Fiscal Responsibility

The record:

  • Lowest relative property taxes in York Region*
  • Zero Debt
  • Strong, healthy reserves

In 2018, I committed to keeping our taxes low and maintaining fiscal discipline.  These are challenging times and it is important that we keep our town an affordable place to live.  Our strong fiscal position allowed us to weather unprecedented economic times better than some of our neighbouring municipalities.  I’m proud of how we have managed our town’s finances and how it has positioned us to invest in our community with projects like the Health and Active Living Plaza.  If re-elected, I will continue to insist on strong fiscal management of your tax dollars.

*Source Bruzzese Minshull & Associates – independent third party review of all data provided to province of Ontario.

Community Safety

The record:

  • Traffic calming measures for our busy streets implemented this past term of council
  • Reduced speed limit from 50 km/h to 40 km/h for all subdivisions in EG
  • More crossing guards and cross-walks
  • Support for our Fire Department including new equipment and vehicles

Since being elected, we have implemented more traffic calming and speed reduction measures than other time in recent memory.  However, speeding on our streets still persists and we must continue to explore new methods of improving safety in our town.  If re-elected, I will work with town staff to implement a best-practices approach to improving safety on our streets. 

As well, I will continue to support the men and women who work in our Fire Department to make sure they have the resources and equipment to do their jobs and keep EG safe.

Cautious Management of Growth

The record:

  • Attracted Loblaws Logistic Centre – 1,000 jobs
  • Passed Official Plan that will make EG 83% green space
  • Work commenced on downtown revitalization of Mount Albert

East Gwillimbury is a special place to live.  My family has lived her for over six generations.  I am proud to be from EG and to raise my family here.  I will continue to fight for variety in our housing mix so that people at different stages in their lives have suitable living accommodation.  Affordability in housing will continue to be a concern as we move forward.  That means options for first time home buyers and our seniors looking to downsize.  This won’t be easy as it requires all levels of government to work together.

As well, not having a solution to York Region’s waste water problem means that growth will slow down in the years ahead.  We will have to be thoughtful and strategic in how we use our existing sewage allocation. 

Once East Gwillimbury is fully built out, we will still be 83% green space.

Environment

The record:

  • Implemented Green Fleet strategy & expanded EV charging stations
  • Hired Environment Initiatives Program Manager
  • Created Climate Change Reserve Fund
  • Fought for federal and provincial funding to protect Lake Simcoe

East Gwillimbury is in the enviable position of having the best of both worlds.  We are an urban/rural community that when fully developed, we will still be 83% green.  We have made some progress on environmental issues, but there is so much more to do.  I was particularly proud to champion the increasing the amount of funding from the federal and provincial governments, to help protect Lake Simcoe.

If re-elected I will continue to ensure the consideration of environmental impacts is part of our decision making process.

Broadband Internet

The record:

  • Council liaison to the EG Broadband Working Group
  • Encouraged staff to remove red-tape for Internet Service Providers (ISPs) who provide more service to residents
  • Improved coverage of basic internet to 94% of EG residents
  • Lobbied for the investment of over $20 million of broadband infrastructure in EG by ISPs
  • Successfully lobbied for YorkNet to receive $60 million in federal and provincial  investment for laying fibre optic cable in York Region

This past term of council has seen the greatest amount of progress on the broadband issue affecting our town.  We created a Broadband Working Group committee of town staff and volunteers that met and worked with various Internet Service Providers (ISPs).  We encouraged their investment into our town to help our residents have better access to broadband internet and to provide choice to those already receiving service.  Today we have much better internet than we did four years ago, and improvements are still coming to the areas of town that are under serviced.  Because of the work we have done, fibre optic cable will start to be laid along concession roads starting next year.  We’ve made remarkable progress but more needs to be done.  If re-elected, I will continue my fight for better broadband in EG.