1) Why are you running?
I’m running for Municipal Council for three primary reasons: Firstly, as a proud family man, I aim to be a good role model for my children and for younger generations in our community. I have three generations of family living here in Meaford, and want to do my part to ensure our town can meet the needs of everyone regardless of age, gender, culture, socioeconomic status, and
more. Secondly, I am distinctly passionate about protecting our precious natural resources so future generations can enjoy the same quality of life as we are so fortunate to enjoy today.
Thirdly, the Municipality of Meaford is on the cusp of a pivotal development boom, and the actions we take today will set a precedent for growth and development for decades to come. I want to be a part of the team that sets us on the right path for positive growth.
2) Are there any steps municipalities can take to help ease cost of living concerns?
This has become a major, increasing concern in recent years, and is not unique to our area. When we look at the burdens on cost of living, we’re looking at a spectrum of issues; housing availability and affordability, living wages, commodity prices, and social assistance programs are the most influential. Housing will be one of the biggest challenges faced by the new Council, and will likely
continue beyond this upcoming term. There are some more immediate steps a Municipality can take, such as: Regulating new developments to include mixed density housing; apartments and
condos, and townhomes increase both density and affordability. Regulating short-term rentals to protect our long-term rental market. Provide permit relief for individuals wishing to add an addition/granny suite to their home/property. Allow affordable forms of housing such as tiny homes or modular homes. Consider increasing allowances for density and height requirements for new developments This is not an exhaustive list. Outside of housing, the Municipality can support and promote essential programs such as the Meaford food bank, community gardens, the
Eat Local Grey Bruce community fridge, library programming and services, and much more.
3) What are your ideas for economic development in your municipality?
As a lifelong entrepreneur of a rapidly growing, award-winning family business, I have quite a few ideas about how we can grow our local economy. No matter what initiatives we take, one thing is clear to me: We need to bolster support for Meaford’s existing businesses first, and that will attract more businesses in turn. It’s important to remember that our biggest industry is agriculture, and we need to protect and support our farmlands at every possible opportunity. As an example, providing reliable high-speed internet is an essential part of helping rural businesses modernize. Without access to sufficient high-speed internet, we are doing these businesses a disservice, and compromising their ability to compete in a global, online marketplace. We live in a community rich with knowledge and experience. Many of our residents are retired, and would gladly volunteer time and expertise towards helping local entrepreneurs learn new skills, and grow their businesses. Unfortunately, we do not have a clear vessel to connect people, so I envision the creation of a small business mentorship program, where small businesses of all shapes and sizes can be partnered
with experienced community mentors to act as a guide and source of information and inspiration. The Municipality can do quite a lot to grow our local economy, as well. Enforcing property standard bylaws, beautifying the downtown core, investing in technology like electric vehicle charging stations, and providing greater support for our economic development advisory committee are great examples.
4) Do you think a municipality has a role to play in the recruitment and retention of physicians and other healthcare workers?
This is primarily a function at the County level of Government, however I feel strongly that Meaford’s representation on the Grey County Council board can influence the allocation of funds and resources. That being said, Municipalities all over Ontario are taking the physician shortage into their own hands, with initiatives like the Joint Municipal Physician Recruitment and Retention Committee between TMB, Collingwood, Grey Highlands, and Clearview. Availability of Physicians can have a significant impact on economic development, population growth, and overall community wellbeing. Healthcare professionals are more likely to move to rural centres when there are incentives such as lifestyle and recreation opportunities. Continuing to grow our Municipality, maintaining and improving amenities, and improving the local economy are primary ways in which we may attract more skilled professionals, like Physicians and other healthcare workers, to our area. Additionally, other municipalities have offered incentives like property tax breaks for healthcare offices. This is something we should be exploring further.
5) Should the municipality pursue more shared services with neighbouring municipalities?
Absolutely. One thing all small Municipalities have in common is that their list of needs and wants will always be bigger than the funding brought in from ratepayers. Partnering with neighbouring communities presents a significant opportunity to network, combine resources, and spread costs out over a larger taxbase. By sharing services, Municipalities can save money, eliminate unnecessary government layers, offer a wider range of services, and more. This helps to create a more sustainable future for all communities involved. Sharing services will help to address
problems like managing aging infrastructure, bolstering a tax base without raising taxes (as much), and revitalizing rural communities.
6) What issue do you believe is a top priority for Meaford to tackle during the next term?
This is a difficult question to answer, as certain issues are of greater importance to different members of our community. As a Councillor, it is important to represent everyone’s voice. That being said, some issues can be more pressing, as they may affect a larger number of people. As a small business owner, I know how difficult it can be to hire new staff in our community. That problem won’t be solved until we take great strides to increase attainable housing projects, address food insecurity, and strengthen our network of social programs. Of course, without an influx of labour, it will be difficult to maintain economic growth and development, too. Proactively maintaining existing infrastructure will be essential as our population continues to grow, and to avoid a costly massive repair bill when it’s too late. Roads and bridges throughout our Municipality are essential for residents, emergency services, our farmers, and also our tourism industry. Water and sewer will be in higher demand as more homes are built, and new businesses will rely on them too.