Bio
Lived experience. Leading in times of change and growth.
Platform
Authentically Original Progress. Unite NewTecumseth and Elevate Our Diverse Strengths.
Questions
Asked by Anonymous · 2 months ago
Answer
Council meetings are a formality. If you look closely the patterns indicate that the conversions take place beforehand. Your chosen candidates will need to work together to accomplish anything meaningful. At the same time we do need diverse opinions for meaningful discussions.
The current council seems to be split into two camps, the head of council will need to build bridges if any incumbents are reelected. Head of Council = Mayor will heal or hurt the unity depending on the composition of the new 2026 council.
We all need to examine recurring issues, are we asking the right questions?
Asked by Melissa Marshall · 2 months ago
The 2026 Approved Budget directs Growth and Innovation to undertake a feasibility study for a post-secondary skilled-trades centre in New Tecumseth. It appears as a single line, with no supporting rationale, cost estimate or business case. (Page 79)
Relevant context:
Ontario colleges have cut approximately 600 programs amid $1.8B in losses since the 2024 international student visa cap.
New Tecumseth is within Georgian College’s catchment area. Georgian closed its Orillia and Muskoka campuses in August 2026, consolidating programming in Barrie, and has reduced its full-time workforce by approximately 22% with projected losses of 45M and 15-25M next fiscal.
Honda’s $15B Alliston EV expansion is permanently suspended, removing a major source of projected local skilled-trades demand.
Meanwhile, The Province’s Regional Technology Development Site for Simcoe County, Barrie and Orillia is already funded and includes Georgian College, Lakehead University and Honda. New Tecumseth is not currently part of that initiative.
For each candidate:
Do you support proceeding with this feasibility study? Why or why not?
Why pursue a separate facility rather than seek a role in the regional initiative already underway? As home to the region’s anchor automotive employer, should New Tecumseth be pursuing a seat in the existing RTDS network instead, and would you support that approach?
Answer
Pecuniary Intrest Disclosure: I have been a student at Georgian College and others.
In my unqualified opinion the plan is flawed unless the institution also evolves. The training delivery was geared more towards the easy money from international students. If we're to make any meaningful progress then what we teach has to be relevant to the jobs and skills needed tomorrow. Any existing trades should already be taught in high school.
Our automotive sector is the anchor today, but the leaders are trying to keep it afloat until they can retire. It is a similar reality with some of the senior lecturers in college.
As someone in Industrial Automation it is clear to me that we need urgent innovation. The POWER OF DREAMS has to be restored. New ideas are imperative.
Asked by Anonymous · 2 months ago
Answer
The local chambers of commerce and Businesses Improvement Associations advocate well for local businesses. Unity will have a greater impact. A greater vision is needed to be able to harness the magnitude of talent and skills available locally and within Simcoe County. If we become more competitive we can do more than just keep local money but provide a viable option for all Canadians to buy our products and services.
Too much of our projects are going to suppliers elsewhere. Purchasing decisions are often made by people who don't live here, so they don't share our concerns. With visionary leadership we can anchor future projects in NewTecumseth and Simcoe County.
Asked by Anonymous · a month ago
What do you want to achieve in the next 4 years to help New Tecumseth become more environmentally sustainable and carbon neutral?
Answer
An easy way to lower our carbon footprint is to make it safer to walk or ride a bicycle. Having useful public transportation will go a long way to cutting emissions.
Protecting waterways and establishing more outdoor recreation opportunities can contribute to long-term well-being and environmental respect.
Questions go through a quick review before appearing publicly.