Town Council's Lone New Face Ready To Get To Work

PORT HAWKESBURY - The work ethic that has become a hallmark of Jason Aucoin's life in different parts of the country has propelled him into the political arena in a big way. 

One of only two first-time candidates on the ballot when Port Hawkesbury residents went to the polls this fall, Jason Aucoin secured 995 votes, finishing second only to re-elected councillor Blaine MacQuarrie's 1,092 votes.

As a result, Aucoin will be sworn in this Tuesday evening to serve on Port Hawkesbury Town Council, along with MacQuarrie and fellow returnees Hughie MacDougall and Mark MacIver. Aucoin will also serve as Port Hawkesbury's Deputy Mayor during the second year of his term, as this post is awarded to each councillor on an annual basis as determined by their vote count in the previous municipal election. 

"I was just hoping to squeeze into fourth place, but I'm more than happy to accept second place," Aucoin told TELILE 24/7 host Adam Cooke at the Port Hawkesbury Civic Centre just three days after his first-ever election victory.

While Aucoin confirmed that he was interested in running in the 2016 municipal campaign, he found it difficult to balance his work schedule in Alberta with his time in Port Hawkesbury. However, this situation had changed by the time he launched his 2020 campaign this past May, making him one of the first candidates to declare their intention to run for Port Hawkesbury Town Council this year. 

Now that he is preparing to take his seat at the council table in a matter of days, Aucoin feels affordable housing is one of the key issues that Port Hawkesbury needs to tackle in the short and long terms. However, he cautioned that the town cannot rush into this process without considering every possible factor. 

"I think it's important that, when we look at getting these housing units built, that we look at affordable housing but also accessible housing," said Aucoin, who also listed water utility rates for Port Hawkesbury trailer court residents as a personal priority for both himself and town residents. 

Asked about his inspiration for serving in the community and on town council, the long-time minor baseball coach referred to his time as a union representative in Alberta. His service as a job steward and his role as a vice-president on a construction union representing 25,000 workers made an impact on his worldview. 

"That really opened my eyes up to politics of a sort," Aucoin recalled. "It's not municipal politics, but it's politics just the same."