1) Why are you running?
For the last 10 years, the South Bruce council’s primary focus has been the NWMO and its DGR. To the exclusion of many opportunities and needs for our community. All the while, our taxes continue to rise and council hopes for the “big win” from the NWMO. Yet, in all that time they have never asked residents if we want to host all of Canada’s nuclear waste. So, earlier this year, when council turned down the petition for a referendum during this election – without even voting on it – I felt I had to step up and make change from the inside rather than from the outside.
2) Are there any steps municipalities can take to ease cost of living concerns? If so, what measures would you support?
We need to create more affordable housing for new arrivals and our seniors This is one reason I want South Bruce to create a new Official Plan and not have it managed by the County. South Bruce needs to be in charge of Official Plan with input from the community.
3) What are your ideas for economic development in your municipality?
We need to build from strength – that is our agriculture sector. We also need to add food processing so we can add value and jobs to the food we are already growing.
4) Do you think the municipality has a role to play in the recruitment and retention of physicians and other healthcare workers?
We absolutely have a role. We need a combination of housing and recreation services to help attract them, as well as the lifestyle of a family oriented rural community. But this takes work. We cannot be passive about this. We need to work with regional and provincial agencies and not wait for healthcare professionals to find us. We must go and find them.
5) What is your view on South Bruce being a potential host municipality for a deep geologic repository to store spent nuclear fuel?
I have two answers. One, I am personally against hosting the DGR. No one has ever built one anywhere in the world. I think we should wait for real best practices to emerge and be proven. Right now, we have best hopes.
Two, the community is responsible for making the decision, not council. We need to have a referendum as soon as possible so we either know the DGR is coming, or it is not, and make plans accordingly. Council must follow the community’s lead, not the NWMOs.