2026 Municipal Election: Southgate Candidate Q + A

After 8 years on council, I’m ready to step up into the mayor role. I feel that Southgate needs a change in leadership and I would love the opportunity to lead that.

I have served the past 2 terms on council. I also successfully operate a profitable beef and sheep farm, I previously owned a trucking company and I am also on a board of directors where we manage approximately 20 million annually.

I make decisions based on facts and not on emotions or other factors. I never vote with the crowd and always stand up for what I believe is in the best interest of the tax payer.

We can try to keep the tax burden down for the tax payers. We can do this by having more accountability for expenditures and making sure that there is value for the dollars spent.

The current tax rate is reasonable however in recent years the taxes have gone up with little apparent value to show for it.

The growth in Dundalk and how it’s being managed is definitely a top concern. Although it mostly directly affects Dundalk citizens, it also affects other Southgate residents in terms of taxes and infrastructure throughout the entire township. It’s time to hold developers accountable and make them finish what they start and follow through on their financial promises.

This issue is mostly a provincial decision. Southgate cannot afford the fund this at this time. I would be willing to support in whatever way we reasonably could.

As stated before, we really need to make sure that there is value for tax dollars spent and to ensure that developers are following through on promised infrastructure and financial commitments.

Based on the information I have at this time, I would not be interested in supporting these centres. The economical impact would be too great for our resources (ie water use).

This also pertains more to provincial and federal levels of government. We are a small township and we do not have the resources to fund these. If there is a way we could support builders or help without excessive tax increases for Southgate residents then I would be willing to help where we can.

More businesses are obviously very important to our township. We need to draw more business instead of being a bedroom community. The downtown revitalization is a top priority in Dundalk. We are fortunate to have many Mennonite shops in rural Southgate as well that create local jobs so promoting more of those is essential.

I’m running because there is still important work to do and advocacy is of the utmost importance for our community.

With the Dundalk Medical Centre still in limbo, a new school to be built, and provincial decisions—from the proposed amalgamation of conservation authorities to the prospect of provincial chairs at regional councils—there are significant issues that will directly impact Southgate and rural Ontario.

We need experienced voices at the table. Having recently been acclaimed as Southgate Deputy Mayor, re-elected as a Director on the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, and appointed to the Grey Bruce Board of Health, I want to be Southgate’s voice to those tables. I want to be there to speak up for our residents, advocate for our rural needs and communities, and ensure that both developers and other levels of government understand and respect what makes Southgate and Grey County unique.

I’m running because I believe in showing up, speaking up, and earning the trust of residents every day.

Through my years as a Southgate Councillor and most recently as Deputy Mayor and Grey County Councillor, I have served on numerous committees and boards. From Saugeen Conservation, the Grey Bruce Board of Health, the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, the Southgate Ruth Hargrave Memorial Library, Community Foundation Grey Bruce – Southgate Fund, Recreation Committees, and Grey County’s Community Services Committee – I understand the importance of having diverse perspectives and working collaboratively when decisions are being considered.

In addition to formal council training, I have invested my energy and time into attending agricultural workshops, webinars and other learning opportunities to continually expand my knowledge.

Municipal governance requires more than simply attending 2 meetings a month. It means listening, asking questions, understanding the issues, working with others, and continuing to learn so that the decisions we make are informed and in the best interests of our community.

I’ll be an effective decision-maker because I have a proven track record of listening to residents, showing up, speaking up and doing the research. I take the time to understand the issues, ask questions and consider different perspectives before deciding.

Whether at the Southgate Council table or the other boards and committees I represent, I have and will continue to base my decisions on the most information available, while seeking consensus wherever possible. Ultimately, council’s responsibility is to be informed and make decisions that reflect the needs and interests of the community – even the difficult ones.

while residents are facing increasing costs in their everyday lives, municipalities are being expected by the province to do more with less. We need to balance the needs of the communities we serve with our ability to responsibly fund those services and the infrastructure our residents expect and deserve.

There really is only one taxpayer. We must look for efficiencies, partnerships and alternative funding opportunities wherever possible, including provincial and federal funding, before placing additional pressure on the municipal tax bill.

At the same time, we need to be realistic about what is within our control. Council must look to providing services efficiently so that those services can continue to be delivered and where possible enhanced.

While never popular, I believe Southgate has worked diligently to balance property tax increases with the services our residents expect and deserve. At the same time, we’re facing rising costs for policing, insurance, fuel and energy, all while the province downloads more responsibility with less funding and looks to reduce our ability to collect development charges. Council will need to manage these pressures carefully if it is to maintain or improve the services and infrastructure our residents rely on.

Next to the rising cost of living – we must ensure responsible, balanced growth. That means making sure development already approved is completed as designed and promised, while ensuring future growth includes a diverse mix of housing types.

Growth needs to strengthen Southgate—not come at the expense of our existing tax base or compromise our ability to provide the services and amenities that make Southgate a place that people want to call home.

A regional transit system will need to connect individuals between communities. The challenge in rural areas is getting people to those transit hubs.

The four counties will also look to private-sector operators and explore options that connect residents from their homes to the regional routes at a flexible/affordable rate. Rural transit is costly and covers vast geographies. If we want a system that is reliable and sustainable over the long term, it will require commitment and funding from all levels of government.

Looking for efficiencies, partnerships, shared services, grants and other funding opportunities will be necessary if we are to  keep tax increases low. These are difficult times with everyone experiencing increased day to day costs – municipalities are no different. The use of reserves is an option where appropriate but should not be relied on for operational expenses. In some circumstances, such as the purchase of the Dundalk aerial fire truck, development charges are being collected (until the province decides otherwise) but long-term debenture may be required.

A million-dollar question. I am not as well versed in this regard but commit to investigating it further. We will need to call on upper levels of government to set clear standards of care for these centers while ensuring water and electricity consumption requirements don’t compromise residential use or safety.

By working with Grey County and our neighbouring municipalities, we are already identifying surplus lands that could be attractive to developers for attainable/affordable housing options. Making those lands shovel ready with the necessary infrastructure and environmental/planning studies will require investment, but it will make the process quicker and therefore more affordable  in the long run.

Having said that, Southgate  has made additional residential units as of right on both serviced and rural properties. It has also changed the zoning in its downtown so that commercial buildings may develop more than one residential apartment above the store front, provided all building code and life safety parameters can be achieved. Southgate also has a Community Improvement Plan that could assist building owners in creating affordable housing options.

Southgate is well positioned to expand its industrial park in the south. Seeing the long planned for  bypass road from Hwy 10 to and through to the Eco Park completed (waiting on provincial approvals and funding), will be crucial to ensuring additional residential, commercial and employment lands are developed.

Southgate has also acquired additional lands and buildings in the heart of Dundalk that, while still in the visioning stage, could serve as additional business and housing while supporting the  Downtown Dundalk Revitalization Plan that has already been completed.

I am running for the seat of Council because from last term there are items and projects that I would still like to be involved in. Also with all the changes and policies from the provincial government I would like to help and work with staff to navigate these changes so the Township can continue to move forward, for the common good of all who reside in Southgate. I also believe there is still great potential in the years ahead and I feel I would be an asset to bring that potential to fruition, from one side of the township to the other. Some might see these as selfish reasons, but they are not as I have always been involved in the community and just wanting the best for the Township. I am a resident as well so what is good for the township is good for all, me included.

I have been in leadership positions since the 90’s, chairing or being part of many groups, enabling me to bring a logical and practical ethos to the municipal table, yet also bring a certain level of empathy because of experience of dealing with diverse people and groups, in all things. Being involved with those types of experience brings a holistic approach to any decision making, with the common good being the ultimate goal.

Experience from other terms of office and a myriad of committees will affect my decision making, and for reasons mentioned in answer #2.

With the question of the cost of living I have to say municipalities, especially small ones in rural Ontario, could be quite confined. That doesn’t mean we cannot do anything. I would lobby the government with stats about home and food security and advocate for more funding from those agencies that deal specifically with these topics. The township could, and should, partner with these groups and promote their programs in any way possible.

As far as taxes the current rates are where they should be, or the services provided from year to year.There has always been talk of 0% property tax or numbers that don’t go past C.of L. or inflation rate. Doing that would leave one in a shortfall and excessively dipping into reserves will only bite us in years to come. I have said many times that any person paying property tax should call their MPP and ask for a reform of the outdated Baldwin Act of the 1890’s, the original bill setting up payments exclusively for roads, schools, and other hard infrastructure. 9% goes to the provincial government yet we are in a 35 billion infrastructure deficit.Property taxes should stay in the regions where they are collected. That 9% could help the community

#1 issue is sustainable growth in all settlement areas and developing downtowns and any industrial lands to create jobs for the people moving in. These jobs would not be intense factory jobs but I think I should lean to small manufacturing and definately warehousing.I say this because we are as a township surrounded by two busy Kings Highways and two busy County roads. There should be more apartments and multiplexes in the mix, especially nearer to above mentioned roads.So sustainable growth that compliments each facet of a thriving and advancing community, not one that skews the whole idea by focusing just on one of the facets.

As far as regional Transit it should be along main arterial routes that eventually meet up with established routes in the bigger urban areas. It should be funded by the province and obviously the regions involved, to what level I have no idea. The fares should be well, fair,with a price point that covers some costs as it is already subsidized. Pickup spots should be along the route in hub centers of the town, municipal hall, courthouse, library, etc, thus enabling in the future possible granting for viable rural transit hubs.Also even if publically funded allow corporate sponsors and businesses to advertise.With using hubs could also have a benefit of helping the local economy while people are waiting for the ride.

Maintaining municipal services without high tax rates is always a challenge. Third tier governments are mandated not to run a deficit.With Council there is a fiduciary responsibility so all budget lines are scrutinized. Always having reports to the province on time is always good so transfer payments can come in a timely manner and always be on the lookout for additional grants, etc. As mentioned in answer 5 advocate reform in property taxes. The hidden question is what services do the public want cut. I don’t want to see any.

A municipality can prepare for AI centers, good and bad, by doing the following. Have a referendum to see if the Township actually wants one, and have a non-willing host clause.And if something does go ahead already have a healthy community fund set in place a s part of deal or contract.Also be proactive in having hydrological reports on record showing watersheds and aquifers as water is the cheapest way of cooling these industries. If the basic building model or plan shows too much usage, then a municipality can say no sorry, not a good fit for the community.

How can a small rural township help with housing supply? It can help by partnering with organizations already involved with housing. Also to access any surplus land and to see if recent changes from the province concerning communal wells and septic could apply to any lands that are not services municipally. D.C.charges could be looked at along with zoning and possible breaks in planning charges if a developer comes knocking and to advocate the needs of the community with a hopefully socially conscious partner. One last item would be to put seed money into housing groups who are trying to start building units by using community funds or bonds.

Business development over the next 4-8 years would be still to look at OFDU, to look at farm tourism on smaller lots and to develop a story promoting the Township and why it would/is good to be here. Push the closeness of major arterial roads to businesses and try and achieve what was mentioned in answer 6. As far as downtown Dundalk work with the Townhall and promote the older buildings for professional businesses and restaurants, restaurants to and galleries to enhance the Town Hall. The downtown needs niche businesses, leave the chains out in the perimeters, the outskirts where a lot of commercial zoning is.
Well Jill, edit what you want, just if you could tell me when it will be on your website. Again thanks and best regards.

I love Southgate, my neighbours, and the residents. I’m running because I care about this community and the people who call it home. As a nurse and a mother raising a family here, I want to see Southgate continue to be a place where families can afford to live, children can grow up safely, and neighbours look out for one another.  I just went for a walk the other day, and felt so content to recognize folks, and to know I’m amongst caring neighbours.

I’m not a career politician. I’m someone who believes that new voices, fresh ideas and a willingness to work hard can make a difference.

I’m a Registered Practical Nurse, and every day my job requires me to listen, solve problems, work with others and make important decisions, sometimes under very difficult circumstances. These decisions are affected by provincial funding constraints which lead to staff shortages, and wage freezes.  I have joined a political action committee where we advocate the provincial and federal governments for the appropriate funding, and I believe that as a municipal councillor, I can put more weight on my requests with the aid of my fellow councillors.

Nursing has taught me to be patient, compassionate and accountable. It has also taught me that everyone deserves to be heard, regardless of their background or circumstances. I believe those are important qualities to bring to municipal council when advocating the higher levels of government for what is needed municipally.

In my profession, I don’t always have the luxury of easy decisions. I must assess the situation, listen to the people involved, consider the facts and sometimes make the best decision possible.

That’s the same approach I would bring to council. I won’t pretend to know everything, but I will ask questions, do my homework and listen to residents before making decisions.

For me, good leadership starts with listening.

I know what it’s like to manage a family budget, and I know many families are feeling stretched right now.

Municipalities can’t control grocery prices or interest rates, but they can make decisions that help families. That includes keeping property taxes manageable, supporting more affordable housing options, improving transportation and making sure municipal spending is responsible. I have immediate family members that cannot afford rent, and they have moved in with their parents.  And as a result, I am more aware than ever of what the consequences are of huge developers coming in and building homes that no one can afford.

Every dollar matters to families, and I think council needs to remember that when making decisions.

Like most families, I don’t want to see my property taxes keep going up. But I also understand that roads, emergency services and community infrastructure cost money.

I believe we need to look carefully at where our tax dollars are going and make sure residents are getting good value.  During tax season, I find myself looking at ways to pay my taxes without missing other bill payments. I feel the pinch. I want to ensure that other families are not feeling this pinch, or less of it.

Before asking families to pay more, council should be able to clearly explain why it’s necessary and what residents will get in return.

I believe affordability is one of the biggest issues facing our community.

Whether its young families trying to buy their first home, seniors living on fixed incomes or working people struggling with everyday expenses, the cost of living is affecting everyone.

As a nurse, I see how financial stress affects people’s health and well being. I hear from my patients firsthand how they just cannot make bill payments, and how it’s hard for them to buy healthy food for their family. I want Southgate to remain a community where people can afford to build a life and raise their families.

I think reliable and affordable transportation is important, especially for seniors, people with disabilities and families who don’t have access to a vehicle.

I understand how difficult it can be for someone to get to a medical appointment when transportation isn’t available.

I’d like to see a system that connects smaller communities to hospitals, jobs and essential services. My seat belt wasn’t working the other day, and I had no way of getting to an important event.  I had to wait till my seat belt was fixed. If we had good transportation services, I wouldn’t have had to miss the event. Imagine what our seniors are going through, or those without a driver’s license.

Funding should involve partnerships with the provincial government and neighbouring municipalities, so the costs don’t fall entirely on local taxpayers.

I believe we must focus on the basics first: safe roads, reliable water and wastewater services, emergency services and infrastructure that families depend on.

That means planning ahead instead of waiting until something breaks and becomes more expensive to fix.

I’d also support looking for provincial and federal funding opportunities and finding ways to work with neighbouring municipalities to reduce costs.

In my line of work, I’m used to working with limited resources while still making sure people receive the care they need. I would bring that same practical thinking to council.

I think new technology and investment can bring opportunities, but we also need to understand the impact on our community and environment.

I would want to know how a development affects our electricity supply, water resources, environment and local infrastructure, and whether it creates meaningful jobs.

I don’t claim to be an expert on data centres, but I believe council has a responsibility to ask tough questions and make sure residents benefit from any major development.

I think we need more housing choices for people at different stages of life.

Young families need affordable starter homes, seniors may want smaller homes where they can age comfortably, and working people need places they can afford to rent.

The municipality can help by reviewing planning rules, encouraging different types of housing and making sure new developments are supported by the roads, water and services they need.

Growth is important, but it needs to work for the people already living here too.

I’d love to see more local businesses succeed and more opportunities for people to work closer to home. Many families come in late from work and leave early in the morning.  They can’t enjoy their community. I’m lucky to work nearby, but there are many that don’t.

Small businesses are part of what makes communities like Southgate special. I’d like us to support local entrepreneurs, attract new investment and create opportunities for young people who want to build their future here.

We should also recognize the importance of agriculture and the rural character of our community. I believe in upgrading what farmers are currently receiving in any grants to more accessible grants.

I’m running because I love my community and want to step up to help make it even better! Southgate is changing, and I believe we have an opportunity to manage that growth thoughtfully while protecting the character and community spirit that make this municipality special. I believe my past and present professional and volunteer experience will help guide me to serve Southgate well – with integrity, passion, and a deep commitment to the future of our community. 

As a small business owner with a background in teaching entrepreneurship skills at a college level, I understand the responsibilities of the municipality such as budgeting, staffing, communication, and asset management. As a community advocate who has delegated to council on numerous occasions on issues such as downtown revitalization, I also understand the due process of how a municipality functions. I have chaired multiple boards and understand the governance, professionalism, and integrity that is required to not just lead, but listen and work together as a team.

My background in volunteerism and the ways I have stepped up in the past show that I listen when it’s needed and take action when it’s time. Whatever the issue at hand, I listen to the community, respect those around me, and work hard for a positive solution. 

I will continue to push for us to work together fiscally to avoid unnecessarily tax hikes, and also support the work already in motion with the County and supporting organizations to encourage a wider range of housing types, advocate for regional transit connections, safer pedestrian routes so people can save on fuel where possible, and will focus on supporting economic development initiatives. Affordable municipal recreation, parks, libraries/community spaces and cultural programming give families things to do without having to spend more elsewhere. Making sure new residents know what’s available here can help a lot. Supporting prospective businesses coming to the area and making their application process as streamlined as possible creates jobs, which allows residents to save on commuting, enjoy more time with their loved ones and shop locally. When one can work and play closer to home, more money stays with them and is largely invested back into the local economy. Every piece works together. 

I find our tax rate fair, but challenging still for many. If we defer infrastructure work that should be done today, it will cost us even more down the road. There is a decent amount of infrastructure across Southgate that needs attention. Responsible asset management and planning ahead for what is to come due to the growth and increased traffic of the area is crucial. Heavy fuel increases alone means we have to pay more just to keep the same services we are used to. At the same time, I believe we can do our best to keep expenses down where possible by supporting local procurement and deferring some expenses we don’t need to pay this year to the next without being neglectful. Community building is about everyone working together and having a sense of “this is mine” when it comes to Southgate. When you have that buy-in, you care, you protect, you get involved. I would like to see budget communication be delivered to residents in the most user friendly ways – so everyone can understand what value they are getting for their tax dollars. 

I am tempted to say the growth (brings both challenges and opportunities) but when I think about an issue that faces every single resident from Hwy 10 to Hwy 6, regardless of their situation, I’d have to say the biggest issue here is our collective “mindset”. l really think we can dream bigger and have a lot of room to grow with our community pride. When the people no longer raise their concerns because they don’t think anyone is listening, complacency takes place, and a community spirit can die. I love our community…i’ve truly met some of the best people here across all of Southgate, and i’m determined that we need to raise our pride of place, our sense of belonging and buy-in locally, and come together to support our local economy across the municipality before we will ever be collectively successful.

We won’t look like a city’s transit system. We can’t put a bus on every road every hour, but we can create a reliable network that connects our communities to the places people need to go.

We need dependable fixed routes along major corridors like Highway 10 and Highway 6, together with on-demand service and ride shares for smaller and rural communities. I am thrilled to see the proposed routes within the Grey County Regional Transit Study, as they would make a big difference connecting our towns to the larger cities. One fare structure, coordinated schedules, accessible booking and easy transfers are things i’d like to see. 

We should continue pursuing provincial and federal funding, keep fares affordable, and use partnerships and other revenue sources where appropriate. Most importantly, I’d want the system to be accountable. We should measure and report publicly on ridership, cost, reliability and accessibility so taxpayers can see what they’re getting for their investment.

I think we need to be honest that maintaining roads, bridges, water systems and municipal services costs money, and I don’t think it’s responsible to promise that we can do all of that with zero tax increases. I also don’t think the answer should simply be raising taxes whenever there’s a shortfall.

Good asset management is key in maintaining infrastructure before it reaches the point where replacement becomes mandatory. I’d make sure we’re pursuing provincial and federal infrastructure funding, and making sure growth is contributing appropriately to the infrastructure it creates.

I’d also want every major capital decision to be looked at over its entire lifecycle: what’s it going to cost to build, operate, maintain and eventually replace? If a tax increase is necessary, I want it to be predictable and transparent. Residents should understand what they’re paying for and why.

I won’t be surprised if we have data centres knocking on Southgate’s doors – as we have land and proximity to the GTA. There can be benefits – but I am way more concerned about the risks to our water systems, precious farmlands, health risks, and cost to residents in the long run. I like to see how Fergus has said they will take a year to study the implications before looking at any proposals. We really need to do our homework on this one and be leery of rushing any approvals. Who pays for the long term maintenance of the roads? How would the company deliberately and intentionally support our local economic development and support cost of living improvements for residents in Southgate? Are the promised benefits to the community actually enforceable legally? Doing our due diligence here and learning from other communities is crucial. 

Working together with the County to encourage affordable housing projects, as well as addressing zoning to ensure we can encourage density building in our more populated areas like Dundalk. We can encourage basement apartments, duplexes, garden suites, etc. and aim to attract developers looking to support affordable housing through more focus on building up in areas that are walkable to resources. In areas that can sustain density responsibly, we need to be supporting that.

If we’re adding hundreds of homes but residents have to leave the municipality for groceries, services, entertainment and employment, we’re creating a place where people sleep, rather than a community where people live and work and play and belong together. I’d like to support any initiatives that help counteract against this – support for those who offer business training in the community, support of job creation, initiatives encouraging residents to support local, being supportive of applications for farms to also add more agro-tourism business locally like farm stands, venues, events, tourism, etc. Businesses need reliable roads, housing, attractive downtowns, wastewater, gas and electricity capacity, and supportive amenities. Everything works together. Having a vision for growth and following it is key.