Council Bios

A life-long resident of East Ferris, Mayor Champagne has devoted over 20 years to municipal politics as a Councillor and has sat on a number of provincial boards and associations.

Rick has been a member of the Health Unit for almost 2 decades and now sits as the Chair of the Board.  Rick is Past-President and remains active with Ontario Good Roads Association.

Current and past representation includes: the North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Association, the Parks, Recreation and Culture Committee, the Public Works Committee, the East Ferris Knights of Columbus, and the East Ferris Minor Hockey Association.

A proud Father and Grandfather (of 5), Rick and his wife Nancy enjoy their membership at the Nosbonsing Curling Club and world travel.

Lauren Rooyakkers has worked in pharmaceutical sales and non-profit organizations. At 50, she went back to school to get her Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology. She has been working as a Registered Psychotherapist since 2019. 

Lauren lived in Goderich, Ontario and moved back to Huron County with her husband, Dan. They raised their two children in rural Ontario. They bought a cottage in 2017 on Lake Nosbonsing. In 2021, Dan and Lauren moved to East Ferris permanently. During the 2022 election, Lauren and Dan biked around East Ferris to talk to as many people as they could.  Lauren was successfully elected to the council.

Since 2021, Lauren has joined the Board of Directors of the Wasi Ski Club and the Club Action 50 + as well as play pickleball and beach volleyball – enjoying the many social, fitness, and natural aspects that East Ferris has to offer. On council, Lauren has been an active member of the Public Works Committee, the Committee of Adjustments, Planning Committee and the East Ferris Public Library Board. For the East Ferris Public Library, Lauren created the “Welcome to East Ferris” map that locates and promotes East Ferris’ many businesses, facilities, and resources. Lauren is active on Facebook to promote activities and resources in East Ferris. Lauren has recently joined the North Bay Mattawa Conservation Authority.

Councillor Kelly is a retired self-employed businessman. He has served on a wide variety of municipal committees including, but not limited to: Planning Advisory Committee, Committee of Adjustment, Parks and Recreation Committee, Protection to Persons and Property Committee and the Economic Development Committee.  Terry is a Director of the Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities (FONOM) representing 10 municipalities in the Nipissing District. He is also FONOM's representative on the Nuclear Waste Management Organization Committee. 

Councillor Kelly is an active 20 year veteran of the East Ferris Volunteer Fire Department and teaches 2 fitness classes per week for seniors in our community through the VON. Terry has been President of the East Ferris Fitness Centre since its inception over 14 years ago. 

Steven Trahan has been a resident of East Ferris all his life and resides with his wife Crystal. He is serving his first term on council and has served on the Municipality's Fire Department for 19.5 years having departed at the rank of Deputy Fire Chief.  He has also volunteered with the East Ferris Carnival Committee and assisted with the food bank in delivering food baskets for those in need during the holiday season. 

Steven graduated from West Ferris Secondary School and continued post-secondary school enrolled in the Law & Security Administration and graduated with an honors diploma at Georgian College, Barrie, Ontario. In December 2000, he graduated with a diploma from Ontario Police College, Aylmer, Ontario. In 2007, he received his credentials as an Investigator with the Canadian National Advance Fire Arson and Explosive (CFEI) and obtained several certificates from the Ontario Fire College in Gravenhurst, Ontario. 

Steven is currently employed with the North Bay Police Service and is currently assigned to uniform patrol duties. He represents the department as the Health & Safety representative for the Province. He has also worked in the Criminal Investigative Department (CID) as a Detective in the plain clothed Street Crime Unit and was an active member of the Emergency Response Unit (ERT) for 12 years. 

Steven is also the co-owner of CS Travel Agency which has been in operation since 2015. In his leisure time he enjoys playing various sports and enjoying the outdoors.  

Nick is a dedicated resident of East Ferris, where he has lived for over a decade and is deeply committed to his community. Currently working as a courier, Nick has a diverse background with professional experience in hotel management, real estate law, and customer relations. With his diverse professional history, Nick has developed a keen understanding of client needs, operational efficiency, and problem-solving—skills honed through years of experience in fast-paced, service-oriented environments.  His academic journey includes studies in Physiology and Sociology, Political Science, and a two-year law program, which have provided him with a broad understanding of both people and systems.

Outside of work, Nick enjoys spending time in nature, particularly gardening, and cherishes moments with his wife and two boys. With a long-standing interest in politics and a passion for community development, Nick is committed to advocating for what’s best for East Ferris as a potential Councillor. His goal is to bring a thoughtful and proactive approach to local governance, ensuring the future of his community is bright and sustainable for generations to come.