1) Why are you running?
I am running for Deputy Mayor to bring and support a higher level of decorum, discussion and debate on issues to the position. As well, I will provide heightened financial oversight at both the city and the county than exists now.
2) Are there any steps municipalities can take to ease cost of living concerns? If so, what measures would you support?
As a Councillor I am recognized to not support items of spending which are not absolutely necessary and that we cannot afford. The municipality has some control over the types and amounts of fees charged on building and I will continue to work towards reducing where possible which is aligned with provincial direction. This is exemplified by my recent motion to waive unnecessary fees for a wind, sun and shade study on a forthcoming development in Owen Sound. I support more time examining what projects go into the consideration of development charges and into water and wastewater rate fees which most recently I voted against increasing due to a lack of insightful consideration by Council on the matter.
3) What are your ideas for economic development in your municipality?
Regarding economic development I would like to see us actually restructure City Hall to two general oversights. Budgetary and a ‘growth and development’ department. Owen Sound has benefitted from Bruce Power proximity and we need to continue to leverage our industrial space for that purpose. The second realistic provider of economic development in the community in the future is housing construction. We have hundreds of units approved which will not get constructed over the next ten years but we need to ensure that we are willing to compete in a tightening economy to create as much of the approved housing as possible. Continued expansion of cycling lanes also has the potential to drive more tourism here. In my business I am acutely aware of how much the Blue Mountains benefits from this and it is has future potential to offer terrific value to large city residents escaping for weekends spending at restaurants and cafes.
4) Do you think the municipality has a role to in the recruitment and retention of physicians and other healthcare workers?
The worsening physician position will mean that Owen Sound will have to be more involved again in the future for recruitment. It must be done in a transparent way highlighting that medical programs need to prioritize graduates choosing family practice above specialties. The family doctor is the only proactive position when it comes to assisting with your health as the other specialties you see is generally reactive and done once you are sick. We cannot have community growth without being able to have family doctors for our residents. I think that Owen Sound will need to work closely with Georgian Bluffs, Chatsworth and possibly Meaford to assess such abilities to fund accommodations for family doctors to work here.
5) What steps could municipalities take to help get more housing built that you support?
Owen Sound has hundreds of housing units approved which will not get constructed over the next ten years. I would like to think they would, but like in running my own business you must be practical and assess realistic market conditions. The lands are serviced and the units are approved and now we await the builders to put equipment in the ground. The new official plan approved by Council in the last term looks to increase density and is respondent to demands downtown where for example you are seeing a significant conversion of ground floor space at the rear of units to residential.
6) Should the city do more to regulate short-term rentals, such as AirBNBs?
The city needs to regulate short term rentals. The loss of existing housing stock to short term rental is an important reason and in not regulating will see increasing private investment removing more existing housing from the market. This existing housing is the most environmentally friendly housing as well as new housing constructed to replace contributes significant green house gases to produce. Council, during the last term has green lighted two new hotels on the east side. These commercial buildings would have a tremendous tax benefit to the residents of Owen Sound and would provide stable full time jobs as opposed to more precarious part time roles. I would also like to see the province change the taxation of short term rentals from a residential rate to a commercial tax rate which is higher and what a hotel pays.