Governance & Accountability

Initially I was in favor of the idea. I would personally love to see chickens take care of my garden pests. However looking at the bigger picture of biosecurity the risk is very high. Any sort of avian risk could have a catastrophic impact on our food security and stability. This is an area where we would have to carefully examine the risks with experts beforehand.

I'm not opposed to backyard chickens. Food isn't getting any cheaper, and we need to think of ways to help residents reduce their costs.

Every term of Council Ive sat on backyard chickens has come in front of us. Ive supported it every time and think it can work here in New Tec. Id probably suggest a pilot project first to give us the opportunity to work out any issues that may arise but overall I absolutely support this idea!

I believe when this came to a vote this term the concern of poultry farms and avian flu were brought up. I'd gladly look at this again and explore other regions and how they've dealt with it.

As I am not running for Mayor, I will leave this to the Mayoral Candidates.

I am not a candidate for the Mayoral position. However, the condition of the road system is an ongoing concern. With a rough cost of .6 to 1.5 million to repave a common road, budgets are stressed fairly quickly. Consider that increased traffic will reduce the life of road surfaces, Continuing (needs qualified...those in greatest need to maintain safety) maintenance is ongoing.

The high school is not a municipal-only concern, and although we must ensure the construction is done in a timely manner, you may want to reach out to the School board trustee candidates for more information on the proposed facility timeline and other factors.

A new high school is a small step in the progress we need. Portable classrooms at every school is another sign of the insufficient value placed on education and children's development. As a parent of children in two elementary schools, I also find it to be a great disappointment.

The ironic thing is that Dr. Banting was a pioneer in the medical world, so by now we ought to have established a diabetes institute or something to further the work. Equally Dr. Donald Baxter has a legacy that we can learn from.

If we don't learn from our history then our further is in peril. Repair and upkeep are basic issues that shouldn't be neglected.

Vission for a better tomorrow and the courage to act will be needed to inspire the Millenials and Gen Z. They will be able to do greater things than anyone in history, if we lead them correctly. The power of dreams can transform our town in ways I can not yet imagine, but I am willing to shape the path for tomorrow's leaders.

The new high school is a must, and I'll keep pushing for it. We are repairing some roads as we speak, and keeping our roads in good shape stays a priority.

I agree that the roads need far more attention than they currently receive. As mayor I will improve two aspects of road repair. The first is ensuring that development and construction include road repair as part of their operations. Too often a construction project or development destroys a road that the town and taxpayer must pay for. That is unfair.

Secondly investing in our roads is putting money back in taxpayers’ pockets. Fewer repairs and increased vehicle longevity are the result of better roads. Our residents deserve a mayor that prioritizes cost saving measures through road repairs while also realizing that investments also cost taxpayers. 

I see this is directed at the future mayor. I also cannot comment on schools.

Thank you for this question. As a resident myself, I understand the frustration of watching infrastructure age while wondering whether enough of our tax dollars are getting back into the things we rely on every single day.

I’m running for Ward 3 Councillor, not Mayor, so I can’t promise that I alone can make these things happen. What I can promise is that I will use my vote and my voice at the Council table to make maintaining the infrastructure we already own a priority.

Roads are a perfect example. We need to get away from allowing roads to deteriorate to the point where the eventual repair becomes significantly more expensive.

The Town’s updated Road Needs Study is coming back before Council this fall, and I believe that will be an important opportunity for the new Council. I want to understand which roads have been identified as priorities, what condition they’re actually in, what the recommended timelines are and, importantly, what it will cost to properly address them.

From there, I want to see a realistic, properly funded multi-year plan based on condition, safety, traffic and need, one that residents can actually see and understand.

I also completely agree with you about a new high school. Education isn’t under municipal jurisdiction, so Council can’t simply decide to build one. But that doesn’t mean we should sit quietly and say it isn’t our responsibility. With the growth happening in New Tecumseth, I believe our Mayor and Council should be strong advocates with our school boards and the Province for the schools and other infrastructure our growing population requires.

And this connects directly to one of my biggest concerns about growth.

We cannot continue approving growth and then deal with roads, schools, recreation, water, wastewater and traffic as an afterthought. Infrastructure needs to be part of the conversation before and alongside growth, not years later when residents are already feeling the consequences.

There will always be competing priorities and limited tax dollars, and I won’t promise residents everything they ask for simply to get elected. What I can promise is that I will ask questions, look carefully at where our money is being spent, push for provincial and federal funding wherever it’s available, and advocate for taking care of the essential infrastructure we already have.

To me, that’s one of the most basic responsibilities of municipal government.

And ultimately, I hope residents won’t have to take my word for it. Over the next four years, they’ll be able to look at my votes, the questions I’ve asked and the decisions I’ve supported and decide for themselves whether I’ve represented them well.

You're right, accessibility is an issue that will become increasingly important as New Tecumseth grows, and it isn't only an issue for seniors.

One of our challenges is that LINX Transit is operated by the County of Simcoe, not the Town, and its current routes don't provide equal access across New Tecumseth, especially in Tottenham.

The Town does have a Taxi Subsidy Program for eligible residents with disabilities, which helps offset the cost of accessible transportation. I support continuing that program, but I don't think we should consider that the complete solution.

In the short term, I would like to see the Town continue advocating to the County for better accessible transportation and improved connections throughout New Tecumseth, while also reviewing whether our existing subsidy program is meeting residents' needs and where the gaps remain.

Longer term, I believe public transit will have to become part of New Tecumseth's growth conversation. Operating our own transit system comes with a significant cost, and today we may not have the population or tax base to support the level of service residents would expect but as we grow, that equation will change.

We should be planning for that now rather than waiting until our population has doubled and trying to build a system after the fact.

During a previous administration, before the LYNX service was introduced to our town, I appeared via deputation in front of council. I proposed an inter-community bus service test-run, utilizing a rented bus and driver, between our major centers. The one day cost would have been +/- $950, which I would have covered (I would have searched for sponsorships to cover much of the cost), as long as the town would handle any special permits, temporary stops and insurance needs.

I had based the test on research I had conducted of community transit in: Bradford, Clearwater area, Quinte West. The Quinte West system proved to be the most promising due to the demographic mix at that time. The Quinte West system (Brighton and area) had an operating budget of approximately $96,000. The operating funds came from fares, sponsorships, a portion of grant dollars from the greater Municipality.

The current Lynx system has an operating budget of $6 million (you can look that up). That is the operating budget for the entire system, not New Tecumseth. The system, which also uses smaller people-mover busses for those with disability issues, services approximately 28,500 rides (uses). Oddly, LYNX does not keep figures relating to the new Tecumseth route (ridership or a=proportional operating costs)

The current system used in Quinte West, which is also comprised of multiple service options, but I will only deal with the primary one here, has an operating budget of $1.252 million and services 86,000 fares/rides. Funds come from: Municipal sources ($619,000), Gas tax rebates (326,000), Fares (306,000) All numbers are rounded.

Tottenham will not be receiving services via Lynx as there is no budget available.

I will push to revisit the current service, suggesting we consider requesting the New Tecumseth portion of the operating costs and applying those to a more localized service.

However, consider that some riders do use the Lynx service to travel to the Bradford Go station. We have to consider all of these points.

Pecuniary Interest Disclosure: I have used the Linx bus on numerous occasions and also hold a Class F license for 24 passenger busses like the Linx Bus.

It is correct that Tottenham is inaccessible by bus, and any feelings of being disadvantaged are completely understandable.

As someone who has tried to use the bus on numerous occasions, I feel it doesn't serve as well as it should. And this is my opinion where I know that I probably have some of the best access to it in the whole town.

The one report mentioned that to include Tottenham would add 10 minutes to the total time, and so a third bus would be needed. I do intend to investigate this thoroughly and find a better way.

Amongst other things this is why I choose to run as the Mayor, so I can directly address the ineffective transit. I have already received some input on options and would appreciate additional thoughts on what success could look like for you and any improvements you might suggest.

We do need a better way to connect New Tecumseth so everyone can get to and from work. Honda could be part of the answer — they need workers, so they have a stake in making sure people can get there.

I am fully committed to exploring alternative, flexible and accessible transit models. On demand transit, targeted community shuttles, or regional rideshare partnerships are all available and proven alternatives. My goal isn't to run empty, expensive buses, but to find a smart, sustainable option that works for residents. We can have better transit; it just takes the will and leadership to bring who and what are needed to the table.

I agree that we need to be way more accessible. I was not aware of the bus situation and will gladly look into that in the upcoming term (if I'm fortunate to be elected).

This issue is very personal to me.

My dad became a quadriplegic when I was 15, so accessibility was part of my family’s life long before it became the conversation it is today. More than 20 years ago, my dad actually served on our local accessibility committee. He eventually became frustrated because many good ideas ran into red tape, jurisdictional issues and political hurdles. Too often, what should have been a practical solution became complicated enough that nothing changed.

More than 20 years later, residents are still raising some of the same concerns. That tells me we need to move beyond simply identifying barriers.

Accessibility is not just about whether a building meets a standard. It is about whether someone can actually live independently in their community. Can a person using a wheelchair or mobility device leave home, get to transportation, travel between Alliston, Beeton and Tottenham, access recreation, shopping, medical appointments and community services, and get home again?

If they can’t, then we haven’t achieved accessibility.

There will always be different jurisdictions, budgets and regulations involved, but those cannot become reasons to accept the status quo. I would want us to identify the specific barriers residents are facing, determine who has the authority to fix each one, establish priorities and then follow through.

And the people who live with these barriers need to have a meaningful voice in those decisions, not simply be consulted after plans have already been made.

I watched my dad fight for his independence and for better accessibility in this community. That experience has stayed with me.

Twenty years later, I don’t want to have the same conversations. I want to see measurable progress.

Connecting New Tecumseth means making sure everyone can be part of it.

Even before the LINX system was put in place, I was requesting that Tottenham be included in the system. We recently heard back that the additional 10 minutes having the bus go to Tottenham is too much time. I have heard from many people that they would like some type of transit system connecting the town. We should be looking at how we can start with a small system and scale it up when ridership increases.

Democracy and the principle that every vote matters are what separates us from authoritarian governments. Like any tool, Strong Mayor Powers can be misused. Currently I don't know of anything that might make them the best choice. Should the new council be fragmented and form unproductive alliances, then it is something that might cause them to reconcile and override the issue. Either way we should not be held hostage to the personality conflicts and I don't have any problem with motivating dialogue.

The saying goes "You can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink", so if needed feed it some salt. My objective is to do what is best for all of NewTecumseth and that may be salty on occasion for some.

Communication is the key to good effective government. The strong mayor powers are a planning tool given by the province to circumvent municipalities' aversion to unsustainable growth. In New Tecumseth it was used when Council voted down a growth plan. As Mayor I will not ignore my fellow councillors and their constituents. Debate and consensus are not easy but real leadership means bringing the critics and the supporters into conversation to find common ground. I aim to be a Mayor for all and that means not using Strong Mayor powers to unilaterally decided how we grow. 

Although I am hesitant about everyday, law abiding citizens being filmed, I do see some merit to public video cameras if used appropriately. I support the use of technology that can help police and improve community safety, but there needs to be very clear limits on how that technology is used.

Automatic licence plate readers are already used by the OPP. If New Tecumseth were considering additional fixed cameras I would want to understand exactly what information is being collected, how long it is retained, where it is stored, who can access it (and under what circumstances) and how it can be searched or shared.

For me, public safety and personal privacy both matter.

No flock cameras or automatic readers should be allowed unless for very specific circumstances and uses.

When addressing this question, many will consider some of the responses as "fear mongering". So, keep this in mind when discussing motivations behind flock cameras.

But they will come. Governments usually cite "public safety, inclusiveness, improved traffic control" as the reasons.

The positives:

Better control of traffic flows (if your vehicle can be redirected to another artery...consider this in the future with self driving cars)

Immediate identification of criminals, expired plates, stolen plates, delinquent payments of your fines, speeding (the time required to register a plate between 2 flock cameras along a road with a maximum speed).

The negatives:

With digital currency, having a penalty removed from your account if caught speeding (look at the previous example) can be instant, with the penalty of proving innocence placed on your shoulders, compared to physically challenging a ticket in court. Parking can be handled similarly.

Does the government have the right to monitor your every move?

Flock cameras and license plate readers can be used to control traffic flow in that authorities can more easily control individual movement. The response will be "are you a criminal? Then why worry?". However, if you are a conscientious objector to any government policy, these controls can easily be applied to restrict or monitor movement.

In the Chinese model, traffic cameras and facial recognition are used to monitor and regulate an individuals travel rights. But we are in Canada, not China.

Speed cameras in school districts are reasonable. Flock cameras or plate readers, if used to monitor flow or deduct subscription fees or calculate usage (like the 407) are reasonable. There should be no other links allowed to your financial services.

My privacy is valuable to me. Living in a police state is not what I want for my children.

Cybersecurity is a constant issue and I don't have confidence in anything online being impenetrable. As such I do not consent to mass surveillance.

Law enforcement have other options and tools to help them. If needed I would prefer to direct the resources to creating a social environment where we the people can look out for each other's interests and support the police by choice.

I'm not a fan of flock cameras or automatic license plate readers.

Simple, if I had a 6yr old go missing I'd want this available.

I understand the frustration around how long this project has taken. Our community needs a new high school, and I have supported moving the project forward.

In December 2024, I voted yes to advance the Banting Homestead site. I had also supported the July 2024 decision to approve the relocation to the Homestead lands in principle.

With respect to the 2023 closed-session decision, I have to be careful about discussing matters that were considered in closed session. Those confidentiality requirements don't disappear because an election is underway. What I can say is that Council had legitimate responsibilities as the owner and steward of the Banting Homestead lands, and I believe it was appropriate to understand the implications of transferring a significant portion of that property before making a final decision.

I also don't think it's accurate to suggest that nothing changed during that time. The agreement that ultimately emerged is a land exchange: about 25 acres of the Banting Homestead for the existing Banting Memorial High School property and G.A. Wright Athletic Field, with no money changing hands. That gives the Town ownership of two significant properties in established areas of Alliston while providing the School Board with the land it needs for the replacement school.

Could the process have moved faster? Yes. I think everyone involved would have preferred that. But once the information was there for me to support moving forward, I did. At this point, however, I am much less interested in revisiting the debate than I am in getting the school built.

The land agreement has been reached and the project is moving into design and municipal approvals. I want the Town to treat those approvals as a priority, maintain regular communication with the School Board, identify and resolve issues as early as possible, and make sure municipal requirements don't create unnecessary delays.

I also supported having Council involved in reviewing the site plan as it moves through the process to ensure issues such as traffic, pedestrian safety, access, trees and the relationship between the school and the Homestead are addressed while there is still an opportunity to address them.

I was not on council.

The delay increases costs. Delays may be beneficial if needed to mitigate a plan which does not meet growth expectations, environmental concerns, financial issues, but if so, alteration must be done to the plan to efficiently lessen the negative financial impacts, and impact to the community through non-decision.

I would like to re-examine the plan, questioning why 25 acres is needed for a high school and associated support features (fields, parking, etc.).

Additionally, the main historic component that should be protected is the Banting home, outbuildings and associated structures, along with a reasonable parcel of land.

Traffic will always be an issue, regardless of where the school is built due to the expected increase in the general population. Removing the high school from the core will increase vehicular traffic. Much of this can be mitigated with the implementation of walking/cycling corridors to the school area.

If the current structure cannot be reimagined/renewed, and all of this during the off season, which is essentially impossible, a new construction is the only reasonable consideration. Further delays will increase costs.

Banting High School deserves better. Our children deserve better.

The record of how the votes were cast doesn't give me enough context to judge the choices made by the councilors.

The two year delay mentioned is being rather generous. Planning and growth projections make me think we are much further behind.

What is the vision for 10 years or 20 years from now? All the elementary schools are over capacity with portable classrooms becoming part of the landscape.

The new Tottenham Elementary School will have a capacity of 426 students. The leading is lagging the reality.

I wasn't on council when these decisions were made, but I would have voted to start building the school at the Banting site. The funding has been available since 2021 while construction costs keep climbing, and I don't see what the community gained from the delay — our kids are still waiting. If elected, I'll vote to push this project forward and use every tool council has to get it moving: prioritize the town's approvals, keep the pressure on the school board, and make sure nothing on our side holds it back. We've waited far too long.

The school board delayed the project, not council. They came to council with one option for a site to build the school and wouldn't share why no other spot in the entire municipality was an appropriate spot to put a school. They already knew that the Banting Homestead was not the preferred site for some of council as it was gifted to the town as a memorial to Banting. The school board was not co-operative or transparent in their process. That being said, a deal was struck months ago and yet nothing has been done on the site. The responsibility for moving the project forward at this point sits squarely in the lap of the school board and does not rest with council.

Sorry, I cannot participate in this question. I'm an employee of the school board.

My priority for the first year would be getting the new Council organized, informed and focused on what needs to be accomplished over the next four years.

Following inauguration and Council training, one of our first major responsibilities will be the 2027 Budget. That will include some significant decisions about recreation, including the proposed sports dome, indoor pool and the future of the Beeton arena. These are major investments, and we need to look carefully at need, timing, affordability and the impact each would have on taxpayers.

I would also like the new Council to receive a comprehensive status update on the major projects and commitments already approved or underway including the Collingwood water treatment and transmission projects, Fire Station 4, wastewater capacity, roads and bridges, and our other major capital projects.

From there, I believe Council should establish a clear list of priorities for the term, identify realistic timelines and funding requirements, and create a framework that allows us and the public to track our progress. There will always be new ideas and new requests, but before adding more to the list, we need to understand what is already on it, what it will cost and what we realistically have the capacity to complete.

For me, the first year is about setting the new Council up for success: get informed, establish our priorities & committee commitments, make responsible financial decisions and then get to work delivering them.

Too ambiguous a question, in light of ongoing economic uncertainty. Areas we need to focus on are:

-Careful expenditure of increasingly difficult to obtain tax revenue (difficult in that the rate payers are finding it hard to balance their household books, as are many area business interests).

-Balancing the creation of recreational activities and structures against the cost to ensure we are getting the best use-to-cost ratio possible. Many recreational facilities operate on a negative capital return, but the benefit to the community is high. This requires a careful balance. -New Tecumseth must also work harder to attract more industry to our area. These interests provide good-paying opportunities to our local workforce. Typically, retail and service providers in bedroom communities tend to suffer during economic slowdowns. which is why the infusion of new industry and commercial interests are a benefit. These will also provide opportunities for our youth to work and live in the community, reducing the need for long, and increasingly costly commutes.

There are other issues, but the ongoing flux in our economic fabric will make for a shifting target.

My first priority as head of council will be to get all members of the council to join in serving all our residents.

The current split in council will need to be rectified in order to make the best decisions for NewTecumseth.

The second priority has to be a resolution to the issues that divide our town. We are not the people of Alliston or the people of Beeton and the people of Tottenham. All of us are NewTecumseth and the unification has to start with unbiased leadership and a stronger vision for tomorrow.

Basically we need to attract higher paying industries , advanced manufacturing technology, specialized trades and less low wage service sectors to raise the overall economy wage average

My priority for New Tecumseth in the coming year would be managing growth responsibly while protecting affordability, accountability and the quality of life of residents who already live here.

I recognize that there are several important priorities facing our community, and it is difficult to identify just one. However, financial affordability is a serious concern for me. Many households are already struggling with the rising cost of groceries, housing, utilities and just about everything else. I have real concerns about continually increasing the burden on property taxpayers at a time when families, seniors and businesses are already feeling stretched.

The Town has responsibilities and infrastructure needs that can’t simply be ignored, but I believe every significant expenditure needs to be looked at carefully. What do we need? What can wait? Are there alternatives? Are we getting good value for taxpayers’ money? And what will today’s decision cost residents five or ten years from now?

Growth also needs to pay an appropriate share of the infrastructure and services it requires. We shouldn’t approve growth and then leave existing taxpayers continually trying to catch up with the infrastructure demands it creates.

At the same time, we need to address the everyday issues residents are raising roads, traffic and pedestrian safety, parking, accessibility, recreation and maintaining the infrastructure we already have.

The goal isn’t to stop change. It’s to manage it responsibly and make choices we can actually afford.

New Tecumseth should remain a community where people can afford to live, raise their families, retire and enjoy the community they call home. To me, protecting that affordability has to be part of every major decision Council makes.

The growth of New Tecumseth means that we are facing many challenges in the coming year. With water supply increasing our ability to service new homes and businesses also increases. We will need steadfast leadership and management to ensure the coming growth benefits both new residents and current residents. With that increase in population, we also need a strong focus on jobs and the local economy. Teens especially are competing for fewer jobs. My goal is to change that and overhaul our economic development efforts to produce more results rather than accept the stagnation of the last few years. Lastly the town will need a concerted effort to keep the character of our town centres. This means only accepting growth that adds to the community rather than just adding more homes.

As a council we will need to determine our priorities together in a cohesive fashion. Split votes down the middle haven't benefited our residents in the least. Now with a council of 9 that shouldn't be happening. Hopefully, during the campaigning, councillors have determined the focus of their ward and are ready to represent it moving forward. Big issues on the horizon are growth, maintenance of existing infrastructure, the health/wealth of our community, and the establishment of new recreation opportunities.

I believe one of the biggest challenges facing Ward 2 over the next term will be responding to the increasing demand for social and community services. With the new ward boundaries, Ward 2 is home to a significant number of the organizations people turn to when they need help — including S.H.I.F.T., the Krasman Centre, FOCUS Employment Services, EarlyON and the Alliston Food Bank, among others.

These organizations are dealing every day with issues that are becoming increasingly visible in our community: homelessness and housing insecurity, addiction and mental health challenges, food insecurity, poverty and families struggling with the cost of living.

Many of these services fall under the responsibility of the County, provincial government or other agencies rather than the Town, but that doesn't mean the municipality doesn't have a role to play.

I would like to see stronger communication and coordination between the Town, County and the agencies doing this work on the ground. We need to understand where the gaps are, advocate to the appropriate levels of government for funding and resources, and make sure our own decisions around housing, planning, transportation and community spaces don't create additional barriers.

At the same time, we have to consider the impact on the surrounding neighbourhoods and businesses and make sure residents feel safe and heard. Compassion for people who need help and concern for the safety and quality of life of the broader community are not opposing positions. We have to be able to do both.

These issues aren't going away as New Tecumseth grows. I would rather acknowledge them, bring the right people to the table and work toward practical solutions than wait until the problems become more difficult to manage.

My first concern is public safety around our schools. I have seen the traffic studies around the 40km zones and it hasn’t done anything to slow traffic. My first order of business would be to direct town staff to review these areas and what traffic calming measures we can implement to keep our children safe.

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?

I've attended 2 town meetings.

I have attended several meetings in person since i began to consider running for council, and I have watched every meeting on the Town's YouTube channel. This have given me a good understanding of how our current Council operates and how decisions aare made.

A recurring concern I have is the lack of teamwork around the council table. Disageements are important, but somtimes it can appear driven by individual positions or personal agendas. Residents derserve a Council that debates respectfully and keeps the community's best interests at the forefront.