StrongerCommunity

If we want Wasaga Beach to thrive in the decades ahead, we must create a community where families can succeed.

As Mayor, I will support policies that make Wasaga Beach an attractive place for families to live, work, and grow. Families should feel confident that they can build a future here.

That means supporting:

• Safe neighbourhoods
• Strong schools
• Quality healthcare
• Good jobs
• Entrepreneurship
• Reliable infrastructure
• Recreation opportunities
• Parks and green spaces
• Attainable housing options
• Community programs and services

Every major decision should consider how it affects the next generation.

Planning for the Next Generation

Young families make long-term decisions. They choose communities based on more than today’s needs. They think about schools, healthcare, recreation opportunities, housing, employment, transportation, and quality of life.

As Wasaga Beach grows, we must ensure our planning keeps pace with the needs of families. Growth should support the creation of complete communities where people can live, work, play, and raise a family.

Supporting Opportunity and Good Jobs

One of the biggest challenges facing many families today is finding stable, well-paying employment close to home. When good jobs are available locally, families spend less time commuting, parents spend more time with their children, local businesses grow stronger, and residents become more connected to their community.

As Mayor, I will support economic development initiatives that help create opportunities for residents to build successful careers within Wasaga Beach and the surrounding region. This includes:

• Supporting local business growth
• Encouraging entrepreneurship
• Strengthening the year-round economy
• Supporting investment that creates long-term employment opportunities
• Working with business organizations and economic development partners
• Advocating for opportunities that help residents live and work closer to home

Supporting Entrepreneurs and Small Business Owners

Many young families are not only looking for good jobs. They are creating them. Entrepreneurs, small business owners, and self-employed professionals take risks, create opportunities, employ local residents, and contribute to the strength of our local economy.

As Mayor, I will support efforts to create an environment where entrepreneurs and small businesses can succeed. This includes:

• Reducing unnecessary barriers and red tape
• Supporting practical business regulations
• Improving communication between Town Hall and the business community
• Encouraging innovation and entrepreneurship
• Supporting business growth opportunities
• Strengthening partnerships with organizations that support local businesses

Working With Organizations That Support Business Success

No single organization can support economic growth alone. As Mayor, I will work to strengthen relationships between Town Hall and organizations that help businesses succeed, including the Wasaga Beach Chamber of Commerce, business associations, tourism and hospitality organizations, economic development partners, and local employers and entrepreneurs.

Community and business organizations are often most effective when they retain their independence and focus on what they do best. Town Hall should support these organizations, collaborate with them, and help amplify their success. The goal should not be to absorb or control them. The goal should be to empower them.

Supporting Arts, Culture, and Creative Industries

Arts, culture, and creative industries contribute significantly to economic development, tourism, community identity, and quality of life. Artists, musicians, performers, designers, digital creators, filmmakers, writers, photographers, and other creative professionals help tell the story of a community.

Arts and culture should not be viewed solely as recreation or entertainment. They are also an important source of employment and economic activity. As Mayor, I will support efforts that help strengthen:

• Arts and cultural programming
• Creative industries
• Community events and festivals
• Local artists and creators
• Cultural tourism opportunities
• Partnerships with cultural organizations

Many young people are building careers in creative industries that barely existed a generation ago. Digital media, content creation, design, film production, music, marketing, and cultural entrepreneurship are creating new opportunities for residents to build careers while contributing to their communities.

Arts and culture also help reduce our dependence on a short tourism season by creating attractions, events, and activities that contribute to a vibrant community throughout the year.

Protecting Access to Healthcare

Families should not have to wonder whether they will be able to find a family doctor, access primary care, or receive timely medical services close to home. Healthcare access affects quality of life, economic development, and the ability of families to put down roots in a community.

As Mayor, I will support maintaining local healthcare services while continuing to advocate aggressively for greater provincial investment that benefits the residents of our community.

Planning Ahead for Schools and Community Services

The successful effort to secure new high schools demonstrated the value of planning ahead. The need existed long before the schools were built, and our community lobbied for a high school over many councils. The community benefited because residents and community leaders identified the issue and advocated for action.

As Mayor, I will support ongoing monitoring of school capacity, healthcare capacity, recreation facility demand, population growth, community service requirements, and long-term care needs. The best time to advocate for community infrastructure is before the need becomes a crisis.

Parks, Recreation, and Community Life

Parks, playgrounds, sports facilities, trails, and community programs help create healthier and more connected communities. As Mayor, I will support investments that strengthen:

• Parks and playgrounds
• Recreational facilities
• Trails and outdoor spaces
• Community programming
• Family-oriented activities

Protecting Parks and Green Space for Future Generations

As Wasaga Beach grows, it is important that future generations have access to the same recreational opportunities and natural spaces that residents enjoy today. For this reason, I believe the Town should be cautious about accepting cash-in-lieu of parkland dedication.

While there may be circumstances where cash-in-lieu serves a clear and significant public benefit supported by the community, it should not become the default approach. Once land is developed, opportunities for future parks and community green spaces can be difficult, or impossible, to replace.

Housing That Supports Families

Young families should have the opportunity to build their future in Wasaga Beach. That requires housing options that meet the needs of residents at different stages of life. As Mayor, I will support responsible housing solutions that help create opportunities for families while ensuring growth remains aligned with infrastructure capacity and community needs.

Safe and Connected Neighbourhoods

Families want communities where children can play, neighbours know one another, and residents feel connected. Strong neighbourhoods are built through safe streets, well-maintained parks, community events, recreational opportunities, and public spaces that bring people together.

Investing in the Next Generation

Every generation has a responsibility to leave the community stronger than it found it. The children growing up in our community today will become tomorrow’s business owners, volunteers, community leaders, and residents. The decisions we make today will help shape the community they inherit.

Because when families succeed, communities succeed.

A strong community supports people at every stage of life.

As Mayor, I will support policies that help seniors remain active, independent, connected, and supported within our community.

Aging in place means creating a community where people can continue to live safely and comfortably in their homes and neighbourhoods for as long as possible. This requires thoughtful planning, strong services, accessible infrastructure, and continued advocacy for the resources our seniors need.

Supporting Aging in Place

Most seniors want to remain in their homes and communities for as long as they can. Municipal planning should recognize and support that goal. As Mayor, I will support:

• Age-friendly community planning
• Accessible public spaces
• Safe sidewalks and trails
• Accessible recreation opportunities
• Transportation and mobility considerations
• Housing options that support changing needs

A community designed for seniors is often a better community for everyone.

Access to Healthcare and Primary Care

Many residents struggle to find family physicians and timely access to healthcare services. As Mayor, I will support maintaining local healthcare services while continuing to advocate aggressively for increased provincial investment. This includes advocating for:

• Additional family physicians
• Expanded primary care services
• Community healthcare resources
• Improved access to specialized care
• Long-term healthcare planning

Long-Term Care and Supportive Housing

Not every senior will be able to remain in their home indefinitely. Wasaga Beach has recently seen the addition of a new 288-bed long-term care facility, an important investment that will help support many seniors and families in our community.

That is good news. But it should also serve as a reminder that successful communities plan ahead. The need for additional long-term care capacity was visible years before the facility was approved and built. As Mayor, I will support advocating for:

• Additional long-term care capacity when future demand is identified
• Supportive housing options
• Enhanced seniors’ services
• Provincial investment in senior care infrastructure
• Long-term planning for future demographic changes

The best time to advocate for these services is before shortages become crises.

Combating Isolation and Building Connections

One of the greatest challenges many seniors face is social isolation. Strong communities create opportunities for people to remain connected and engaged through community programs, recreational opportunities, volunteer opportunities, community events, and accessible gathering spaces.

Supporting Seniors’ Organizations and Community Groups

Groups such as Friends of Wasaga and many other volunteer-led organizations create opportunities for friendship, social connection, community involvement, and mutual support. Their contribution extends far beyond the activities they organize. They help create a sense of belonging.

As Mayor, I will support stronger partnerships between Town Hall and the organizations that serve our seniors. This includes:

• Regular communication and consultation
• Identifying opportunities to support community programming
• Improving awareness of available programs and services
• Helping connect organizations with community resources
• Recognizing and celebrating volunteer contributions

The goal should not be for government to replace these organizations. The goal should be to help them succeed. Town Hall should empower these groups, not absorb them.

Respecting Seniors’ Contributions

Seniors are not simply recipients of services. They are active contributors to our community. They volunteer. They mentor. They support local organizations. They care for grandchildren. They share knowledge and experience that strengthens our community. Good leadership recognizes and values those contributions.

Planning Ahead for an Aging Community

Just as we plan for roads, drainage, and growth, we must also plan for demographic change. As Mayor, I will support ongoing monitoring of population demographics, healthcare needs, long-term care demand, housing needs, and recreation and accessibility requirements.

We should not wait for shortages, overcrowding, or service gaps before taking action. By monitoring trends and advocating early, we can ensure future generations of seniors have the support and services they need.

Every day, municipal employees work behind the scenes to keep Wasaga Beach running. They maintain roads and parks, process permits, support recreation programs, respond to residents, manage infrastructure projects, and help deliver the services residents depend on.

As Mayor, I will support a workplace culture built on professionalism, respect, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Municipal employees deserve a workplace where their expertise is valued, their contributions are recognized, professional development is encouraged, innovation is supported, and service excellence is celebrated.

Strengthening Work Your Way Wasaga

Flexible work arrangements can help municipalities attract and retain talented employees while maintaining high levels of service. As Mayor, I will support the continued development of Work Your Way Wasaga and other workplace initiatives that:

• Improve work-life balance
• Strengthen recruitment efforts
• Increase employee retention
• Support productivity and innovation
• Maintain strong service standards

Success should be measured by results, service quality, and community outcomes.

Investing in Professional Development

Municipal government is becoming increasingly complex. Employees should have access to training and development opportunities that help them grow professionally and better serve residents. This includes:

• Leadership development
• Customer service training
• Technology and AI education
• Municipal best practices
• Professional certifications and continuing education

Removing Politics From the Workplace

Town Hall should be a professional workplace, not a political workplace. Municipal employees should be free to focus on serving residents without being drawn into political conflicts. A healthy relationship between Council and staff is built on mutual respect, clear roles and responsibilities, professionalism, open communication, and accountability.

The full policy on Remove Politics from Town Hall

Building a Culture of Excellence

A positive workplace culture benefits everyone. Employees benefit from a respectful and supportive work environment. Residents benefit from improved service and stronger organizational performance. As Mayor, I will support a culture that values service excellence, innovation, teamwork, accountability, continuous improvement, and respect.

Better Service for Residents

When employees have the tools, training, leadership, and support they need, they are better able to serve the community. Strong staff morale leads to better customer service, improved retention, better recruitment, greater innovation, and stronger organizational performance.

Wasaga Beach is unlike any other community in Ontario. People choose to live here, visit here, and raise their families here because of the things that make our town unique.

As Mayor, I will support responsible growth while protecting the natural features, public spaces, and community character that define Wasaga Beach.

Future generations should inherit a community that is every bit as beautiful, welcoming, and vibrant as the one we enjoy today.

Protecting Our Beaches and Shoreline

Our waterfront supports recreation, tourism, community pride, and our local economy. Protecting our shoreline means:

• Supporting responsible shoreline management
• Protecting dune systems where appropriate
• Reducing erosion risks
• Incorporating environmental considerations into waterfront planning
• Preserving public enjoyment of our natural waterfront assets

Preserving Forests and Green Spaces

Green spaces contribute to the health, beauty, and livability of our community. As Mayor, I will support policies that:

• Preserve significant natural features
• Encourage responsible tree preservation
• Maintain community green spaces
• Balance growth with environmental responsibility
• Protect important ecological areas where practical

Protecting Trails and Outdoor Recreation

Trails, parks, forests, and natural recreation areas contribute to both physical and mental well-being. These assets should be maintained, protected, and enhanced so residents and visitors can continue to enjoy them for generations to come.

Supporting Environmental Stewardship

Environmental stewardship means making thoughtful decisions today that protect our community tomorrow. This includes protecting wetlands and natural drainage systems, supporting flood mitigation efforts, preserving environmentally sensitive areas, incorporating resilience into infrastructure planning, and considering long-term environmental impacts in major decisions.

The best environmental policy is often good planning.

The full policy on Protecting Natural Infrastructure

Respecting Community Character

As Wasaga Beach grows, we must ensure that growth complements the qualities that attract people here in the first place. The goal is not to stop change. The goal is to guide change thoughtfully and responsibly.

Leaving a Legacy

Every generation serves as a steward of the community it inherits. Protecting what makes Wasaga Beach special is about thinking beyond the next project, the next budget, or the next election. It is about protecting the things that cannot easily be replaced once they are lost.

From small family-owned businesses to larger employers, local entrepreneurs take risks, invest their resources, and work hard every day to serve our community. A strong local economy creates opportunity, strengthens the municipal tax base, and improves quality of life for everyone.

As Mayor, I will support policies that encourage economic growth, remove unnecessary barriers, improve communication between Town Hall and the business community, and help create an environment where businesses can invest with confidence.

Improving the Relationship Between Town Hall and Business

One of the most common concerns raised by business owners is uncertainty. Businesses need clear rules, predictable processes, and timely communication. As Mayor, I will support:

• Better communication between Town Hall and businesses
• Improved customer service for business owners
• Transparent planning and approval processes
• Faster and more predictable decision-making where possible
• Greater collaboration with local business organizations

Businesses should view Town Hall as a partner in success, not an obstacle to overcome.

Supporting Small Business and Entrepreneurship

Small businesses are often the first to invest in a community and the first to support local causes. This includes reducing unnecessary red tape, encouraging entrepreneurship, supporting business growth opportunities, promoting local business development, and creating opportunities for local businesses to thrive.

Recognizing the Importance of Signage in a Tourism Community

Every year, millions of visitors travel through our town looking for places to eat, shop, stay, and enjoy local attractions. Unlike residents who already know where local businesses are located, visitors often rely on signage to discover businesses they may never have visited before.

Signage is not simply an advertising issue. It is an economic development issue.

Common-Sense Sign Regulations

As Mayor, I will support a review of the Town’s sign regulations to ensure they are practical, effective, and appropriate for a tourism-based community. The goal should be to balance community appearance, public safety, business visibility, and economic vitality.

When a regulation becomes so restrictive that large numbers of businesses struggle to comply with it, it is appropriate to ask whether the regulation is achieving its intended purpose. The goal should be compliance through practical rules, not compliance through constant enforcement.

Better Rules Through Consultation

The people most affected by business regulations should have a voice in shaping them. As Mayor, I will support consultation with local business owners, the Chamber of Commerce, business organizations, and industry stakeholders before major business-related regulations are adopted or significantly changed.

Empowering Community and Business Organizations

Wasaga Beach benefits from a wide range of business associations, tourism organizations, economic development partners, service clubs, and community groups that contribute valuable expertise and leadership. These organizations are often most effective when they are empowered to do what they do best.

Rather than attempting to centralize every initiative under municipal control, Town Hall should focus on supporting collaboration, communication, and shared goals while allowing organizations to operate in the environments where they are most effective.

Building a Strong Year-Round Economy

Wasaga Beach is known as a summer destination, but a strong community requires year-round economic activity. Supporting a four-season economy helps create stable employment opportunities, support local businesses during slower seasons, strengthen the municipal tax base, and improve long-term economic resilience.

Tourism That Benefits Residents

Tourism will always be an important part of Wasaga Beach’s economy. However, tourism should not be viewed as an end in itself. The success of our tourism economy should help create benefits for the residents who live here year-round.

Supporting Investment and Responsible Growth

Investment creates opportunity, but growth must be planned responsibly and supported by the infrastructure needed to sustain it. As Mayor, I will support economic development that respects community character, supports existing businesses, aligns with infrastructure capacity, creates long-term community benefits, and contributes to a stronger local economy.

The goal is not growth at any cost. The goal is growth that benefits the entire community.

Housing is one of the most important challenges facing communities across Ontario. Wasaga Beach should be a place where people can build a future, raise a family, enjoy retirement, and remain connected to the community they love.

As Mayor, I will support responsible housing solutions that expand opportunities for residents while ensuring growth remains aligned with infrastructure capacity, community needs, and quality of life.

Housing policy should support young families entering the market, seniors wishing to age in place, workers seeking housing close to employment, diverse housing options, complete and connected neighbourhoods, and responsible sustainable growth.

Housing and Infrastructure Must Go Together

Housing cannot be viewed in isolation. New housing creates demands on roads, drainage systems, water and wastewater infrastructure, schools, healthcare services, recreation facilities, and emergency services. Communities function best when infrastructure keeps pace with development.

The full Infrastructure First plan

Creating Opportunities for Young Families

One of the greatest challenges facing many young families is finding a home they can afford within the community they wish to call home. As Mayor, I will support housing policies that encourage a range of housing options while maintaining the character and livability of our community. Young families should not be forced to leave because opportunity is out of reach.

Supporting Seniors Through Housing Choice

Housing policy is also a seniors’ issue. Many residents wish to remain in Wasaga Beach as they age but may eventually require different housing options that better match their needs. Supporting a variety of housing options helps seniors remain connected to their families, friends, and support networks.

Building Complete Communities

Successful communities are about more than housing units. They are about neighbourhoods. Residents need access to:

• Parks and green spaces
• Recreation facilities
• Healthcare services
• Schools
• Local businesses
• Community gathering spaces
• Transportation connections

Protecting Quality of Life

As Mayor, I will support growth that respects community character, natural heritage features, parks and green spaces, environmental sustainability, infrastructure capacity, and quality of life for existing and future residents. The objective is balance.

Planning Ahead

As a rapidly growing community, Wasaga Beach must continually monitor housing availability, population growth, family housing needs, seniors housing needs, infrastructure capacity, and community service requirements. Good planning identifies challenges early and acts before they become crises.

Working With Other Levels of Government

Municipalities cannot solve housing challenges alone. As Mayor, I will advocate for provincial and federal policies and investments that help improve housing opportunities while ensuring communities receive the infrastructure and services required to support growth.

A strong community is not measured only by its buildings, roads, or budgets. It is measured by how people treat one another, and by whether residents feel connected to their neighbours, proud of their community, and confident that their voices matter.

As Mayor, I will work to build a culture of openness, transparency, respect, and inclusion.

Transparency Builds Trust

One of the most effective ways to reduce division is to increase transparency. When information is withheld, speculation fills the gap. When decisions are not explained, frustration grows. When residents feel excluded, trust declines.

People do not have to agree with every decision. But they should always understand how and why a decision was made.

The full policy on Show Your Work Government

Respectful Public Engagement

Residents deserve meaningful opportunities to participate in their local government. Every resident should feel comfortable asking questions, sharing concerns, offering ideas, participating in public meetings, and contributing to community discussions.

Strong communities are built through conversation, not confrontation.

Celebrating Our Community Together

Community milestones should be celebrated with the entire community. Whether it is a local achievement, a community anniversary, a volunteer accomplishment, or a major civic milestone, every resident should feel welcome to participate. Government should help create opportunities for connection, not division.

Recognizing the People Who Make Wasaga Beach Great

A stronger sense of community begins by recognizing the contributions of volunteers, community organizations, local businesses, municipal employees, service clubs, coaches, community leaders, and residents who make a difference every day.

Growing Civic Pride

Civic pride grows when government is transparent, leaders are honest, residents are respected, achievements are celebrated as a community, and people feel included. A community that trusts itself is capable of accomplishing extraordinary things.

Looking Forward Together

We all want a community that is safe, welcoming, prosperous, and vibrant. We all want a community where families can thrive, businesses can succeed, seniors can age in place, and future generations can build their lives. Those goals are far greater than any political disagreement.

The path forward is not about choosing sides. It is about choosing community.

A successful tourism economy should help create a better quality of life for residents.

As Mayor, I will work to ensure that community investments are balanced between supporting tourism and enhancing the everyday lives of residents.

The success of our tourism industry should help strengthen parks, recreation facilities, trails, community gathering spaces, sports and recreation opportunities, family amenities, and quality-of-life initiatives.

Investing in Recreation

Recreation is about much more than sports. It is about health, wellness, social connection, and community pride. Strong recreational opportunities help create healthier residents, stronger families, more active lifestyles, better social connections, and a greater sense of belonging.

Enhancing Parks and Public Spaces

Parks provide places for families to gather, children to play, residents to exercise, neighbours to connect, and community events to take place. As our community grows, our parks and public spaces should grow with it.

Expanding Trails and Outdoor Recreation

Our trails, forests, shoreline, and outdoor spaces contribute significantly to our quality of life. As Mayor, I will support efforts to maintain and improve trail systems, enhance outdoor recreation opportunities, improve connections between neighbourhoods, and promote healthy and active living.

Four-Season Community Life

A great community should not only be active during the summer months. Residents deserve opportunities to connect, participate, and enjoy community life throughout the year, including community events, recreation programming, cultural activities, family activities, and seasonal celebrations.

A Fair Return for Residents

Tourism generates significant economic activity in Wasaga Beach. Residents support the infrastructure, services, and amenities that make that success possible. They should also share in the benefits.

Tourism should not only benefit visitors. It should help build a better Wasaga Beach for the people who call it home.

One of the responsibilities of local leadership is looking beyond today’s challenges and preparing for tomorrow’s opportunities.

As a pilot, this is something I have practiced throughout my career. Pilots are trained to think ahead. We do not wait until we run out of fuel to look for an airport. We do not wait until we are in a storm to decide where we will divert. We constantly monitor conditions, identify emerging risks, and plan for what lies ahead.

As Mayor, I will support a proactive approach to community planning that identifies future needs early and advocates for solutions before shortages develop.

Learning From the High School Success

The successful effort to secure new high schools is great news. The need was obvious long before the schools were approved. The community benefited because people spoke up, pushed for action, and kept the issue in front of decision-makers.

Success should not be measured by how quickly we respond to a crisis. Success should be measured by whether we prevent the crisis from occurring in the first place.

Monitoring Growth and Community Needs

As Mayor, I will support regular monitoring of:

• Population growth
• School capacity
• Healthcare capacity
• Long-term care needs
• Recreation facility demand
• Emergency service requirements
• Community service demands
• Infrastructure capacity

Good planning starts with good information. We should know where pressures are developing before they become problems.

Advocating Before the Need Arrives

Wasaga Beach should be a strong and persistent advocate for the services and infrastructure our residents need. This means working proactively with the Province of Ontario, school boards, healthcare providers, emergency service partners, regional organizations, and community stakeholders.

The best time to advocate for future infrastructure is before the shortage exists. Once a community falls behind, catching up can take years.

Building for Future Generations

Growth should not simply add population. Growth should be accompanied by the schools, healthcare services, recreation facilities, and community infrastructure necessary to support that population. Residents deserve confidence that their community is planning ahead rather than constantly reacting.

A stronger community starts by recognizing the people who make it work.

As Mayor, I will support a culture where the accomplishments of municipal employees are recognized, respected, and celebrated.

When a project succeeds, when a problem is solved, or when a service improves, the people who did the work should receive the recognition they deserve. People perform their best work when they know their contributions are valued.

Municipal Communications Should Inform, Not Promote

Town communications should focus on informing residents about services, projects, and community achievements. The purpose of municipal communications is not to promote politicians. It is to keep residents informed.

By reducing political branding in municipal communications and focusing on the work being accomplished, we create more opportunities to recognize the staff, departments, volunteers, and community partners who contribute to those successes.

Removing Politics From Town Hall

Municipal staff should be free to focus on serving residents without being drawn into political disputes. A professional public service works best when staff expertise is respected, roles are clearly understood, accomplishments are recognized, decisions are transparent, and professionalism is valued.

Building a Culture of Recognition

Recognition is not about awards or ceremonies. It is about creating a culture where people feel valued. As Mayor, I will encourage a workplace culture that celebrates innovation, problem solving, excellent customer service, community service, professional achievement, and teamwork.

Recognizing good work helps improve staff morale, employee retention, recruitment, workplace culture, and service delivery.

Better Service for Residents

When employees feel respected, supported, and appreciated, they are better positioned to deliver exceptional service to the community. Residents benefit. Employees benefit. The community benefits.