‘A really good journey’: Caledon mayor will not seek re-election

Standing side by side with his wife Anne, and his voice betraying emotion, Caledon Mayor Allan Thompson shared the news that he will not seek a third term this fall.

On Tuesday (March 1), Thompson announced that he has opted against running for re-election in the October 2022 municipal elections. He has spent 19 years in elected office, including seven-plus as the mayor of the growing Peel Region community.

“It’s been a really good journey, and I think after two decades, it’s time,” Thompson said in a Facebook Watch posted on March 1. “We now have grandchildren, and with this job, and with everything I do, I put 151 per cent into it, and there’s some things I have missed with my kids. I don’t want to miss that with the grandkids.”

Anne Thompson added: “They want you to be there, too.”

“I think it’s time,” the outgoing mayor added. “We have the (Town of Caledon’s’) official plan done, and you know me, until my last day as mayor, it’s going to be foot on the gas.”

Reflections & Elections. Today I announced I will not be seeking re-election as Mayor of Caledon in October of 2022. Visit https://t.co/YRZ7RHESVJ for a full message.

— Allan Thompson (@Caledon_Allan) March 1, 2022

In an accompanying media release, Allan Thompson offered a suite of thank-yous to people whom he has worked with, worked for, and been supported by over two decades. He was an area councillor and a regional councillor before being elected Caledon’s mayor in 2014.

Apart from emphasizing a goal and a wish for more family time, Thompson did not elaborate on his next step professionally.

“Thank you to my Council colleagues at both the Region of Peel and the Town of Caledon over the last 19 years,” he wrote. “I have learned so much from many of you and those lessons will continue to serve me in whatever comes next. Town, Regional and Provincial staff, what a privilege it is to collaborate and work with such dedicated, talented public servants, I know how hard you work for the greater good.

“A huge thank you to the team in the Mayor and Council office. You set a very high standard for service, community commitment and support and I can’t say enough how much I appreciate the sacrifices you make each and every day.

“And last, but certainly not least, I thank the community for supporting me, challenging me and holding my feet to the fire.

” … I want to reassure every Caledon resident, business owner/operator and all of those who are looking to invest in Caledon, I am fully committed to being a very present Mayor and to work hard each and every day until the inauguration of the next term of Council. My foot is firmly on the gas to complete all I can over the next eight and a half months.”