1) Why are you running?
I am running to ensure the residents of The Blue Mountains are truly listened to, heard, and have an
elected official accountable to them.
Our town is a beautiful place to live, work and play because of its diversity of character and environment
from Clarksburg, Craigleith, Heathcote, Ravenna to Thornbury and everywhere in between.
We need to be sustainable and resilient as we grow to ensure that we retain what makes our town so
incredibly special, and supports our agriculture, tourism, and economic development.
Our character and the impact on our environment need to be elevated and embedded in all our town’s
decision making.
This will require an Official Plan with definitive language as opposed to non-specific words which will not
pass the Ontario Land Tribunal appeal test. Where our Official Plan provides high level direction on land
use, built form and density ranges, the ‘teeth’ lies within zoning bylaw infrastructure which provide specific
direction on location, orientation, building form of buildings, density, height, parking requirements and
land coverage, among other considerations. This is of particular importance when three stories plus
buildings are being proposed and include angular planes everyday planning tool to improve access to
sunlight among multistory developments, shadowing, setbacks etc. Zoning bylaws are not an
afterthought.
2) Are there any steps municipalities can take to help ease cost of living concerns?
With the 2023/24 budget on the horizon and already a forecasted deficit, coupled with MPAC 2023
assessment on the horizon, fiscal responsibility within the town is critical.
I am very concerned about the recent forecasted deficit and the potential impact on our 2023 tax bill as
well as the cost overruns on projects this past year before they even started. These unexpected surprises
post request for proposal need to stop. Accessing all available federal and provincial grants is essential.
Also working regionally for some projects has the potential to deliver economies of scale. Developers
benefit from updated infrastructure and therefore opportunities need to be explored. The planning
department need to ensure that they as stated on pages 256-257 under E10 Complete Application
Requirements of the Official Plan, require an Affordable/Attainable Housing Report/Rental Housing
Conversion Study
I am skilled in reviewing substantive budgets for saving opportunities. I also subscribe to and have
worked with budgets that deliver more with less within the public sector. Fiscal oversight and monitoring
are critical. This is an area which the town has opportunities for improvement.
3) What are your ideas for economic development in your municipality?
Having more robust measurements within the Economic Strategy and monitored more frequently than on
an annual basis.
Work more closely with Grey County to leverage their resources to attract business to our town.
The recruitment of a Family Physicians would alone contribute $1million annually.
4) Do you think the municipality has a role to play in the recruitment and retention of physicians
and other healthcare workers?
Yes! I have demonstrated that in having been the Chair of the Advisory Committee of Council, otherwise
known as the Joint Municipal Physician Recruitment and Retention Committee. Although the town
dissolved the committee along with others in the lead up to the October 24 th election, the work needed to
continue and therefore I am currently a member of the Grey Bruce Regional Health Human Resource
Task Force to positively impact our community. I am also an active member of the Registered Nurses
Association Region 5, and was recently, involved in the organization of a successful event titled,
“Uncovering Pieces to the Nursing Crisis Puzzle” on September 20, from 5:30-7:00pm.
Physician Retention and Retention needs to be address on a regional basis and must have acute care
leadership at the table.
When local healthcare providers undertake deputations for funding, there needs to be the following
questions asked:
How are you assisting our community in recruitment Family Physicians, particularly as they staff
your Emergency Department
Have you employed a Nurse Practitioner in your Emergency Departments to decrease wait
times?
Are you offering all Registered and Registered Practical Nurses Full Time positions
What is your agency nurse utilization and what are you actively doing to decrease these costs?