Trent Radio | Published October 8, 2026
Listen: Paul Lawton on Trent Radio
Listen to Paul Lawton’s interview with Trent Radio, recorded as part of its candidate interview series for Peterborough’s 2026 municipal election.
Northcrest Ward • Peterborough
Paul Lawton for Northcrest
Safe neighbourhoods. Responsible spending.
Northcrest resident, husband, and father of nine. I believe public office is a responsibility, not a privilege. I want to serve Northcrest with integrity, responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars, and practical concern for families and neighbourhoods.
Watch: Why I’m Running
In this two-minute YourTV candidate statement, I explain why I’m running for Northcrest and the priorities at the centre of my campaign: safe neighbourhoods, responsible spending, public order, and making sure residents are heard at City Hall.
In the News
PTBO Today | October 1, 2026
Ward 5 – Northcrest: Councillor candidate Paul Lawton
Paul outlines his background and priorities for Northcrest, including safe neighbourhoods, responsible spending, public order and making sure residents are heard. The profile also includes a short recorded campaign message.
The Peterborough Examiner | June 16, 2026
Candidate Profile: Paul Lawton – Northcrest
Paul introduces his campaign for Ward 5 – Northcrest and outlines his priorities for safe neighbourhoods, public order, responsible spending, strong core services, and a council that listens before decisions are made.
More Campaign Coverage
kawarthaNOW | August 23, 2026 Peterborough ward candidates weigh neighbourhood advocacy against city-wide interests Paul discusses the responsibility of a ward councillor to advocate for Northcrest residents while also considering the interests of Peterborough as a whole. Read the article → kawarthaNOW | August 19, 2026 Peterborough ward candidates outline their financial priorities ahead of municipal election Paul calls for core services first, careful budgeting, real business cases for major spending, and no automatic tax increases or blank cheques. Read the article → kawarthaNOW | August 16, 2026 Peterborough ward candidates outline their priorities for transportation and active transportation Paul calls for safer streets, better-maintained roads and sidewalks, reliable snow clearing, sensible traffic flow, and practical transportation choices that respect the needs of drivers, pedestrians, cyclists, seniors, and children. Read the article → kawarthaNOW | August 11, 2026 Peterborough ward candidates weigh in on housing intensification across the city Paul supports more housing and thoughtful growth while rejecting an “anything anywhere” approach, with an emphasis on infrastructure, neighbourhood fit, public safety, green space, and meaningful consultation with residents. Read the article → kawarthaNOW | August 7, 2026 Peterborough ward candidates lay out their visions for the city’s economic future Paul argues that economic development starts with the basics: safe streets, clean public spaces, reliable infrastructure, reasonable taxes, predictable approvals, and less unnecessary red tape for businesses and employers. Read the article → kawarthaNOW | July 28, 2026 Northcrest Ward candidates introduce their campaigns Paul explains why he is running, identifies the major challenges facing Northcrest, and describes the experience and convictions he would bring to council. Read the article → PTBOCanada | June 21, 2026 A Community United Around One Message: Right Support, Wrong Location Coverage of the North End Community Alliance gathering at the Carnegie fire hall, including Paul’s comments on shelter location, public safety, consultation, and neighbourhood concerns. Read the article → The Peterborough Examiner Six candidates now running in Northcrest Ward Ward 5 – Northcrest is the most contested ward early in the municipal campaign. Read the article →Lawn Signs Are Here
The first batch of Paul Lawton for Northcrest lawn signs has arrived.
If you live in Ward 5 – Northcrest and would be willing to display a sign, please let the campaign know. Lawn signs help introduce the campaign to neighbours and show visible support across Northcrest.
Official Campaign Launch
Paul Lawton officially registered as a candidate for City Council in Northcrest Ward on June 5, 2026. Watch his launch message from outside Peterborough City Hall.
About Paul
Paul and his wife Erika are raising their nine children in Peterborough. He understands the pressures facing families as they raise children, manage rising costs, and plan for the future.
Paul believes public office is a responsibility before God and a trust from the people we serve. That means speaking honestly, treating taxpayers' money with care, making decisions on principle, and serving the whole community faithfully.
He is running to bring private-sector management experience, a strong commitment to public order, and a family and neighbourhood perspective to City Council.
Experience
Paul brings experience in leadership, communication, organizational management, and community engagement through his professional work, church service, and public involvement.
- 17 years leading teams and managing operations in the private sector
- Director of Grassroots Action for a national Christian advocacy organization
- Elder at Salem United Reformed Church
- Regular speaker at churches, conferences, and community events
Why I'm Running
Peterborough has been a good place to raise our family, and I want it to remain a city where the next generation can put down roots and raise families of their own.
Many Northcrest residents are concerned about rising taxes, deteriorating public order, pressure on roads and city services, homelessness, and major decisions being made without enough attention to the people most directly affected.
Municipal government cannot solve every social problem, but it is responsible for doing its own work well. That includes maintaining roads and infrastructure, protecting the safe use of public spaces, delivering reliable core services, managing growth responsibly, and treating taxpayers' money with care.
I am running because Northcrest deserves a councillor who will ask direct questions, insist on clear answers, and keep City Hall focused on safe neighbourhoods, responsible spending, and competent local government.
Priorities
Safe Neighbourhoods and Public Order
Residents should feel safe in their homes, on neighbourhood streets, in parks, on trails, and throughout our public spaces. The City must support effective law and bylaw enforcement and should not accept public drug use, vandalism, intimidation, violence, or the loss of safe access to shared spaces as inevitable.
Responsible Spending
Every dollar City Hall spends came from someone who had to earn it. Council should focus on core responsibilities, carefully scrutinize major spending decisions, demand clear results, and respect the financial pressures facing taxpayers.
Roads, Infrastructure, and Core Services
Roads, sidewalks, parks, waste collection, emergency services, and other basic municipal responsibilities must come first. The City should maintain existing infrastructure responsibly and plan for future growth without neglecting the services residents rely on today.
Strong Families and Neighbourhoods
Strong communities begin with strong families, churches, volunteers, and local organizations. City Hall should respect their important role, consult residents before major decisions are made, and support the conditions in which neighbourhoods can flourish.
Get Involved
Northcrest deserves a councillor who will ask direct questions and stand up for residents. This campaign depends on neighbours who are willing to help.
You can help by:
- Displaying a lawn sign
- Introducing Paul to friends and neighbours
- Delivering literature in your neighbourhood
- Volunteering at events
- Helping with door-to-door outreach
- Donating to the campaign
Support the Campaign
Contributions help cover practical campaign costs like lawn signs, printed materials, and voter outreach in Ward 5 – Northcrest.
E-transfer contributions can be sent to:
Please include your full name and email address in the e-transfer message if possible. The campaign may follow up for any information required to provide a campaign contribution receipt and maintain the legally required records. Campaign contributions are not tax-deductible.
Contributions may only be made by individuals normally resident in Ontario. Corporations, unions, associations, clubs, ratepayer groups, and non-Ontario residents may not contribute. The contribution limit is $1,200 to one candidate and $5,000 total to candidates running for the same council.
Connect with the Campaign
Request a lawn sign, receive campaign updates, volunteer, or send Paul a message.
To request a lawn sign, select ‘Display a lawn sign’ and include your address or delivery notes below.
Thank you. If you indicated interest in supporting the campaign financially, contribution details are available in the Support section.
Contact
Questions or Ideas?
I welcome questions, ideas, and concerns from Northcrest residents. Use the form above or contact the campaign directly.
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For day-to-day campaign updates, follow the campaign on Facebook.