Municipal Election 2026: Heather Ward-Russell, Incumbent Candidate for Ward 6

Join us for a special series of CAC: In Conversation, covering the 2026 Municipal Election in the Fundy Albert Region. 

In this conversation, we chat with Heather Ward-Russell, Incumbent Candidate for the position of Councillor of Ward 6.  

All candidates were given a list of potential questions at least 24 hours in advance of their interview and were asked the same questions. We have completed light editing for clarity, length, and sound quality. All views and opinions represented in the interviews are those of the interviewee and do not necessarily reflect those of Connecting Albert County. 

Connecting Albert County thanks our presenting sponsor, the Bennett & Albert County Healthcare Foundation.

For more information on Connecting Albert County, please go to our website or find us on Facebook or Instagram.

Transcript

SPEAKER_01 0:00

Hello and welcome to Connecting Albert County in Conversation series. This is also a part of our special edition covering the 2026 municipal elections. I'm Melody Land, the coordinator of CAC, and this afternoon I'm here with Heather Ward Russell. She is the candidate of one of two in Ward 6, and she is re-offering. What's the term for that again?

SPEAKER_00 0:28

Reelect.

SPEAKER_01 0:29

So welcome, Heather, to our podcast as the re-elect and uh municipal candidate. You have served since amalgamation. So I'm sure you've had lots of interesting experience. Um, but I appreciate you spending your time here with us today.

SPEAKER_00 0:45

No, thank you. I appreciate uh having the opportunity to be with you. So thank you.

SPEAKER_01 0:50

So just in case anybody hasn't had a chance to get to know you, um, can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

SPEAKER_00 0:56

Sure. So as as you mentioned, Melanie, my name is Heather Ward Russell. I said I'm very proud to uh serve as a counselor for Ward 6 in Fundy Albert. I was first elected in 2023, and in 2025, I was honored to step into the role of interim mayor and deputy mayor, which strengthened my experience in leadership and collaboration. Before serving on council, I spent over 10 years as the chair of the Coverdale Parish Local Service District, where I work closely with residents and government to advocate for a community's needs. That experience gave me a strong foundation in the grassroots leadership and understanding how to navigate complex local issues, including budgets. I've lived in Lower Coverdale for most of my life, and it's where I'm raising my family with my husband Travis and our daughter, Faith. That connection means I'm not just representing this community, I'm being part of it. Professionally, I work with Atlantic Green Council, representing the agricultural sector, supporting the industry that's vital to both the local economic and global food systems. That role has also shaped my approach to leadership, focus on relationships, accountability, and practical results.

SPEAKER_01 1:59

Having this experience that you're bringing to the table, as you mentioned, previously serving, um, and into now, how would you describe your leadership style and how have you demonstrated this leadership in the past?

SPEAKER_00 2:14

Great question. So, one example of leadership that stands out in my term serving as in-premier in 2025, stepping into that role meant helping the council guide through complex issues and decisions while keeping everyone focused on what mattered most, which is serving our residents. What was important to me was creating a collaborative environment. Council doesn't always agree, and that's healthy. But my role was to make sure that every voice was heard and that we stayed respectful and solution focused. So, one example of leadership that stands out in my time serving as interim mayor in 2025 was stepping into the role meant helping the council guide through complex issues and decisions while keeping everyone focused on what mattered most, which is serving our residents. What was important to me was creating a collaborative environment. Council doesn't always agree, and that's healthy. My role was to make sure that every voice was heard and that we stayed respectful and solution focused. I worked to build the conscious uh the consensus, keep this uh discussions productive, and ensure decisions were made with transparency and accountability. I also uh drew on my experience from over 10 years of the chair of the Coverdale local parish district, where I learned to bring people together and advocate effectively at the community level. For me, leadership is isn't about being the loudest voice in the room, it's about listening, building trust and helping move forward things in a way that benefits the whole community.

SPEAKER_01 3:36

You mentioned about um kind of a little bit there about how you navigate conflict. Of course, whenever you bring people into a room, you know, as long as there's more than one, you know that there's always going to be some type of conflict. It is within human nature. And conflict can actually be really positive thing and it can lead to growth and that sort of thing. So, how would you say you handle and navigate conflict? Um, either now in the past, and how will you in the future?

SPEAKER_00 4:06

Yeah, it's just patience, I think is the key word for that. Um yeah, patience and understanding and leadership, I think that, and I've learned that from my role with being executive director and then being on council the last three and a half years, that the only way that you're going to get anywhere and move your community forward is with leadership, patience, and guidance. And uh I tried my best last year with that, and and I truly hope that uh that I'll be given the chance to do that again. Thank you.

SPEAKER_01 4:36

So you've had all of this experience. Why have you decided to run again for this municipal election?

SPEAKER_00 4:44

You know, I deeply do care about the community that I represent and that I live in. And uh, you know, I want us to community to be strong. I want a reliable voice for residents, and also with helping, you know, guide responsible growth and fair representation. So I want to put a key word on that fair representation. So I think that's extremely important, extremely extremely uh needed in uh in our current system that we've got right now. And how have you been preparing as you've getting ready for this election campaign? I've done uh quite a bit of social media uh involvement and I will be knocking on doors in the coming days. Um I'm excited about that. Um also, I mean, we can also acknowledge that uh the uh one of the candidates for Ward 5, Rebecca Davis and myself, will be hosting a meet your candidate night, uh uh which is scheduled for April the 29th at the Big Dreams Club in Lower Carberdale. So we'll be uh having coffee and conversation and and hope that uh we'll bring a lot of people out to just ask questions, find out what uh who they're voting for and and what is on their mind and what we can do about that. So I'm looking forward to that event.

SPEAKER_01 5:54

So speaking of what's on people's minds, um, have you had the time yet to develop a platform or perhaps what you see are the most pressing issues right now facing Funday Albert?

SPEAKER_00 6:05

Yeah, and there's probably a larger list than what I've actually put on my platform, but I'll start with, you know, the first things protecting taxpayers, ensuring fair representation, advocating for local service districts, and delivering quality services, not only for the local service, but for all residents. Uh so first I'm committed to protecting the taxpayers by maintaining the current tax rate while supporting reasonable and sustainable growth. Second, I will continue to be a strong voice for the LSD communities. Having served, as I mentioned earlier, the 10 years as a chair of the local uh Parit of Carberdale, I understand how important it is that those residents are meaningfully included in discussions that affect them. Third, fair representation is critical, especially as we look at boundary changes. I will continue to push to ensure that ward six and all rural communities have a proper voice at the table. And finally, I do believe that every taxpayer deserves consistent, reliable services no matter where they live. That's something I will continue to advocate for.

SPEAKER_01 7:03

And moving into kind of like that first term period, if you had to pick one thing that you'd like to address or take away in the startup phases, what do you think that number one takeaway would be for you?

SPEAKER_00 7:17

As far as my platform, but I think I would start with training and understanding each other as council members. I don't think that any decisions should be made just, you know, right out of the right out of the cart, I should say. Um, I think that we need to understand each other, get each other's personalities under the loop, and then uh work in uh in collaboration because partnerships and collaboration work as a team, and I think council does need to be a team. So that would be my first, you know, out of the, you know, as we can right out of the gate. Um, but honestly, you know, we we've been able to hold uh the tax rate this past year, and I would hope that that would be uh maintainable going forward. Um, but the biggest thing that it's on my list is the boundaries. I do believe that the wards and you know, the representation does need to be changed on that. And maybe bring in maybe like a counselor at large, one or two counselors at large would be beneficial. Um, and maybe combining some of the wards. I think that, you know, having six wards, um I would reduce that to maybe three wards or four wards and have uh a number of counselor at large in there as well. So um that that is my top goals at this point right now.

SPEAKER_01 8:23

And I'm just gonna jump over to something you had mentioned um just briefly about training. One of the questions that came into us was about required training. Earlier this year, we know there's a lot of discussion around that, um, both in the news and on social media, around mandatory training for municipal counselors, as well as just the availability or lack thereof. Where would you stand on that issue? Are you for or against required training? And have you taken any yourself?

SPEAKER_00 8:53

Absolutely, yes, to all your questions. So absolutely. I think I think training is, you know, if it's in my my my work position or my, you know, my position as uh as a candidate for Fundy Albert, uh, training and orientation is so important. Uh it just you you've got to have that. You if you don't have that, then I'm not sure where you're going to end up. So um I yes, and I have participated in any amount of training that has been given to me over the last three and a half years. And I don't think you can ever get enough. I don't think education and training is is ever, you know, bottom lined. I think you need to continue to uh to educate yourself and and to see how things are progressing. And I also think that we can learn from other municipalities as well, funding a very unique um community you know, through this amalgamation. And I think that uh, you know, by putting ourselves out there learning from other municipalities that have been doing this for quite some time um is beneficial as well. So training in that aspect as well.

SPEAKER_01 9:47

Okay. So serving your community through municipal government is time consuming. Um, as you know, there are multiple meetings per month, various times of the day and evening, as well as community events, boards, so many other projects that I don't even know about. Can you speak to any concerns that voters might have about how you manage your time and how available you will be to serve your constituents?

SPEAKER_00 10:09

Yeah, absolutely. So um I will admit that did I expect it to be as much time as what uh what I had thought? Absolutely not, but I don't think I would change it because I think we needed that time to get to where we are today. So um balancing responsibilities is something that I've been doing for a long time, both in my professional and my community roles. In my work with Hellenic Greens Council, I manage multiple projects, budgets, and competing demands every day. So I'm used to working efficiently, staying organized, and focusing on what matters most. Uh, like I've mentioned, I've been involved with the LSD, with the care of the Coverdale Parish, so I understand the commitment it takes to serve a community while balancing family and work life most of the time. For me, it comes down to being disciplined with my time, staying organized, and having a strong support system at home. My family understands the importance of public service, and we work together to make it possible. When something matters to you, and this community does, it's not about finding time. It's about making the time and using it well.

SPEAKER_01 11:09

Another question that came in is related to um familiarity with policy and procedure. The New Brunswick Local Governance Act is the primary legislation that governs municipalities, rural communities, and regional districts. It did have some major reforms in 2023 with the amalgamation to service delivery areas, new local governance commissions, the restructuring of local service districts, et cetera. And it does set the framework for council powers, financial duties, and bylaws. Can you share with us your level of familiarity with the New Brunswick Local Governance Act?

SPEAKER_00 11:45

Yeah, so I think um I'm glad to see that they're a little more proactive uh now than they were, you know, when we first started. But uh I've definitely have followed uh their social media and their website for guidance and have reached out to them a number of times just for for that information. So I do have a strong familiarity with policy and the procedure. Um, and uh with my current role in counsel through amalgamation and my professional work life, I am comfortable with uh the structured governments and committed to again learning more and working with them going forward.

SPEAKER_01 12:14

The next question can be, I guess, a little more tenuous. Um, there have been many public conversations around concerns in regards to transparency of local council and perceived conflicts of interest that have occurred around decision making of counselors. I'm wondering if you can give a response to that concern and from your perspective, how has it impacted local governance? And I think you probably have um compared to candidates that haven't re-offered or aren't haven't served previously. You know, maybe you can speak to the steps that have take been taken to change that public perception.

SPEAKER_00 12:53

Right. I know there's been a lot of um comments with regards to closed sessions, but I do believe that uh, you know, there we are able to have uh a number of closed sessions based on the local governance act that that the criteria that involves that. So um, but I do believe that transparency is is just as important as what happens in those closed sessions. So um I stay transparent by community openly with residents and explaining decisions clearly. I also hold myself accountable by being prepared and consistent, and I strictly follow the conflict of interest rules, disclosing and stepping back when necessary to maintain that public trust. Uh, one quote that I would like to acknowledge in this as well is that public trust is earned, and I worked to maintain that every day.

SPEAKER_01 13:37

Thank you. Moving into some of the files that are held by municipal council, um, again, because we've taken a lot of questions, some of them I have kind of pulled together in one statement and they're encompassing. So, whatever you'd like to pull out of them, you're welcome to do so. The first is the nature and environmental concerns. So the village of Funde Albert has a lot of resources, but the most obvious perhaps is our connection to the natural environment we're in. It is so profound that when Funde Albert did the rebranding, our tagline is now friendly by nature. We're also part of the UNESCO Funde Biosphere Region, which is a huge and significant global designation. How do you see the municipality's role in maintaining, managing, and utilizing our natural resources?

SPEAKER_00 14:32

Yeah, so having grown up in Laura Carville, and of course working for a very proud agricultural sector, I understand how closely connected our environment, our economy, and our way of life really are. Agriculture depends on healthy soil, clean water, and responsible land management. So sustainability isn't just an ideal, it's essential. In my role, I focus on making thoughtful, informed decisions and protect our natural resources by allowing for responsible growth. That means considering long-term impacts, listening to science, and supporting practices that are both environmentally responsible and practical for our residents.

SPEAKER_01 15:08

Specifically in the areas of glycophate spraying, that has come up with a variety of uh questions in regards to that. What are your thoughts about the spraying of our region's forests with glycophates?

SPEAKER_00 15:21

Yeah, I would uh, you know, I think that's a joint conversation that continues need to be had with uh your provincial and your federal counterparts as well as our municipality. Um, but I am a believer. I do work in the agricultural sector and I do believe in science. And I think we need to allow science to to uh showcase what is necessary and support the uh the the practices that uh continue to be followed by our scientists. Um I also do believe that there's a spot for that to happen. And uh, you know, but that that information and and that dialogue needs to be continued between both provincial, federal, and municipal governments.

SPEAKER_01 15:55

Okay, thank you. The next file that I would like to bring up is around housing, poverty, and cost of living. There's always a lot of discussion around challenges of living. Um, but I think it is fair to say that right now the cost of a living has skyrocketed and it has a huge impact on the residents of our village. Precarious housing is a problem in our region. There are statistics that suggest that we have a high significant number of residents within a couple of paychecks at risk of homelessness or displacement. There is an increased use of food banks and other food insecurity resources, that sort of thing. And I could continue that list, but um, we know that that need is there. How have you or how will you use the full range of the municipalities' tools and resources to increase access to affordable housing, reduce or eliminate homelessness, increase food security, or in general have a positive effect in any area of poverty reduction?

SPEAKER_00 16:58

That's a powerful question statement, all in all in one. So uh thank you for that. But that's a it's a difficult question to answer at the same time. Um, I know that there's a lot of growth that needs to happen within our uh community, our uh our municipality, but also, you know, we got to worry about our water source as well. And can we can we provide the adequate drinking water and and sewer systems that they do need as well? So it's great to go out there and say, yes, you know, build all these houses or build, you know, some tiny homes. But, you know, we do need to do be proactive as a council as well to make sure that we're able to provide the right uh the right dialogue for them as well. So I do have a couple notes on that, but to increase access to affordable housing, I would also like to support tools by encouraging diverse housing options, such as you know, secondary units, smaller homes while working with developers and nonprofits to reduce barriers, support projects that meet community needs. And I believe the council, current council is doing that by working with uh the Forestale nursing home as well. So there is some dialogue happening, which is which is great. To help reduce homelessness, it's about partnerships. Again, those piles need to work closely with provincial governments, local organizations, and server providers to promote coordinated community-based solutions. Every community is different. That includes ensuring people can access the services they need and supporting initiatives that provide stable housing. When it comes to food security, my background is with the Linux Grand Council, gives me that strong understanding of the importance of local agriculture, supporting local producers, protecting agriculture land, encouraging local food initiatives are always a way municipalities can contribute. And I look forward to continuing to work with them.

SPEAKER_01 18:40

Thank you so much for that response. And I uh like how you mentioned about the small homes because that leads us into really this economic development profile. So excellent segue. Um what do you see as the municipal council's role in regards to economic development and the best ways to grow our community?

SPEAKER_00 19:03

We need like ours that starts with supporting our local businesses. And of course, I want to throw in agriculture in there as well because it's kind of my passion. So through the work that I do on a daily basis, I also understand how important the agricultural sector is, not just economically, but to identify. So protecting farmland and supporting our local producers is a key part of sustainable growth. And finally, I truly believe in collaboration, working with regional partners, local organizations, and residents that make and grow reflects our community, which they actually know what they want and they need. And that's very important as well. So again, collaboration and partnership all works together.

SPEAKER_01 19:41

Thank you. In the arts, culture, and history file, do you think and see if art, culture, and history add value to the municipality?

SPEAKER_00 19:54

That's an easy, easy answer. Absolutely. Absolutely. They add tremendous value to our community. And uh, I don't know where we'd be without them, to be honest with you. So if you think of tourism, you think of anything, it's all related around uh those two keywords. So arts, culture, history, they define who we are. And I think you just briefly in our in your pre-introduction mentioned a little bit about, you know, your history as well. So uh that definition and that defining who we are is very important. In rural areas like our ours, they play a big role in preserving our identity and strengthening the sense of belonging. So, yes, I truly support municipal involvement, but it should be practical, measured, and focused on delivering real value to the community.

SPEAKER_01 20:36

Do you have any ideas about how or specifics about how municipality could do that, any examples, whether it be through things like strategic planning, policy, investment, programming, so on and so forth?

SPEAKER_00 20:51

Yeah, absolutely all of the above. So I think we have done, or I know that we have done a strategic uh plan. Uh, it'd be great to dig that back out and to determine. I know that tourism and economical uh threshold was involved in that and mentioned a number of times. So it'd be great. But I think surveys with the actual people doing that job, that's, you know, I'm not educated on the arts and on the cult, you know, on the history, um, but I know that many residents in Funny Albert are. So I think that's where you build the committee, you build a solution and come up with that. So it would be something that I would look forward to working alongside of them and taking their information and bringing it back to the council chambers.

SPEAKER_01 21:27

In the area of infrastructure, roads we now are always a concern, especially this time of year. Um, but they are not the only concern after amalgamation. Of course, we now have infrastructure from one side just after Riverview in your area all the way to Elma. And that includes a wide variety of resources. How have you or how will you utilize the range of the municipalities' tools and resources in the management, maintaining, or improving? of important municipal infrastructures or potentially even develop new projects.

SPEAKER_00 22:06

Absolutely. So yes, um we do, like you did mention, the jurisdiction of Bunny Albert is is very long and uh there's a lot of uh people that depend on on traveling that road every day. So this is a very important uh question that you've asked. So first I believe in planning ahead. That means using asset management tools to understand the condition of our roads and infrastructure and prioritizing the maintenance before issues become a costly repairs. Preventative maintenance is one of the most effective ways to stretch taxpayers' dollars. Secondly it's about prioritization. Not every project can happen at once so decisions need to be based on need, safety and long-term value for our community. Third, I would focus on leveraging partnerships and finding opportunities, working with the province and the federal programs whenever possible to bring additional investment into our community. And finally, accountability matters making sure these projects are delivered efficiency, on budget, and with clear communications to residents. And just you know to add to this as well Melody is um you know the local service districts are provided this service on roads and infrastructure by uh Department of Transportation. So I truly believe that a relationship needs to continue to build stronger and better uh with the engineers with DOT thank you very much.

SPEAKER_01 23:22

Related to infrastructure and I guess it is part of that whole plan is that talk of amalgamation and regardless of our individual feelings on it, we have to live with the consequences thereof. How will you approach challenges related to this experience and are you prepared to serve the greater community of Funday Albert absolutely I know that we're trying our best to be all one.

SPEAKER_00 23:51

I still think we have uh you know some hiccups to to to work with um but my goal at the end of every term or of my my next term if I am so uh honored to uh be reelected is to have and to be all of one. So uh it's going to take time it's not going to be easy but uh I do look forward to uh working as one.

SPEAKER_01 24:13

So that wraps up the main questions that we have but I want to give you an opportunity if there's anything we haven't covered that you would like to share with the municipal residents to know about you and your bid in this election.

SPEAKER_00 24:26

Yeah no so again thank you for the opportunity I think this is fantastic what uh what you've done and I look forward to seeing you know the final review of this but uh you know just from some ending comments would be that I'll be honest this role has not been easy. Public service comes with challenges difficult decisions and moments that really test you. But guess what? I'm still here I'm still here because I care deeply about where we live and I believe that the work that we're doing through every challenge I've stayed committed I've kept showing up and I've kept putting residents first. I think that resilience and dedication are important. It's easy to step up when things are simple but what matters is that you stay when it's hard. And that's exactly what I've done.

SPEAKER_01 25:09

Thank you. I think that's a great spot to wrap up this interview. So I do again thank you Heather for taking the time out of your full and busy schedule to chat with me and share your thoughts and answering the questions from the residents of Funday Albert we appreciate you and we couldn't do what we do without you spending the time to do this. So I really appreciate that.

SPEAKER_00 25:31

No and I appreciate your time and I also just want to acknowledge my family as well I've mentioned them in here but I couldn't do what I do every day without the support of my mom my dad and uh yeah my family and I've got uh a brother and a sister-in-law and and some nieces and I guess you know I gotta remember my own husband and my lovely dollar so uh yeah it takes a team and uh that team starts with family first so thank them thank to them.

SPEAKER_01 25:55

Thank you so much. And this is Melody with Connecting Albert County the in conversation series covering our uh special edition of the 2026 municipal elections here in Funday Albert thank you for listening and stay tuned for the rest of the interviews coming your way