Bio
Laurie Mortimer is a lifelong New Tecumseth resident with deep roots in both Beeton and Alliston. A graduate of Banting Memorial High School, she studied Parks & Recreation Management at Seneca College and has worked in municipal recreation, conservation, manufacturing and healthcare. Since 2001, Laurie has built a career as a local Real Estate Broker, helping families navigate some of their most important decisions. Laurie and her husband Scott raised their three daughters in the community and are now proud grandparents of four. Her decades of living, working and raising a family here have given her a practical understanding of how decisions at Town Hall affect residents. Laurie is running for Ward 3 Councillor to bring thoughtful, accountable representation to Council. Her priorities include responsible growth, careful management of taxpayer dollars, infrastructure that keeps pace with development, strong local services and transparent decision making. She believes residents deserve a councillor who will listen, do the homework, ask questions and put the community first.
Platform
I’m running for Ward 3 because I believe residents deserve representation that is thoughtful, accessible and accountable. New Tecumseth is facing significant growth and important financial decisions, and we need to ensure that growth is responsible, infrastructure keeps pace and taxpayers receive value for their money. My priorities are responsible spending, well planned growth, maintaining our roads and infrastructure, protecting the services and community spaces residents rely on, supporting local businesses and attracting good-paying jobs. I believe good municipal government starts with listening. I will approach decisions with an open mind, ask difficult questions when necessary, consider the facts and long term financial impacts, and always remember who Council is there to serve.
Questions
Asked by Felix Kaechele · 2 months ago
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Asked by Anonymous · 2 months ago
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Asked by Anonymous · 2 months ago
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Asked by Anonymous · 2 months ago
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Asked by Melissa Marshall · 2 months ago
Funding for our new high school has been available since 2021, yet we are still years from breaking ground, while Ontario communities funded after us are already under construction. The Province did not create that delay, council vote did.
For the record: A 2023 closed-session decision delayed the project, with individual votes not readily available. In December 2024, the vote to advance the school was
YES: Norcross, Gabrek, Masters, Jacks and Foster;
NO: MacLellan, Cox and Harrison McIntyre.
Biss and Rapin recused.
Question:
If you were on Council or the Board when these decisions were made, how did you vote, and why?
That delay cost this community roughly two years. What did we gain that justified it? What materially changed about the site, plan or agreement between the 2023 decision and the eventual approval?
If elected, what specific steps will you take to move this project forward now?
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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?
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Asked by Anonymous · 2 months ago
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Asked by Anonymous · 13 days ago
Would you support a bylaw to freeze municipal taxes at 2025 rates for 5 yrs to help seniors stay in and maintain there homes. Given today’s economic climate
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OverdueAsked by Anonymous · 17 days ago
Will you support renewed efforts to achieve train-whistle cessation at the 3rd Line crossing near Casserley Crescent?
Will you advocate for the necessary crossing safety upgrades and a formal feasibility study?
What concrete steps would you take during your term to address overnight train noise?
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OverdueAsked by Anonymous · 19 days ago
What are the council doing to prevent young riders of e-bikes and scooters. There have been at least 2 accidents in my subdivision involving pre teens/young teens riding e-bikes hitting small children. Are parents being charged for allowing this underage use? Are licenses required to use motorized bikes and scooters in New Tecumseth?
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OverdueQuestions go through a quick review before appearing publicly.