Five questions with Derek Zeisman, candidate for Perth council in the 2026 municipal election

Editor’s note: To help voters to be better informed, Lanarkist will be asking the same five questions of all council candidates in Carleton Place, Smiths Falls, Perth and Mississippi Mills in advance of the municipal election, which will be held on Monday, Oct. 26, 2026. Questions were sent to all candidates on Sept. 4, 2026. We will publish their responses as we receive them. Below are the responses from candidate Derek Zeisman. View a full roundup of all our Perth municipal coverage here.

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’ve devoted much of my life to public and community service. I’m a senior legal officer with Global Affairs Canada, where I advise on complex international environmental, Arctic and maritime matters. I’ve also served abroad as a Canadian diplomat, trade commissioner, international negotiator and acting senior manager. These roles have given me practical experience in economic development, investment attraction, public finances, legislative and contract drafting and helping Canadian businesses grow and thrive.

My teaching work at Algonquin College’s Perth campus 15 years ago first drew me to Perth. Since moving here, I’ve deeply involved in this wonderful community. I now chair the Perth Family Health Team, serve on the board of the Perth & District Community Foundation and volunteer with the Perth Lions Club and Friends of the Perth & District Union Public Library. I’m also vice-president of the Friends of Murphys Point Provincial Park. I hold degrees in journalism/communications, Canadian history, public administration, industrial relations, common law and civil law.

I first ran for Perth council in 2022. While I wasn’t successful, that experience strengthened my determination to listen, learn and serve. I’m running again because Perth is a remarkable community with major opportunities and challenges. I want to bring positive, practical and accountable leadership to council and help make Perth the best-run town in all of Ontario. This town deserves nothing less than first-rate municipal administration.

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

I am pragmatic, moderate and independent. I evaluate issues based on their merits rather than through a partisan lens. I’m not seeking to import federal or provincial party politics into Perth Town Hall. In this era of toxic social media and hyper-partisanship, our town needs hard-working, pragmatic problem-solvers, rather than one-sided political bias.

My approach combines fiscal responsibility with a strong commitment to public services and sound community investment. I believe taxpayers deserve value for money, prudent budgeting and open and transparent decision-making. Responsible government must maintain and renew our aging infrastructure, support vulnerable residents, protect Perth’s cherished built heritage and natural environment and plan for the future before small problems become expensive emergencies.

I favour evidence-based decisions, respectful debate and genuine consultation. Good ideas can come from council, Town staff, residents, businesses or community organizations. I will work constructively with people whose views differ from mine, while remaining independent and accountable for my decisions. My guiding question will always be: What course of action best serves Perth’s long-term interests?

Municipal government should be practical and nonpartisan, focused on local needs, effective services, and measurable results.

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

Three concerns arise repeatedly at the door.

First, residents want better communication and meaningful consultation. Many feel they hear about projects too late, receive incomplete information, or are invited to comment after a preferred plan has emerged. Online communication, whether through email or social media, does not reach everyone, particularly seniors.

Second, people are concerned about affordability and municipal spending. They want taxes controlled, budgets scrutinized, and essential services delivered reliably. Residents understand that infrastructure costs money, but expect clear priorities, long-term planning and maximum value from every dollar spent.

Third, traffic, parking and winter accessibility are persistent frustrations. Residents mention speeding enforcement, traffic calming measures, downtown parking issues and large snow berms that block commercial and residential parking spaces after major winter storms. These barriers are especially difficult for seniors and people with limited mobility.

Across all three issues, residents want a Town government that listens, explains its decisions clearly and honestly, and responds to practical, everyday needs.

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

First, Perth must manage major infrastructure renewal responsibly. Planned road work affecting Highway 7, Gore Street and major water and sewer systems will create years of disruption. Council must plan early, coordinate skilfully with public and private partners, communicate frequently with residents and businesses, maintain access to shops and neighbourhoods and reduce economic losses wherever possible.

Second, Perth needs stronger Town advocacy and lobbying with higher levels of government. Local infrastructure, transit, housing, health care, education and social service needs often depend on Lanark County and decisions by the provincial and federal governments. We should identify funding opportunities early, prepare compelling proposals, build strategic partnerships and press persistently for Perth’s fair share of public funds. Every outside dollar secured can advance essential projects while easing pressure on local taxpayers. Better transportation must be part of that effort, particularly for seniors and residents who do not or cannot drive.

Third, we must strengthen our year-round economy while protecting Perth’s unique character. That means responsible “smart” growth that pays its fair share of development costs, supports adequate infrastructure and respects our cherished built heritage and established neighbourhoods. It also means promoting winter tourism and activities, supporting local businesses and adopting a practical “Buy Local, Buy Ontario, Buy Canada” municipal spending approach whenever possible.

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

I offer a unique combination of directly relevant professional expertise and sustained local community service. As a lawyer, former diplomat and trade commissioner, I know how to analyze complex information, assess risks, negotiate proposals, manage public resources, and build relationships across governments. My economic development background helps me understand the needs of businesses, investors and entrepreneurs. My teaching and communications experience assists in explaining difficult issues clearly.

I also bring practical governance experience from local boards and committees involving budgets, personnel, policy, strategic planning and essential community services. My volunteer work in health care, literacy, conservation and community project funding keeps me connected to the people and organizations working every day to improve life in Perth.

What ultimately sets me apart is how I would use that experience. I’m a constructive problem-solver, not a grandstander. I will do the homework, ask difficult questions, seek well-researched options, listen respectfully and explain my decisions clearly, honestly and openly. I will bring an independent voice to council while embracing cooperation and teamwork with my council colleagues.

Credentials matter, but judgment, integrity, accessibility and temperament matter just as much. I’m ready to advocate persistently for Perth and remain accountable to its residents. My ultimate goal as a councillor will be to make Perth the best-run town in all of Ontario. Is this an ambitious goal? Yes. But this tremendous community deserves nothing less.