Whoever becomes Warden of the United Counties of Prescott and Russell (UCPR) after the next municipal election in 2026 will have the job for two years.
On Wednesday, November 26, UCPR Council unanimously adopted a recommendation and by law extending the head of the regional council’s term from one year to two. The Warden is selected from among the eight municipal mayors who comprise the UCPR council. Each November, the Warden for the succeeding year is inaugurated, which means the 2027 UCPR Warden will serve until 2029.
The decision to switch to a two-year term follows two months of discussion about the possible benefits. The consensus among the mayors was that a two-year term would allow for the Warden to achieve more for the UCPR and allow for greater continuity in leadership.
Casselman Mayor Geneviève Lajoie said she would have liked to have new policies developed for how the Warden is selected among the mayors and to ensure the Warden serves regional objectives.
