Five questions with Carrie Lough, Ward 1 candidate for Belleville council in the 2026 municipal election
Editor’s note: To help voters to be better informed, Quinteist will be asking the same five questions of all council candidates in Belleville, Quinte West and Prince Edward County in advance of the municipal election, which will be held on Monday, Oct. 26, 2026. Questions were sent to all candidates on Sept. 10, 2026. We will publish their responses as we receive them. Below are the responses from Belleville Ward 1 candidate Carrie Lough. You can view a roundup of all our Belleville municipal coverage and links to all completed profiles 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 am a wife and proud mother of four children, as well as a surrogate to three children – experiences that have strengthened my belief in family, compassion and helping others.
My educational background includes social service worker, addiction studies and management essentials for nonprofits. I spent most of my career with The County Of Hastings, first working as a case worker with Ontario Works and later as a social housing supervisor. These roles gave me extensive experience working directly with individuals and families, understanding the challenges people face and helping connect them with the support services they need.
Today, I work full time as the administrator of the Quinte Living Centre, where I continue to serve our community and support seniors in maintaining their independence and quality of life. I also own and operate a part time cleaning business, which has given me another perspective on the dedication and hard work it takes to run a small business.
Outside of work, I have a great love for animals and the outdoors. Some of my favourite moments are simply walking my dogs, spending time in nature and enjoying everything our community has to offer.
Throughout my career and personal life, one thing has remained constant: I genuinely care about people. I believe in listening, treating everyone with respect, working hard and doing what I can to make a positive difference in others’ lives.
2. How would you describe your personal political ideology and/or affiliation?
I consider myself politically independent and community-focused. I believe in fiscal responsibility, strong public services and supporting those who need assistance. I prefer to look at each issue individually and make practical, informed decisions based on what best serves the residents of Belleville.
3. What are the three most common issues voters bring up to you as you campaign?
The three most common issues voters have brought to me during my campaign are: cost of living concerns, high taxes and high increases and lack of transparency for community issues.
4. What three issues are most pressing/important to address locally in your opinion?
The three most pressing issues that I feel are important to address are homelessness/lack of affordable housing, community safety and support services and infrastructure, planning and transportation.
5. What do you feel sets you apart from other candidates?
What sets me apart is my hands-on experience working directly with people from all walks of life. I have spent my career in social services and housing, listening to people and helping solve real problems, which gave me an understanding the challenges our community faces. I bring compassion, practical experience and a strong commitment to working with residents to find solutions that will make Belleville a better place.