Governance & Accountability

Kind. Innovative. Exciting. Inviting.

If elected I would address that directly through my seat on the County Council.

Understaffed LTC's are a major and growing concern. One we should continue to seek solutions for.

More staffing at facilities also brings more skilled workers into our communities so the importance of obtaining more on the ground staff isnt just health related its also economical.

Certainly, that is something that I was unaware of.

The Covid19 pandemic has shown that those who are most vulnerable are often sidelined and invisible. Thank you for raising this important issue.

Please do reach out to to me directly to discuss any specifics that may be relevant. Perhaps your observations and experiences can lead us to find improvements. The lessons can also help other vulnerable sections of our community.

I had previously answered the same question above. Thank you :)

Timely issue. There are differences between Data centers and A.I. centers.

As for the disconnect, there is an agenda and communication is not part of the agenda. Masses of data are collected, collated, and used to promote policies.

In Europe, a "digital passport" is proposed to allow individuals to use the internet...all in the name of promoting safety for minors.

promoting internet safety can be as simple as mandating the use of a filterable suffix (.prn, .adu, etc.) But, although this will allow parents/guardians, libraries, companies,, educators to block access to inappropriate sites, it will not allow for the more profitable ability to control information access.

Bill 34 (Canada) has some strengths, but also some inherent weaknesses, or gray areas, which will allow the government to decide on what is and isn't acceptable.

Getting back to your initial question though, data is not something that can be held in a corral and if it is not built here, it can be built across the highway, with the exact same outcome.

Stopping a data center will not prevent government overreach, changing governments or their policies will. Bill c34 is attached here:

https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/services/safe-social-media-act.html

I don't want them, I'll vote against them.

I will say no to large AI data centres in New Tecumseth.

This isn’t about being against AI or technology. It’s about whether this particular type of development makes sense here, and I don’t believe it does.

We already have serious infrastructure challenges ahead of us. The Town itself says our current water planning does not provide the capacity needed for growth to 2051 and that additional capacity will require significant infrastructure investment. We are currently working on additional groundwater supply, water storage and booster pumping capacity just to support the growth already coming.

I don’t support adding a large AI data centre, with potentially significant electricity and water demands, to that equation. And I don’t believe the relatively small number of permanent jobs typically associated with these facilities justifies dedicating valuable employment land and infrastructure capacity to them.

Our water, power, land and infrastructure are valuable resources. My priority is using them to support our residents, our existing businesses and employment growth that actually brings meaningful jobs to New Tecumseth.

So my answer is clear: if a large AI data centre is proposed in New Tecumseth, I will not support it.

First of all we do y have the water or electrical grid to support.. I’ll be voting no against

Progress requires challenging what we do and why? I support progess and advances in technology. The AI and Data Centre debate is misplaced. Currently I can't find any reason for a technology company to invest in one here, there are numerous options that are better suited. Irrespective, protecting our environment from all forms of pollution and harm is an immediate issue that we should all work on. If the technology makes sense and is not harmful then I would be open to examining the benefits in NewTecumseth.

To the best of my knowledge, the NTRC name was chosen because the building was built to serve all residents in New Tecumseth with unique offerings, such as the indoor soccer pitch and twin pad ice rinks. Plus we already had the "Old Alliston Arena" as it's affectionately known, or our Alliston Memorial Arena which could be confusing.

This issue actually came before Council during this term when signage appeared overnight referring to the NTRC as the 'Alliston Community Centre'. I supported maintaining the New Tecumseth Recreation Centre name because I believe major municipal facilities can belong to the entire municipality regardless of which community they happen to be physically located in and moreover, because user groups who had stationary, websites, insurance forms and other documentation in the NTRC name said it was confusing to their visiting groups and would be costly to update.

There's a history here. A lot of it has to do with us being one community and not three distinct centres. I believe it was the first big build after amalgamation. The Alliston Memorial Arena follows suit with the other two centres.

Great question! And I have to admit, when I saw “Alliston Community Centre,” my first thought was ACC… and apparently Toronto already had dibs on that one. 😂

But there actually is some history behind the NTRC name.

When the New Tecumseth Recreation Centre opened in 2007, Alliston Memorial Arena was still being used as an ice arena. Its ice-making equipment was removed when the new twin-pad NTRC opened.

Alliston Memorial kept its name, and importantly, it really is a Memorial. It was built after WWII and dedicated to those who lost their lives in the First and Second World Wars. That name and history deserve to be preserved.

From what I’ve been able to find, naming the new facility the New Tecumseth Recreation Centre was intentional. Although it is physically located in Alliston, the idea was to create a facility that represented Alliston, Beeton, Tottenham and our rural community. It was meant to belong to all of New Tecumseth.

Personally, I think there was some good thinking behind that. We don’t have to give up the individual identities and history of Alliston, Beeton or Tottenham to also have something that carries the name we all share.

And besides… NTRC has probably grown on us by now. 😉

Because it was the first arena built after amalgamation in 1991

Good question. Using NewTecumseth is a good way to build our unified identity. It is like the Business Improvement Associations and other service groups.

In the coming term, I will declare a pecuniary interest on anything to with Honda of Canada Manufacturing as my spouse and stepson are employed there.

Throughout my life, I have been actively involved with numerous political, religious, professional, cultural, charitable, and non-profit organizations. None of these involvements represent a pecuniary (financial) interest, nor did they ever pose a financial conflict of interest. In addition, I currently do not belong to any of the past aforementioned groups or organizations that has any pecuniary interest in the results of my becoming elected ward counsellor.

I am the current president of the Tottenham & Beeton Chamber of Commerce. I have been and will be participating in various committees, the education bursary committee and other area business committees as they become available or are introduced. I try to work closely with the local BIA as well. Of these, none are a pecuniary interest.

I work for the Simcoe County District School Board, I’m a member of Kiwanis, and I run a hockey program called Ice Elements that rents ice from the town. I also have a business that lines soccer fields for SSU.

I have been involved with a number of community organizations over the years, including the Alliston Curling Club, South Simcoe United Community Living Association, South Simcoe and the Alliston & District Chamber of Commerce. My current community memberships include PROBUS and the Royal Canadian Legion.

I do not currently have a financial or pecuniary interest in any of these organizations. If elected, should a matter come before Council where I have a direct or indirect pecuniary interest, I would declare that interest and follow the requirements of Ontario’s Municipal Conflict of Interest Act.

None. I have no pecuniary interest in any organization or group, either now or previously.

None.

No, I paid for my own campaign 100% and have no affiliation with any developers, contractors or agents.

Hi Jason,

I do not have any support from delevopers, contractors or their agents or any other sources which may be precieved as illegal, unethical or unscrupulous.

Thanks

Tony Phekoo

Hello Jaison, and others. No, I have not made any promises, commitments, or otherwise to any developer, contractor or agent. In my 30 years as a Realtor, I have not affiliated myself with any specific builder/developer.

Regards,

Peter Barbati

Thank you for your question. I do not take campaign donations from developers, contractors or their agents - I never have.

I received nothing and have no developer influence whatsoever. Heck, I even follow the sign bylaws!

No.

No. I have received no backing, donations, or promises of any kind from developers, contractors, or their agents. My campaign and my positions are entirely my own.

Nothing has been offered. However I have made a pledge to donate Half of the first mayoral paycheck to an undisclosed charity. Additional donations may arise.