‘Truly an honour’: Belleville’s outgoing mayor gets standing ovation after emotional farewell remarks at final council meeting

Belleville’s outgoing mayor delivered emotional remarks to cap the final meeting of his political career.

Neil Ellis launched into a nearly 15-minute farewell speech as he chaired the Monday, Nov. 9, 2026 meeting of city council, the last one of the 2022-2026 term.

“It’s been a little difficult to put into words what this journey has meant to me,” Ellis stated toward the end of the short council meeting.

Ellis, who was defeated by mayor-elect Paul Fleming by a 741-vote margin in the Oct. 26, 2026 municipal election, thanked his family, council colleagues, City staff and the community for his 20 years of public service, which included three non-consecutive terms as mayor and two as the area’s federal member of parliament from 2015 to 2021.

“Having the opportunity to serve the people of this city has been one of the greatest honours of my life.”

Ellis spoke of the wonderful moments, difficult decisions, long meetings and debates over the course of his career, which first began in municipal politics in 2006.

“You’ve all become my friends.”

But the one constant, he asserted, was his belief in Belleville and its people.

Ellis also focused much of his retirement speech on praising senior municipal staff.

He took time to single out several key bureaucrats for the work they have done.

“Looking back, I don’t think about building budgets, building roads and projects. I think about people who run the city,” he declared.

Several of Ellis’ own family members and political supporters gathered in the public gallery of the council chamber to applaud the mayor’s lengthy political turn.

He concluded: “Thank you for your support. I love you all and thank you, Belleville. It’s been truly an honour to serve you.”

Ellis indicated following his failed bid for a fourth term as mayor that he intends to retire from political life.

City councillors, staff and members of the public responded to his remarks with a lengthy standing ovation.

Prior to the mayor’s final speech, several councillors took turns praising Ellis and his legacy.

“You’ve been a wonderful mayor for Belleville across four years of service, and in this term of office you have helped move this city forward,” said Councillor Barbara Enright-Miller, who was re-elected to another four-year term.

She praised the mayor’s role as a mentor who offered guidance, encouragement and friendship to councillors.

“You gave us room to grow,” said Enright-Miller. “You trusted us with responsibilities, encouraged us to take ownership of our committees and allowed us to find our voices.”

She added: “I think I speak for everyone, it’s been an honour to serve beside you these past four years.”

Another returning councillor, Garnet Thompson, offered brief but emotional remarks.

“You’re a great leader. I’ve learned a lot from you,” he said, which prompted Ellis to leave the mayor’s chair briefly to give the veteran councillor a hug.

Councillor Sean Kelly, who was also re-elected last month, thanked Ellis for his commitment, dedication and the countless hours he spent serving the community.

“Politics is not easy,” Kelly remarked, and noted the job is often made even more difficult with “everybody being a journalist on social media.”

Enright-Miller echoed the personal cost and criticism that often goes with being the city’s top politician, but noted that Ellis’ contributions will be missed.

“It’s difficult to imagine this table without you at the helm. But the end of a term cannot take away the good you have done, the relationships you have built, or the influence you will continue to have on this city”

She added: “Your legacy will live on.”

The tributes took up about half of the 35-minute council meeting.

The new council, with Fleming as mayor, will be sworn in on Monday, Nov 16.