2026 Municipal Election: Meaford Candidate Q + A

Why am I running? Because I can no longer sit on the sidelines while the Municipality of Meaford and the County lag behind in climate leadership. Climate change is an economic conversation. To build a resilient economy and support long-term wellness, we must combat the climate crisis with measurable action right now.

Investing in climate action is an opportunity to generate wealth for our community and savings for individuals through green jobs and the lower energy bills that track that. This is not the message you will hear from oil and gas corporations, but it is the reality. Project by project, Council can choose green technology to replace aging infrastructure, utilizing available grants to kickstart this transition today. Our Councillors owe us this opportunity to help manage the rising cost of living.

I’m an artist and entrepreneur. I’ve been an employee, an employer, and self-employed. As a former owner-operator of a tourism camp in Temagami, I developed experiential education, women’s wellness programs, and wilderness adventure experiences, which prove initiative and diversity.
I built strong relationships with local farmers and was among the first to establish culinary tourism in Northeastern Ontario. Through the food I prepared for my guests, I promoted the Thornloe Cheese, Golden Beef, and the cash crops of the Little Clay Belt. I’ve seen firsthand what agricultural organizations like the Cattlemen’s Association, and Northern Ontario Farm Innovation Alliance can do for farmers. We have an incredible agricultural legacy in Meaford, ripe for branding.
I’ve spent more than 40 years on the other side of politics. Here in Meaford and Grey County, for example, I’ve made deputations, asked questions at council meetings, and contributed to the Official Plan, Imagine Meaford, and Grey County’s Going Green in Grey platform.

I have a vision for today and for our children’s future: fight climate change with solutions that create jobs and reduce the cost of living. It’s the only responsible thing to do. Otherwise, to borrow a comparison, we might as well all smoke two packs of cigarettes a day. We can’t pretend anymore.
A forester doesn’t plant trees for today, but for the forest those trees will become. Politics is like that for me. My decision-making is rooted in research and in listening to experienced experts. Consensus is not always the answer. I know that procrastination never gets anything done, and emotions can get you into trouble. I always ask myself: twenty years from now, will people look back on this decision and believe we made the best choice?

Historically, this question never really goes away. The most vulnerable members of our community are often hit hardest by the rising cost of living, especially when it comes to housing, food, and energy. While our county funds essential programs through taxes, the reality is that hardship usually comes from a complex mix of factors affecting individuals and families.
We need to build housing that is truly affordable for low-income people: co-ops, tiny homes, home-to-apartment conversions, garden suites, and seniors’ apartments located near community centers. We also need to think about walkable and bike-friendly options.
But true affordability means more than low rent or a low mortgage payment. It means a person can pay their bills. Our municipality should be telling people about the rebates available for low and median income households, businesses and farms, available from IESO. Or the $10,000 National heat pump rebate to help 820,000 households switch to heat pumps.
Developers often say green building is too expensive, so why not offer tax breaks that match how sustainably they build?

We already have an untapped gold mine in Georgian Bay and the billions it contributes to Meaford. By using Georgian Bay itself as collateral, we could attract investors who understand the value of protecting this blue resource and are willing to support an investment opportunity that benefits Meaford. That fund could help pay for climate-action infrastructure projects that make Meaford a more innovative and attractive place to live, which in turn would support economic development and expand the tax base.
Two other public assets worth promoting for community benefit are Margaret Marshall Saunders and John Muir. Saunders, an author, helped spark the national humane society movement. Muir, an environmental activist and prophet of the national parks concept, inspired presidents and members of Congress to act on preserving vast natural areas such as Yosemite National Park.
I also believe that those with greater means could absorb a modest income tax increase. Even a small contribution from billionaires could help ease pressure on many of the challenges we face.

TransCanada Energy’s open-loop Pumped Storage Project is the most critical issue facing our community. Unlike a closed-loop system, this design is environmentally reckless, akin to flushing a toilet into Georgian Bay daily.

The project faces severe vulnerabilities: the site is on a military target threat list, and the undecided transmission line design could lead to farmland expropriation and damage to theNiagara Escarpment.

As a local resident, I initially hoped this would benefit Meaford. However, after studying green energy and consulting TC Energy, it is clear they disregard our community. This project is flawed because it: Is not a true green solution and locks in gas reliance, Is outperformed by faster, more affordable energy options, Risks contaminating Georgian Bay, the aquifer, and drinking water, Threatens species at risk, Burdens Ontario taxpayers with debt while serving stock market arbitrage, Attempts to buy community support.

Finally, the current Council has not publicly recognized the hundreds who oppose. These people should be represented. I don’t accept that this project is a done deal.

A transit system is essential, especially for people who have disabilities and do not own a car. We need to strike the right balance among subsidies, fares, and service frequency. A fair community enables everyone access to essential services such as grocery stores, medical clinics, and libraries. I support increasing housing density within the settlement area so that people might have less need for public transportation.

Without properly examining the budget, I cannot answer that question properly. But we have people living in the settlement areas, and rural farmland, both with different needs and demands on services.

Two years ago, I attended a BALL lecture on AI. The speaker urged us to ask our politicians how we would address the AI challenge, warning that AI dominance could arrive as early as 2026. That has stayed with me ever since, and it has come into sharp focus with my mayoral candidacy.
I believe Canada should develop autonomous AI centres to protect Canadian data, and those centres should also be autonomous in their energy generation. On water use, I recognize that water is finite. I do not yet have a solution for watershed use, but I am firmly opposed to drawing water from our lakes — a position that echoes TC Energy’s predatory stance on Georgian Bay.
The bottom line is this: all of us have helped create the demand for AI. We use it every day. While much of it helps us run our infrastructure, much of it is also dangerous. We still have a great deal to learn.
I do not have all the answers today, but I would listen to the experts and work in partnership with other municipalities to find solutions.
Bottom line: Meaford should not say yes to an AI centre simply because it comes with a lot of money and another community benefit agreement.

See my answer to question 4.

Read widely on TC Energy and the scholarly critique. Watch for greenwashing. Decide foryourself. Tell your council. Talk climate emergency with your community.

At a local level, I’ve created a forum for people to ask questions and voice their concerns at my pop-up GEORGIAN BAY & CLIMATE ACTION art show.

People are invited to: “Say a Prayer to Georgian Bay” wall, Swim in water ribbons, Check out the aquariums in the Biodiversity Room, Engage in a ‘Coffee Chat’ with the cartoon character Max Green, Make a wish on the Feather Ball, View work by 9+ local artists, Pick a poem from the Poetry Apothecary, Move through a mini-sculpture garden, And more….

My name is Shirley Keaveney, I am running for Mayor of the Municipality of Meaford because I am a lifelong resident, I have deep roots in this community, I have the experience and I care about our future. We have significant challenges ahead and also immense opportunities here in Meaford, With twelve years of municipal experience behind me I have the leadership skills necessary to guide this municipality thru the next term of council. Most of all I love what I do!

I have been an elected official now for twelve years, my first term I sat as a councillor and the past two terms as Deputy Mayor. I also have eight years of experience as a councillor at Grey County Council. I have sat on many boards, committees and taskforces at the local, county and regional level. I have chaired the Grey County Planning and Economic Development Committee for eight years and currently am Vice Chair of the Grey Bruce Board of Health. Also, I was a business owner in Meaford for 37 years and bring business acumen to my council decision making. I am a Past President of the Meaford Chamber of Commerce. I have filled in for the current and past Mayor on many occasions; I have the experience necessary to lead the next council of the Municipality of Meaford thru the challenges that lay ahead for the next term.

I will be an effective decision maker because I have extensive experience, I have familiarity with the issues facing the Municipality of Meaford and I have the right temperament for the role. I have the necessary background from my years in business, I`ve managed staff and budgets for over three decades. I understand accountability, I am responsible to the residents of my community, and I take that responsibility seriously. I have a strong work ethic, and I am a good listener. I do my research and I respond to residents. I make sure I am well informed before each and every vote at the council table.

I intend to call for a fulsome Service Delivery Review if I am elected, this exercise will determine if Meaford is offering the services that people expect. Some services are provincially mandated. The study will reveal if we have the right people in the right places and will identify any potential financial efficiencies.
I also intend to call for a full review of our water and wastewater billings. I believe we can at the very least minimize any increases going forward and hopefully bring reductions considering the infill and infiltration works we have accomplished to increase capacity at our sewer plant.
As well I am planning a Tiny Home Community for Meaford, these small, well-maintained homes will bring affordable living to Meaford.

Every council I have been a part of has worked hard to minimize tax increases. Inflation impacts the municipality the same as it does each of us in our daily lives. I am conscious of resident’s ability to pay yet I also recognize the desire for services. Our challenge like many other communities is that we don`t have significant industry or commercial taxation lanes to offset the burden on our residents. Meaford is working to tip that scale, we purchased 26 acres of industrial land in 2026, we are taking that to market now. Also, Meaford is a unique community in that new storefronts are under construction. The addition of these industrial and commercial segments will help to alleviate some of the burden on our residential tax rate.

It`s hard to choose one…..growth, we are experiencing significant growth which isn`t always popular with our existing residents. Roads, we have many that need significant attention. Affordability, as I mentioned I will address our services, water/wastewater billing and will bring affordable tiny homes to Meaford, lack of daycare, we have a new school coming by 2029 which will include daycare spaces. TC Energy`s Pumped Storage project has divided our community.

I am in favor of regional transit, I understand the barriers of not having available, accessible transportation for people whether they need to get to their places of employment, school, appointments or social engagements. Currently the challenge is that the timing of the routes doesn’t always work for people. Currently the province is partially funding this project with an amount of $9.5M. This amount will steadily decrease over the next 5 years. Grey County will need to fund the remainder if the next council moves the project forward. The other aspect of transportation that must be considered is door to door, ridesharing and Uber styles of moving people. The county could consider offsetting the fees for door-to-door transit. Bus fares must remain affordable which means additional levy at the county level.

I`ve spoken about undertaking a Service Delivery Review, I am certain efficiencies can be identified. Hard decisions may have to be made about certain services; it may not be possible financially to continue with everything currently offered. Meaford has maintained 1% for roads, 1% for bridges and .5% for facilities in our annual budgets since 2015, this support should continue. We need to be applying for every possible grant and we will continue to lobby upper levels of government for additional infrastructure funding support.

Should such a centre consider Meaford the pros would be well paying jobs and a significant increase to our tax base, also for us we have available water capacity to support a Data Centre since we are only using 7% of our actual current capacity. Spinoff economic impacts for our local businesses would be meaningful.
On the cons side of things a Data Centre would bring a lot more traffic into Meaford, it would be a divisive issue for council to deal with. Concerns would be noise, environmental issues and impacts on current services as well as more residents in town which would put additional pressures on our hospital and schools.

Grey County manages supportive and subsidized housing. Meaford has the most units next to the County of all lower tiers. I`ve spoken to my plans for a Tiny Home Community. As well I will work to bring affordable apartments for seniors and/or a retirement home. As a council we have a few tools to offer: our Community Improvement Plan includes incentives for affordable home projects such as grants to cover permitting, a 10-year tax incremental plan and more. We participated in the provincial program to reduce development charges and there is the opportunity for council to consider donating municipally owned lands for affordable housing projects.

First of all, this project is proposed on federally owned lands, Meaford has NO jurisdiction over the approval process. I understand the environmental concerns surrounding this project and appreciate the research that Save Georgian Bay has undertaken and shared with council. The provincially funded Environmental Assessment process is underway and will be require at least 3 years to compete. At that point council will have the opportunity to review the studies and determine if they wish to become a willing host community. If they do the negotiation of a Community Benefit Agreement will begin, if council chooses not to be a willing host all funding and benefits to Meaford will cease. The project approval lies with the province, and the Pumped Storage project could go ahead anyway whether Meaford supports it or not. I am keeping an open mind until we have the scientific and technical data to prove whether the project will bring harm to this municipality and Georgian Bay or not.

I’m running because I love Meaford, and I believe we can do better. I’m a fourth-generation resident, and my wife and I are raising our two boys here. I want them to grow up in a community that is safe, prosperous and full of opportunity. I’m not a career politician. I’m a local business owner who believes Meaford needs fresh ideas, common-sense priorities and leadership that listens to the people. I want to see a municipality where residents feel safe, where our roads and services are looked after, where responsible investment is welcomed, and where taxpayers know their money is being spent wisely. Most importantly, I believe every community matters, whether you live downtown, on a farm, along the waterfront or in one of our rural villages. I’m running to represent all of Meaford and help build a stronger future for everyone.

For more than 15 years, I owned and operated a successful local business. That meant managing budgets, meeting deadlines, hiring people, solving problems and being accountable for the decisions I made. My background in construction has also given me firsthand experience with building, development and the challenges that homeowners, farmers and local businesses face. Running a municipality isn’t exactly the same as running a business, and I understand that. But many of the same principles apply. You need to listen, understand the numbers, surround yourself with good people, make responsible decisions and be accountable for the results. I’m not coming into this position claiming to know everything. I’m coming with real-world experience, a strong work ethic and a willingness to ask questions and find solutions.

I believe good decisions come from listening, understanding the facts and having the courage to make the right decision, even when it isn’t the easiest one. I’m not interested in political games. I’m interested in getting things done. I will work with council, municipal staff and residents to understand the issues before making decisions. I will also ask the questions that need to be asked, especially when it comes to spending taxpayers’ money. Every decision should be based on what’s best for the entire municipality, not just one neighbourhood, one group or one special interest. I believe in transparency, accountability and common sense. At the end of the day, if you cannot clearly explain to taxpayers why a decision was made and how it benefits the community, you probably need to take another look at it.

Municipalities cannot control grocery prices, mortgage rates or inflation, but they can control how they spend taxpayers’ money. We need to start by making sure we’re operating as efficiently as possible and keeping property tax increases to a minimum. We can also make it easier and more affordable for people to improve their properties, build homes and invest in our community. There is no reason a homeowner should feel overwhelmed by the process of building a garage or renovating a house. We also need to encourage more housing options, support local businesses and create opportunities for economic growth. When businesses invest here, they create jobs and contribute to our tax base. My philosophy is simple. Before asking residents to pay more, the municipality needs to demonstrate that it has done everything reasonably possible to control its own costs.

I believe property taxes are putting too much pressure on many Meaford residents. Families, seniors, farmers and homeowners are all dealing with rising costs, and we cannot continue treating taxpayers as an unlimited source of revenue. That doesn’t mean I will make unrealistic promises that taxes will never increase. Maintaining roads, bridges and essential services costs money. But I believe the first conversation should always be about controlling spending, improving efficiencies and setting priorities, not simply increasing taxes. We also need responsible growth that creates new assessment revenue and helps cover the costs of maintaining our municipality. We should be welcoming investment, supporting existing businesses and encouraging appropriate development. Before asking residents for another dollar, I want to know we’ve made every effort to spend the dollars we already have responsibly.

I believe Meaford’s biggest issue is the lack of a clear, affordable vision for our future. We have aging infrastructure, concerns about taxes, housing needs, challenges with our building and planning processes, and major decisions that could affect our environment for generations. These issues are all connected. We cannot continue reacting to problems as they arise or waiting for one company or one government grant to solve them. We need a realistic plan that focuses on essential services, responsible growth, protecting our environment and creating new opportunities for revenue. We also need to remember that Meaford is more than its downtown. Our farmers, rural communities, waterfront residents and small businesses all deserve attention. I want to bring fresh thinking to Town Hall, establish clear priorities and get to work.

I support the idea of better regional transportation, but it needs to make financial sense. We don’t need an expensive system with empty buses driving around. We need practical transportation that people will actually use. For Meaford, that means reliable connections to communities like Owen Sound, Thornbury and Collingwood for employment, medical appointments, shopping and other essential services. I would support a combination of scheduled routes between larger communities and smaller, on-demand transportation options for rural residents. We should also look at how to better connect existing services rather than duplicating them. Funding needs to be shared through provincial and federal programs, regional partnerships and reasonable user fares. I would want to see a clear business case, realistic ridership projections and a sustainable operating plan before committing local taxpayers to significant ongoing costs.

It starts with getting our priorities straight. Roads, bridges, snow removal, water infrastructure and essential municipal services must come first. We need a long-term infrastructure plan that identifies what needs to be repaired, when it needs to be repaired and how we’re going to pay for it. Preventative maintenance is generally much less expensive than waiting for infrastructure to fail. We also need to look closely at municipal spending, contracts and purchasing to identify opportunities for savings. Another important part of the solution is responsible growth. When new homes and businesses are built, they generate additional property tax revenue. Development should also contribute its fair share toward the infrastructure it requires. I don’t believe the solution to every financial problem should be another tax increase. I believe in controlling costs, planning ahead, encouraging responsible investment and making every tax dollar count.

I’m a strong believer in innovation and economic development, but never at the expense of our residents. Large AI data centres can require enormous amounts of electricity, water and infrastructure. Before considering any development, we need to fully understand the impact on our environment, neighbouring properties, municipal services and taxpayers. I want to make one thing very clear. I will never put the interests of a large corporation ahead of the people of Meaford. If even one taxpaying landowner is negatively affected by a proposed development, I will stand up for that resident and fight to protect their interests. Every voice matters, regardless of how much land you own or where you live. Corporations must be held accountable, and developers should be responsible for the infrastructure their projects require. I welcome responsible investment, but not at any cost. I work for the people of Meaford, not large corporations. That’s who I answer to, and that’s who I will fight for.

One of my biggest priorities is making Meaford easier to build in. It should not be a battle to build a home, renovate a property, add a secondary unit or improve a farm. We need a planning and building department that works with residents and developers to find solutions, not create unnecessary obstacles. That means clear rules, reasonable timelines, consistent decisions and better communication.
We also need to encourage different types of housing. Young families need attainable homes. Seniors need accessible housing options that allow them to remain in the community they love. We also need rental housing and partnerships that help address lower-income housing needs. I support responsible development that respects our environment and the character of our communities. We should welcome appropriate investment while ensuring growth contributes fairly to the roads, services and infrastructure it requires. Making it easier to build responsibly is one of the most practical ways we can improve housing availability.

I am opposed to TC Energy’s proposed pumped storage project. Georgian Bay is one of our community’s greatest natural assets, and I believe we have a responsibility to protect it for future generations. I have serious concerns about the potential impacts on water quality, fish and aquatic habitats, as well as construction traffic, rural roads and the surrounding communities. I am also concerned about transparency and the municipality’s relationship with TC Energy. Residents deserve to understand the decisions and agreements being made on their behalf. I do not believe we should be relying on promises of money from one corporation to secure our municipality’s financial future. As Mayor, I would push to revisit Meaford’s conditional willing-host support, subject to its legal obligations, and use the available legal and regulatory processes to fight this project. I recognize that provincial and federal governments have authority over key approvals, but that does not mean Meaford should remain silent. My position is clear. We need to protect Georgian Bay, protect our communities and find better ways to secure Meaford’s financial future.

My platform includes keeping our taxes in the 3.5% zone and working with the Mayor will advance using some of our reserves to help do just that.Continue to invest in essential infrastructure and get out on rural ditching so that good drainage makes for good roads. I wish to remains strong voice for our rural needs recognizing that parts of that community still feel underserved. I will work with council to keep a balance on our true needs and not try and do things that would be nice to have.

On my past experience I have learned how to ask the hard questions that other council members do not and know how to ask those questions without causing offence. I will always keep clear lines between staff and council separate and not drift into admin.work but do governance.

As to to why I believe that I will be and am an effective decision -maker, I always listen to comments folks make on any given subject take my time,do my own leg work and ponder all sides of an issue. And my past time on council has proven to me that bad decisions are made when a council member makes a Knee jerk reaction.

On how a municipality can help address the high cost of living , it is our tax rate we set that we are in control of that has a direct impact on people.Also council supports communitee gardens and has a location so that folks can grow thier own food.

As I have said before about taxes ,at one time we in this municipality had the highest taxes in Grey County but now we are right in the middle and with new homes coming along that will help to keep us there.We have for quite a few years set a dedicated amount of tax money about 3.5% to address our infrastructure needs ,and it works.

My number 1 issue and it is going to be multi millions of dollars is the waste water treatment plant that needs upgrades and replacement. Even if we do it in stages some estimates range 40 to 50 million and several stages will be required.

Transit as proposed by several counties should be funded by the participating counties.

Money collected from the county levie on the lower tier municipalities. Maintaining our service level I think I have said about our reserves and using some of them to keep taxes and services stable. Our municipality is expanding and our service levels will need to increase so making sure we apply for any and all upper level of government money is a must.

AI is here and we in the Municipality of Meaford have our IT department engaged now to help protect our information and ready for A I impacts.We also like many municipalities store our documents on two cloud base servers.

On the housing front we have many developers right now that include a mix of housing types. This allows people to select what they can afford and in what location they like.We have also dedicated two land areas that are set aside for someone to build smaller homes on and still blend in with current builds.

On the subject of TCE and the proposed energy storage project. Right now both the Army and TCE  are both into impact assessments.This project has to pass the highest levels of environmental conditions that the Federal and Provincial governments have. There are about a dozen agencies involved and they all must have their requirements metin order to go forward .Over the last five or six months we on council have sent in to TCE a very well constructed business format to TCE composed with council input and forwarded by Strategy Corp. hoping to have in place the Community benefits agreement. It came to be that the CBA was still far into the future and at this time it is not in place. However that document has shown TCE what we are looking for and that work will be used in the future.In that document that current council worked on was done in closed session  and I or we can not say any details of the content , but concerns of people close are concerns of ours so right now let the impact assessment do what it needs to do.I have and will continue to ask TCE the questions.

I believe Meaford is at an important point in its future, and the decisions we make over the next four years will have consequences for our community for decades.
I’ve called this area home for nearly two decades. My wife is a Meaford native, we’re raising our two daughters here, and since moving to Bognor in 2020, I’ve gained an even greater appreciation for our rural community.
After more than 24 years working in municipal government – including eight years with the Municipality of Meaford – I believe I can bring practical experience to Council at a time when the community is facing growth, infrastructure pressures, housing affordability and major development proposals.
My goal is straightforward: protect what makes Meaford special while building what Meaford needs next.
That means responsible financial management, investing in roads and infrastructure, supporting attainable housing, protecting agriculture and rural communities, and ensuring residents have a clear voice in municipal decisions.
Most importantly, I want to leave Meaford in better shape for the next generation.

Although I’ve never been a council member, I bring more than 24 years of municipal work experience to the table.
I began my municipal career in 2002 and moved to Grey County in 2007. From 2013 to 2021, I worked for the Municipality of Meaford as Treasurer/Director of Corporate Services, with responsibilities that also included Fleet, Transportation, Parks and Facilities, Asset and Risk Management and IT Services.
This experience gives me a detailed understanding of how municipal services are delivered and paid for. My work has included municipal budgeting, financial policy, long-term financial planning, procurement, development charges, asset management, service delivery reviews and strategic planning.
One of my significant projects was managing the development of the new Meaford Library, from site selection and community workshops through design, tendering and construction.
More recently, I participated in negotiations involving a major mining operation and a community-benefit-style agreement that generated significant funding for recreation, infrastructure and temporary housing.
This combination of financial, operational and strategic experience is directly applicable to the decisions Council makes every day.

I believe effective municipal decision-making requires three things: listening, understanding the facts and thinking beyond the next election cycle.
My 24-plus years in municipal government have taught me that decisions rarely happen in isolation. A new development, facility or service can have implications for infrastructure, operating costs, staffing, taxes and future generations.
My approach would be to ask the right questions, understand the financial and operational consequences, listen to residents and make decisions based on strong supporting evidence and long-term community benefit.
I also believe Council needs to be willing to challenge the status quo. Throughout my career, I’ve led process improvements, reorganized municipal services and worked with teams to find efficiencies and improve service delivery.
For Meaford, that means ensuring growth and major projects do not outpace our infrastructure capacity, demanding clear cost-benefit analysis for major expenditures, and ensuring residents understand why decisions are being made.
I’m also committed to transparency and accountability. Residents deserve a councillor who shows up, speaks plainly and explains their decisions.
Ultimately, I would measure decisions by one question: are we leaving Meaford stronger for the next generation?

A municipality cannot control all of the factors driving the cost of living, but it can make deliberate choices that reduce the pressures within its control.
First, Council needs to be disciplined about spending. Every tax dollar should deliver value, and major spending decisions should be supported by clear cost-benefit analysis and long-term financial planning.
Second, we need to address housing affordability and attainability. Meaford needs a wider range of housing options, including duplexes, triplexes, accessory dwelling units, mixed-use development and seniors-oriented housing. We should also work with local businesses, developers, non-profits and the Chamber of Commerce to create more local workforce housing.
Third, we need to maintain our existing infrastructure efficiently. Fixing roads, bridges and other assets before they become more expensive problems is both responsible financial management and a way to reduce future tax pressure.
Finally, growth needs to pay its appropriate share of infrastructure costs without putting unnecessary pressure on existing taxpayers.
Municipal government cannot solve inflation, but we can control how efficiently we deliver services, how we manage growth and how responsibly we spend residents’ money.

The important question for me is not simply whether the tax rate is high or low in isolation. The question is whether residents are receiving appropriate value for the taxes they pay and whether Council has a sustainable plan for the future.
Meaford has significant infrastructure needs, and we cannot ignore those needs simply to avoid difficult financial decisions. At the same time, residents are already dealing with significant cost pressures, and Council has an obligation to be disciplined with their money.
My approach would be to request that department leaders develop clear departmental business plans, connect staffing and operating costs to Council’s strategic priorities, and require rigorous cost-benefit analysis before major spending decisions.
We also need long-term financial planning that addresses infrastructure replacement and avoids leaving future generations with unsustainable debt or unfunded obligations.
I would not support tax increases simply because they are convenient. Any increase needs to be justified by a clear, demonstrated community benefit.
The objective should be sustainable municipal finances: maintaining the services and infrastructure residents depend on while ensuring taxpayers receive value for every dollar.

For me, the number one issue is making sure Meaford’s growth and development do not outpace our ability to provide the infrastructure and services our community needs.
Growth brings opportunities, including new housing, businesses and investment. But if we grow without adequate roads, bridges, water, wastewater, stormwater, recreation facilities and other municipal services, the costs eventually fall on residents.
That is why infrastructure is the first priority in my platform.
I want to see a transparent, multi-year infrastructure plan with clear timelines and budgets, along with a public Infrastructure Priority Dashboard so residents can see what is being prioritized and why.
Before major expansion, we should also understand the capacity of our existing municipal services. Growth should be matched with the infrastructure required to support it.
At the same time, we need to ensure rural roads receive appropriate attention, protect agricultural land, and maintain the character of our rural communities.
The challenge is not growth itself. It is making sure growth is managed responsibly, financially and sustainably so that Meaford remains a great place to live for generations to come.

A regional transit system needs to be designed around how people actually live and travel – not simply around municipal boundaries.
For Meaford, that means looking at connections between our rural communities, Meaford, Owen Sound, Collingwood and other regional centres where residents access employment, healthcare, education, shopping and other services.
I would support a system that is practical, accessible and flexible enough to serve rural communities, rather than focusing exclusively on high-frequency urban routes. It should also connect effectively with existing transit systems wherever possible.
Before committing to a particular model, I would want the regional study to clearly identify demand, routes, service levels, capital requirements and ongoing operating costs.
Funding should be shared appropriately among the participating municipalities and upper-tier governments, with provincial and federal funding pursued wherever available. User fees could form part of the model, but fares should not be expected to carry the entire cost of providing a regional public service.
Most importantly, Meaford should understand its long-term financial commitment before considering any kind of agreement. Regional cooperation can create opportunities, but we need to make sure the service is sustainable and provides meaningful value to our residents.

We need to start by managing the assets and services we already have exceptionally well.
That means a transparent, multi-year infrastructure plan that identifies priorities based on safety, condition, risk and long-term cost. Preventative maintenance is often less expensive than allowing infrastructure to deteriorate until replacement becomes unavoidable.
As noted before I would also expect clear departmental business plans that connect staffing and operating costs to Council’s strategic priorities and service standards. Every major capital project or new service should have a rigorous cost-benefit analysis.
We should look for efficiencies before simply asking taxpayers for more money. My experience in municipal government includes reorganizing departments, improving workflows and implementing new practices to improve service delivery.
Growth also needs to be managed carefully. Before approving major expansion, we need to understand whether municipal infrastructure and services have the capacity to support it and ensure new development contributes appropriately to the infrastructure it requires.
There may be circumstances where tax increases are necessary. But they should not be the first response. My commitment is to responsible spending, long-term planning, transparent priorities and getting the best possible value from every tax dollar.

If AI data centres become a consideration for Meaford, Council needs to be prepared before making any commitments.
The first step is understanding our infrastructure capacity. Large data centres can have significant implications for electricity, water, wastewater, roads, land use and other services. Any proposal should therefore be evaluated against a clear municipal capacity assessment.
I would want Council to establish clear criteria before considering a major proposal. That should include infrastructure requirements, environmental impacts, water use, energy demands, economic benefits, municipal costs, employment and potential impacts on surrounding residents.
We should also ensure that the municipality has the appropriate planning and financial tools in place so that existing taxpayers are not left carrying costs created by a major development.
My approach is not to prejudge a project before the facts are known. It is to make sure Meaford has the information and negotiating position necessary to protect the community’s interests.
If a major project proceeds, there should be clear community benefits, appropriate cost recovery, transparency and enforceable commitments.
The principle is the same as with any major development: understand the impacts, ensure infrastructure capacity and make decisions based on long-term community benefit.

Municipalities have an important role in making it easier and more predictable to build the kinds of housing our community needs.
We need to increase the variety of housing available in Meaford. That includes supporting duplexes, triplexes and accessory dwelling units, as well as mixed-use downtown development.
We also need housing that reflects the needs of different stages of life. Seniors-oriented housing can help long-time residents age in place, while attainable options can help young families and local workers remain in the community.
I would also support a Local Workforce Housing Partnership that brings together businesses, developers, the Chamber of Commerce and non-profits to identify practical opportunities for housing that meets local employment needs.
At the same time, development needs to be matched with infrastructure and municipal service capacity. We should not simply approve growth without understanding its impact on roads, water, wastewater and other services.
Finally, we need to preserve Meaford’s rural character and prime agricultural land by directing appropriate growth where infrastructure can support it.
The goal should be more housing choices – not simply more housing – so that people at different income levels and stages of life can find a place in Meaford.

I understand why a project of this scale raises questions and concerns in the community. Although I am not in favour of using Georgian Bay in an open-loop system as proposed, a major proposal should never be treated as simply a yes-or-no political exercise. Residents deserve clear information about the potential benefits, risks and long-term implications.
Given that the project sits on Federal lands and is approved through Provincial bodies, my approach would be to ensure Meaford has a strong voice throughout the process and that residents have meaningful opportunities to understand and comment on the proposal.
Any consideration of the project needs to include its impacts on the environment, shoreline, infrastructure, emergency services, roads, recreation, local residents and the broader community.
If the project proceeds and creates a Community Benefit Agreement, it must be binding and should include significant investment in recreation and shoreline infrastructure.
My experience negotiating a community-benefit-style agreement on a major northern Ontario project gives me a practical understanding of the importance of clearly defined, enforceable community benefits.
Ultimately, my responsibility would be to make sure Meaford’s interests are protected, the facts are available to the public, and any commitments made to the community are measurable and enforceable.

I am running because I want to be involved. I am creative and resourceful and I can contribute to community by being a councillor. I have lived in the former town of Meaford for almost 40 years and I see potential that others do not.

I have had a variety of work experience. I worked for the Grey County Roads Department. I have had an interest in government at all levels all of my life.

I am good at coming up with solutions. I often think of things that others don’t.

A municipality can help get affordable housing built. This is a win, win, win because more houses means more property tax revenue, lower cost housing means younger people can get started on the property ladder and once housing is resolved for a family other issues dissolve. Also, if there are more people paying property tax then each of us pays a little less. Further more if urban planning considers creating urban areas that are walkable then owning a car is an option and not a necessity. If you don’t need a car, you can live more cheaply.

Property taxes are high. If you compare an urban Meaford house to a similar one in Toronto, the Toronto house is taxed less. We need to use our land resources better and creatively.

For most people it is the TCE pumped storage project. However, the municipal government probably has very influence on this.

If possible, it might work well to put the old train lines back to use. If you could run the transit system on electricity so much the better. It would have to be funded by higher levels of government. The burden for local tax payers would be to much.

Considering that the cost of everything is going up and fuel is especially getting more expensive this is a challenge. I personally believe that municipalities should do more themselves and contract less. This is the better way to go. A contractor needs to make a profit. A municipality can do the job at cost.

I am not well enough informed to give a worthwhile answer to this. A province wide plan will have to be made by an expert team.

We have been building the wrong type of housing in Ontario for generations. Building suburbia all over the fields is and was the wrong way to house the population. We need to build urban houses in existing urban areas. That means row houses. I hesitate to say it because when people think of row houses, they think of slums. It doesn’t have to be that way. Row houses are more affordable because they take up less space on the ground. They can be more spacious inside if you build higher. Row houses are easier to heat. They are easier to service with municipal services such as water and sewer. They are easier to supply with gas and electricity. Not everyone has to have a row house. A row house doesn’t have to be your forever house, but for first time buyers they are more affordable. They can be built with basement apartments. This helps pay the mortgage and provides more places to live. Neighbourhoods are better places to live if owners and renters live on the same streets. The more row housing there is, the easier it is to provide effective public transit.

If completed this project will create a net loss of energy. It will disturb the bay. It will mar the landscape. Power lines will cut across fields. These are all negatives. Also, there are better ways to store energy. You can store energy in hydrogen for example. I think a wind and solar farm would be a better more efficient plan.

Most days I’d say it’s because I love it. But on the difficult days it comes down to being unable to complain and not do something about it. I grew up volunteering constantly; my 40 hours of high school volunteer hours were completed by the end of September in Grade 9, and I have kept this up through my life. Over the years I was put in many situations that demonstrated that complaining about a problem and not being the one to take action results in the problem never being solved. I also grew up visiting Meaford on a near-monthly basis and fell in love with this community over the years. It was easy to choose to build my career and start my family here. It’s an awesome place to live. But, like with any community, there are things that could be better and if I want to see things get better, I am obligated to be involved and be a part of the solution.

My volunteering experiences taught me board management and governance early on and I have continued to build those skills ever since. I’ve also studied psychology at the University of Toronto, Economic Development at the University of Waterloo, Sustainability and Behaviour Change at the University of California, and Indigenous Consultation as Osgoode Hall.

My work experiences in recruiting and now as an indigenous consultations advisor working across from the nuclear industry gave me a thorough understanding of large projects, community-wide and regional impacts, growth and development, relationship building, negotiation, and solution-finding.

At home we have become passionate homesteaders and have loved learning about eating and selling our own vegetables, eggs, chicken, and beef. While this is still new to me, I am passionate about having agriculture as part of my life and am thankful for my neighbours and friends who have mentored and connected me. I am working to bring my experiences together to unite our municipality towards a single vision of adding value to our agricultural products.

Finally, I joined Meaford council last year and have made the most of that opportunity to learn, ask difficult questions, and work to build rational consensus on how to proceed with difficult problems.

I have no qualms about asking difficult questions and telling people when I disagree with them and do my best to do so respectfully and kindly, and when possible, I try to make good ideas even better. When I am not satisfied that I have the information needed to vote I say so and ask for clarification or more information. This comes together to make me an informed decision-maker.

What makes me effective is consistently coming to council meetings prepared and asking as many questions as possible beforehand so that in the meeting I am not wasting time asking questions about what I was sent days before, or asking whether we can do something. The whole process is slowed down when we spend half the meeting talking about things people should have already covered. Or worse, if members of council do not follow the rules, adhere to the code of conduct, and tend to bring condemnation rather than collaboration.

Lastly, I will never make a decision I am not prepared to stand behind. This commitment ensures that I am always prepared and take the role seriously.

Municipalities make space for people to make things happen. Council’s role is to provide thought leadership and build consensus on what we want to see in our municipality. Municipal staff make sure the rules are adhered to. Doing this means being firm in enforcing the rules while also ensuring that any one coming to the municipality is quickly and painlessly provided with what they need to conduct their business. The cost of living is reduced when developers or service providers can navigate the rules without headache because they can offer cheaper homes, goods, and services. Meaford has struggled with this in the past but we are making progress.

I will looking at creating more diverse zoning in any given area. Cost of living goes down if you don’t rely on a car to access essential amenities. At the moment, Meaford has pretty good diversity in the siting of health care providers, but having a single grocery store on a far end of town is a problem.

Meaningfully addressing rural cost of living difficult for the municipality. I think we’d be better off looking at how to increase their income with economic development efforts rather than reduce their costs.

I’d be thrilled to keep more of my own hard-earned money in my pocket, but since I’ve got involved in learning how much things cost and how many things we need to pay for, my views have changed from when I originally started.

Taxes must increase each year to stay on top of things and not pass problems down the river to future generations. The question is: By how much? I am committed to staying under 5%, but would prefer to be around the 3.5% that myself and past council members worked towards getting it lowered to.

Meaford council has historically followed an asset management plan of raising taxes by 1% for roads, 1% for bridges, and 0.5% for facilities each year. This dug us out of a terrible financial pit, and it was an easy to follow and communicate. We should stick to it. From there, we have a 1% increase each year to address other issues.

Fellow councillors have argued the case for using money from our now-healthy reserves to keep taxes low and I am still working through how I feel about employing that strategy.

Housing affordability is a serious issue for Meaford. In order to have more young working people in our community offer goods and services choose Meaford it needs to be possible for them to afford to live here. Whether it’s having tiny homes, apartments over businesses, or supporting developers who are putting in housing that would not be our choice but is the only choice for others, our community cannot thrive without lower housing prices.

The first thing that comes to mind with regional transit is to have a safe, reliable, and regularly scheduled bus that goes from Meaford to the ski hills and to Owen Sound, especially the YMCA. Anyone, but especially kids, should be able to catch a bus in Meaford to go to recreation hubs rather than rely on driving. Building our own rec-centre is just not feasible at this time. The problem is, I don’t have any sense of how much use it would get despite being a very handy option.

There could be many other useful transportation routes from Meaford, but recognizing the cost, I’ll stick to focusing on these routes for now because they could make an immediate difference in some people’s lives.

Regarding funding – I do not have a well-considered or informed answer. User fees would certainly be a key piece of the puzzle for ongoing costs, but initial investment would definitely require investment from the counties or province.

By combing the mayor’s budget book for opportunities to remove things we don’t need, and then once the budget is passed, ensure staff are properly resourced to get things done quickly and efficiently, and without undo issues for anyone looking to build.

Meaford went through a hard time with its executive leadership for a few years. Even though that has been rectified, some of the consequences, like delays on legislated processing timelines for developments, have forced the municipality to incur significant legal fees and council is still dealing with some of these projects. These legal fees are paid by the tax levy.

We need to make sure staff have what they need to meet the requirements of their jobs. This costs money upfront, but it avoids having to save money now to spend thrice as much money later.

Finally, cost sharing options, like in the transportation question above, may provide us some excellent opportunities to get things done much cheaper than if we were to do it ourselves. It’s cheaper to bus people to the YMCA in Owen Sound than to build our own center.

Meaford’s experience with TCE’s Ontario Pumped Storage Project is a great teacher for this. The most important thing is to enable the community to openly discuss it. As people in society, we no longer have productive, safe, and structured ways to “have it out” with each other on ideas. Our elections have “candidate meetings” not “debates”. Across the board there is no opportunity to have useful discussion. On social media (ironically fueled by data centres) people just spout their opinions into the ether and don’t come out of their interactions having learned anything. We need to make space for this, and I believe a quarterly town hall meeting could be useful.

Municipalities have many tools available to address projects built on municipal-governed lands, and have a united community perspective on an issue makes it much easy to select and deploy these tools.

The key move is enabling higher intensity building in the main town. I love the way Meaford looks and would hate to see its charm be lost so this must be done well, but we must enable higher intensity housing options throughout the Municipality.

The second major move would be to encourage (beyond enabling) more development in the hamlets. In Meaford most of them are filled with private dwellings and it would be hard to make this happen, but more people living in the hamlets would go a long way to stimulate more opportunities for people. I think things like apartments over businesses in the hamlets could make life in the hamlets easier and more varied.

I hear their concerns, and I share most of them. However, we do not yet have the information we need to formally pass judgement on the project. More importantly, Meaford is not positioned to pass meaningful judgement on the project which is on federal land. We need to have patience and make our moves at the appropriate times in appropriate ways, and we must be prepared for the possibility of TCE engineering their way out of causing harms and losing our leg to stand on. For example; the many municipal water systems on Georgian Bay take in a huge amount of water each day, send it off to be contaminated by its residents, and sends it back into the bay. Thankfully, engineers have figured out how to clean it in between. Our society has solved monumental and terrifying problems before. We must be prepared for that possibility.
If the IAAC process reveals that the project will be harmful, I will not stand for destroying the bay for corporate profit. However, if the project does indeed enable the safety, reliability, and stability of our electrical grid, we may have to reckon with that, too.

I am running for a second term because I believe there is still important work to be done.
Throughout the last four years, I have learned about how our municipality works, where we are making progress, and most importantly where we can do better. I want to use my experience to continue pushing for responsible growth, better infrastructure, careful spending, and a proactive municipality that supports the people it serves.
Meaford is my home. My wife and I are local business owners, and we are very active in the community. We are raising our three children here. I care deeply about the future of Meaford and I am passionate about making valuable contributions to make our community better.

I served on this past term of Meaford Council. During this term, I also served as Chair for the Heritage Advisory Committee, Co-Chair of the Ensuring Sustainability Advisory Committee, and a Director for the Meaford Public Library Board.
Outside of council, I have been involved in a number of community organizations and events to different capacities. I served as Director for the Meaford Chamber of Commerce, and have volunteered for a number of events in Meaford’s urban and rural areas.
I have extensive experience in managing budgets, using critical thinking to solve problems, working with people, and making difficult decisions with limited resources.

I pride myself on having a highly disciplined work ethic. I do my homework, ask questions, and I’m willing to challenge assumptions when necessary.
As a municipal councillor, my approach is to look at the facts, listen to residents, consider professional advice, and think about both the immediate and long-term impacts of our decisions. I am also willing to be the lone voice on council if it is something I truly believe in. With that said, I respect the democratic process of council, so once a decision has been made – even if I disagree with it – I will still work towards the best possible outcome for residents.

There are many things that the Municipality cannot control, like the price of groceries, fuel, or interest rates, but we can directly control how carefully we spend local tax dollars.
Affordability is not about cutting services, it’s about separating the must-haves from the nice-to-haves, and ensuring residents receive maximum value for every dollar. We need to continue to look for efficiencies, review how services are delivered, make better use of technology, and ensure staffing reflects actual needs.
Responsible growth is an important part of this discussion. The most cost effective approach to expanding our tax base is by adding new homes and businesses to areas already serviced by municipal infrastructure.

The cost of living is an increasing challenge for many residents. Property taxes certainly play a role here. I believe all municipal spending needs to be viewed with great scrutiny, and it is important to first identify the must-haves from the nice-to-haves. Maintaining roads,bridges, emergency services, parks, and facilities are essential services that residents depend on.
It is also important to recognize that short-term cuts that save money today but cost taxpayers more in the future is not good financial management. Looking beyond our next budget and considering the long-term cost of our decisions should be at the core of Council’s decision making process.
My goal is to ensure we are getting maximum value for our tax dollars by making smart decisions regarding essential services, investing in our future, and looking for efficiencies wherever possible while keeping the tax rate manageable for residents.

Infrastructure. The challenge is maintaining what we currently have while keeping Meaford reasonably affordable.
Meaford has 400+km of roads, 60+ bridges, numerous municipal facilities, and significant water and wastewater systems. Considering much of this is aging infrastructure, replacement and rehabilitation is very costly, and we cannot keep falling further behind as it will only have a greater impact on taxpayers.
For this past term of council, I have supported the dedicated annual funding for roads, bridges, and facilities. This has allowed us to catch up on many projects, but there is still much to be done. Projects need to be prioritised based on condition and need.
Growth plays an important role in this equation. Responsible development and intensification in already serviced settlement areas can help spread the cost of municipal infrastructure across a larger taxpayer base.

I would like to see transit connections between major communities and destinations, alongside more flexible or on-demand transportation options for smaller rural areas. It is also important that transit connects with existing systems so residents can travel beyond Grey County when needed.
There needs to be a shared funding model between participating municipalities, senior levels of government, and other funding sources – and it needs to be transparent and fair.
With that said, I would need to see a fulsome report with realistic projections to have a clear understanding of the long-term operating costs before making any decisions on the matter. I like the concept, but the system needs to be financially sustainable.

First, the focus needs to be on the services and infrastructure that residents depend on the most. I support long-term asset management and dedicated infrastructure funding as delaying work today ultimately makes it more expensive in the future.
Municipal operations need to be regularly reviewed for efficiency. This will help ensure we are getting maximum value from capital purchases, staffing, contractors, outside consultants, and more.Growth also needs to pay their fair share for growth. Current taxpayers should not be expected to carry all of the infrastructure costs required for future development.
Growing our residential and commercial tax base is important, but it must be done the right way by focusing development in already serviced settlement areas. This makes better use of existing infrastructure and helps to spread municipal costs across a greater number of taxpayers.
Simply put, there is no single solution for this. It is a combination of careful spending, long-term planning, and responsible growth.

This is an example of where it is best to create proactive policies versus being reactive when this matter is already being considered.
Meaford should review relevant policies to determine if these developments are appropriate for the municipality, what exactly would be required, and what the potential impacts could look like for residents. It is equally important to get residents involved in a public feedback process to learn about all potential challenges and opportunities. From there, the municipality should be reporting back out to residents explaining what feedback was received, what that feedback influenced, and what to expect next.
I am always open to considering new economic opportunities, but need to make sure they make sense for Meaford for now and looking into the future.

Meaford needs to focus on more housing choices including apartments, townhomes, accessory units, smaller homes, rental housing, senior housing, and single-family homes.
The first step is to focus growth in settlement areas with existing servicing, promoting suitable infill, and making better use of existing buildings.
The development process needs to be clear, practical, and as efficient as possible. We need to adopt a culture of “how can we get this done?” while still respecting the principles in our Official Plan. The key here is to enhance process efficiency without lowering standards.

I do not support the TCE pumped storage project, and my position has remained consistent throughout my first term on council.
I voted against Meaford’s conditional willing host declaration, I voted against dissolving the Pumped Storage Advisory Committee (which was ultimately dissolved by a majority vote of council), and I recently voted against the TCE pre-development agreement.
I recognize that nothing is entirely good or entirely bad. However, I strongly believe that any potential benefits to Meaford do not come remotely close to the environmental risks. Simply put, I am not willing to gamble with our vulnerable natural resources (like Georgian Bay) for the sake of this project when better options are available.
The IESO initial review found that the project was not expected to provide sufficient value to Ontario electricity consumers. Despite that finding, the Province still gave approvals to advance the project forward. I also question why an unsolicited project of this scale was advanced without first considering other solutions that do not require pumping 23 billion litres of water from Georgian Bay every day for the next half century or more.

This is home. I was born and raised in the former St. Vincent Township; I have deep roots in the Municipality and live here. I want to see the Municipality prosper and provide a safe and healthy well organized environment for all ages – young and older.
I grew up appreciating and respecting the rural character, agricultural heritage, natural environment and strong sense of community.
I want to give back to the community that helped shape me, which has led me to become a Kinette.
I believe residents need to feel that the Council is listening to them before decisions are made, not simply informing them afterward.
I believe Meaford is at an important point: growth and development are here, but they need to be managed responsibly and effectively.
I want decisions based on facts, financial responsibility, long-term consequences and what residents actually want.
I want stronger connections between urban Meaford and the rural communities so residents throughout the Municipality feel represented.
I am not running because of one particular issue, I am running because I want to help build a responsive, transparent and collaborative Council.

I share deep local knowledge; and understand both the rural and urban sides of the Municipality.
Agricultural background; I understand the importance of farming, rural businesses, land use and protecting the agricultural heritage.
My vocational experience equips me with understanding of budgets, financial accountability, forecasting planning, problem-solving and the realities facing our local businesses.
I promote the importance of balancing development with protection of our natural environment.
Community involvement; I enjoy working with people who have different backgrounds, interests and perspectives throughout my Union Exec years.
I foster listening and relationship-building; comfortable talking with residents, business owners, farmers and community organizations while finding common ground.
Research and decision-making; willing to ask the tough questions, critically examine information and understand the long-term implications before making a decision.
I have No predetermined agenda; and I believe good governance starts with listening and learning rather than arriving with decisions already made.
Fresh perspective; municipal experience is valuable, but Council also benefits from people bringing different professional and life experiences to the table.
Understands the role; a councillor is one member of a seven-member Council; effective governance requires collaboration and the ability to work respectfully with others.

Good decision-making isn’t about already having all the answers; it’s about how you arrive at gathering and establishing the answer!
I listen first- I want to understand our residents that are affected by a decision before forming my position.
I do my homework. I will read reports, ask questions and seek clarification when something doesn’t make sense.
I look beyond the immediate decision and consider the financial, environmental outcomes; and community consequences five, ten or twenty years down the road.
I consider different perspectives: Hearing an opinion I disagree with, doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be heard.
I won’t be afraid to ask difficult questions, including of staff, consultants or outside organizations.
I will separate facts from opinions and base decisions on the best information available.
I understand financial responsibility, remembering that our Council is making decisions with taxpayers’ money.
I’m willing to change my position when new information/evidence demonstrates there is a better choice.
Once a decision is made, I will be able to explain why I voted the way I did, even to residents who disagree with me.

Recognize the limits of municipal government; don’t promise to fix things the Council doesn’t control.
Keep property-tax increases as reasonable as possible while maintaining essential services.
Scrutinize spending; distinguish between needs and wants, particularly when families are doing the same thing with their household budgets.
Look for efficiencies before asking taxpayers for more money; review programs, contracts and operations to ensure residents are receiving value.
Pursue grants and other funding sources from provincial and federal governments rather than automatically placing additional costs on the property-tax base.
Encourage a broader range of housing, including attainable housing for young families, workers, and seniors who want to remain in their community. Housing affordability was specifically identified by residents in budget consultation.
Protect and promote existing relief programs- qualifying low-income, seniors and persons with exceptionalities.
Support local economic development (Grow and Support Local – Thrive Together); encourage businesses, employment and investment that strengthen the local tax base rather than continually relying on residential taxpayers.
Most importantly, respect that every municipal dollar ultimately comes from someone; taxpayers, ratepayers, fees, grants or other revenue.

Property taxes are a significant concern, particularly for seniors on fixed incomes, young families and people already struggling with rising costs.
At the same time, simply promising to freeze or cut taxes without explaining what services would be reduced isn’t responsible.
Before increasing taxes, my goal is to investigate methods of providing the services at a lower cost! Council should be able to demonstrate that it has carefully examined spending and looked for efficiencies.
Review programs and expenditures regularly rather than assuming that because something was funded previously, it should automatically continue.
Focus municipal dollars on core services and infrastructure – roads, bridges, emergency services and the assets residents depend upon.
Examine discretionary spending and distinguish between needs and wants.
Look for grants, partnerships and other revenue sources where appropriate, while recognizing that grants ultimately also come from taxpayers.
Consider the long-term cost of decisions. Deferring necessary infrastructure maintenance to hold taxes down today can result in much larger bills later.
Make the budget easier for residents to understand so taxpayers can see where their money is going and why.

Meaford is changing, and how we manage that change will shape the Municipality for decades.
Growth can be positive, but it has to be responsible and financially sustainable.
Before approving significant growth, ask whether our roads, bridges, water, wastewater and other services can support it.
Meaford maintains more than 400 kilometres of roads, illustrating the infrastructure responsibilities of a geographically large municipality.
Development should contribute appropriately toward the infrastructure it requires rather than leaving existing taxpayers with an unreasonable burden.
Protect the things that make people want to live here in the first place: rural character, agricultural land, natural environment, waterfront and small-town identity.
Encourage the right kind of economic development so Meaford is not simply becoming a more expensive place to live.
Consider housing affordability and options for seniors, young people and working families.
Growth decisions should involve meaningful public consultation before major decisions are made.
Council needs to think beyond its four-year term: What will today’s decision mean to taxpayers 10 or 20 years from now?

A regional transit study is currently being undertaken involving Bruce, Grey, Dufferin and Wellington Counties. What should a regional transit system look like and how can it be funded?
I believe that the first draft of the Unified Regional Transit Network Study was presented to Grey County Council on September 24, 2026, with recommendations expected to come forward to the new councils for decisions.
A regional system needs to recognize that rural transportation is fundamentally different from urban transit; longer distances and smaller, dispersed populations.
Connect people to the things they actually need: healthcare, employment, education, shopping and government/community services.
Keep fares simple and affordable. Making accessibility a priority, particularly given our aging rural population.
Start with a realistic service and measure ridership before expanding it. A nominal user pay fee is charged.

Protect core services first; roads, bridges, Safety:police/fire protection, water/wastewater and other essential infrastructure have to remain priorities.
Plan ahead rather than react. Preventive maintenance is generally preferable to allowing infrastructure to deteriorate until major replacement is required.
Review spending for efficiencies before increasing taxes; particularly discretionary or elective spending.
Ask whether services can be delivered differently or whether there are opportunities for shared services and partnerships with neighbouring municipalities.
Aggressively pursue provincial and federal infrastructure grants and make sure our Municipality is prepared when funding programs become available.
Look at the full lifecycle cost when purchasing or building something – not just the initial price.
Be willing to say “not now” to desirable projects when the Municipality simply can’t afford them. Asking our residents what services they would cut/live without.

A municipal councillor’s role would be to make sure Meaford has policies in place before a proposal arrives. To the best of my knowledge – AI centres are planned for only very large Municipalities with a high work force base. Council shouldn’t be developing policy while simultaneously considering a specific proposal (be ahead of things).
Understand the electricity requirements. Large AI data centres can create substantial continuous electricity demand, so grid capacity and the implications of required upgrades need to be understood.
Understand water requirements, particularly if a proposed facility uses water-intensive cooling. Protecting local water resources should be part of evaluating any proposal.
Examine infrastructure requirements; roads, electricity, water, wastewater, telecommunications and emergency services.
Consider land-use compatibility – noise, generators, large buildings, lighting, traffic and proximity to residential, agricultural and environmentally sensitive areas.
Establish clear expectations for public consultation and transparency before major approvals are granted.
Work with Grey County, the Province, utilities and the IESO because many electricity and infrastructure decisions would extend beyond Meaford’s jurisdiction.
Most importantly, evaluate each proposal on Meaford’s terms and Meaford’s long-term interests, rather than changing municipal priorities simply to accommodate a developer.

It is starting with understanding who lives here: Collaborating with the Grey County’s Housing Action Plan as it targets both deeply affordable housing and market-rate/”missing-middle” housing.
Encourage a range of housing types: more choice, not just more houses – apartments, smaller homes, secondary suites such as: garden suites,ADU’s- not just traditional single-family homes. Meaford’s Official Plan already contemplates many of these options.
Streamline approvals without compromising proper planning, environmental protection or public consultation. Unnecessary delays add costs that eventually get reflected in our housing prices.
Review zoning to identify places where gentle intensification can occur, particularly where municipal water, wastewater and other infrastructure already exist.
We have excellent local builders (Rogers, Olivier, DeCoste, Jolley,) If ten builders each built just five attainable homes in six months, that’s 100 new homes/year with variety and choice.
Identify surplus municipal land that might be suitable for housing and consider affordability as part of deciding how that land is used or sold.
Pursue provincial and federal funding and partnerships with non-profit housing providers and private developers.
Coordinate housing approvals with infrastructure capacity. Approving thousands of units doesn’t solve the problem if the municipality can’t service them.

I believe the concerns residents have raised are legitimate and deserve answers.
Georgian Bay is one of our municipality’s greatest natural assets, and protecting it must be a priority.
I have concerns about the potential environmental impacts on Georgian Bay and the surrounding lands, and I want those risks independently assessed. Anything with the risks to our Ecosystems must be evaluated.
I want to see the environmental assessment process completed and the outstanding questions answered before conclusions are reached about whether the benefits outweigh the risks.
Money offered to the Municipality should never determine whether an environmental risk is acceptable.
If the project ultimately receives federal and provincial approval, Council still has a responsibility to advocate strongly for environmental protections, community safeguards and accountability. Our Public Safety is of highest importance, and that includes our Drinking water.
This is a project that could affect Meaford for generations, so getting the decision right is more important than getting it quickly.
I understand why residents are concerned, because I share many of those concerns. Georgian Bay is too important to gamble with. I want independent science, transparent information and answers to the outstanding questions!

My name is Jim McPherson and I am running to be a Councillor in the Municipality of Meaford. My reasons are pretty straight forward – the poor state of roads, the high price for water and sewer, concerns over the pump water storage project, staff and council’s lack of communication, and the municipality’s missing of important development deadlines. I currently live on Trowbridge Street and we have been told our street was to be dug up and fixed for two summers now, yet all we have are large signs announcing it. No communication beyond the first letter in 2024, no work done – there’s something wrong there. I also believe this Council had no right tying up the future Council for three years over the pump storage project. I would like to be part of the work to improve all this.
Essentially, I want to serve my community and help to make Meaford a better place to live, work and raise a family.

My name is Jim McPherson and I am running to be a Councillor in the Municipality of Meaford. My reasons are pretty straight forward – the poor state of roads, the high price for water and sewer, concerns over the pump water storage project, staff and council’s lack of communication, and the municipality’s missing of important development deadlines. I currently live on Trowbridge Street and we have been told our street was to be dug up and fixed for two summers now, yet all we have are large signs announcing it. No communication beyond the first letter in 2024, no work done – there’s something wrong there. I also believe this Council had no right tying up the future Council for three years over the pump storage project. I would like to be part of the work to improve all this.
Essentially, I want to serve my community and help to make Meaford a better place to live, work and raise a family.

Because I read, I listen and I advocate on behalf of Meaford tax-payers and citizens. I don’t play favourites. And I am not afraid to make a decision or to explain or defend the decisions I make.

For the entire municipality, it is best we increase our allocation of municipal funds to better our roads, our bridges, our culverts and ditches. We can consider looking at a public transportation network that gets you to work, appointments and places you need to be. We can encourage more geared to income housing. We can also change our official plan to allow for smaller and more diverse housing choices. And last, but not least, we may even have to consider providing local food resources to citizens in need.

I know it can be lowered, but I also recognize that many of our services may be more needed than ever. Council is going to have to seriously, carefully and empathetically examine where our funds are going.

I think the state of our roads and infrastructure – in a rural municipality this is essentially what we are here for. Roads – and this includes backroads – are what decide on how easily people can navigate our community, how well our agriculture and small business can operate here, and how pleasant an experience tourists have.

Clearly we should take advantage of all provincial and federal transportation grants – we are a large physical area. As mentioned earlier, a transportation network needs to get you to work, appointments and all the places you need to be. And it needs to do this at appropriate times. If public transportation is not operating when you need to get to work, it is not useful. Public transit that takes into account the real needs of the community saves wear and tear on roads, reduces emissions, provides freedom to those unable or no longer capable of driving and can create cost savings to those who decide to use it instead of their own vehicle.

Once again, we need to take advantage of any and all federal and provincial grants that may be available. We need to take advantage of federal and provincial financing for needed infrastructure and capital projects. These normally are amortized at low interest for the lifespan of the infrastructure. And we need to examine where we are allocating funds right now. Can some of this be moved?

We as a community need to decide whether we are willing to be a home for AI data centres or not. We can then exclude or include these in our official plan.

We can consider lowering or dropping development charges. We can meet the needs of developers in allowing for a variety of rental or ownership properties. Once again, we can tap into federal and provincial grants. We can also streamline the process – I hear again and again from developers about lengthy and purposeless delays, sometimes over a year. This greatly affects their costs and therefore, how much they need to charge. It also serves to keep other developers away.

My response is that they are correct to have concerns. First off, the project only has economic viability based on a pricing differential. Ontario’s own Electrical Authority has stated that this project is not economically sound. Secondly, the people have legitimate concerns regarding potential of air, soil and water contamination, mainly due to the toxic soils at the base and the four year build out required to do this project. There are other concerns involving water because this is an open loop system that draws flowing water from the bay and which will likely impact our aquatic habitat. Another concern, hardly mentioned, is what is the height of the water storage going to be. Is it 10 Meters as stated in the 2022 design, or is it 20 or 30 Meters as stated by TCE in later communications? How far above grade is this going to be and what will this blight look like on our beloved Niagara Escarpment? Because this is not just a pond dug into the ground, but an above ground holding tank, there is a potential of a breach that could truly devastate the residents in the surrounding area.

I was raised in Owen Sound and surrounding areas from a young age. Growing up in small communities was an experience I took for granted. My families have been business owners in Owen Sound and Meaford for decades. I moved to Meaford in 2022 and was surprised by how quickly I began to love small community living. Meaford has a magic that I can never put my finger on. I am running for council because I want to preserve Meaford’s magic by supporting community members, listening to their voices, and advocating on their behalf.

Right now, Meaford is changing in ways that will impact our community’s future. I want to be a special part of that future and contribute to a municipality that residents are truly proud of. I plan to work with communities to determine how we can move forward with trust and transparency, and explain municipal matters in accessible and understandable ways. Working on council is a privilege awarded by your community. I feel determined to fight for Meaford’s growth while maintaining our integrity and magic.

I have been a proud trustee working on the Meaford Public Library (MPL) Board for the past term and chaired the MPL Board Sub Committee on Library Services. I have reviewed and approved library budgeting, promoted community engagement, brainstormed program development and execution, and navigated through important financial decision making processes. My time with the MPL is what drew me to consider running for council. I thrive in atmospheres where I get to put my community-based research skills like policy analysis, report writing, and qualitative research to use.

My other relevant experience includes my work on the Board of Directors for not for profits and served as a board member on my Graduate Student Association at the University of Ottawa during my doctoral studies and served as the financial coordinator for my department’s student union.

My background in community-based research will be my greatest asset. This provides me with the knowledge to use evidence-based information to speak on behalf of my community. I have a drive for positive growth and change for Meaford that is backed by my empathy, active listening, and caring nature. In small communities, nice guys never finish last. I am confident in my decisions and convictions but will always listen to the concerns of municipal residents. My motto is “a vision that grows with Meaford,” and this is a goal I will continually strive for. The most effective decision-makers are open to criticism, know when to listen to experience, and hear their community concerns over their own needs.

The province is growing increasingly expensive, causing many locals to struggle with making ends meet. What can the municipality do?
Contribute to attainable and affordable housing
Sustainable Growth that provides additional living opportunities to residents Work with local organizations like the Meaford Rotary Club
Keeping use-based billing systems that keep costs down
Seek out additional provincial and federal grants
Promote creative housing initiatives to be proposed and continue to take bids for the Tiny Home project

Taxes are an essential part of living in a community that provides its residents with the services they need. I will strive to work with the council to keep taxes steady by engaging in long-term budgeting and financial planning. I want to consider how Pre-Agreement funds can be used to benefit tax payers if this is what residents want. I feel there is a need to ensure that tax dollars are spent on essential services and keep this separate from discretionary spending.

While there are several issues that Meaford residents have expressed to me including the TC Energy Project, SkyDev, (to name two) I believe that Meaford’s greatest opportunity is our disconnection. During my campaign, I am hearing that community residents do not feel heard or prioritized in the decision-making process. Community consensus through informed evidence-based information collection including talking to community members, local organizations, businesses, and farmers, is the only way that Meaford will thrive as a municipality. Residents are asking for transparency, knowledge about decisions being made, and accessible ways to hear about their local government. As a member of council, I wish to use my community-based research skills and active listening to good use. I want to work with the municipal staff and members of council to work with residents to help the municipality thrive.

I think the September 2026 draft Unified Regional Transit Network Study is a wonderful chance for a snapshot of a comprehensive transit system across Bruce, Grey, Dufferin, and Wellington counties. This would provide a strong transportation network that is the cornerstone for residents to commute effectively, shop more economically, and visit places with more accessibility. In this system, Meaford should be a central transportation point. The regional transit system must be accessible, provide transportation for bicycles, have multiple daily routes, and connect in downtown and rural cores.

Counties could also consider:
Federal and provincial and federal fundings:
Current support: 9.5 million to the end of fiscal 2030 via Ontario Transit Investment Fund agreement
Look into possible funding opportunities: The City of Collingwood received $69,552 in 2024 using Canada’s Zero Emission Transit Fund and Stratford in 2018 received $680,000 of provincial Gas Tax funding for upgrades to the existing system
Municipal contributions:
Municipality: Determine a fair percentage to contribute
Meaford: Could consider using some of the Pre-Agreement funds to contribute (if residents feel confident in this decision)
Fares and revenue:
Sales for transit: Tickets remain affordable and profitable
Advertising: Promote local businesses and events creating revenue

Taxes in the Municipality of Meaford must be considered on a long-term plan and not a short-term solution. Sustainable development and growth depends on thinking about the future.
I would want to:
Set a target with a muti-year tax strategy to avoid tax spikes.
Work on plans for economic growth in Meaford and review the prioritization of current municipal projects.
Consider costs of new developments must consider current tax paying residents and should not create higher taxes based on new needs.
Continue user-based billing systems but would wish to investigate water and wastewater concerns by residents.

My first concern is to determine how artificial intelligence data centre developments fit into the needs and wants of the municipal residents. The municipality can be prepared by engaging community members through townhalls, surveys, and other open forums. From evidence-based data, the municipality should determine if artificial intelligence data centers benefit the municipality and the potential concerns with this development. This entire process, including all pros and cons must be clearly outlined to all municipal residents for them to actively engage in informed decision-making. Once these consultations have concluded, the municipality can begin to determine how to best move forward collectively. This will depend on many factors including how it will impact the municipality, the potential benefits, the possible issues, who is bringing forth the recommendation, and how it will be implemented.

To elaborate on my previous thoughts, I think that increasing affordable and attainable housing is a priority. The municipality can work with developers looking to streamline affordable housing projects. As per Meaford’s Community Involvement Plan, the municipality can promote the rebates, tax incentives, and various rebates used to support affordable housing projects to those looking to build affordable housing. Council can work with municipal staff to explore creative and new avenues for provincial and federal grant and funding initiatives, and determine new ways of growing our community. I would also work with local community organizations to continue to support residents and families in trying to make the community more affordable and accessible overall.

TC Energy’s proposed pump storage project is a highly debated matter in the community. While the project is to be hosted on federal land, the Municipality of Meaford will be deeply impacted if the project continues. My response to the concerns of municipal residents is simple. I am concerned too. There are many risks to this project to our environment, health, infrastructure, essential services, and development. These concerns are not taken lightly. TC Energy must provide concrete and evidence-based data to municipal residents to show how this project will impact our community. The municipality must also conduct its own third-party independent research to verify the claims made by TC Energy. Only when this information is clearly, accessibly, and completely provided to municipal residents can they be properly informed.

I am running for council because I want to contribute my voice, perspective, and problem-solving skills to the community that helped shape who I am. Meaford is facing important decisions in the years ahead, and I believe I can help ensure those decisions reflect the needs and values of the people who call this community home.

I have been politically involved for nearly a decade and currently serve as President of the Conservative Electoral District Association. Through that role, I have worked closely with our MP and gained valuable experience in governance, policy, and public engagement. I have also served on several boards and executive committees, including GRACE Therapeutic Riding, and have completed AMO training to better understand municipal government and be prepared to serve effectively from day one.

I believe good decisions come from facts, preparation, and listening to the people affected by them. I am committed to doing the homework, seeking input from residents, and considering different perspectives before making decisions. I also believe council should clearly explain how and why decisions are made, even when people disagree with the outcome.

Municipal government cannot control inflation, but it can avoid making affordability challenges worse. Council’s responsibility is to manage tax dollars wisely by controlling costs, pursuing grants, limiting unnecessary spending, and ensuring residents understand where their tax dollars are going.

Meaford faces infrastructure and service pressures that have built up over many years. While tax increases should be carefully managed, council must also ensure important projects and services are maintained. My focus will be less on a specific tax target and more on making sure spending priorities deliver real value to residents. Growth should help pay for growth, not place an unfair burden on existing taxpayers.

The biggest challenge facing council is rebuilding trust and improving communication with residents. Meaford faces important issues such as TCE, infrastructure, roads, and water services, but solving those challenges requires public confidence in the decision-making process. When people feel informed and heard, the entire community benefits.

A successful regional transit system must recognize the unique challenges of rural communities. It should focus on connecting residents to employment, healthcare, and essential services through reliable regional routes. Funding should be shared among users, participating municipalities, and provincial or federal partners to ensure the service remains sustainable and accessible.

Maintaining infrastructure while limiting tax increases requires careful planning and smart spending. Council should maximize available grant funding, regularly review service delivery methods, and ensure taxpayers receive the best value whether work is completed in-house or through contractors. Reserve funds should also be used strategically when appropriate.

As someone who has worked in IT for nearly 20 years, I understand both the opportunities and challenges these developments present. Meaford should ensure any proposal is carefully reviewed, aligns with our Official Plan, and includes meaningful public consultation. Growth should benefit the community without compromising local priorities or quality of life.

The most important thing council can do is ensure that the building process is efficient and predictable. By regularly reviewing regulations, reducing unnecessary delays, and working with local builders, we can help create an environment where new housing can be built more quickly while still meeting community standards.

The concerns being raised are valid and deserve to be taken seriously. This is a significant project that could have long-term impacts on our community and environment. While Meaford does not have the final authority to approve or reject the project, council has an important role in advocating for residents, minimizing impacts, and ensuring the community receives the strongest possible protections and benefits if the project proceeds.