1) Why are you running?
Sitting on the sidelines hoping others would work at the municipal level of the big issues and opportunities for Meaford no longer seemed a responsible citizen position. As I have mentioned at the door and at all-candidate meetings during this election campaign, I am not a politician. Stepping out like this and running for office is not a natural act for me. My training and passion are rooted in healing and helping people as a health care professional. I own a local area clinic called Hands on Sport Therapy. Health care is actually a profession dedicated to public service so, the stretch to a role in municipal government may not be that big a reach. Municipal government is the level closest to each of us as citizens building neighbourhoods and communities, we want to call home. Land use planning, zoning, standing up to protect a way of life all serve as a call to action. I love our Municipality. I love our life in this remarkable Southern Georgian Bay area and I want to make a difference.
2) Are there any steps municipalities can take to help ease cost of living concerns?
The principal cost-of-living drivers are the rise in oil and gas prices internationally and Russia’s attack on Ukraine. The accumulated demand and supply chain issues left over from the pandemic are secondary drivers. The Bank of Canada has responded with the only monetary tool it has, which is increasing interest rates (which I personally feel have been excessive ). So, by-and-large, there isn’t much that municipalities can do and I am not going to be a candidate or a Councillor who promises things on which I know I can’t deliver. Municipalities can make, and I would certainly support, a freeze on municipal taxes and fees and the municipality should adopt an accommodating approach to residents and businesses who legitimately cannot afford to pay taxes and fees owed, such as no or very low interest rates on unpaid amounts, for a specified grace period.
3) What are your ideas for economic development in your municipality?
In preparing to stand for election to Council I did some homework on municipal governance (Municipal Act, Provincial Policy Statement, Meaford by-laws, zoning, etc. and research papers and sources of knowledge on key matters relevant to strong municipal stewardship. I believe, and as a Meaford region entrepreneur, have some understanding about economics and the importance of growing a vibrant economy here in Meaford as a priority for our municipality. I am not an economist, but I will share that there are some well-conceived ideas on how municipal government can drive sound economic development from sources such as the Institute on Municipal Governance & Finance out of the Munk School (U of T) . Please review or offer this source to Meaford residents for consideration: https://munkschool.utoronto.ca/imfg/report/economic-development/. I agree strongly with the Report’s position that alongside tax incentives intended to encourage business to relocate to their community, municipalities also favour cluster strategies to strengthen the competitiveness of cities and city-regions through collaboration across governments, the private sector, universities, and civil society organizations. If elected, I would hope to champion a Meaford cluster strategy for economic development.
4) Do you think a municipality has a role to play in the recruitment and retention of physicians and other healthcare workers?
Yes, I do, because the overall health status of a municipality’s population should be a concern to the municipal Council and having reasonable access to primary care and the entire continuum of health care encourage economic development. I am a healthcare practitioner and I know how important healthcare status is. This municipality has had difficulty attracting and retaining primary care physicians and other healthcare practitioners in sufficient quantities. The Ontario, Ministry of Health offers a number of primary care organizational and funding models, such as Family Health Organizations and Family Health Groups, that aim to match primary care with individual communities’ needs. As a Councillor, I would like to get Council’s agreement to work with the Ministry and develop one or more primary care delivery models that fit best with Meaford’s primary care requirements.
5) Should the municipality pursue more shared services with neighbouring municipalities?
Most definitely. Shared services generate economies of scale that allow municipalities to provide services at lower costs, and sometimes provide better services at lower costs. Shared services also allow municipalities to share best administrative/management practices.
6) What issue do you believe is a top priority for Meaford to tackle during the next term?
I think that Council as to turn its attention to post-pandemic economic recovery and economic growth. Based on a Chamber of Commerce survey, that means that we have to add significantly to the stock of housing. To do that, we need to streamline the municipal approvals process (zoning and permitting) and we need to actively attract developers for the full range of housing options. Meaford already provides a very attractive environment for families, but in addition to more housing, we also need a better and more accessible healthcare delivery infrastructure, as indicated in my response to Question #4. I think Meaford should also develop and launch a marketing program to attract workers, both skilled and unskilled, to Meaford, and provide incentives to those that do come to Meaford.