Courtesy
Greg Duncan, candidate for Seat #1 on Stanstead council, is pictured as he launches his campaign focused on transparency, economic development, and preserving the town’s bilingual heritage

By William Crooks

Local Journalism Initiative

Greg Duncan, a longtime voice in Stanstead and former publisher of the Stanstead Journal, is running for Seat #1 on town council in the Nov. 2 election. With deep roots in the community and a career in communications, Duncan says his campaign is focused on transparency, economic development, and protecting the town’s bilingual character.

“I grew up in Stanstead, graduated at Stanstead College, and my parents both taught there,” Duncan said in a Sept. 30 interview. “I co-owned the Stanstead Journal in the 1990s and have been writing columns ever since. I came back during the pandemic after years working away, and I’ve always been active in supporting a voice for the community.”

Duncan’s family has a political background. His mother was the first woman councillor in Rock Island before the three villages merged, and his uncle served two terms in the Alaska State Senate. “I’m happy to carry on the tradition,” he said.

Bilingual heritage and governance

Duncan places a strong emphasis on Stanstead’s bilingual status, particularly in the wake of Bill 96. “I want to ensure that Stanstead reflects and embraces its historical bilingual nature and our cross-border nature too,” he said. He noted he previously drafted a motion for council to retain the town’s bilingual designation.

He also stresses better communication between council and residents. “I’d like to see clearer, more frequent bilingual updates, an open channel between council and citizens,” he said. He suggested citizen town halls a couple of times a year and a return to publishing public notices to support community media.

Economic development and housing

Economic resilience is another priority. Duncan pointed to vacant properties and recent losses such as the local SAQ outlet. “We need to attract more business and show that there’s opportunity here, whether through redevelopment of older buildings or inviting new investment,” he said.

Housing also features prominently in his platform. “Affordable housing is needed everywhere, but in Stanstead in particular,” Duncan said. He supports revamping existing buildings or identifying those that could be converted to housing, alongside new funding options.

Supporting all generations

With a demographic leaning heavily toward seniors, Duncan said services for older residents must remain strong, while youth programming and employment opportunities also need attention. “We’re not a monoculture economy here with the granite industry. What else can be brought to Stanstead?” he asked.

Seven pillars of success

On social media, Duncan has been sharing what he calls a “menu of success” for small towns. Adapted from a recent column he wrote, the seven pillars include:

• Strong local economy: supporting small businesses, tourism, agriculture, and infrastructure upgrades.
• Transparent and inclusive governance: clear, bilingual communication and open meetings.
• Community engagement: encouraging civic participation and celebrating heritage and the arts.
• Support for all generations: programs for seniors, youth mentorship, and intergenerational activities.
• Quality of life: safe public spaces, access to healthcare and education, affordable housing.
• Cultural vitality: festivals, arts programming, and preserving bilingual heritage.
• Resilience and innovation: adaptability, forward-thinking leadership, and regional collaboration.

“I just want to improve the quality of life for everybody and see what I can do on this local council,” Duncan said.

Campaign style

Duncan is running a positive, upbeat campaign. “My slogan is kind of like this sunny menu of success. I want to bring a positive thing to the whole process,” he said. Without a formal debate planned, he intends to continue outreach through social media, door-to-door visits, and informal gatherings at local restaurants.

As a candidate with decades of communications experience — including work for Global Affairs Canada, the Department of National Defence, and as executive director of the Quebec Community Newspaper Association — Duncan says he is well positioned to help Stanstead navigate the challenges ahead. “It’s always about transparency as far as I’m concerned. There’s room for improvement, and I want to be a voice for the community,” he said.