Five questions with Clark Olson, council candidate for Leeds and the Thousand Islands in the 2026 municipal election

Editor’s note: To help voters to be better informed, Brockvilleist will be asking the same five questions of all Leeds and the Thousand Islands council candidates in advance of the municipal election, which will be held on Monday, Oct. 26, 2026. Questions were sent to all candidates on Sept. 23, 2026. We will publish their responses as we receive them. Below are the responses from candidate Clark Olson. 

1. Tell us a little bit about your professional background, including any prior municipal or other political participation, as well as about you, personally. What made you want to run for council?

I completed my undergraduate studies at Wilfrid Laurier University before earning a Human Resources diploma from Sheridan College. I began my career in Brockville’s developmental services sector, where I developed a School-to-Work Transition Model for the local school board and the Ministry of Family and Children’s Services, with support from the Trillium Foundation. I went on to hold executive roles with Community Living associations, and helped establish a new service delivery model for a Single Point of Access agency serving the Ministry of Family and Children’s Services and Children’s Mental Health.

I later held executive positions with Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC), where I developed and established training programs for individuals eligible for Employment Insurance, and worked internationally with the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). I have also provided operational, human resources, and financial consulting to numerous small and medium-sized companies and taught the Human Resources Certification program at Sheridan College. I am currently semi-retired and working with Canada Post, which allows me to remain connected to the community.

Community involvement has remained an important part of my life. I coached at Thousand Islands Secondary School and Brockville Collegiate Institute for seven years, as well as coaching youth rep baseball for three years. I served as a director with STRIDE, also served as a director for a 55-plus men’s golf league, where I established a weekly electronic team allocation and scoring system.

I’ve always been actively involved in every community I’ve lived and worked in. As I’ve winded down my career, I am able to focus my attention on a more formal role within my community. A council seat is a place I feel I can make a meaningful contribution leveraging the skills I’ve acquired over the course of my professional career, along with the passion I have for my local community.

2. How would you describe your personal political ideology and/or affiliation?

I don’t feel there’s a place for political ideology along traditional ‘party’ politics within municipal politics. My personal philosophy would align with being fiscally responsible while meeting the obligations and realities of assets management, infrastructure development and maintenance. 

I would like to encourage the growth and development of planned new homes, recreational facilities and attract more small businesses. This requires a council open to providing cost effective permit policy, timely approvals and incentives. If these are in place, our community will attract the professionals every healthy community requires, including healthcare professionals, education professionals and business investments. 

3. What are the three most common issues voters bring up to you as you campaign?

1. Tax rates and the fair and equitable distribution of these resources.

2. Professional healthcare access and affordable seniors housing. 

3. Township services and fees: Recreation, permit costs, garbage, public restroom access.

4. What three issues are most pressing/important to address locally in your opinion?

1. Financial planning and strategic planning to ensure required maintenance and sustainable growth. 

2. Balancing growth, and ensuring the nature and cultural feel of our community. 

3. Securing the infrastructure required to be a healthy, vibrant community. (I.e., healthcare services, recreational facilities, rducational services, small business investments.) 

5. What do you feel sets you apart from other candidates?

Besides my passion for community, I believe I have acquired applicable leadership, management, communication and rational decision making skills that I can apply to a municipal service role.