From the platform I ran on in the 2026 election
Parks, the river and public land
What we know
- For parks, the 10-year capital forecast shows $133,330 asked for and $0 set aside. Source: Council agenda 28 Jul 2026, p.203.
- Council declared a river access park surplus. Its Five-year Trent River Access Point Plan has sat on its to-do list since June 2024. Council put off the rezoning. Source: Resolutions 277/25 (26 Aug 2025) and 315/25 (23 Sep 2025); action list, agenda 25 Aug 2026, p.80.
- The land-sale rules let old rail land go to a next-door owner without an appraisal. They cover only sales, not leases, which need no notice. Source: By-law 2013-53, clauses 2 and 8.
- In the Township's own survey, 82% wanted an outdoor rink. Source: Report R12, 9 Mar 2021.
- The Recreation Master Plan made 59 recommendations. It set 19 for its first year. Source: Recreation Master Plan Summary, July 2020, p.29.
What I'll work to pass
- Keep Township land, and put it to work. Lease it or build on it. I'll vote no on any sale. A long lease gets the same notice as a sale. First, post the list of land the Township owns. Its own by-law calls for one.
Who decides: Council alone. Source: By-law 2013-53, clause 5. - Keep our parks, trails and old rail land. I'll vote no on any sale of that land. Before Council declares land surplus, the report must list every plan, past vote and grant tied to it.
Who decides: Council alone. Our required land-sale policy has no such step. Source: Municipal Act, s.270(1). - Rent below market only for what the Township wants. That means non-profit homes, or a use the improvement plan names, like a grocery store. In that plan's area, we can buy land and prepare it.
Who decides: Council alone. Source: Planning Act, s.28; Municipal Act, s.106. - Finish the river access plan, and sell no river land. Once we sell land, we can't get it back.
Who decides: Council alone. - A parks plan with money behind it, to give grants something to land on. Track the plan's 59 items in public, one by one.
Who decides: Council, in the budget. - An outdoor rink, built by volunteers. Volunteers keep the cost down.
Who decides: Council and the people who build it.