabriel – $70Norma and Terry Dory – $800 (Terry was once a municipal councillor)
District 6Alison Smith*
575 (48.5%)
Agent: No Agent
0$0$0Received donations, but none over $50
District 6Blair Clark
258 (21.8%)
Agent: No Agent
0$0$0None
District 6Wade Carver
256 (21.6%)
Agent: No Agent
0$0$0None
District 6Byron Veinotte
96 (8.1%)
Agent: No Agent
0$0$0None
District 7Edgar Burns*
517 (61.2%)
Agent: Janice C Croft
0$0$0None
District 7Elizabeth Crossland
203 (24.3%)
Agent:No Agent
0$0$0None
District 7Carroll W. Publicover
115 (13.8%)
Agent: No Agent
0$0$0None
District 8Kacy DeLong*
620 (61.6%)
Agent: No Agent
2$100$200Sue Bookchin – $100 (Be The Peace Institute)Ann Cererzen – $100
District 8Phil Williams
195 (19.4%)
Agent: No Agent
2$200$400Doug Cleveland – $300 (Concerned about electric vehicles and coastal protection)Mark Belair – $100 (Deja Vu Lab and Test Equipment Inc.)
District 8Barry Owen Dupuis
191 (19.0%)
Agent: No Agent
0$0$0None
District 9Ben Brooks*
578 (55.3%)
Agent: No Agent
0$0$0None
District 9Dean Schmeisser
467 (44.7%)
Agent: No Agent
0$0$0None
District 10Chasidy Veinotte*(incumbent) (acclaimed)
Agent:No Agent
0$0$0None
TOTAL$37,221
Table 5A – Elspeth McLean-Wile 2024 MODL Mayoral Election Campaign Donations
NameDonationAddress Provided in Report is Located in MODLKnown Companies or Properties OwnedKnown Companies They Work For (past and present)Known Political, Non-Profit, or Interest Group Affiliations
Town and County Property Improvements$7,500
[$10,000 total if including donation from Rita Veinot]
YesTown and County Property Improvements––
Rita Veinot$2,500YesSpouse of Gary Veinot [Recently Deceased], founder of Town and County Property Improvements)––
Elspeth McLean-Wile – $2,500YesFormer owner/operator of Wile’s Lake Farm Market–CANDIDATE
Former President of Dairy Farmers of Nova Scotia and chairman of the National Promotion committee of Dairy Farmers of Canada
Ian McRae$1,285 [In-kind donation]YesSpitfire Signs––
David Cross$1,000[Four donations: $500, $200, $200, $100] Yes–––
Lynn Hennigar$1,000 [Two donations: $500, $500]Yes–Former Core Team Member of LighthouseNOWPrevious councillor of Mahone Bay, chair of the Mahone Bay Centre,  Board MemberLunenburg County Community Fund
Jo-Ann Ramsey$1,000NoOwner of Jo-Ann’s Deli Market and Bake Shop––
Michael Kontak$750 No–Corporate Secretary & Amp Director, Human Resources at The Shaw Group–
Bridgewater Best Western (Tina Grace)$500YesBridgewater Best Western––
Shelley Burgoyne Bary$500Yes–––
Andrew Button$500YesMashup Lab––
Mark Eisner$500No–Atlantic Beef Products Inc, Armstrong Food Service, High Liner Foods–
Michelle Crouse$500No–Senior Wealth Advisor at BMO Nesbitt Burns–
Donald Downe$500Yes––Previous Mayor for the MODL and former Liberal MLA for Lunenburg West MLA
Janice A Ernst-Ross$500No–––
Greg Flynn – Address provided is connected to someone named Gregory Flinn$500Yes–President at CIBC Wood Gundy–
Gail R Hatheway$500Yes–––
Dale Kelly$500Yes–President and CEO Of 101141997 Saskatchewan Ltd.–
GW Mosher Holdings Ltd.$500NoCar Dealership owned by George W. Mosher––
South Shore Ready Mix Ltd.$500YesSouth Shore Ready Mix Ltd.––
Kathy and John Vissers$500Yes–––
Saunders Motors$300NoSaunders Motors––
Gigi Turner$300YesAddress listed is the same address as Turner &Turner Lumber Limited––
Loe VanDijk $300No–Head Of Sales at Indivior–
Bruce H Wildsmith$300Yes––Non-Indigenous Lawyer representing Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi’kmag Chiefs and Kwilmu’kw Maw-klusuquan Negotiation Office
Mark and Patricia Belair$250NoDeja Vu Lab and Test Equipment Inc.––
Mark Furey$250No––Retired police officerFormer Liberal MLA for Lunenburg West
Jennifer Naugler$250YesOwner of ​​Simple Local Life Company –Executive Director, Bridgewater and Area Chamber of Commerce
Former Liberal Party candidate for Lunenburg West
Richard Neldermayer$250No–Partner with Stewart McKelvey (Legal Firm)Deputy Chair of The Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (Canada)
J W Nell McLean$250No–––
Jocelyn Zwicker$250Yes–––
Danny and Rona Carey$200YesDanny Carey’s Insurance Agency – Cooperators––
Tim and Ann Freeman$200Yes–––
Catherine Lewis$200No–––
Keith/Kathleen M Sullivan$200Yes–––
Ian and Daphne Tufts$200NoIan’s Automotive––
George and Sharon Young$200Yes–––
David J Young$200Yes–––
Margaret Anne Walker$200No–––
Oswald and Joyce Wile$200Yes–––
Shelley E Zwicker$200YesSame address as AtlantiCrash Analysis––
Carol Lord$150No–––
Lloyd and Nickie Campbell$100No––Someone named Lloyd Campbell was the Official Agent in 2015 for the Liberal Party in Lunenburg West
Annie L Chymist$100Yes––Agent for Lunenburg West Liberal Party Campaign in 2011Appointed Commissioner of Oaths from 2012 to 2017
Wayne Foster$100Yes––Lunenburg Community Fund and 2017 Chair re: LCLC Board
Glenn Hebb$100YesIndian Garden Farms
Robin Hendra$100Yes–––
Brenton Hirtle$100Yes–––
Robert and Mary Jane Hyson$100Yes–––
Trudy Johnson$100No––Educational Consultant and Chair of the SSHPCS, co-founder of the Foundation for Youth Support, volunteer positions: Second Story Women’s Centre; Secretary, Autism Nova Scotia, South Shore Chapter; Board member Nova Scotia Athletic Federation; and Health Services Foundation of the South Shore as Board member and Chair
David M Jordan$100Yes–Pension fund specialist for ManulifeHusband of Bernadette Jordan, Former Federal  Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard 
Ellen S. McLean$100No––Past President of Associated Country Women, Federation of Agriculture, 4-H, Canadian Council on Rural Development, CBC Advisory Committee on Agriculture and Food, and Women’s Institutes. Honorary Doctorate from St. FX. Inductee to the Atlantic Agricultural Hall of Fame
Karsa Melnick$100YesRealtor––
Darlene Peters$100Yes–––
Steven Saunders$100Yes–Director, Regulatory and Technical Services at High Liner Foods for High Liner Foods Inc.–
John Veinot$100Yes––Former MODL councillor
Nancy Veinot$100Yes–––
Albert White$100No–––

Read the original article at The Lunenburg Barnacle