Cobourg Mayor and Council’s New Year’s 2026 took place at Victoria Hall on Saturday, January 3, 2026.
Kicking off the festivities to welcome in the new year were members of the Concert Band of Cobourg at the Concert Hall.
Cobourg Mayor Lucas Cleveland along with Deputy Mayor Nicole Beatty, Adam Bureau, Randy Barber, Miriam Mutton, Aaron Burchat and Brian Darling welcomed guests for the afternoon.
Special guests attending were MPP David Piccini and Northumberland County Deputy Warden and Mayor of Cramahe Township Mandy Martin.
There were children’s activities along with hors d’oeuvres, treats, and refreshments.
Cobourg Town Crier Mandy Robinson started the ceremony sharing a poem she wrote called “Come From Behind,” followed by Mayor Cleveland.
Ladies and Gentlemen, Fellow Councillors, Staff, honoured guests, my fellow Cobourgers, and friends from across Northumberland County—welcome to our New Year’s Levee here in the heart of beautiful Cobourg!
What an absolute delight it is to stand before you today, on this ‘third’ day of 2026, within the timeless elegance of Victoria Hall.
We gather not just as neighbours, but as friends—a community of incredible individuals who are often the unsung heroes who make Cobourg a bastion of resilience, warmth, and unyielding optimism.
Let us pause to reflect on the year just ended.
2025… a year that saw many triumphs… the groundbreaking ceremony for our expanded waterfront trail.
That trail isn’t merely pavement and path—it’s a lifeline to the lake, a true ribbon of joy weaving through our lives.
Our downtown core? It didn’t just survive; it continues to be our heart.
Over a dozen new businesses unfurled their banners—from quaint artisanal boutiques brimming with local craftsmanship to delish eateries. Our summer market overflowed with delights, while the Cobourg Waterfront Festival continued to bring thousands of visitors from across Ontario.
I am incredibly proud that such positive change is in the air. Three years ago, we set a new strategic course.
These changes will allow a strong and united Cobourg to carve a better path forward as new leaders and leaderships emerge.
As a town, Cobourg continues to be focused on the safety and security of all its residents.
To ensure that we, as a community, care for our most vulnerable, we need to work collaboratively with real accountability for those setting policy.
I am proud that this year we continue to see an incredible number of infrastructure projects get completed on time or even ahead of schedule and on budget. Unlike many neighboring communities, Cobourg continues to set the pace in Ontario as a leader in both financial planning and adaptive, cost-saving measures.
Cobourg continually strives for excellence, and whether it be the new water tower, the long-overdue bridge repairs, the pebble beach improvements, and a host of long-overdue work and repairs, we have, as an organization, continued to lead with a “why not” attitude and have focused on the how can we make it happen.
We continually are recognized for our achievements at the local, provincial, federal, and international level.
I am incredibly proud of the changes throughout the corporation and staff.
We over the past three years have seen a shift in the way the organization operates and a progressive change in how we are accomplishing community goals.
Our customer service first mantra— has been a success in how “our people first” approach to customer service works literally every day.
Many of you have met the incredible front desk team, who not only uplift our spirits but who allow our departments to focus on their core mandates.
There are hundreds of micro changes in each department leading to a macro shift in corporate expectations and performance. The shift from a planning department to a development department wasn’t just in name, but was a shift in the way we are operating and how we are approaching it.
There is no future where Cobourg doesn’t grow, so we need to get control of it. We are the masters of our own destiny.
I am beyond proud that as a corporation and as a council we have adopted the mantra of finding success through quality customer service, hard work.
A shift is upon this community, and we need to harness the momentum, lean in to gain control, and take bold decisive action.
Comprehensive change, as we know, is never easy. I recently said our Town, like most towns and cities in Ontario, is at a crossroads.
A crossroads, I believe, like communities balancing new development while attempting to preserve each of our own distinctive charms, creating new economic prospects to expand tax revenues, all the while making sure we are maximizing the current assets.
I was proud of the launch recently of a Budgetary Task Force made up of almost a dozen local citizens to review, analyze, and make critical suggestions to myself and Council on our fiscal go-forward and what that might look like.
This initiative is the first of its kind in our long history.
In creating this Task Force, my primary goal was to bring a divergent group of citizens together to look at Cobourg’s both unique fiscal opportunities and challenges, and to then make recommendations to myself and Council that will help inform and guide future critical financial choices.
To my council partners, to our exceptional staff, to our volunteers whose collective tireless efforts have built a lasting legacy, and to the business owners whose dedication and support makes this Town great, I say—thank you.
Your dedication makes Cobourg the best place to live, work and play.
Now, let us look ahead to 2026 with clear eyes. This year, we’ll continue building steadily on our momentum.
These steps we are taking together today… are what are building a stronger foundation for prosperity. In 2026, Cobourg will keep moving forward, determinedly supporting steady growth and a stronger community for all.
As I said in my Levee remarks last year, I am moved every day by the incredible acts, both large and small, of generosity that is the very basis of what makes Cobourg such an exceptional place to call…home.
Together, we will shape 2026 with both purpose… and progress… Thank you.
“Come from Behind”
2025 has fallen by the wayside
It’s been and gone
Where does this leave you after all is said and done.
You and I have together have weathered the storm for all
Yet 2026, a brand new year has just been born
A turning to the pages of time tells me now that our hearts must align
With a purpose to do something different and make a change
Opportunities with awareness that demonstrate such a fast, wide range
Your perspective, perhaps sees your health as the new wealth
Shall you love and care for yourself just as you would for someone else
Will you love unconditionally all those in need
Will your heart rejoice full of good deeds
Have a plan
Set a goal
Lay down with pen and paper
Do not put off what can be done today
For as we have seen precious moments for some do not come later
So love harder, hug often, just simply find a way
Kindness matters and gratitude is key
For boundless untold blessings that permeate our lives
That bring fulfillment and joy and deep satisfaction
Noble causes for which we can all strive
For Auld Lang Syne it’s time to raise our glasses anew
Step boldly and passionately into the year 2026
Smile, laugh, sing, dance, celebrate
For we have but one life to cherish and elevate
We mingle with family, we mingle with friends
We pause, for all who could not come from behind
That the power of hope and love stand stately in our hearts and minds
Tis time to cross a new line to say farewell to the old and ring in the new
So Happy New Year one and all
Cheers to the events that will make all your dreams come true
And may God Save the King
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
