Fiscal Responsibility

Financial burdens should not be placed on future councils and taxpayers. All levels of government need to work together. It is vital as this builds trust between the community and the local government.

I will prioritize:

• Long term infrastructure planning that is climate resilient.

• Transparent financial reporting in everyday language that is understandable.

• Decisions being made that are based on data and the needs of the community.

• Reviewing programs and departments to reduce redundancy and overlap/duplication.

Sustainable and Accessible Communities

EG is forecasted to have significant growth so we need to ensure that we have the critical infrastructure our residents need for water and wastewater, roads, emergency services, parks, community centres and libraries. We also need to ensure that we have community programs where all ages and abilities have access.

I will prioritize:

• Using an “agricultural lens” when making decisions that will affect our farmers. EG has vibrant rural and agricultural lands which need to be protected and valued. More open dialogue is needed with our farmers so that we understand the infrastructure that is required to promote innovative farming, agritourism and anything else they suggest.

• Networking with community agencies that support youth with exceptionalities. Once children are 21 years of age, they can no longer attend school. Community programs are vital to support theirs and their families’ needs but often, they have to leave EG to access these programs. We need to work with community agencies and schools to see how we can best support them right here in EG.

• Assisting seniors so that they can age in place. Seniors face housing issues due to fixed incomes, changing health needs and a lack of downsizing options that are affordable. One example is to build smaller, accessible spaces where seniors could be co-owners or tenants where they have both private and shared common spaces. 

Affordability

We all share the same goal of reducing housing prices but it cannot come at the cost of continual increases to property taxes or on the backs of new homeowners. We have to work with all levels of government to advance our housing goals - especially for seniors, young families and the unhoused population.

I will prioritize:

• Networking with other towns to study what has worked and is working in their municipalities ex. Inclusionary zoning policy.

• Innovative thinking. We have to diversify our revenue - the burden has to shift from the taxpayer. We need to expand the tax base and employment opportunities by attracting businesses and entrepreneurs to EG while still protecting our rural and agricultural lands.

• Speaking with existing businesses and entrepreneurs to see how the town can assist.  

Youth Engagement

I have spent my life working with children and youth and I want to continue this.  Our youth need to know that we are listening to them and care about their ideas. We need to show them that local government is relevant and decisions made by their local government directly impacts their lives. 

I will prioritize:

• Establishing a dedicated youth council where a representative from each ward has a seat on advisory committees.  Our youth need to learn more about local government; we need future leaders and engaged constituents; they need to know why it is important to vote. This may also lead to careers in local government and public service.

• Creating a program for EG students where they come to visit the Civic Centre and engage with the Mayor and Council in an actual council meeting and have the opportunity to participate in a mock council meeting.  I would like to have a Mayor for the Day where a local student would be selected (criteria to be determined) and then have some time to talk about this and share with other EG schools.