Luke Charbonneau, Mayor

Mayor Luke Charbonneau lives in Saugeen Shores with his wife Alison and his three young sons, Benjamin, Theodore and Martin. Along with his parents Norm and Nora, he is the owner of the local, fresh fruit and vegetable market Hi-Berry Farm.

Luke was first elected to Saugeen Shores Council, as a representative for Saugeen Township, in 2006 and served as the municipality’s Deputy Mayor from 2010 to 2018; during which time he also served as Chair of the Saugeen Shores Police Services Board.

Luke served on the Saugeen Valley Conservation Authority for 11 years between 2006 and 2018; as a member of the executive committee from 2011 to 2015 and as Chairman of the Authority from 2015 to 2018,

Luke was acclaimed as Mayor of the Town of Saugeen Shores in 2018. Working with Saugeen Shores’ team of outstanding councillors and municipal staff, he is dedicated to ensuring that Saugeen Shores continues to be a leading community in Bruce County and a great place to visit, start a business and raise a family.

Email Mayor Luke Charbonneau.

Don Matheson, Deputy Mayor

Deputy Mayor Don Matheson lives in Saugeen Shores, and has all his life. He is married to Sarah (Kennedy) and they have two teenaged children, Victoria and Nicholas.

He teaches High School at SDSS in Port Elgin. He plays and coaches many sports, but is particularly fond of hockey, and spends a lot of time at the arena. Over the past 10 years he has been fortunate enough to have taken students to France, Italy, Germany, Holland and Belgium to trace Canada's history through the World Wars. This has been the highlight of his career.

As a Councillor, his goals over the next four years are to help guide Saugeen Shores in the right direction, so that we are a healthy, vibrant and active community.

Email Deputy Mayor Don Matheson.

Mike Myatt, Vice Deputy Mayor

Vice Deputy Mayor Mike Myatt’s career in Municipal Government has spanned over 40 years. Prior to being elected to Council in 2014 as Saugeen Township Ward Councillor, Mike served as your Director of Community Services for a period of 10 years.

Mike and his wife Jean have two sons Jeff and Andy. Jeff and his wife Katie reside in Saugeen Shores with their children Peyton and Colby. Andy and his wife Melanie reside in Binbrook, Ontario.

Mike takes great pride in his past experiences as a Hockey and Baseball coach for over 20 years, a long-time member of Port Elgin Cenotaph Committee, and member of the Port Elgin Legion.

Once elected in 2014 and leading up to 2018 election, Mike served on Physician Recruitment Committee,  SMART (Saugeen Mobility and Regional Transit), Committee of Adjustment, Planning Committee, Saugeen Rail Trail Committee, and Port Elgin BIA Board of Management. Mike looks forward to being a strong voice for all three Wards in Saugeen Shores.

Email Vice Deputy Mayor Mike Myatt.

Matt Carr, Saugeen Councillor

Councillor Matt Carr - Information will be available soon.

Email Councillor Matt Carr.

John Divinski, Southampton Councillor

John Divinski was appointed November 1, 2021 as Saugeen Shores Councillor for the Southampton Ward, replacing John Rich who resigned because of work commitments out of town.

Divinski has been a Southampton resident ever since he moved to the area in 2005 where he was employed by Bayshore Broadcasting as News Director of CFPS-FM (98 the Beach; 97.9 the Bruce).

He semi-retired in 2011 and went back to his roots as a news reporter out in the field, where he covered Saugeen Shores council meetings for 10-years before retiring from work in August, 2021.

Divinski has been active in the community since moving here, hosting a one-hour daily talk show called Soundingboard on CFPS-FM, helping people solve their problems or at the very least, trying to get experts on the air that could solve the issues.

He also was the first Honourary Chair of the Light the Way fundraising campaign for the Saugeen Memorial Hospital Foundation and helped create the annual Radiothon on 98 the Beach which continues to this day.

Divinski also continues to be the “voice” of the Saugeen Shores Winterhawks Sr. AA hockey club handling public address duties at the Plex.

Divinski is married to Rev. Ann Veyvara Divinski of St. Paul’s Anglican Church in Southampton.

Email Councillor John Divinski.

Cheryl Grace, Southampton Councillor

Councillor Cheryl Grace is serving her second term on Saugeen Shores Council. A Bruce County native, Cheryl and her husband, Mike, summered in Southampton before retiring here in 2011.  They have two children, Lindsay and Perry.

With degrees from the Universities of Toronto and Western Ontario, Cheryl taught high school for thirty years in Ann Arbor, Michigan, founding and coaching her school's state-champion Mock Trial program.  She is an active community volunteer:  Chantry Island tour guide, Bruce County Museum volunteer, Saugeen Rail Trail Association and member of the Southport Canadian Federation of University Women's Executive, Scholarship Committee and Issues Group.

Email Councillor Cheryl Grace.

David Myette, Saugeen Councillor

Councillor Dave Myette moved to Saugeen Shores from Mississauga in 1997 to work at the then Ontario Hydro BNPD, later Bruce Power. The Myette family moved onto an 8 acre farm just south of Port Elgin where they keep goats, dogs, cats and chickens. Dave is married to his wife Melinda and they have three adult and loving daughters, Renee, Sydney and Simonne.

Dave worked for Ontario Hydro/OPG/Bruce Power since 1982, retiring in January 2015 as an Operations Specialist. 

His initial involvement with the Town was as a member and later Chair of the Parks and Trails Advisory Committee. 

In addition to being a Councillor, he is on the United Way of Bruce Grey Board of Directors and is a member of the Lake Huron Fishing Club Executive Committee and is the Manager of the Port Elgin Salmon Hatchery. He and Melinda also operate a rental accommodation business in Saugeen Shores.

Email Councillor David Myette.

Kristan Shrider, Port Elgin Councillor

Kristan Shrider is a lifelong resident of Saugeen Shores except for the two years she attended Mohawk College to obtain her diploma in Recreation and Leisure Services. She was fortunate to return to the area after college and continue her employment with the Town of Port Elgin. C. Shrider was employed by the municipality for 19 years in the Parks and Recreation Department.

An opportunity presented itself with the City of Owen Sound in December of 2015 that would provide her with an increase in responsibility, ability to further her professional development and provide opportunity for advancement in the municipal sector. Kristan is the Senior Manager of Property, Parks and Open Spaces for the City of Owen Sound. Her role integrates people, space, processes and technology to provide services that ensure the safe and efficient, effective operation of City property and buildings to support the delivery of the City’s services.  She provides strategic leadership in the management, maintenance and operation of City buildings and ensures a healthy, productive and safe environment for staff and the public. 

Kristan has extensive knowledge and training as a municipal employee that will assist her to becoming an effective community leader in Saugeen Shores. Her diploma in Recreation and Leisure Services is complemented by two designations: CBT Designation (Certified Building Technician); CIT (Certified Ice Technician) and a certified TSSA Refrigeration Operator- Class B Licence.

Kristan has missed not being as involved in the community since leaving her position with the Town of Saugeen Shores. She believes the role of Councillor is a good fit for her and the municipality.

Becoming a Councillor will put Kristan on the other side of the table that she is currently on. This will be a challenge as she is used to being the one that carries out the tasks and responsibilities assigned. Her extensive knowledge in municipal operations will allow her to be an effective leader, a resource for staff and ensure that the taxpayers are represented by someone who is not afraid to ask the tough questions, challenge staff and justify projects and spending.

Kristan believes that through sound leadership, municipal council and staff must be financially responsible, transparent and ensure decisions that are made are for the best for today, tomorrow and our future. Growth and expansion is occurring across Saugeen Shores and it needs to be at a rate that is manageable. There are challenges that need to be recognized with our growth and it will be up to council to identify, investigate, seek community consultation and minimize the impact on the tax levy.

She is extremely thankful for the support demonstrated thus far in the election. She attributes this support to her established credibility within the community through past employment and volunteering. Kristan is looking forward to a new challenge and believes that her determination, confidence and passion will put faith in residents that they will be well represented.

Email Councillor Kristan Shrider.

Jami Smith, Port Elgin Councillor

Councillor Jami Smith is serving her first term on Saugeen Shores Council. Jami lives in Saugeen Shores with her husband Ryan, and their two young sons Mack and Layton.

Jami is a lifelong resident Saugeen Shores, with significant historical ties to the community. Jami is an active community member who is passionate about perpetuating Saugeen Shores as one of the best places to live in Canada. Jami studied Political Science at the University of Western Ontario, and since graduating has invested in a career as a Nuclear Professional of Bruce Power. She is eager to bring her energy to public service in the Town of Saugeen Shores.

Email Councillor Jami Smith.