Haydon was the first mayor of the city of Nepean when it incorporated on November 24, 1978; Ben Franklin assumed the title six days later.
[10] The Nepean Sportsplex and National Capital Equestrian Park were built during Haydon's term as reeve.
Originally thought of as a Liberal, Haydon ran for the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada nomination in the riding of Ottawa West in April 1978, [11] ahead of the 1979 Canadian federal election.
Haydon lost the nomination on the first ballot, losing 771 votes to 593 against Ken Binks,[12] who went on to win the seat.
[citation needed] In September 2006, Haydon unexpectedly announced his candidacy in the new suburban ward of Gloucester-South Nepean, 15 years after his retirement from politics.
[15] However, he would later criticize O'Brien's mayoralty, calling his fiscal record "a tragic case of irresponsible and extravagant expenditures unmatched in the history of Ottawa".
[18] The family lived in Bells Corners, then Qualicum-Graham Park and then in a mansion on Queen Elizabeth Driveway which was called "Haydon House" where Mary ran a bed and breakfast.