Five questions with Shane O’Neill, candidate for Carleton Place 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 Shane O’Neill. You can view a roundup of all our Carleton Place 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 work in sales with a tour operator in Ireland and the UK. But, like countless others, I’ve worked in many jobs over my career, including as writer, news reporter, management consultant and years as a shift supervisor with the Beer Store. In the 2025 provincial elections, I ran as an independent candidate in the riding of Lanark–Frontenac–Kingston, my first time running for public office. I was inspired to run because I believed our riding and the province were being failed by the policy priorities and ineffective leadership of the provincial government and the premier’s office. I’ve decided to run for council because I believe I have a lot to contribute to our town’s future growth and to advocate for a safe, family oriented, community. I was disappointed to learn that no sitting councillor thought to provide an alternative vision or challenge to the direction of town by running for mayor or deputy mayor and offering that choice to our community. I’m running to be that choice for voters and ensure that the next term of council is more than a rubber stamp.

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

I would describe myself as a political independent and a centrist. My overarching philosophy is that the world can’t be viewed simply through the lens of left-or-right, liberal-or-conservative or black-and-white. I believe that everyday problems need to be addressed with hard work, planning and effective communication. If elected, I will use my platform to communicate with residents through official channels, but also directly through my website with weekly reports on council’s activity, our public council and committee meetings and my thoughts and reasoning for every vote. It’s the responsibility of our elected officials to communicate with all residents and to operate transparently.

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

The three most common issues residents want to talk about on the campaign trail, by far, are public safety, traffic management and responsible development. Residents in every corner of town have expressed their concern about the speed of vehicles on residential streets, the increasing number of different personal mobility devices like eScooters and eBikes sharing limited space on sidewalks and road shoulders with walkers, strollers, vehicles and other users.

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

The three most pressing issues for the next term of council are just as described by residents: public safety, traffic management and responsible development. Those terms represent a broader umbrella of issues and challenges town council is responsible for and tasked with addressing. The next term of council must be focused on public safety by ensuring our town roads are safe for all vehicles and users, and appropriate for a town that continues to grow exponentially. It must also commit to the responsible development of our existing residential areas, new developments and public spaces to ensure that our town remains safe and accessible for all residents now and in the future.

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

What sets me apart from the other candidates is my experience and perspective. As the youngest candidate seeking election, I bring an important perspective as a young parent, homeowner and community leader. Council works best when it brings a diversity of views and perspectives together to work through the issues facing our community. I believe that young families need a bigger seat at the table in Carleton Place and I’ve decided to run to represent young families and those setting down roots long term in our community. Since 2023, I’ve been a member of the Municipal Heritage Advisory Committee and have learned a lot about our community and the history on which we are building the future of our town. If elected, I will bring my experience and perspective to advocate for everyone in our community, to preserve and enhance the services provided by our extraordinary small town and ensure the cost of living is managed effectively by our municipal government.