About Peter

A life spent serving Renfrew County.

I have dedicated my career to public service: building partnerships, improving services, and advocating for the communities of Renfrew County on the provincial and national stage.

Peter Emon receiving Warden's plaque — County of Renfrew

What makes a good mayor

Why Peter?

The Mayor's job is not only to chair Council meetings. It requires working with Council and staff, managing competing priorities, building partnerships, advocating with other levels of government and turning community needs into action.

Experience That Applies to the Job

I have worked in municipal and regional leadership for more than a decade, including roles with the County of Renfrew, the Eastern Ontario Wardens' Caucus, the Association of Municipalities of Ontario and the Rural Ontario Municipal Association.

That experience has involved governance, policy, strategic planning, large budgets, advocacy and working directly with Provincial and Federal decision-makers — experience I can apply to Renfrew's priorities around growth, infrastructure, housing, services and affordability.

Peter Emon receiving RCVTAC fifth anniversary commendation from Health Minister Sylvia Jones

Peter and Health Minister Sylvia Jones

real results

A Record of Turning Advocacy Into Action

Throughout my career, I have helped advance initiatives that produced tangible results for Renfrew and Renfrew County, including:

Recruiting 14 physicians through the Renfrew and Area Health Services Village initiative

Supporting permanent funding for the Renfrew County Virtual Triage and Assessment Centre (VTAC)

Helping establish and expand Community Paramedicine

Supporting advocacy that contributed to the $300-million-plus regional cell-gap project

Helping develop the 3-for-1 Housing Replacement Plan

Helping establish MESA to address homelessness, mental health and substance-use challenges

Advocating for a HART Hub treatment facility and treatment beds in Renfrew County

Chairing the 2023 Ontario Winter Games, generating a $375,000 legacy fund for the community

leadership style

How I Lead

I believe leadership starts with accountability.

I believe residents deserve honest answers, transparent decision-making, and a Mayor who accepts responsibility when things do not go as planned.

I am committing to treat the Mayor's role as a full-time responsibility and to be accessible to Council, staff and residents.

For me, accountability means being clear about what I am working on, what decisions are being made, and what results follow.

My approach is to:

Make decisions based on facts, impacts and risks

Listen to differing perspectives and encourage respectful debate

Communicate directly and explain decisions

Work collaboratively while still being prepared to make decisions

Advocate actively for Renfrew

Remain independent in my decision-making

Acknowledge mistakes, take responsibility and change course when something isn't working

a note

Independence Matters

I believe residents deserve confidence that decisions are being made in the community's best interest. My commitment is to evaluate issues based on the facts, the impacts on residents, and what is best for Renfrew's long-term future.

Meet Peter

Rooted in this community.

I was born and raised in Calabogie, have worked in and around Renfrew since 1982, and have called Renfrew home since 2014.

My career included more than 20 years as a Child Protection Worker and 15 years as a Mental Health Crisis Worker. Throughout that time, I worked with individuals, families, organizations and governments to solve problems, build partnerships and improve services.

My wife Alanna and I have been married for 37 years. We raised our family here and continue to enjoy everything this region has to offer.

I care deeply about this community and believe Renfrew's future is full of opportunity if we plan for growth responsibly and work together to meet the challenges ahead.

In the Community

A Record of Showing Up

Ribbon cutting at Garrison Petawawa Algonquin Trail

County of Renfrew selected to host provincial HART Hub

Mesa Warming Centre donation presentation

Ask Me Anything

Have a question?

Transparency matters. Engagement matters. Accessibility matters. I believe residents should be able to ask questions and receive straightforward answers. Whether you agree with me or not, I want to hear from you. Ask a question. Share an idea. Raise a concern. I will do my best to answer your questions here, and on my social media.

Ask a Question