Richard Gould
Mayor of the Municipality of Calvin Township
If you would like to see some videos, go to my facebook page https://facebook.com/richard.gould.699195.
Would you like a personal contact? Email rich@richardgould.ca .
I Said I Would Fight for Calvin — And I Did.
Some of the Work I Have Done for Calvin
Much of the work of a Mayor happens outside the Council chamber. Over the past four years, I have served on a number of committees and boards, often representing Calvin Township in regional organizations and working on issues that affect our residents.
I Said I Would Fight for Calvin — And I Did.
Four years ago, I asked for your support with a simple promise: I would fight for Calvin Township. I believe my record shows that I have kept that promise.
Putting Our Administration Back on Solid Ground
When we were elected, the municipal administration was in complete disarray. Staff had been hired and left, records were scattered, and there was a great deal of work to be done to bring the office back into order.
Council made a commitment to fix the situation.
We eventually hired a CAO, and she worked extremely hard for three years to put our administration in order and establish a solid foundation. This CAO has since moved on, and we thank her for the work she did for Calvin.
Today, we have promoted someone from our existing staff to CAO, and she is supported by an excellent Deputy Clerk and Administrative Officer.
The atmosphere and working environment in our municipal office have never been better. Our administration has never been more solid than it is today, and we are excited about what this team can accomplish for Calvin Township in the years ahead.
Standing Up for Calvin
I have written and brought forward municipal resolutions on issues important to Calvin Township. Some of those resolutions have been shared and discussed provincially and nationally.
Most notable was the Water Bomber Resolution I wrote in 2025, which described the need for a national agency to build and house water bombers. What began as a resolution from a small municipality became a national discussion, and it now appears that the concept may become a reality.
Calvin Township’s voice was heard across the country.
Protecting Calvin’s Financial Position
Following the devastating 2025 storm, Calvin Township faced a sudden $500,000 financial obligation that had to be dealt with.
Working with municipal staff, financial institutions and the Province, we developed a solution that allowed the Municipality to meet this challenge and protect its financial position.
Fighting for Reliable Communications
When I learned that Bell Canada was seeking changes that could threaten traditional landline service, I recognized that some Calvin residents still depend upon those services. I lodged formal protests and continued to raise the issue.
But the larger problem is connectivity. Cellular service in parts of Calvin Township remains inconsistent, and I continue to press both the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario for better service for our residents.
Rebuilding Our Fire Department
When our council was first elected, the Fire Department faced serious challenges. Highway calls were not being properly billed, some equipment needed attention and we did not have an acting Chief.
Today, we have a dedicated Fire Chief who also serves as our By-law Enforcement Officer and CEMC. Under his leadership, the department has regained its strength and confidence.
We have welcomed many new volunteers, morale is high, and we have invested in a new-to-us fire truck and a side-by-side vehicle that is particularly valuable in reaching the many remote areas of Calvin Township.
Fire protection and prevention are fundamental to the safety of our community, and I am proud of the work that has been done.
Maintaining Our Roads
Calvin’s roads are considered by many to be among the best in the area — but good roads require good equipment and a dedicated roads crew.
In our first year on council, we purchased a new dump truck capable of plowing snow and carrying out pavement patching.
Our roads department works hard for Calvin, and I am proud of the morale and commitment within that department.
Experience. Persistence. A willingness to fight for Calvin.
I am asking for your support to continue the work we have started.
I said I would fight for Calvin Township.
I did.
And I will continue to do so.
Richard Gould
Physician Recruitment Committee
For four years I have served on the Physician Recruitment Committee, working alongside physicians, hospital leadership and representatives from four area municipalities. Our committee has successfully recruited three new family doctors to the area and continues to work toward recruiting more. Access to family doctors is one of the most important issues facing our rural communities and the hospital is in the best shape ever coming into this fall season.
Canadian Ecology Centre
I serve on the Board of the Canadian Ecology Centre, one of Northern Ontario’s important environmental and educational organizations. Following the severe weather of 2025, the Centre has also faced substantial rebuilding work. We need to continue.
Planning Board
I serve on the Planning Board, which deals with severances and other planning matters affecting our area. We have also recently agreed to develop a new website to make planning information more accessible to residents.
Other Regional and Municipal Work
I have also represented Calvin on the committee of nine mayors dealing with Castle Arms, served on the Cassellholmes Exit Committee, and served as Calvin’s CEMC, along with other municipal committees and responsibilities.
.
Other Regional and Municipal Work
I have also represented Calvin on the committee of nine mayors dealing with Castle Arms, served on the Cassellholmes Exit Committee, and served as Calvin’s CEMC, along with other municipal committees and responsibilities.
In addition there were many long hours of work trying to solve the problem of a sudden $500,000 bill for the repairs to the roads after the strom. There were many meetings with government officials, bank officers and our auditors. After meeting with the Honourable Vic Fedeli on numerous occasions, we finally got some provincial assistance.
I have never been one to spend much time talking about the work I do. But I believe residents should know where their Mayor has been spending his time and what he has been working on.
Putting Our Administration Back on Solid Ground
When we were elected, the municipal administration was in complete disarray. Staff had been hired and left, records were scattered, and there was a great deal of work to be done to bring the office back into order.
Council made a commitment to fix the situation.
We eventually hired a CAO, and she worked extremely hard for three years to put our administration in order and establish a solid foundation. This CAO has since moved on, but we thank her for the work she did for Calvin.
Today, we have promoted Ann Carr from our existing staff to the position of CAO, and she is supported by an excellent Deputy Clerk and Administrative Officer.
The atmosphere and working environment in our municipal office have never been better. Our administration has never been more solid than it is today, and we are excited about what this team can accomplish for Calvin Township in the years ahead. — But there is still more work to do. We still need a solid backbone for the administration. We need to build something that will hold up decades to come.
Standing Up for Calvin
I have written and brought forward municipal resolutions on issues important to Calvin Township. Some of those resolutions have been shared and discussed provincially and nationally.
Most notable was the Water Bomber Resolution I wrote in 2025, which described the need for a national agency to build and house water bombers. What began as a resolution from a small municipality became a national discussion, and it now appears that the concept may become a reality.
Calvin Township’s voice was heard across the country
Protecting Calvin’s Financial Position
Following the devastating 2025 storm, Calvin Township faced a sudden $500,000 financial obligation that had to be dealt with.
Working with municipal staff, financial institutions and the Province, we developed a solution that allowed the Municipality to meet this challenge and protect its financial position.
Fighting for Reliable Communications
When I learned that Bell Canada was seeking changes that could threaten traditional landline service, I recognized that some Calvin residents still depend upon those services. I lodged formal protests and continued to raise the issue.
But the larger problem is connectivity. Cellular service in parts of Calvin Township remains inconsistent, and I continue to press both the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario for better service for our residents.
Rebuilding Our Fire Department
When our council was first elected, the Fire Department faced serious challenges. Highway calls were not being properly billed, some equipment needed attention and we did not have an acting Chief.
Today, we have a dedicated Fire Chief who also serves as our By-law Enforcement Officer and CEMC. Under his leadership, the department has regained its strength and confidence.
We have welcomed many new volunteers, morale is high, and we have invested in a new-to-us fire truck and a side-by-side vehicle that is particularly valuable in reaching the many remote areas of Calvin Township.
Fire protection and prevention are fundamental to the safety of our community, and I am proud of the work that has been done.
Maintaining Our Roads
Calvin’s roads are considered by many to be among the best in the area — but good roads require good equipment and a dedicated roads crew.
In our first year on council, we purchased a new dump truck capable of plowing snow and carrying out pavement patching. More recently we purchased a pickup that is used by roads to patrol the roads and make sure they are in good condition, and it is also used by the fire department to transport the UTV to difficult fires. The good news is that Fire and Roads work together.
Our roads department works hard for Calvin, and I am proud of the morale and commitment within that department.
Serving Calvin Through Change and Challenge. Experience – Persistence – Commitment.
I am asking for your support to continue the work we have started.
I said I would fight for Calvin Township.
I did.
And I will continue to do so.
Calvin may be a small municipality, but our voice doesn’t have to be!
Richard Gould
Do you want to know more? Please contact me at rich@richardgould.com
Below is a winter picture taken at the boat launch.
