Ward 1 covers West Saint John. Two councillor seats are up for election on May 11, 2026.
This is the most crowded ward race with six candidates. Incumbent Joanna Killen is not running for re-election.
Greg Norton (Incumbent)
| Background | Principal at Princess Elizabeth School. Father of three, lives in West Saint John. |
| Political experience | First elected 2012, re-elected 2016 and 2021. The longest-serving Ward 1 councillor on this ballot. |
| Committee work | Saint John Board of Police Commissioners, Discover Saint John, Finance Committee, Aquatic Centre Commission, Public Safety Committee |
| Notable | Proposed a municipal “Sunshine List” for public salary disclosure in 2014. |
| 2021 result | 2,861 votes (1st) |
Links: Campaign website | Facebook | City profile | Email
Blake Armstrong
| Background | Former Ward 1 councillor. |
| Political experience | Previously served on Council (pre-2021). Lost his seat in the 2021 election when Joanna Killen was elected. Now seeking a return. |
| Contact | |
| Controversies | In 2016, Armstrong used an excavator to clear a path through city-owned Seaside Park, causing environmental damage. Police investigated but no criminal charges were laid. He reached a civil agreement to reimburse the city. The Department of Environment identified multiple violations related to the incident. He also admitted to dumping material near a resident’s property. In 2020, he was criticized for his tone in responding to a constituent’s email about policing. |
Adam Smith
| Background | Volunteer firefighter for 13 years. Served over 3 years as Special Assistant and Executive Assistant to the Government House Leader of NB (Glen Savoie), as well as to the Minister of Environment and Local Government, and the Minister Responsible for la Francophonie. |
| Political experience | Ran as PC candidate in Saint John Harbour in the 2024 provincial election – lost to David Hickey (Smith 26%, Hickey 56.9%). |
Links: Email | Phone: 506-645-7247
Joe Vautour
| Political experience | Sought the NB Liberal nomination in Saint John West-Lancaster in 2024, but lost the nominating convention to Kate Wilcott. |
Links: Email | Phone: 506-651-6770
Philip (Smoothy) Armstrong
Links: Email | Phone: (506) 721-4949
Richard Lee
Links: Email | Phone: 506-654-1150
2021 Ward 1 Results
| Candidate | Votes |
|---|---|
| Greg Norton | 2,861 |
| Joanna Killen | 1,941 |
| Blake Armstrong | – |
| Other candidates | – |
Joanna Killen is not running for re-election in 2026.
Source: Elections NB – Candidate List, 2021 NB municipal elections (Wikipedia)