Lynn Ellsworth
Candidate for Small Towns Director
I am a long-serving municipal leader and passionate advocate for small towns in Newfoundland and Labrador. A resident of Roddickton-Bide Arm, I was first elected to municipal office in 1997 as Deputy Mayor. Over the years, I have proudly served in a variety of roles — Mayor, Deputy Mayor, and Councillor — and by the end of my current term will have dedicated 20 years to municipal service.
For the past four years, I have represented communities across the province as the Small Town Director with Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador (MNL), where I have worked to ensure that the voices of small towns are heard and valued.
I am a teacher at H.G. Fillier Academy in Englee, and have been deeply committed to education, mentorship, and youth engagement. My volunteer contributions span decades, including work with Girl Guides, Sunday School, and School Council. I played a key role in establishing Family Resource Centres on the eastern side of the Great Northern Peninsula and have been active with the Recreation Committee in Roddickton-Bide Arm, helping raise funds for a playground and supporting the local arena and swimming pool.
I have also served as a Board Trustee with Labrador-Grenfell Health, a Board Member with CBDC Nortip, and continue to serve on the John Wesley United Church Board.
With a deep love for my community and province, I remain committed to strengthening small towns through collaboration, advocacy, and community spirit.
Campaign Message
My name is Lynn Ellsworth, and I am a Councillor in Roddickton-Bide Arm, a beautiful small town on the eastern side of the Great Northern Peninsula — and your current Small Town Director.
When I first took on this role, my promise was simple: to be your voice, to listen with purpose, and to be part of an advocacy team that works tirelessly to ensure that our small towns — the heart and backbone of this province — are never overlooked.
Over the past term, I’ve been proud to be part of a team that has made real progress, and I hope to continue that advocacy as your Small Town Director into the next term.
We’ve strengthened our partnerships with the provincial government, pushed for fair and sustainable funding, and ensured that small towns are included in every conversation that shapes the future of Newfoundland and Labrador.
As your Small Town Director, one of the initiatives I’m most proud of is helping to start the Virtual Round Tables — a space where we, as small towns, can come together to share our challenges and successes, exchange ideas, and support one another.
This platform has been near and dear to my heart because it reminds us that even though our communities may be separated by distance, we are all connected by the same goals, values, and dedication to the places we call home.
My hope is that this opportunity to connect and collaborate continues for many years to come.
I’ve also had the privilege of serving as Co-Chair of the MNL Youth Committee, a role that has been especially meaningful to me.
Through that work, I’ve had the honour of being involved with the Youth Simulated Councils, where young people experience firsthand what it means to lead, make decisions, and shape their communities. Those sessions have been truly inspiring — a reminder that the future of our towns is bright and full of potential.
I’m especially looking forward to the next Youth Simulated Council in Corner Brook this November, where we’ll once again see that passion and creativity in action.
In addition, I’ve been part of the early development of a “toolbox” initiative — a resource I hope will one day be used in schools across the province to help students learn about and engage with municipal politics. Because building awareness today means building leaders for tomorrow.
There’s still more to do. Our communities continue to face challenges — population decline, aging infrastructure, and limited resources.
That’s why I’m asking for your support once again: to continue the work we’ve started, to keep advocating for fair representation, and to ensure that the small towns of Newfoundland and Labrador continue to have a strong, united voice.
Together, we’ve proven that small towns can make a big impact.
I’m proud of what we’ve achieved — and I’m even more excited about what’s ahead.