1) Why are you running?
I am strongly connected to this community, and care deeply about the future here. I believe that municipal councillor is an effective way to support and direct how our communities grow and hopefully prosper, so our kids and grandkids can stay in our community and grow and prosper as well.
2) Are there any steps municipalities can take to help ease cost of living concerns?
Much of the increases in cost of living are beyond our capacity to influence, as they are global..ie: fuel prices. As a municipality we can try to keep our taxes in line, of course, but we also need to support our businesses, in order for them to be able to pay their employees the wages they need to meet the cost of living increases. We can hire and source as locally as possible, under the restrictions of the RFP process. We can insist that the Federal Government assist the municipality with expenses ie: fire and rescue services that are now being borne by our local taxpayers. Bruce Peninsula National Park consisted of approx 30% of our fire and rescue calls this season.
3) What are your ideas for economic development in your municipality?
We need to keep on insisting on better internet, etc. Also, Lions Head often doesn’t even have cell service? How can we possibly develop economically without this integral part of any business in today’s world…Whether you are a retailer trying to sell an item, a tourist business trying to process a reservation for a boat ticket in Tobermory, or a motel trying to book out a guest, the negative effect is widespread. One area where we could really benefit, is the concept of “working from home in our beautiful area”…this brings much benefit without any impact on resources, however, this too is contingent on good internet. I also believe we need to extend the Municipal Accommodation Tax to all accommodators. (it is not really a tax on businesses…it is simply added on the invoice to the customer (4%) …and remitted to the munic…it is very common in tourist areas) 50% of these revenues can be used by the municipality to improve infrastructure, etc.
4) Do you think a municipality has a role to play in the recruitment and retention of physicians and other healthcare workers?
Yes, and actually we do. There is a committee…and a financial incentive for physicians who decide to practice in our municipality. In regard to health care workers, we support both the Tobermory and Lions Head Clinics. We were especially grateful that we had these local clinics during Covid…they did a tremendous job in the vaccination process. Recently the municipality recognized some of our local “healthcare heroes” and submitted their names for further recognition by upper levels of government.
5) What issue do you believe is a top priority for Northern Bruce Peninsula to tackle during the next term?
The top issue…and most difficult will be the issue of attainable housing. We need reasonable housing to support our next generation to build that sustainable community we all want. This has been especially difficult on the upper peninsula, because local people have to compete on any real estate available , whether housing or land, with others from outside our area, who have higher incomes.
Over the past few years, many properties have been purchased to become Short Term Rentals, and this of course affects price and availability to purchase, as well as the long term rental availability. This isn’t just cottages…but homes in places like Tobermory can easily be rented in the summer. We have enacted an STA bylaw this past term, so hopefully that can have some positive impact. I would like us to look at limiting the actual number of STA’s we allow in our municipality.
6) What steps could municipalities take to help get more housing built that you support?
Any housing initiatives have to built on planning. We have already made some changes to our planning documents (some of these changes were mandated recently by the provincial gov)…for example, we are allowing different “types” of housing in some areas…ie” duplexes, etc. We are under some restraints right now, in that Tobermory has sewer and no town water, and Lions head has town water and no sewer. Getting a water system in the Tobermory area, is a must, not only for different types of housing, but for public health and safety. WE MUST have support from upper levels of government on this…we simply cant afford such major infrastructure without it. If we are to be a “destination”, for much of the province and beyond…we have to have supports…and from the county of Bruce as well . We actually send more of our tax dollars to the county…than we keep to run the municipality. We will need all supports to get the services to enable investors to build more affordable housing.