A Pickering council salary pledge has become part of the Ward 2 campaign, with candidate John Meloche saying he will donate his first year of net base councillor pay if elected.
Meloche told Durham Post that the money would go to eligible charities and not-for-profit organizations serving Pickering residents. The commitment applies to the net base salary received during his first 12 months in office.
Per diems, benefits, expense reimbursements, mileage and other compensation would not be included in the proposed donation.
Candidate outlines selection process
Meloche said no recipient will be selected, promised money or placed on a shortlist before the October 26 election. He also said no selection committee would be formed before voters decide the race.
If elected, he proposes publishing eligibility requirements and inviting local organizations to apply through an open process. An independent committee would evaluate applications using criteria set in advance.
The candidate said he would not sit on that committee or personally select recipients. He also pledged to publish the successful organizations, individual donation amounts and a final reconciliation comparing the eligible net base salary with the amount distributed.
The commitment is a campaign promise and has not yet resulted in a donation. It depends on Meloche winning the Ward 2 seat and carrying out the process after the official result.
Meloche has said he has lived in Pickering with his family since 2010 and works as a technology entrepreneur and neighbourhood-association president. His name also appears in previously published coverage of Pickering’s 2026 candidate list, but the salary pledge is a new campaign commitment.
