1) Why are you running?
I have been teaching high school in the Bluewater District Schoolboard for over 15 years. My Civics class outline includes this quote from Gary Lew, “This is your world. Shape it, or someone else will.” I deeply love my community here in Georgian Bluffs and want to help ensure we are making sound choices that meet present needs without compromising the needs of future generations.
2) Are there any steps municipalities can take to east cost of living concerns? If so, what measures would you support?
Constituents in Georgian Bluffs benefit from relatively low tax rates. Keeping these rates low, without compromising municipal services is an ongoing challenge. Affordable housing is a growing concern. Taking a close look at bylaws and zoning is part of the solution. We need to ensure barriers aren’t in place that prevent solutions such as tiny homes and cohousing from being implemented. We should also consider these problems and solutions from a regional perspective – our municipal neighbours, not-for-profits, and the county are potential partners.
3) What are your ideas for economic development in your municipality?
In this beautiful area, tourism is often presented as the answer to this question. We can learn lessons from neighbouring municipalities regarding the economic benefits of increased visitors along with the environmental and social challenges that increased numbers of visitors invariably bring. Promoting tourism needs to be balanced with educating tourists and finding innovative solutions that permit business owners to thrive and community members to enjoy their homes. Ensuring residents and business owners are part of the decision-making process is an important step.
4) Do you think the municipality has a role to play in the recruitment and retention of physicians and other healthcare workers?
It can be argued that recruiting and retaining physicians is a provincial matter. I believe the role of municipal councillors includes effective relationships with the provincial and federal government. COVID-19 has put pressure on an already struggling health care system. Grey Bruce Health Services reports that “local hospitals are facing emergency department staffing pressures that could force the closure of rural ERs” (2022). Georgian Bluffs can play a more active role in regional Physician Recruitment and Retention Committees to help ensure residents have access to family doctors and emergency care.
5) Should the township pursue more shared services with neighbouring municipalities?
I am already employed in the public sector and work as smoothly as possible with other organizations. Teaching science becomes more than teaching science when students are struggling with their personal lives or seeking enrichment. I consider connecting youth to mental health supports, family services, the food bank, summer job opportunities… an important part of my profession. I would approach being a municipal councillor in the same manner – I perceive the job to be navigating the political system on behalf of our communities and constituents. Working with neighbouring municipalities, Grey County, the provincial and federal government feels like the only way to effectively meet the needs of our community. The upcoming decision about the biodigester is a good example of a place where partnerships could be an important part of an effective solution.
6) What issue do you believe is a top priority for Georgian Bluffs to tackle during the next term?
A 2022 report from the Ontario Federation of Agriculture indicates Ontario is losing 319 acres of farmland per day, close to the equivalent of one family farm. This number has risen since 2016 when 175 acres was lost daily. I believe that ensuring new developments are planned wisely, to protect our food sources, is an essential role for the Township of Georgian Bluffs. Farming can be a challenging way to make a living. Municipalities make decisions that affect farmers – ensuring farmers’ needs are taken into consideration when planning roads and changes to services such as natural gas or high-speed internet is important. We need to protect both the land and the people who use it to produce our food.