2026 Municipal Election: South Bruce Peninsula Candidate Q + A

If you’re not stepping forward you’re not moving. Today we are facing a tsunami of uncertainty. The world is changing daily with little hope of a return to normal. We must be proactive and innovative to deal with changes coming our way. Common sense, fact driven decisions is what we need.

I served 6 years as a councillor between 2000 and 2006, elected mayor 2010 to 2014 serving as Bruce County Warden for 2014.
I have my BSc. (agri) Agricultural Economics and Rural Development
In my private business life Risk Management is my career choice along with Earthbound Gardens.

I keep using the term Common Sense and with my experience with Risk Management I am able to put opinions aside, research the facts, disregard misinformation to come to a fact base decision making.

With circumstances that have arisen in the global/political arena I will be honest with constituents, municipal costs are rising. Council will need to find better ways to monitor the budget and make decisions based on current situations. Interest rates are predicted to rise therefore not a good time to take on a major project outside of basic needs. Time to buckle down and look after the basics like road maintenance.

The Association of Municipalities of Ontario, AMO, have asked the province to have MPAC update property evaluations to 2026 values. Updates are usually implemented over a three year period but at current tax rates many
homeowners will find the increase extremely difficult to pay their property taxes. To be proactive we need to enter into a conversation with the county to develop multiple classifications of residential properties with different tax rates. Is one tax rate appropriate for all residential properties fair? There has to be a better way.

With the tsunami of uncertainty we face a No. 1 issue today may change by tomorrow. South Bruce Peninsula will need to deal with phase 2 of the border dispute claim with SOFN. I participated with mediation talks in 2014 and believe the council must have a presence during discussions with regards to damages. These discussions are too important.
On a day to day basis the town needs to deal with the conditions of the roads be it gravel, hardtop or paved.

South Bruce Peninsula is a lower tiered government with specific areas of responsibility. Our attention must be focused on these areas of responsibility and not on regional projects. I would participate in discussions at the county council. Unless it is a local municipal transit system there should be no discussion and further more no municipal tax dollars involved.

To start, infrastructure dealing with sewer and water has been mandated by the province to be a user pay system. We need provincial and possibly federal funding to expand our system to increase the number of users to spread out the costs.
With respect to roads and other infrastructure, we need to change our approach. Filling a pothole with a cold patch year after year or adding gravel and grading just to have the same pothole reappear in as short as three days is a waste of all costly resources. Drainage ditches need to be cleared of vegetation, shoulders shaved down and roads graded so water drains off the roads. But let’s be honest and transparent, there will be increased cost. Municipalities will feel the effects of the global uncertainties. Imagine the increase in fuel charges a municipality will face, the increase in diesel costs for snow removal this year will be significantly higher. Council must monitor and question all areas in the budget to insure efficiencies and control spending.
Things may never return to normal, a council must be innovative and ready for change.

Modernization of our planning act would be a step forward starting a prohibition of data centers within the town. Through AMO we need to pressure the province to take a stronger leadership role in placing data centers. We will all be relying on artificial intelligence, data centers will need to be built, leadership at the provincial level is a must.

A difficult question across the board for all Municipalities. If there were answers there wouldn’t be a need for this question. For our municipality with limited serviced lots we are limited to streamlining the approval process including inspections.

With higher interest rates on the horizon, to be announced later this month, I would be advocating for a modified status quo. We need to ensure our facilities are well maintained and to be open for modifications in usage to accommodate the public. Unfortunately now is not the time for a major project funded solely by our ratepayers.

A step forward would be education and respect. As neighbours we should understand treaty rights and respect treaty rights. And may I add that we must also learn and respect the rights of our neighbours, Chippewa of Nawash. Through this education and respect we can start to build trust, starts conversations, leading to working together.
Together we could share ideas and resources to make Saugeen/Bruce Peninsula a No.1 destination sharing the land, respecting the land.
There is so much more we can do walking with and talking with our neighbours rather than standing alone.

I miss working for the people. I put my heart & soul into enhancing our town and creating as much as I could for our community while keeping the taxes down. What I’ve seen in the last 4 years is higher tax increases, nothing new for our community and Council has burdened us with the largest debt in SBP history with the construction of the Town Hall office building. We need people at the table who will do their best to craft a budget that our taxpayers can manage given this massive debt. We simply can’t tell staff to present Council with a 4% tax increase and leave it up to them to create the budget, which is what’s happening now.

I served 4 years as Councillor and 8 years as Mayor along with 2 terms as Head of County Council. I am proud to say my two terms brought the lowest overall tax increase in SBP history.

I have had to make some very difficult decision especially during the unprecedented challenges of COVID. With a smart, collaborative Council, we can achieve a great deal for the town in 4 years but communication is always key.

In our situation, our biggest challenge will be managing the next 4 budgets. I worry that having a completely new Council will once again cause staff to do the budget and run the town. You must at least have a Mayor with Council experience. That is critical. I also want to eliminate the Short-Term Rental Accommodation program for our residential cottage renters. Only a small percentage of cottage owners registered making it very difficult to operate the program and protect the community as intended. I want to control rowdy renters in a different way, engaging strict Bylaw Enforcement. By eliminating the program, cottage renters will keep more money in their pockets as most chose to pay the 4% tax out of their own pockets instead of charging the renters. That was not supposed to happen, but it did so we need to fix that but fixing our lack of bylaw enforcement needs to happen first. We can do that over the winter in preparation for the very busy summer season. Keeping the taxes low and putting money back in the pockets of our residents is a great start.

The tax rate is not what you tell your constituents. We are affected by the tax levy. The tax rate is the numbers used to calculate the levy. The tax rate is usually a lower number than the levy which is why far too many politicians refer to the tax rate knowing most people don’t know the difference. I get angry when I hear Council members tell people what the tax rate is because they know that’s not what comes out of your pocket. Again, my two terms combined produced the lowest average tax levy increases in our town’s history. Politicians need to stop fooling the community by referring to the tax rate increase. That is nothing short of deliberate smoke & mirrors for instance, just this year, Council boasted a 3.25% tax rate increase when the LEVY increase was actually 4.3%

Managing the upcoming debt we’re facing with the cost of the new Town Hall. In addition, I repeatedly hear from our residents that they are frustrated with the lack of Bylaw Enforcement in our town in addition to the absence of communication from Council in the past 4 years. The new Town Hall alone will cost us an additional 5% on our tax levy. I never passed a 5% levy to run the entire town. We must have a Mayor and council that will scrutinize all future budgets or we will be in a heap of trouble. I am frustrated because our community has repeatedly told us they really want a new rec facility however I fear we will not be able to afford that now. Time will tell. If we can find a way to manage it, we will do it.

The transit system that we had, offered a very good route. It went from Owen Sound to Hepworth, Wiarton and Sauble Beach. It was used by folks who needed to get to Owen Sound for medical appointments or shopping.. It was also used by the summer staff of our local business and beach goers were using it as well, which alleviated parking. It isn’t something we can fund on our own so we will need the financial support of the County and the Province too if we want to extend the service beyond the summer months. There needs to be quite a bit of lobbying by Council and by the Mayor at the County level.

Municipal services, infrastructure and a new Town Hall will be extremely challenging to balance. The budget must be heavily scrutinized in an attempt to avoid large levy increases. Electing someone who has passed SBP’s lowest levy increases and who can effectively mentor new Council members is a good start. That’s me!!!

Instead of preparing for them to come, I’d prefer to fight like heck to keep them out. I fought against sewers in Sauble and won that fight. I fought against the hundreds of planned industrial Wind Turbines on our Peninsula and won that fight too. I am not afraid to take on the big guys to protect our community. I would lobby the province in the same fashion as we did with wind turbines, declaring our town as “not a willing host”. I would lead Council in lobbying AMO and ROMA (Association of Municipalities of Ontario & Rural Ontario Municipal Association) for help in blocking them. That is where I’d start.

With housing being a County and Provincial issue, there isn’t a lot we can do however mandating new developments to offer a certain percentage of affordable housing is one way. We also need to really step up and make secondary dwellings and granny suites easy to build. Educating our community on the grants Bruce County offers to make these things happen is critical. There is money out there to help you build. My council legalized Tiny Homes so people can now build a home the size they can afford. That really hasn’t been promoted since. We can also make changes to our building department, so we are no longer known as a town that’s difficult to invest in. Creating the opposite environment, one which goes out of its way to help you succeed is critical to successfully increasing the housing supply.

The two major rec facilities we have is our arena and our swimming pool. Both are outdated and in constant need of very costly repairs. The pool costs our taxpayers approx. $250,000.00 per year to operate, largely due to repairs. The arena costs our taxpayers approx. $350,000.00 to operate not only due to repairs but also the lack of usage. It’s a small ice surface with tiny dressing rooms. There’s not much we can do to upgrade either. If we had a larger arena, we would get more tournaments and ice rentals and spend far less in repairs. If we had a pool that operated 12 months per year instead of 3, people wouldn’t have to travel to other towns for recreation. I believe it would be well used. Repairing and upgrading either facility is not at all optimal. Building new is the way to go however Council would have to find a very creative way to make that happen as balancing new construction with the 25 year debt of Town Hall will be a massive challenge. I negotiated 15 acres of free land on the south end of Wiarton with the developer committing to share the cost of extending services to the site, which is only blocks away. The plan was to build a town hall within a rec complex so we could apply for grants. There are no grants available for a stand-alone town hall. Going back to the table with the Wiarton Meadows development team is where I want to start. If there is any possible way to make that happen, I’ll find it.

As I stated in my recent Facebook video, the litigation is over and we need to move forward. There would be significant benefits to both communities if we worked in unison. We have a great deal of experience managing the beach and we can offer our Bylaw Enforcement to Saugeen as well. We both want the very best for our shared community and finding our way forward, together, will serve us well. I am very hopeful that Saugeen will be willing to work with SBP to achieve the best possible outcome for our residents and visitors alike.

I am running first and foremost because I love working for the residents, cottagers, and business owners of South Bruce Peninsula. I believe that the current term of Council has been one of the most productive I have ever had the privilege to sit on. Council meetings are conducted in a fair and respectful manner to all, which has made for a much-improved atmosphere that also lends itself to a sound decision-making environment. With that said, we (the Town) have so much more to accomplish, and I really want to be a part of the exciting programs, projects and initiatives still to come.

My experience in municipal governance is both long and local. I served on Amabel Township Council before amalgamation, and I was first elected to South Bruce Peninsula Council in 2003. I have now served six terms at the Council table: three as Councillor and three as Deputy Mayor, the last beginning in 2014. On October 3, 2023, Council appointed me Mayor by unanimous vote. I have held that office since, and I am seeking a further term so that work already underway can be finished.
That service has covered budgets, roads and services, land-use decisions, and the day-to-day business of a municipality that includes year-round residents and a major seasonal economy. I have always treated fiscal responsibility as a core duty, and I have argued that Council members should stay long enough to see multi-year projects through.
Before I ran for Council, I owned and operated Kirkland’s Valumart in Sauble Beach. Running that grocery business meant meeting a payroll, managing inventory through a short summer season and a long winter, serving residents and visitors, and answering directly to customers. Those habits — watching costs, planning ahead, and treating people fairly — are the same habits municipal governance requires. My family has farmed just outside Hepworth since 1893. I live with the results of Council decisions, and I intend to keep making them with that in mind.

I’ve always been clear and transparent with my opinions on matters that reach the Council table. I believe that making decisions based on what’s best for the Town as a whole is the simplest, most practical, efficient, and beneficial way to govern.

First and foremost, it starts with our annual budget process where we can try to make sure that budget increases, when and where required, do not exceed or are in line with cost-of-living increases. Throughout the year it’s important to work with staff and find efficiencies or alternatives (when available) to reduce operational or capital project costs. Lastly, continuing on with our recent successes regarding grant funding to help reduce impacts on municipal taxation.

I believe that our tax rate sits in the middle of the pack amongst Bruce County municipalities. With that said, I think that we need to remain diligent and responsible with our decisions and how they will affect budgets and ultimately taxes.

Like most municipalities, there is more than one important issue and it’s difficult to say which is more important than the other. I will state that maintaining and replacing aged infrastructure has always been a top priority for me. Secondly, I would say maintaining and improving access to local healthcare is very important. I will note that the Town has experienced great success lately in attracting three new doctors to the Town.

I have and continue to be a strong proponent of public transit. My main concern with any public transit proposal is that it has to be somewhat sustainable over the long term and not just funded in the first year or two. Without a long-term provincial funding plan for transit, we get stuck in a cycle of “on again, off again” transit routes which makes it difficult to increase ridership.

I would continue to request that year-end budgetary surpluses be earmarked for asset management (infrastructure) reserves to reduce future replacement costs and impacts on taxation. Secondly, task staff with pursuing any or all grant programs to reduce reliance on taxation. The Town has been successful in the past few years with grants in excess of $12,000,000. These grants have allowed the Town to reduce planned water and sewer rate increases significantly and are now in line with cost-of-living increases.

I don’t believe AI data centres belong in South Bruce Peninsula. It’s important that SBP Council have a say in any proposed data centres in our area, and the only way to do this is to advocate to the provincial government that any decisions involving AI data centres must rely heavily on local municipal input.

With the proposed Elm Street Pumping Station coming online in 2028, the Town will be able to fully service over 1,400 new building units. There are also several planned developments in the Sauble area currently under review or in the planning stages. I will support development proposals that have a “mixed” range of housing types available, including “affordable” housing. The Town’s recent 50% reduction of development charges reduced housing costs by thousands. Lastly, by removing “red tape” we can expedite development and help keep costs in check.

I support and will continue to advocate for increased recreational opportunities, whether that be in the form of increased programming or renovated/new facilities. With that said, I think it’s important to not just focus on Wiarton but look at our existing needs and facilities located throughout the Town.

We will always look for ways to strengthen relationships with our neighbours. We currently have a long-standing and mutually beneficial agreement covering the provision of fire and emergency services with Saugeen First Nation, and we also look forward to working with Saugeen First Nation in regard to beach-related initiatives. Our recently completed Sauble Beach Brand and Economic Positioning Strategy has multiple recommendations that involve collaboration with Saugeen First Nation.

I am running for Mayor because I want to make a difference in the community that I live in. As an active community member, I’ve volunteered, supported local organizations, and helped organize events throughout the area. As a business owner, volunteer, and neighbour, I’ve heard people’s challenges, ideas, and passion for the place we’re blessed to call home. I’ve taken a grassroots, forward-looking approach by leading conversations, and focusing on the future, rather than defending the past. Margaret Mead once said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” These past few months have proven that true: voting for change, will ensure that the citizens of South Bruce Peninsula will continue to shape this community’s future. I want to set a new tone and move forward. I want to see South Bruce Peninsula on the front page of the newspaper for the right reasons. My focus is making South Bruce Peninsula a model of excellence, of good stewardship, of financial responsibility, and social integrity. This is not only a promise but something to expect from the next Mayor and Council.

I have the expertise to lead with confidence. I have diplomas in Public Administration and in Municipal Management, Construction Engineering, 18 years of senior manager experience in municipal government and 5 years of experience in property assessment.
I’ve been staying at the forefront of local discussions including the Community Foundation’s Vital Signs 2026 forum, Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound Finance & Economic Roundtable with MP Alex Ruff, United Way’s discussion on how municipal decisions can affect poverty and many other conversations with local leaders and First Nations’ community members.
I am engaged in and with the community. I am Chair of Bruce Peninsula Hospice, Vice-Chair of the Wiarton and District Chamber of Commerce, Member of the Sauble Beach Chamber of Commerce, member of the Grey Bruce Home Builders Association, member of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, Marshal for the Sunset Cruisers’ Tuesday Evening Car Show and have been a Career Coach for Highschool students in Wiarton and Owen Sound.

I believe I will be an effective decision-maker because I have the practical knowledge of how local government actually operates. I know the statutory framework, such as various Acts, policies, by-laws, and I know the difference between political leadership and what staff’s role is. I understand the function of various municipal departments. I understand how municipal budgets are built and funded. Having been on multiple boards and with municipal experience I am familiar with open-meeting rules, conflict-of-interest guidelines, and the role of the statutory positions such as the clerk, treasurer and CAO maintaining the separation between staff and Council. I have an understanding how property assessment and property taxes work and the relation to establishing and maintain a reliable tax base. I have years of experience at the Council Table from a staff side having the same conversations that Council has but also understanding the pressures of being the face of the municipality towards the constituents, quite often the person who deals directly with the public.

The primary method of addressing cost of living that a lower tier municipality has available to them is to control spending and look for efficiencies within the municipality. Another method is having a good asset management plan with sound procurement policies and practises to ensure stable reserves so that when capital expenditures occur, they are planned for, we have adequate reserves, so the expenditure won’t affect the tax rate in a given year. Maintaining a sound tax base so that the Town can predictably fund daily operations such as police, fire, paramedic protection, local road maintenance, public transit, water, and sanitation. It allows municipalities to finance long-term capital projects. Economic development is also key to keeping taxes reasonable while creating employment that creates a living wage or better. When a municipality expands its commercial and industrial assessment base rather than relying solely on residential properties, the overall tax burden is distributed more evenly, preventing steep tax hikes on individual homeowners.

The current tax rate in South Bruce Peninsula spears to be in the middle of neighbouring municipalities. That doesn’t say that it makes it affordable. It is the service level compared to the tax rate that is important to me. Are taxpayers receiving the services that justify the taxes that are being paid? Are the roads maintained, does the Town offer adequate waste management practises, is administration operating efficiently and is the budget being met including maintaining reserves? I believe that will be the biggest task for the new Council coming in and that is learning what money the Town currently has in their coffers, who does what and where the efficiencies are to be found. Can the roads and infrastructure be maintained to the expected levels.

Putting the controversies behind us and put the citizens of SBP first. Finalize the Sauble Beach land claim matters in a way that is respectful to our First Nations’ neighbours and Provincial and Federal counterparts. Put an end to the legal costs associated with this and move forward to building relationships, true relationships with our neighbours.

With the large geographical area of Bruce Grey this will be a challenge to sustain a true regional transit system. If transit is for our senior population I think we need to look at who is providing what services. There are a number of organizations that currently provide some transportation services and perhaps it’s a matter of finding that information first followed by exploring through conversation how lower and upper tier governments can support them. If transit is required for the general population, I think we should be looking at how to attract private busing to and from destinations. Perhaps it’s more taxi services, uber or a similar service. Again, maybe there is support that local governments can provide to keep costs low. I believe this has been piloted in other regions. My perception is that public transit is unaffordable given the large area that needs to be served.

SBP has undertaken many infrastructure studies in the past. I would like to dust the studies off and putting the recommendations into practice. If roads are resurfaced, then we need to ensure we are looking to the Roads Needs study to determine what surface preparations are required and the treatment to be applied. We need to look at the cost of treatment versus lifespan of the road based on traffic counts, type of traffic using the roads and the effect of weather conditions such as freeze thaw. For roads, are we addressing drainage and culverts at the same time to minimize flooding or water pooling on the surface. A wholistic approach. Being deliberate about how we do things will eventually provide a sustainable infrastructure system. The initial costs may be higher but being smart about it and using good asset management policies, the effect to taxpayers will later be reduced. The Town has to be proactive in pursuing funding opportunities through both levels of government. It’s through relationships that funding opportunities become known and received. It’s my view that SBP hasn’t done this well in the past.

That’s a tough question. AI is used by everyone and anyone who has a computer or smart phone. It’s used by businesses and public organizations. The need for data centres will only grow. As I understand it, data centres require reliable infrastructure such as an electrical grid with capacity and reliable high speed intranet infrastructure. Both of which are not there yet in SBP. That said, it may be inevitable and we should be prepared to defend against it should it ever be presented. One possibility that I would like to consider is through our planning documents. Can we impose zoning restrictions for this type of land use. As far as I know it won’t be a similar situation as it was with wind turbines where it is almost an as of right but perhaps a motion of Council citing that SBP is an unwilling host to such a development could be passed. I’m not sure it will be effective, but it does state Council’s position.

The most effective way is to ensure the planning documents are current and reflect to directive of the Provincial Planning Statement specifically related to mixed housing options. Currently in SBP, additional residential units and mixed housing is only available in fully serviced areas (Wiarton) without a planning application. Bruce County recently paved the way to allow mixed housing on private services such as well and septic as long as septic systems are under a given size. The Town’s Official Plan and Zoning Bylaw need to be updated to reflect the County’s official plan. Once updated, mixed housing will be an as of right in all of South Bruce Peninsula. The Town can also investigate innovated planning tools such as Community Planning Permit Systems that have flexible development criteria in certain areas. In general, if there is flexibility provided within the legislated planning framework, development can occur without incurring further application fees, studies and other charges that drive up the cost of constructing mixed development. There are other innovative ways of reducing development charges or creating incentives for attainable housing that should be investigated. I don’t have all the answers on this but through conversations with other municipalities that have implemented these types of incentives, SBP can determine if it is a good fit for us.

In both the Town’s Corporate Strategic Plan and the Recreation and Cultural Master Plan it speaks to having a recreational complex of some kind. We need more for our young families and youth to do. Our senior population has also expressed the need for more amenities in SBP. So rather than saying that we cannot afford it, I would rather ask, “How do we make it happen”. Similar sized municipalities have built these amenities, and I don’t think we should underestimate the ability of the community to make it happen. Public/Private Partnerships, Provincial Funding, Fundraising Campaigns, Partnerships with the school board, etc are all very effective. This type of development will require full municipal services so in terms of location, Wiarton is the only choice right now. I would like to see SBP retain their youth and seniors and not lose them to neighbouring municipalities because we are under serviced. We can do better!

First, I want to say that if elected, I envision a true relationship with Saugeen First Nation and Nawash First Nation. Relationships are tough to build but if done correctly, they are also tough to break. I see the relationship starting with education and conversations. Gaining an understanding of history and building respect for our neighbours. Only then can we start to build partnerships and look for opportunities to work together for the benefit of each of our communities. In 2019, I was involved with the Town on the beginning of a Beach Management Plan with our Provincial counterparts and I would like to pick that back up and complete it. Only this time together with our First Nations neighbours. A plan that includes educational pieces recognizing the history of Saugeen Beach, the sensitivity of the sand dunes, the habitat that nurtures the return of the Piping Plover yet incorporates a beach inviting to our many tourists. Impossible? I think together it can be achieved. I think of success stories such as Providence Bay on Manitoulin Island or other waterfront communities can be used to create best practices for Saugeen/Sauble Beach as well.

I’m running because I care deeply about my fellow community members and am ready to work hard to see our municipality reach its full potential.
I am privileged to participate in our community every day. I see firsthand the efforts of residents, businesses, volunteers and organizations that improve the well being of our lives everyday. It is important to me that I support and represent them well.
Over the last four years, I’ve shown that listening, preparation, and teamwork can deliver results for the entire municipality. I work to bring communities together, treat people fairly, and make sure residents are empowered to help shape our future.
I’m running because I want to continue providing steady, responsible leadership focused on strong infrastructure, thriving local initiatives, and long-term planning — so South Bruce Peninsula remains a place where people can build a life, raise a family, and retire.

erving as both Councillor and Deputy Mayor of South Bruce Peninsula, I have gained valuable experience in municipal governance working with Council members, staff, and residents to address community needs.
I serve as a Bruce County Council Alternate, as Council Representative on the Wiarton Business Improvement Area, as the Municipal Representative on Grey Sauble Conservation, and previously on Bruce Area Solid Waste and Recycling. These roles have strengthened my understanding of regional collaboration, economic development, and diverse municipal services.
I have experience fostering community partnerships, working on health care initiatives, and supporting local organizations in my roles as a Director of the Bruce Peninsula Hospitals Foundation and the Wiarton & District Agricultural Society.
I have learned that effective municipal governance requires preparation, professionalism, thoughtful decision-making, and a willingness to listen. My experience has prepared me to provide steady leadership, responsible financial oversight, and a commitment to strengthening our entire municipality for the future.
If you require more information about work accomplished, please visit calebhull.ca

As Deputy Mayor, I believe effective decision-making requires listening, continual learning, and the consideration of diverse perspectives. I like to see reliable data at the Council table, I carefully consider the knowledgeable input from staff and commenting agencies, and make sure I use evidence to guide decisions that serve our entire municipality.
By embracing technology and data collection, I strive to better understand community needs, identify emerging challenges, and make informed decisions about where to invest our resources.
I am acutely aware that these decisions affect volunteers, local organizations, young families, and seniors. My role as Deputy Mayor requires balancing these social needs with responsible financial planning. By combining community input, sound data, and thoughtful analysis, I aim to make fair decisions that strengthen our communities to build a sustainable future for South Bruce Peninsula.

The most tangible way municipalities can help ease the cost of living through responsible financial decisions, supporting essential services, and ensuring our community remains accessible for everyone.
We should aim to keep municipal budget increases in line with inflation while using zero-based budgeting, up-to-date data, and long-term financial planning to maximize the value of every tax dollar. During budget deliberations, we must identify ways to extend the lifespan of our infrastructure and avoid decisions that create unnecessary ongoing operational costs. Long-term planning will reduce the burden on taxpayers and leverage funding from higher levels of government.
We must also recognize the everyday challenges residents face. Reliable winter road maintenance helps people get to work and health services safely. Supporting affordable recreation, accessible public spaces, and food security initiatives helps ensure everyone can access essential services and feel a sense of belonging.
Housing affordability is equally important to cost of living. Through County initiatives, we can expand housing options while providing rent and utility assistance to residents feeling housing pressures.

Municipal taxes must balance affordability with the responsibility to maintain the infrastructure and services our community depends on.
Over the past term, Council has worked to keep tax increases at or below the rate of inflation while making responsible decisions to maintain and extend the lifespan of our equipment, vehicles, and infrastructure.
Our infrastructure needs present a significant financial challenge. The Town’s 2025 Asset Management Plan identifies an annual capital requirement of $12.6 million. Our Town can afford approximately $5 million to sustainably fund this infrastructure requirement, leaving a $7.6 million annual funding gap.
This is not a challenge unique to South Bruce Peninsula. Rural municipalities across Ontario face similar funding pressures with extensive road networks, aging assets, and limited tax bases. It is unreasonable to close this gap with tax increases alone and showcases the importance of strong advocacy.
We need to stay true to our long-term strategy to secure funding from higher levels of government. A transparent, data-driven plan helps us prioritize investments, demonstrates infrastructure needs, and makes a stronger case for outside funding.
My goal is to protect taxpayers while ensuring we make responsible investments in infrastructure and services that our entire municipality needs for the future.

Municipal taxes must balance affordability with the responsibility to maintain the infrastructure and services our community depends on.
Over the past term, Council has worked to keep tax increases at or below the rate of inflation while making responsible decisions to maintain and extend the lifespan of our equipment, vehicles, and infrastructure.
Our infrastructure needs present a significant financial challenge. The Town’s 2025 Asset Management Plan identifies an annual capital requirement of $12.6 million. Our Town can afford approximately $5 million to sustainably fund this infrastructure requirement, leaving a $7.6 million annual funding gap.
This is not a challenge unique to South Bruce Peninsula. Rural municipalities across Ontario face similar funding pressures with extensive road networks, aging assets, and limited tax bases. It is unreasonable to close this gap with tax increases alone and showcases the importance of strong advocacy.
We need to stay true to our long-term strategy to secure funding from higher levels of government. A transparent, data-driven plan helps us prioritize investments, demonstrates infrastructure needs, and makes a stronger case for outside funding.
My goal is to protect taxpayers while ensuring we make responsible investments in infrastructure and services that our entire municipality needs for the future.

I am proud to have been part of a Council team that recognized the need for regional transit and, when Grey County’s commitment was uncertain, supported funding services along Highway 6. I celebrate the return of the Grey Transit Route to our municipality.
The County and Province should sustainably fund reliable North-South transit routes extending to Tobermory, connecting residents to employment, grocery stores, and major health centres while easing Highway 6 traffic pressures and supporting local tourism. Consistent schedules are essential so residents can reliably plan their work and appointments.
Municipalities could develop east-west connections that reflect local needs, including tourism, employment, healthcare, recreation, trail access, and downtown destinations. Evaluating partnerships with businesses already offering transportation and Municipal Accommodation Tax (MAT)-supported opportunities could help deliver these connections.
Our priority must be a dependable, accessible regional transit system that delivers meaningful community benefits without placing an unsustainable burden on municipal taxpayers. Transit is a public service, not a profit-driven business. It improves community wellbeing by connecting people to essential services, supporting tourism, and reducing road congestion. Funding must be shared responsibly, with sustained provincial support, equitable County contributions, and targeted municipal investment that reflects local needs and financial capacity.

To avoid increasing taxes, we need to have a clear asset management plan which identifies all of the future required maintenance, upgrades, and replacement costs. This also includes protecting natural assets, planning for facility decommissioning, and preparing for increasing risks like flooding, freeze-thaw cycles, and wildfires.
Ongoing data collection that identifies degradation from use or weather provides additional details to support proactive planning to decrease unexpected costs that burden taxpayers. A clear plan allows the town to leverage funds from higher levels of government to reduce reliance on our already stretched municipal tax base.

We must understand the potential impacts on noise, water consumption, energy demands, employment, and commercial tax revenue so municipalities can make informed decisions.
It is my opinion that preparing for potential AI data centre developments requires a Bruce County-led consultation and study that brings together residents, municipal Councils, and Saugeen Ojibway Nation to ensure all voices are heard. Through this consultation municipalities could establish appropriate conditions and/or consider a moratorium on these developments.

Municipalities can help increase housing supply across the affordability spectrum by reducing development costs, investing in essential infrastructure, and allowing more diverse housing options.
South Bruce Peninsula’s Council showed commitment to the Canada-Ontario Development Charge Reduction Program to lower housing construction costs and boost construction sector employment. This reduces development charges with funding allocated over a 10-year period to ensure there is a reduced burden on existing taxpayers.
We must also invest in essential infrastructure and work with the Province to accelerate planned improvements. Our proposed new pump station initiative will help facilitate approximately 1,400 new homes while supporting our long-term growth targets.
During the development of Bruce County’s updated Official Plan, the Town advocated for greater flexibility to allow additional residential units throughout the municipality while maintaining Ontario Building Code requirements to ensure safe, responsible growth.
Bruce County’s Affordable Additional Residential Unit Funding Program also offers up to $50,000 per eligible homeowner, covering up to 75% of construction costs, to create affordable rental housing. In return, units must remain affordable for 10 years, with rents subject to program limits.
Together, these measures can help create diverse housing options for families, seniors, and other residents at different income levels.

I recognize that residents want diverse, year-round recreational opportunities, including an indoor pool, fitness facility, walking track, indoor courts, and community spaces that support our vibrant arts and culture community.
A Community Hub Recreation Feasibility Study (2022) estimated that a new aquatic centre, gymnasium, and common area could reach more than $16 million to build. Annual operating costs were projected at approximately $743,875 and consistently rising to $1,256,433 after ten years.
Given our municipality’s financial challenges and funding gaps, even with rental revenues or grants, I do not believe this investment is feasible at this time.
However, I would support creating a dedicated reserve fund to prepare for future recreational investments without placing an immediate debt burden on taxpayers, allowing future councils and residents to determine when the time is right.
My priority is maximizing our existing facilities while working with volunteers and organizations to expand recreational programming. We also have a negotiated agreement with the Bluewater District School Board to use its facilities if volunteers are available to facilitate programming.
We continue investing in municipal properties, including Wiarton Arena upgrades for summer use and improvements to the Sauble Beach Community Centre’s furnace and septic system to support year-round activities.

I envision a collaborative relationship with Saugeen First Nation that supports the sustainable management and shared enjoyment of the shoreline.
Once the boundary is defined, I expect continued communication between our departments to explore shared service agreements for emergency services, garbage collection, bylaw enforcement, maintenance, and other public works details. I also support collaborative community events with the installation of shared signage that celebrates local culture, promotes best practices, and clearly communicates beach rules.
Environmental stewardship must be a shared priority. I support developing a transparent shoreline management strategy with Saugeen First Nation, Lake Huron Coastal Conservation, Birds Canada, and other partners to comply with federal requirements to both protect endangered species habitat and establish clear maintenance responsibilities.
Through collaboration, we can help protect this important natural asset for future generations to enjoy, improve public communication, adhere to clearly established laws, and work toward achieving Blue Flag status once again.

I am running because I care about South Bruce Peninsula, and I believe I still have something to contribute. I am not running because I need a job. I am running because I have experience, I know how municipal government works, and I know what it means to listen to residents and then sit at the Council table and make difficult decisions.

I have served this municipality for 11 years as a councillor. I have knocked on doors, listened to people and worked on projects in different communities. I am running because I believe we need a Council that listens, asks questions and remembers that every dollar comes from taxpayers.

I am not promising the moon. I am promising to work, to listen and to speak up when I believe something is not right.

I have 11 years of experience on South Bruce Peninsula Council in 2000, 2006 and 2014. I have sat at the Council table in different parts of our municipality and worked on issues involving planning, budgets, roads, water, recreation, economic development and our community facilities.

I was involved in projects such as saving Wiarton High School, improvements to Bluewater Park and the Wiarton Arena, affordable and second-stage housing, Habitat for Humanity housing, the airport sale and other community projects.

I have also represented the municipality with the Saugeen Valley Conservation Authority and on planning matters.

That experience matters because municipal government is not just about having ideas. It is about knowing how to get things done, understanding the costs and being prepared to make difficult decisions.

Because I am not afraid to ask questions.

How much is it going to cost? Can we afford it? What will it cost us five or ten years from now? Do we really need it now?

I don’t believe a councillor’s job is to simply say yes. Sometimes your job is to say, “Wait. Let’s look at this again.”

I have sat at the Council table before. I know decisions are not always easy, and I know you cannot make everyone happy. But you can be honest with people and explain why you made a decision.

I also believe a councillor represents the whole municipality. I have lived and worked in different parts of South Bruce Peninsula, and I will listen to residents whether they live in Wiarton, Sauble Beach, Oliphant, Red Bay, Howdenvale, Hepworth, Mallory Beach or anywhere else in our municipality.

We cannot control the price of groceries or interest rates, but we can control how we spend municipal money.

That is where I believe Council has a responsibility.

We need to look carefully at taxes, user fees, debt and new projects. We need to maintain the services people depend on roads, water, fire protection, policing, waste collection and other essential services.

Before we spend millions on something new, I want residents to know what it will cost to build, what it will cost to borrow the money and what it will cost to operate and maintain it.

And when we talk about housing, we need housing people can actually afford not just houses that look good on paper as “new housing.”

Every tax dollar matters. It is the residents’ money first.

I believe taxpayers are already carrying a significant burden, and Council has to be very careful about asking them for more.

The question is not simply whether a tax increase is 3%, 4% or another number. The real question is: What are residents getting for that money?

Before increasing taxes, I want Council to look at priorities, spending, debt, reserves, grants and the long-term cost of major projects.

Our roads need work. Our infrastructure needs maintenance. Water and wastewater need attention. Fire and policing are essential services.

I am not against spending money when it is needed. I am against spending money without asking the right questions.

My approach has always been simple: take care of what we have, spend responsibly and don’t make taxpayers pay for something just because it sounds good.

For me, it is our infrastructure — and making sure we can maintain it without putting an unreasonable burden on taxpayers.

Just look at our roads. I have driven many of them myself and talked to residents who are frustrated because they have been waiting too long for repairs.

But roads are only part of it. We have water and wastewater systems, buildings, parks and other municipal assets that need to be maintained.

We cannot wait until something fails and then say, “Now we have to spend millions to fix it.”

At the same time, we cannot keep raising taxes without looking at what we are spending.

We need priorities. We need planning. And we need Council members who are willing to say, “This needs to be done now,” and also “This can wait.”

For rural communities, transit has to be practical.

People need to get to hospitals, medical appointments, shopping, work, schools and larger centres. Seniors and people who do not have a vehicle should not be forgotten simply because they live outside a large town.

I would like to see a system that combines scheduled routes where they make sense with on-demand service where there are fewer people.

But before committing local tax dollars, I want to know the numbers. How many people will use it? What routes are needed? What will it cost to operate? How much will Bruce County and the other partners contribute? What provincial or federal funding is available?

I support looking at regional transit, but it has to work for rural residents and it has to be financially responsible.

First, I would take care of what we already own.

I would rather see us properly maintain our roads, water systems, buildings and other infrastructure than build something new that we cannot afford to maintain later.

Second, I would look for grants and partnerships. We should not leave outside funding on the table when good projects qualify.

Third, every major project needs the whole price tag not just the construction cost. What will we borrow? What will the interest cost? What will maintenance cost? What will it cost to operate every year?

People hear the words “asset management” all the time. That is fine, but residents don’t vote for words. They vote for people to make decisions and get the job done.

My job as Deputy Mayor would be to ask the questions and protect taxpayers’ money.

We should be open to new investment and new jobs, but we should not jump at something just because someone says it is the next big thing.

A large data centre can require enormous amounts of electricity, water and infrastructure.

If someone brings a proposal to South Bruce Peninsula, I want Council to know exactly what we are being asked to provide and what the municipality will receive in return.

Who pays for the infrastructure? How much water and electricity will be required? What are the tax benefits? What are the environmental impacts? What will the Town have to maintain?

If the numbers make sense, let’s look at it seriously.

But we should never agree first and ask questions later.

We need more than one kind of housing.

We need affordable rentals, smaller homes, housing for seniors, housing for workers and homes that working families can actually afford.

When I was on Council from 2006–2010, we worked with Habitat for Humanity and helped bring affordable housing to Wiarton. We also worked with the County on housing needs, including second-stage housing.

So I know this is not just something to talk about during an election. It is something municipalities can actually work on.

Council can make the planning process clear, identify suitable land, work with the County and other partners, and use the tools available to reduce barriers where appropriate.

But we also have to be careful that new development does not leave existing taxpayers paying the full cost of the infrastructure needed to support it.

I love recreation, and I know how important community facilities are. But I would not support building a new facility just because we can.

First, I want to hear from residents. What do they actually need? What are they using now? What needs to be repaired or upgraded?

Then I want to know the full cost.

Not just, “It will cost $10 million to build.”

What will we borrow? What will the interest cost? How much will it cost every year to heat, staff, insure, repair and maintain?

We already have recreation facilities in our municipality. If we can improve what we have and make it work better for residents, I would certainly look at that option before automatically building something new.

We have to remember that every dollar spent on a new facility is a dollar that cannot be spent somewhere else.

I believe the future relationship needs to be based on respect, communication and working together.

Sauble Beach is important to many people residents, cottagers, visitors and businesses but we also have to recognize the relationship and history between the Town and Saugeen First Nation.

I do not believe problems are solved by fighting with each other or waiting until there is a crisis.

I would like to see regular communication and clear understanding about responsibilities, beach management and decisions that affect the community.

I have always believed that you can disagree with someone and still sit down and work with them.

My approach would be respectful and practical: listen, communicate, understand the responsibilities on both sides and work toward solutions that respect Saugeen First Nation, the Town and the people who live and visit here.

As a candidate who was nominated this term, I am putting my name forth to become an elected Councillor to continue serving my community.

After having owned and operated Deacon’s Home Hardware in Wiarton for 17 years and served as past president of the BIA and Chamber, being now retired, I believe I can make a valuable contribution to our municipality.

My past business experience, along with my experience of communicating with staff, customers and vendors, will assist in making sound decisions for our municipality.

Besides the failure of the Federal and Provincial governments to lower that cost, our municipality must ensure maximum efficiency at budget deliberations to achieve a long list of needs without unaffordable increases in the rates. To ensue we maximize the opportunity for any grants that are available to improve our infrastructure without the burden of cost to taxpayers.

Municipal taxes are a burden on ratepayers discretionary spending and should always be a consideration for council. The current tax rate allows the municipality to manage, amongst others, infrastructure, roads and services and a good council will look for ways to maintain or lower that rate.

There are many important issues facing our municipality and all are important. I would like to see safe roads throughout our municipality. Although a lot of upgrades have been completed, there are considerable complaints of unsafe driving, pot holes and damage to cars.

This is one of the issues to address affordability in our municipality. Our current Mayor has been pushing Bruce County for this and a regional program should ensure residents have access to all major regions and facilities funded by all levels of government.

This is the key question at every budget deliberation. As with the funding received for the pumping station in Wiarton, council and staff need to pursue every available option for Federal and Provincial grants to improve infrastructure without placing all the burden on taxpayers.

Our municipality has all the ingredients to make us a potential target. I believe council should ensure that there is no green light for any such development. There needs to be open community consultation and stringent studies before any such development that provides zero employment, can proceed.

Our municipality should do everything possible to facilitate close density housing by encouraging developers through easing the application process, fees and ensuring that bylaws are not restricting such development.

While recreational facilities are important in our community, I am not aware of any that are self funding and not a tax burden to our municipality. It is not impossible for a community to raise sufficient funds to build and maintain such a facility but at this time, the size of our municipality cannot afford this.

There is collaboration with fire services between Saugeen First Nation and the municipality and talks of rescue services for the entire beach. Where parties can work together to improve on the experience of visitors to the beach. Clean beaches with great washroom facilities and a shared economic strategy for business.

It has been an honour and a privilege to serve South Bruce Peninsula for the past eight years. I am committed to continuing my deep connection to this community to ensure a Town where residents have opportunities not only for themselves, but for their families, to stay socially connected and maintain wellbeing. I am running to use a lifetime of knowledge, wisdom and empathy gained to make decisions- turning your priorities into meaningful action. I am running because I believe we have a “shared responsibility” where Town residents and our neighbouring communities work together to achieve all our mutual goals. I believe I have the experience to enable this as your Councillor.

I bring to Council of South Bruce Peninsula a significant understanding of how municipal governance functions effectively –
31 years of municipal government service as Commissioner of Recreation, Parks, Culture and Community Services in the City of Waterloo;*
8 Years Councillor Town of South Bruce Peninsula
6 years as Chair- Waterloo Wellington Local Health Integration Network;
Chair/Member of numerous Boards and Commissions throughout my professional career and voluntary service;

I approach every issue with an open mind considering community input, established policies, available resources, and expert advice . I ask questions, welcome respectful debate, and ensure that administrative policies are in place to carry out Council decisions. I keep aware of the political environment that affects our decisions and come prepared. I know there are conflicting views on many issues, nonetheless I approach those concerns openly, honestly, and accountably. Council decisions are made as a collective and I am always open to compromise.

First and foremost is to develop budgets that maximizes every tax dollar providing expected levels of service while planning for future and remain fiscally stable with budgets that seek partnerships , co-development opportunities, incorporate best practices, seek grants where available, community fundraising where possible.
I support municipal grants to the voluntary service/health sector as essential affordable service providers enhancing health and wellbeing.
I support fees for programs and services that reflect cost recovery with yet with assistance and sponsorships that enhance participation for all;
I continue to advocate for an equitable and accessible transportation network that connects employers with workers; improves labour force participation, connects residents with healthcare/education; increases housing choices and supports tourism

The municipal tax rate takes into consideration the Consumer price index, inflation rates, building construction rates and other market conditions and of course the tax levy. In 2026 Council adopted 3.0% rate increase. My view was that was fair given the above conditions.

There are so many issues facing the Town it is hard to pinpoint one , but in my opinion, the priority issue is the completion of the Elm Street Pumping station allowing the development of 1,400 additional homes over the next decade. This will drive commercial growth, economic stability. However services needed to sustain this development will also be needed. The issue overtime will be finding the balance ensuring sustainability with environmentally responsible growth.

One of my stated priorities for the community is to be an advocate for reliable transportation between our communities. The proposed Regional Transit Study is available online. This can be found by searching Bruce County Council- October 1, 2026. This describes a transit system and its funding . The purpose of this study is to assess the feasibility of a unified transit network across the Counties to be funded jointly by the Province and the County.

Establishing and maintaining reserve contributions is essential so major infrastructure projects /emergencies do not create sudden tax increase;
Aggressively pursue provincial, federal grants fundraising;
Seek co-development partnerships; shared services
Continually look for efficiencies.

My opinion is the Bruce Peninsula, including South Bruce Peninsula, is not suitable for a data centre and would meet with strong objection from Peninsula residents .

The role of the Town in increasing housing supply is as a partner with senior levels of government , the development industry and legislated agencies. Currently, the Town is in the design phase of the Elm Street pumping Station which will provide water/sewer to the Wiarton Meadow Lands enabling 1,400 new housing units over the next decade. This is possible with a $6 million grant from the Province. The Town is also seeking financial assistance from the Development Charges Reduction program which, if approved, would allow development charges to be reduced by 50% .
The Town also prompted changes to the Bruce County official plan that will allow for additional residential units on rural properties without the need for costly studies.
Currently there is a new subdivision being built in Sauble Beach with two more subdivisions in the design phase.

Over this Council term, there has been a significant welcomed growth in recreation, culture programs , and community use of facilities and parks. To accommodate this growth, the Town has worked diligently to maximize the use of use of all Town facilities. The Town also provides grants to other not for profit facilities who are providing similar programs for all ages. Of course this increased use, over time, causes facility deterioration, equipment failure and safety issues. Contributions to asset management reserves can offset these costs. However at some point there will be need for additional facilities. I am supportive of whatever Council can do within our financial ability to so.

I envision a future with our SON neighbours as I would with any other neighbouring community , always seeking ways to collaborate for mutual benefit while respecting each others priorities. Currently, the Town has signed a fire services agreement with Saugeen First Nations and have a tri-party agreement with Nawash and the County for winter road maintenance.
Of course, I look forwards to future collaborative initiatives with respect to Saugeen Beach.

I’m running because I care about South Bruce Peninsula and believe we need a different approach to some of the challenges facing our municipality. My experience and perspective can contribute to that change.

We need to get back to focusing on the basics: roads, infrastructure, responsible spending and good service to residents.

I’m at a point in my life where I have the time, experience and desire to serve again. I would bring a practical, common-sense approach to the Council table, which is why I decided to put my name forward.

I bring both municipal and business experience. I previously served a four-year term on Council and served on the Police Services Board. These roles gave me firsthand experience with municipal budgets, policies, bylaws, planning, infrastructure, public safety and the responsibility of representing residents.

Outside municipal government, my husband and I owned and operated our family business for more than 35 years.

These experiences gave me a solid understanding of municipal government and the everyday realities faced by local businesses and residents.

Good decisions come from considering all aspects of an issue and listening to different points of view. I ask questions, do my homework and want to understand an issue before making a decision.

I’m also practical. Things have to make sense to me, and I’m not afraid to ask why we are doing something a certain way or whether there is a better approach.

As a resident, I know how it feels to bring a concern forward and not feel heard. Residents may not always receive the answer they hope for, but they deserve to know their concerns have been listened to and considered.

Council also requires cooperation and a willingness to compromise. It isn’t about being right; it’s about doing what is right for the municipality as a whole.

Municipalities can’t control the cost of groceries, fuel, interest rates or many other expenses residents face. We can control how we spend taxpayers’ money and the fees we charge for municipal services.

We should regularly test the market and seek competitive pricing for outsourced services. Water testing is one example: I would want to know when we last invited other providers to submit pricing and whether we are receiving the best value.

We also need to measure results. If we can’t measure something, we can’t manage it properly. We need to know what is working, what isn’t and whether we are achieving the expected outcomes.

Municipal government can’t solve the cost-of-living problem on its own, but we can ensure we get the greatest possible value from every taxpayer dollar.

Council needs to be very aware of the tax rate and the impact of any increase on residents, particularly when the cost of almost everything continues to rise.

Property taxes must fund the services and infrastructure our municipality needs, but residents have every right to expect good value for the money they pay.

The focus should be on ensuring tax dollars go where they matter most and that residents receive the level of service they are paying for.

Council has a responsibility to carefully consider the impact of every budget decision because, ultimately, taxpayers pay the bill.

For me, the number one issue is being more responsible with taxpayers’ money.

South Bruce Peninsula has many needs, including roads, drainage and other infrastructure, but limited financial resources to address them. We are also entering a period in which the municipality will carry significant long-term debt for the new Town Hall.

If we manage our finances well, we will be in a much better position to maintain our infrastructure and provide the services residents expect without continually asking taxpayers for more.

Transportation is important, particularly for residents who don’t have access to a vehicle, but I believe regional transit needs to be looked at on a broader scale than one municipality.

I would like to see Bruce County and the Province take a leadership role in determining the need, potential ridership and costs of a regional system. South Bruce Peninsula could certainly participate in those discussions, but I would be cautious about committing local taxpayers to another service without first knowing the demand, cost and who would ultimately be responsible for funding it.

I would start with the budget and go through it line by line. We need to identify spending that is no longer providing sufficient value and redirect those dollars toward priorities such as roads, drainage and other essential infrastructure.

It isn’t always about spending more money. Sometimes it is about taking the money we already have and putting it where it is needed most.

We need to be proactive. I would want to review our Official Plan and zoning policies to determine whether and where data centres would be appropriate in South Bruce Peninsula.

Before considering this type of development, I would also want to understand its demands on electricity, water and municipal infrastructure, its environmental impacts and any costs to taxpayers.

If there are areas where this type of development would not be appropriate, our planning policies should make that clear.

Housing involves all levels of government, and Bruce County has an important role as the service manager for housing.

At the municipal level, we can make sure we aren’t creating unnecessary barriers. That includes looking for opportunities to streamline and expedite permits and approvals, encouraging appropriate infilling and making better use of existing serviced areas.

The municipality can’t solve the housing shortage by itself, but we can make sure our processes don’t unnecessarily stand in the way of appropriate new housing.

Before forming an opinion, I would want to see all the information. How much are our current facilities being used? What are their operating and maintenance costs? What would the long-term operating costs of an upgrade or new facility be?

I would want to look at the use of the Sauble Community Centre as well as our other recreational facilities, including the curling clubs, the Wiarton arena and the swimming pool.

I need to understand what we have, how it is being used, what it is costing us and what our actual needs are before I would be prepared to advocate for an upgrade, a new build or the status quo.

I believe it is very important that we sit down, listen and continue building communication with our First Nations neighbours.

We need to understand what they would like that relationship to look like and identify areas where we can work together on planning and maintenance.

The beach is important to the First Nations community, and access to a well-maintained beach is also important to our residents, visitors and local businesses. I would like to see those conversations continue respectfully and constructively.

It is best to make positive changes from within. I am running to help make positive change for our community. Over the years I have heard of various problems within the Town of South Bruce Peninsula that don’t seem to get resolved in a timely manner. As a councillor I would be able to focus the attention on things that need to be resolved and provide reasonable solutions. Avoiding delays and dealing with resident’s concerns are a small thing that goes a long way to creating a community that feels like it is listened to and appreciated.

I am a retired educator with 28 years teaching experience in the Bluewater District School Board. I taught in Hepworth and Sauble Beach and am aware of the demographics of the area. I also have experience as a lead teacher within schools and as an Associate teacher training upcoming educators. During my teaching career I worked on various teacher union committees, such as teacher negotiations with the School Board and was Vice President of OPSTF (Bruce County) before the current Union was formed. I have great communication skills and even better listening skills. Teaching also taught me patience. Above all I am a concerned citizen who wants to have the best possible for all residents of South Bruce Peninsula.

I have worked and lived in various communities throughout SPB. I worked in Sauble Beach and Hepworth and Neyaashiinigmiing. I have lived in Wiarton, Oliphant and have family connections to Red Bay. This is a community I moved to in the late 1980’s and raised my family in. It is a community I proudly boast about and share with others. With the love I have for this place and its residents, I feel I would use all the skills I have to continue to make our community the best it can be and the place we can all continue to be proud of.

I am an advocate of : “Buy Local, Support Local, Promote Local and Produce Local” This means support our businesses first and foremost by purchasing their produce, products and services. We should create relationships with businesses in SBP and encourage owners and managers to provide products year-round. There are many things we can not control but our support for our community members enriches us all.

We have had small increases in SBP over the years but have seen the state of our roads and aging infrastructure decline. Municipal taxes should be budgeted to take
care of the basics within the Municipality. SBP is in the process of creating a budget at this time and it will be reviewed by the new council before it approves or returns to the “drawing board”. Increases in any tax rates need to be justified and help the community but can not over burden the taxpayers. That being said, the new council must review the past and current budget to maintain its integrity and should consult the residents to see where their tax dollars should be best allocated.

The lack of community input and engagement is a problem for SBP. With the loss of local newspapers and information sent to residents many do not know what issues are happening within the community. Most information is available “online” but that does not serve a community that has connectivity problems or even some of our more traditional residents that don’t use computers on a daily basis. I propose that our council should look at holding Town Hall meetings to discuss issues with residents and even send out newsletter updates throughout the year.

Distances are great within the counties and travel without a personal vehicle are difficult. Many people rely on regional transit but have found it difficult to access when the funding is interrupted and service becomes spotty at best. A more consistent and reliable transit system would benefit those passengers. A plan complete with costing should be drawn up and shared between the counties and additional funds should be requested from the province.

As a community with a relatively small tax base and large area to cover we must continue to access provincial funding for large projects. As a municipality we must plan accordingly and follow the plan. A one year, four year, and ten year plan must be established and followed. Road maintenance and infrastructure improvements should be a priority and budgeting for this must be built into the yearly budget. Too often the road repairs are left too long and then become an extensive and expensive rebuild

SBP has two of the things these centres require. We have the space and water but lack the necessary electrical grid to run a centre. As such, a moratorium could be declared to slow any kind of development of this type without the studies done to
see the negative effects of any centre trying to build here. Personally, the protection of the natural habitat of our area is of the utmost importance.

The municipality can access the Bruce County and Provincial initiatives that are currently available and work with developers to streamline the planning and building of affordable homes. Building larger developments is limited by the existing infrastructure but smaller developments of mixed housing can be built with careful planning. In the meantime, the community can look at inclusion of accessible units as an addition to present homes or even small structures within an existing lot if the infrastructure can allow it.

At the present time I believe the status quo is the best option. Some of the facilities mentioned would be very expensive to build and maintain. To justify the expense, we would need to determine the amount of usage the facility would have and the cost for the use would be determined. Consultation with the community would have to be given priority before moving ahead with any further development.

I feel that SBP will have to develop a stronger relationship together with Saugeen First Nation and with Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation. A new start with a respectful attitude and proper communication could help develop a better relationship. An opportunity may be available to develop a year-round eco-tourism program with both Nations. This could be mutually beneficial for everyone. The natural habitat on the peninsula is unparalleled in the world and as such is an area that needs to be handled in a respectful and sustainable manner. As year-round sustainable tourism develops the opportunity for growth of the hospitality industry within the town would increase as well.

To improve the community that my family lives in.

I am running for councilor in an effort to support and influence my community in a way that aligns with the wants and needs of its constituents.

I have owned and operated multiple businesses in this municipality and in Toronto before that. I understand the challenges faced by businesses that are trying to make our community better and by families building their lives here. I have also been working to protect the assets of people in the area in my capacity as an insurance broker. I feel as though my experience brings a unique perspective with many different angles of thought and expertise as well as a wide capacity for understanding the needs of the community.

Taking into account stakeholder input, community needs and measuring the impact of the decision.For the last 6 years I have watched, I have listened and I have experienced mistakes made by the people before me. I believe it is time for TSBP to reflect on those mistakes, take steps to prevent the recurrence and listen to the public, who like me, have had little to no control on costly decisions made in haste.

I’m Interested in working with other levels of government to ensure we’re enjoying the benefits of any available funding and working to attract more residents to the area to help make the overall funding model more accessible in the long term. I would take a hard look at existing spend and large spending by decisions to make sure residents are informed before they’re undertaken.

The tax rates deserve increased review and scrutiny. I want to ensure people can afford to live here while also considering what is required to support our maintenance and infrastructure.

Infrastructure. Many of you have seen and heard the endless conversations surrounding infrastructure in TSBP. This requires a much greater understanding of environmental effects, costs to taxpayers and the needs of our communities. This is definitely a priority of mine.

A regional transit study is a great place to start. I think this area of concern is underassessed and more solutions need to be brought to the table such as private contracts with transit companies or ridesharing efforts. Better transit means more people can afford to live here which will drive down costs of other services.

As stated above, I think the infrastructure in our communities needs attention. Not necessarily a costly development, but a greater economic outlook for how these things may affect taxpayers financially yet considering the impact that all aging infrastructure will have on us in the coming years.

The federal and provincial governments need to support us in creating legislation surrounding AI as a whole and municipalities should carefully consider zoning restrictions on data centers. The restriction should consider what sustainable farming lands we have and keep those intact for future generations. I’m rather against AI data centres in South Bruce Peninsula.

Firstly, we need to ensure that we are making use of any available government funding. I am also interested in creative initiatives, like allowing a secondary dwelling on a property, for example. Supporting development in a way that considers protection of the local economy and the land, while also considering permit wait times and other obstacles that may result in the lengthy wait times that builders have reported. If we make it easier for homes to be built, the demand can be met more easily. Attracting developers to build affordable housing is entirely within our control.

Status quo for the Rec facility. I believe we have bigger things to focus on, however I am open to hearing the opinions of our constituents.

I believe the relationship between TSBP and the SON has been deeply fractured by past administrations and it is of the utmost importance that we repair the relationship with our neighbours. I look forward to any opportunity to do so.

I was born and raised and still reside in South Bruce Peninsula as did my parents, grandparents, great-grandparents.
I am proud of where I live. It is a place I care about immensely…it is home.

I have always been interested in politics, Municipal, Provincial and Federal.

I have recently retired and have been unhappy with the direction that our municipality is taking which prompted me to throw my hat in the ring!

I feel I will be a positive, supportive, approachable, transparent, hard working voice at our Council table.

I was a South Bruce Peninsula Councillor from 2010-2014 where I had first hand experience with Municipal Governance.

As a Councillor, I realized how important it is to a Municipality to elect the proper leadership. Council is a 4 year term and if you have the wrong person at the table..you may as well just have an empty chair.

I think I will be an effective decision maker for South Bruce Peninsula as I don’t just listen to people when they are speaking with me. I actually hear what they have to say.

I have been part of previous budget deliberations, I will do my homework, issues will be researched thoroughly and I will communicate respectfully with people at the council table, staff and constituents to find answers to my questions.

I will NOT make a decision with a fellow Councillor or as part of a team.
I am an independent thinker and a proud individual and will make my decisions as an individual based on my knowledge and what’s best for the constituency.

A Municipality must work diligently at budget time to keep our taxes as low as possible.
Staff must be looking for and applying for grants at every opportunity.

Our tax rate increases in the last decade have been fairly reasonable. I am very concerned about what the financing of our new town hall is going to do to our taxes.

In my opinion, the number one issue facing South Bruce Peninsula is the deterioration of roads in many different areas of our municipality.
Maintaining our roads should be a top priority! Road maintenance is a concern for constituents in all areas….including myself!

I think a regional transit system should be funded by all levels of government.
Along with bus service, maybe an option of some type of subsidized car service/taxi service to get people to medical appointments, employment, etc.

My answer to this question may seem way too simple.

We need to “trim the fat” at budget time!

We have a new town hall (that I’m sure is going to be beautiful)to pay for in the next few years.

Our new council is going to have to make some hard decisions…I’m up for the job!

I am not in favor of AI data centers in South Bruce Peninsula.
We need to stand strong anytime that there is any mention of an AI data center wanting to develop within the boundary of South Bruce Peninsula.

South Bruce Peninsula currently allows additional dwellings to be built on serviced properties. This is a great step forward as it allows for a small unit to be built at obviously, a smaller cost. These smaller units will hopefully be more affordable as rental units.
I would like to see additional units allowed on rural properties as well.
Development fees have dropped which will assist anyone wanting to build, whether it be a single family home or duplex or a multi-unit.
SBP must welcome new builds and assist wherever they can.

It would definitely be a great thing to have a recreation facility in South Bruce Peninsula with an indoor pool, a gym etc for everyone to enjoy year round BUT our Municipality cannot feasibly take on a project like that at this time.
In regards to recreation facilities in SBP, I would advocate for the facilities that we do have to be maintained properly.
Nothing bothers me more when out and about in South Bruce Peninsula than when I see our facilities in need of repair.
Our facilities need to be maintained to be in good working condition, to extend the life of a capital asset and to not be an embarrassment to the municipality!

I envision a working group that will brainstorm regarding how we can help each other to both have the best beach possible with the least amount of money being spent to make it happen.

I am running for council because my experience gives me the skills to be an effective councillor and because I see a need for those skills in the governance of South Bruce Peninsula. I am a retired Registered Nurse with 30 years of progressive leadership experience and 15 years as a front-line manager. I have expertise in budgeting, policy, and programme development. I strongly believe government should be transparent and accountable and there are gaps to be closed to achieve those aims.

I will be an effective decision maker because in my job I was required to and am accustomed to weighing competing options and competing priorities to determine a specific course of action. I believe that the responsibility and accountability required of a hospital manager is of the same level as that required of a municipal councillor

A municipality is limited in the scope to which it can help control the cost of living. All attempts should be made to minimize tax increases which only increase the burden. I do believe that the municipality can have an indirect impact through advocacy to other levels of government highlighting issues unique to the area.

I think that the number one issue facing South Bruce Peninsula is affordable housing. It is difficult to attract workers (for example personal support workers) because there is little lower cost housing. For seniors on fixed income, the cost of renting is often above their income. The situation will only become more critical once Bruce C receives a green light because of the influx of construction workers.

I think that the number one issue facing South Bruce Peninsula is affordable housing. It is difficult to attract workers (for example personal support workers) because there is little lower cost housing. For seniors on fixed income, the cost of renting is often above their income. The situation will only become more critical once Bruce C receives a green light because of the influx of construction workers.

A regional transport system should be hub based allowing residents to move within and between municipalities but also between counties. It should be funded as are those in larger centers with a combination of federal, provincial, and regional grants as well as user fees.

Maintaining services and infrastructure without high tax increases requires having a multiyear capital investment plan for repairs and upgrades. I believe that South Bruce Peninsula has been successful in accessing funding from other levels of government and it is critical that we continue to do so.
I think that any non-emergency proposed development which would require a significant increase in taxes should be approved by the taxpayers.

Given the current environmental impacts and the lack of permanent employment (beyond the construction phase), I am currently not supportive of data centre development. I would continue to monitor the situation.

The municipality can increase the supply of privately funded housing by speeding up the referral process in conjunction with the Grey Sauble Conservation Authority. The Town can also seek partnerships with other levels of government and funding agencies to build housing on vacant tracts of land owned by the municipality. Time limited tax incentives could also be used to encourage investment in multiunit housing developments.

To provide recreation services across all age groups in South Bruce Peninsula, we need to upgrade our existing facilities and seek opportunities for new facilities. This also needs to be part of a multiyear comprehensive plan seeking external funding sources to avoid large tax increases.

I believe that the municipality’s relationship with Saugeen Ojibway Nation has been damaged but not permanently. My hope is that we can begin working together on economic development and preservation plans for the entire beach. Saugeen Shores and Saugeen Ojibway Nation have established a successful partnership and I think we can too.

Why are you running? I’m running to usher in the next generation so everyone has a voice and to attract new opportunities. It seems these days young people have been left out feeling like they don’t have a voice or the ideas they can contribute don’t matter, especially in a more complicated and faster world than generations before. SBP needs a Chapman’s like partner to set up shop and offer stable and meaningful employment. A true partner who appreciate family values like they do!

As a business owner I’ve learned one key principle to success which is to listen to all sides before action is taken. Inclusion is the key to the collective success of any community. I’m a hard worker and I lead from a non-egotistical platform developed from my community concerns.

I don’t have ulterior motives, I truly want a direction that suits the majority of our community unlike some who simply want power or position. Far too often now a days you get good talkers promising the world but never deliver, I intend to work along side those who share the same prosperous vision.

This isn’t an easy fix but if Federal, Provincial and local governments can work in lock step to address key concerns like housing, jobs, health care, education and opportunities for everyone including seniors and young people we can begin to move forward in the right direction. It comes from the top but if we at the bottom keep pressure and demands to do better we may achieve that goal in the process.

Abysmal, In the last five years taxes have risen 18 to 20 percent and the trajectory is only going to increase due to unchecked spending and budgets that don’t show the true debt the community is facing once the grants run dry. South Bruce Peninsula is a depressed economy because this administration won’t do the real work so we can stand on our own without government subsidies.

Focusing on the wants first instead of the needs. In order for our community to see measured and meaningful growth the needs should be the real priority. Relying on tourism alone won’t account on year to year volatility in whether tourist come at all. We really need a small to medium enterprise to come and provide new life into a dying community who is firmly stuck in the past.

Funding for regional transit should be a user based system. Using public funds on an ever increasing budget demand would only increase taxes for everyone. The public tax pie is far too small unless private partners are willing to share in the operational costs and include advertising on transit vehicles as a start. It’s difficult in a rural region but it can be done with the right size vehicles as well.

Like any family budgeting for a vacation you save and when the goal is met only then you travel. Spacing out infrastructure which is done in a timely fashion and adding a basic user fee to some municipal services might be necessary. Not everything should be free all the time. Cost of service should be taken into account before offering it at a public level.

Small communities that have a depressed economy with the available land and resources are key targets like SBP. SBP Council should already have in place a firm legislative policy to not make such developments possible in the first place. No means no, period! A community like ours should always be looking for investment but not when it costs everything we hold dear!

Entice developers with preferred tax rates, defer fees for specific low income units and fast track the process by the cutting red tape that slows the process.

It would be nice to have recreational facilities available for the community especially seniors and young people but considering the municipality has saddled the taxpayer with a new town hall, which we are seeing costs skyrocketing, it’s unfortunate but I sadly don’t see it a reality at this time. This administration can’t even maintain road maintenance at a decent level, which by the way many are in constant and critical need.

Inclusion is key to the relationship. Both beaches can exist in a rebranded “boutique” framework like how the ‘June’ motel revamped a rundown cinder block motel into a tourist destination. Focus on some sort of marketing that could possibly see a documentary style frame work filmed showing past obstacles to a new collaborative understanding which may bringing tourist with a higher disposable income back to ‘THE BEACHES’.