Port Hawkesbury Mayor Brenda Chisholm-Beaton has announced her decision to seek a third term as mayor of the town.

Acknowledging that there is still work to be done, the mayor identified housing as a key issue for the next four years. She highlighted ongoing discussions with developers, contractors, and provincial and federal governments to address the housing shortage. Chisholm-Beaton also pointed to proposed green energy projects in nearby Point Tupper, Richmond County, as offering significant potential for Port Hawkesbury residents and employers.

The interview was unexpectedly interrupted by a power outage in Arichat on August 14. The mayor later provided written responses to the final two questions.

When asked about her campaign plans for the October 19 election, Chisholm-Beaton said her campaign will be multi-faceted. "I plan to do traditional door-to-door visits to hear from residents, which is most important. I’ll bring my notepad to capture everything that matters to them," she said.

She added, "I’ll also be sharing information about my leadership and the work we’ve done together over the past eight years. I hope to see people at various events, but I want them to know they’re always welcome to approach me with questions or ideas. People can expect to see my signs soon, and those who want one to show their support can contact me."

The final question addressed the town's first fully electronic election. Chisholm-Beaton expressed excitement, saying, "It will eliminate spoiled ballots, and results will be available at the touch of a button."

She continued, "When we used both electronic and paper ballots last year, there was a significant preference for electronic voting, so many of our voters are already familiar with the process. For those who aren’t, we’ll have polling stations with tablets and staff available to assist."

The mayor noted that residents can still vote in person on election day, though ballots will now be cast electronically instead of on paper.