Council Members

Brian Milne is serving as Mayor for the Township of Southgate 2022-2026 Term of Council. He previously served as Deputy Mayor for the 2018-2022 Term, and Mayor for the Township of Southgate for the 2010-2014 Term of Council. The following are his Council appointments for the 2022-2026 Term of Council: 

• Mount Forest Doctor Recruitment Committee
  
  

Phone: 519-323-7410
Email Mayor Milne

I am honoured to have been elected Mayor of the Township of Southgate for the 2022-2026 Term of Council. 

This is an exciting time to think of future opportunities, the road ahead, what does it hold for us and our community. There will undoubtedly be challenges that we will face, however, there will be successes as well. Each member of Council is dedicated to working as a team toward the success of this Council. Together, along with the staff of the Township, we are determined to do our best in the interest of all residents of Southgate. 

We are looking forward to working collaboratively to develop a plan that will allow up to meet the future in any opportunity it presents, with confidence in our chosen direction. 

Sincerely, 

Brian Milne, Mayor-

Barbara Dobreen is serving as Deputy Mayor for the Township of Southgate 2022-2026 term of Council. She previously served for two terms as Councillor for the Township of Southgate. The following are her Council appointments for the 2022-2026 term of Council:

• Community Fund Management Committee
• Saugeen Mobility and Regional Transit Board Alternate
• Saugeen Valley Conservation Authority Board

Phone: 226-379-8059

Email Deputy Mayor Dobreen

Jim Ferguson is serving his first term as Councillor for the Township of Southgate. The following are his Council appointments for the 2022-2026 term of Council:

• Public Liaison Committee

Phone: 519-379-0218
Email Councillor Ferguson

Joan John is serving her first term as Councillor for the Township of Southgate. The following are her list of Council appointments for the 2022-2026 term of Council:

• Lystek Public Advisory Committee
• Ruth Hargrave Memorial Library Board
• Bruce Grey Poverty Task Force

Phone: 519-379-0344
Email Councillor John

Jason Rice is serving his second term as Councillor for the Township of Southgate. Councillor Rice is a long-time resident and local farmer in the Township of Southgate. The following are his Council appointments for the 2022-2026 term of Council: 

• Grey County Farm Safety Association

Phone: 519-379-6367
Email Councillor Rice

Martin Shipston is serving his second term as Councillor for the Township of Southgate. Previously, as a member of the public, Councillor Shipston was a member of the Ruth Hargrave Memorial Library Board. The following are his Council appointments for the 2022-2026 term of Council:

• Grey County Council Alternate
• Ruth Hargrave Memorial Library Board

Phone: 519-375-1708
Email Councillor Shipston

Monica Singh Soares is serving her first term as Councillor for the Township of Southgate. The following are her appointments for the 2022-2026 term of Council:

• Saugeen Mobility and Regional Transit Board
• Grey and Bruce County Joint Detachment Police Services Board 

Phone: 519-379-0256
Email Councillor Singh Soares

Council expenses are reported on a monthly basis for each member of Council. Below, you will find links to each member's expense reports for the current term of Council:

Section 248(1) of the Municipal Act requires that the Treasurer of a municipality shall provide to Council an itemized statement on remuneration and expenses paid in the previous year to each member of Council. The 2025 Council remuneration report, and attachments can be viewed below. 

• FIN2026-011 Member of Council and Local Appointees to Local Boards and Committees Remuneration and Expenses
• FIN2026-011 - Attachment 1 - Statement of Council Remuneration
• FIN2026-011 - Attachment 2 - Statement of Remuneration Boards and Committees 
• FIN2026-011 - Attachment 3 - SVCA Remuneration

For information about the Township of Southgate's Integrity Commissioner, please visit our Integrity Commissioner page.

The Ombudsman is an Officer of the Ontario Legislative Assembly who is independent of government and political parties. Our office promotes fairness, accountability and transparency in the public sector by resolving and investigating public complaints and systemic issues within the Ombudsman’s jurisdiction. The Ombudsman is appointed for a five-year renewable term and their powers and authorities are set out in the Ombudsman Act. To file a complaint with the Ombudsman, please complete the fillable complaint form and submit it to the mailing address or email found within the form.