Welland Votes2026 municipal candidate guide
Menu
Well and Good WebsitesCreated bywellandgoodwebsites.ca
All wards

Ward 5 councillor candidates

6 candidates · Two council seats

Find your 2026 ward

Search all mayoral and council candidates.

Candidate comparison

Compare all 6 candidates. Scroll across for more questions.

6 Ward 5 councillor candidates across 14 comparison questions.
Candidate01Offices held or sought02Connection to Welland and the ward03Education and credentials04Work and leadership experience05Municipal and public-service record06Committee and community service07Reasons for running and priorities08Published commitments09Budget and financial experience10Council size and representation11Conduct findings and outcomes12Public political affiliations and candidacies13Prior election results14Campaign contact details
Aaron AlbanoView candidate
  • The Choralis Camerata biography says Aaron Albano attended Brock University for an undergraduate Bachelor of Music in piano performance.
  • The Choralis Camerata biography says Aaron Albano subsequently earned a Bachelor of Education degree at the University of Western Ontario.
SourcesChoralis Camerata — About Us
  • The Choralis Camerata biography says Aaron Albano works as an occasional high school music teacher and directs school concert bands and choir ensembles.
SourcesChoralis Camerata — About Us
  • Central United Church in Welland lists Aaron Albano as the choir Music Director.
SourcesCentral United Church — Committees and Groups
  • Campaign email: aaronalbano.welland@gmail.com.
SourcesCity candidate registry
Linksaaronalbano.welland@gmail.comCampaign Instagram
Mark DzuganView candidate
  • The Pointer reports council service from 2000 to 2010. Official results confirm a Ward 5 candidacy in 2022.
SourcesThe PointerOfficial 2022 election resultsCertified candidates, August 24, 2026
  • The Pointer reports prior council service from 2000 to 2010.
SourcesThe Pointer
  • Contested Ward 5 in 2022; certified to run there again in 2026.
SourcesOfficial 2022 election resultsCertified candidates, August 24, 2026
  • Campaign: 905-788-1306 · mdzugan@cogeco.ca.
SourcesCity candidate registry
Linksmdzugan@cogeco.ca905-788-1306
Michelle FebersView candidate
  • In her archived 2010 candidate bio, Michelle Febers described nine years on a mountain minor soccer and baseball community council and roles including Recording Secretary, Soccer President and Community Council President.
SourcesRaise the Hammer Elections — Michelle Febers, Candidate for Ward 6 in Hamilton Municipal Election 2010
  • Campaign: 905-531-3393 · wmicky6@hotmail.com.
SourcesCity candidate registry
Linkswmicky6@hotmail.com905-531-3393
Connie McCutcheonView candidate
  • Born in Welland, raised her family here and has lived in urban and rural parts of Ward 5.
  • Her campaign emphasizes the needs of established neighbourhoods, growing communities and rural areas within the ward.
SourcesCampaign websiteCandidate biography
  • Urban Geography degree from Western University and an Urban and Environmental Studies certificate from Brock University.
  • PROSCI Certified Change Practitioner.
  • Completed professional governance training.
SourcesCandidate biographyCandidate biography
  • More than 30 years working with municipalities in Ontario and across Canada on service improvement, accountability and transparency.
SourcesCandidate biography
  • Member of the City’s Heritage Advisory Committee.
SourcesCity of Welland
  • Serves on the Heritage Advisory Committee, whose listed appointments run until November 14, 2026.
  • President of MISA Canada and past president of MISA Ontario.
  • Served as president of the Cooks Mills community group.
SourcesCity of WellandCandidate biographyCandidate biography
  • She calls for residents to be informed early and heard respectfully during decision-making.
SourcesCampaign website
  • She proposes testing major spending for need, affordability and benefit to residents.
  • She proposes balancing development with protection of Welland’s quality of life.
SourcesCampaign website
  • Her proposed spending test considers need, affordability and benefit to residents.
SourcesCampaign website
  • Campaign: conniemccutcheon.com · conniemccutcheonward5@gmail.com.
SourcesCity candidate registryMcCutcheon campaign
LinksCampaign websiteconniemccutcheonward5@gmail.com
Luca MeleView candidate
  • Ran in Thornhill in the 2025 Ontario election; his candidate-submitted profile identifies his affiliation as New Blue.
  • New Blue candidate in Vaughan–Woodbridge in 2022; identified himself as a New Blue candidate in Thornhill in 2025.
SourcesElections OntarioCandidate-submitted profileElections Ontario
  • Entrepreneur.
  • More than 15 years of community organizing, including food and clothing drives, shelter support and charity fundraising tours across Canada.
SourcesCandidate biographyCandidate-submitted profile
  • The Pointer reports that Luca Mele filed in the 2026 Welland Ward 5 race and appeared before Council in late March regarding governance review.
SourcesThe Pointer — With less than three months until Niagara hits the polls, the municipal election landscape begins to materialize, shaped by PC politicking
  • Coordinates community round tables and outreach for unhoused people.
SourcesCandidate biography
  • Stated approach to leadership: showing up, listening and working with residents.
  • His campaign describes a platform built with community input.
SourcesCampaign statement
  • He proposes more efficient transit routes and improved public-safety measures.
  • He proposes updating parking, property-standards and zoning bylaws.
  • He advocates expanded healthcare and diagnostic services in Welland.
  • He commits to monthly community meetings shaped by residents’ ideas.
  • He proposes balancing compassion, safety and neighbourhood concerns in responses to homelessness.
SourcesMele campaign
  • Luca Mele's campaign platform proposes property-tax relief and affordability measures, including rebate programs, tax cuts, tax-deferral and relief/rebate programs, and utility-support programs.
SourcesLuca Mele Campaign for Ward 5 City Councillor — My Platform
  • New Blue candidate in Vaughan–Woodbridge in 2022; his candidate-submitted 2025 Thornhill profile also identifies New Blue affiliation.
SourcesElections OntarioCandidate-submitted profile
  • Placed fifth of six candidates in Thornhill in 2025, with 523 votes — 1.47% of valid votes.
SourcesElections Ontario
  • Campaign: lucamele.ca · votemele@gmail.com.
SourcesCity candidate registryMele campaign
LinksCampaign websitevotemele@gmail.com
Claudette RichardView candidate
  • Appointed to Ward 5 in September 2017; served in the 2018–2022 term and was re-elected in 2022.
SourcesCity of WellandOfficial 2022 election resultsCertified candidates, August 24, 2026City of Welland
  • Lifelong Welland resident.
  • Ward 5 councillor for the 2022–2026 term.
SourcesCity councillor profileOfficial 2022 election results
  • PMAC certification.
SourcesCandidate biography on City website
  • More than 40 years of management experience.
  • Founding-team and management work at both Niagara casinos before retirement.
SourcesCandidate biography on City website
  • Appointed as a Ward 5 councillor in September 2017; served in the 2018–2022 term and was re-elected in 2022.
SourcesCity of WellandOfficial 2022 election resultsCertified candidates, August 24, 2026City of Welland
  • Seven years as Welland Figure Skating Club president, including work organizing Learn to Skate programs.
  • Involvement with the Welland Sports Council, Welland Recreation, Rose Festival and United Way.
SourcesCandidate biography on City website
  • Claudette Richard’s City biography says she has over 40 years of professional management experience, PMAC certification, and prior management leadership at both Niagara Casinos.
SourcesCity of Welland — Ward Five Councillors
  • The Integrity Commissioner found no Code breach in the joint complaint about recount-related votes, in the report published in August 2023. That finding concerns this complaint only.
SourcesIntegrity Commissioner report
  • Served in the 2018–2022 council term and was re-elected in 2022, following her 2017 appointment.
SourcesCity of WellandOfficial 2022 election resultsCity of Welland
  • Campaign: 905-735-7543 · crichard17@cogeco.ca.
  • City office: claudette.richard@welland.ca.
SourcesCity candidate registryCity councillor profile
Linkscrichard17@cogeco.ca905-735-7543City office: claudette.richard@welland.ca
Question 01 of 14

Offices held or sought