No. I have not committed to implementing citywide free transit funded through property taxes.

This question stems from a Guelph and District Labour Council (GDLC) survey that asked candidates to pledge their commitment to several "pillars of leadership", including support for free, safe, and accessible transit.

I am proud to support this goal, which can strengthen our community, economy, and environment. However, supporting a goal is not the same as committing to immediately implement and fund universally free public transit through property taxes. The survey did not ask candidates to commit to specific implementation plans or identify funding sources. Claims that I have made such a commitment misrepresent my position.

Guelph already has targeted fare-reduced and fare-free transit programs, which are supported by all of Council, including:

• Affordable Bus Pass for adults, youth, and seniors in low-income households.
• Free Veteran Transit Pass.
• Kids Ride Free program for children 12 and under.
• Reduced fares for youth aged 13-17, seniors aged 65+, and post-secondary students.
• Free transit for high school students after 5 pm and Seniors on Thursdays.
• Free transit on Election Day, Clean Air Day, Canada Day, and New Year's Eve.
• Free transit to Guelph Storm home games (privately sponsored).

I believe we should continue exploring ways to make transit more accessible and affordable while considering the costs, benefits, and available funding.

The next Council will face significant budget challenges. My priority is to make responsible financial decisions that protect essential services and ease pressure on residents and businesses without creating unsustainable costs.

My 30-point Affordability Plan outlines how I intend to approach these challenges.

I voted in favour of the original Public Space Use Bylaw because I believe it is good public policy. Our public spaces should be for everyone, with reasonable, common-sense rules to ensure sidewalks, pathways, playgrounds, and entrances to businesses remain welcoming and accessible to all residents.

At the same time, I firmly believe that people experiencing homelessness deserve compassion, dignity, and respect. I was sorry to see the conversation become so focused on our unhoused residents, who are too often targeted by hate and stigmatization, when the purpose of the bylaw was to establish reasonable rules for how we share and use public spaces.

We must recognize that people living in encampments often have nowhere else to go until we have sufficient social and supportive housing. Many are working people or residents who have lost their homes and cannot afford the current rental market. That is why I supported identifying places where encampments could be permitted rather than imposing a complete ban.

In 2025, Council considered an amendment prohibiting tents on any public land sharing a property line with a school or daycare. I understood the concerns behind this amendment, but in my opinion, it was too broad, imprecise, and impractical. Large properties, such as the University of Guelph and schools with extensive land holdings, can border parks and public spaces across the city. A blanket restriction could prohibit encampments that were already far removed from school buildings or playgrounds. I believe specific, reasonable setbacks would address the safety concerns without imposing sweeping restrictions that push vulnerable residents further away from community and support services.

My approach to homelessness begins with Housing First. Housing is the foundation people need to stay alive.

We cannot solve homelessness through bylaws alone. As mayor, I will work with all levels of government, community partners, and people with lived experience to expand social and supportive housing, provide the services people need, and strengthen renter protections that help people stay in their homes.

We can protect the accessibility of our public spaces while treating people experiencing homelessness with compassion. Our goal must be to get people into permanent housing, provide the supports they need, and ensure nobody is left behind.

No, I won't endorse specific candidates. A mayoral candidate should not attempt to create a slate of preferred councillors. That's not good governance. I encourage every voter to be informed about the many candidates—their values, experience, and skills—and ask them meaningful questions. Then align your vote accordingly.

Moving Forward:

It is clear that an updated and independent review is needed for both the structure and composition of Council (number of councillors, ward review) and their compensation. I voted in FAVOUR of this review during the next term and am committed to seeing it through, with lots of opportunity for public input.

In addition, I would like to see future compensation reviews delegated to a community-based committee led by our HR team, rather than becoming a political issue before every election.

Only 14 cities in Canada have a AAA credit rating. Guelph is one of them. I intend to keep it that way.  As Chair of Corporate Services from 2022 through 2026, I am incredibly proud that we achieved and maintained this rating during a global recession. Sound fiscal management of an $800+ million budget comes from challenging the status quo and continous improvement. I support value audits and service reviews, and have voted in favour of recommendations that make us lean and high performing.

In my current position as a manager in Ancilliary Services at the U of Guelph, my role brings in $55+ million in revenue annually, I have met targets every year, and have come in under budget on expenses every single year of my career.

We are a city for everyone. We've been a university town since 1874. We welcome students, families, seniors, newcomers. That's who we are. 

Many people don't know that the university accounts for over $2 billion annually in economic benefit and is our city's second largest employer. We accommodate that kind of outstanding contribution. 

The key to tackling "town and gown" issues is building a relationship of trust and open communication.  As an alumna, I intend to strengthen that relationship even more. We are partners, not service providers.

Currently, my average work week is 60+ hours working two jobs. If elected, I will be leaving my job at the university and dedicating myself full time to the role of being mayor. This is an all-in commitment to lead Guelph for the next four years.

I've been a working mom juggling four kids, two jobs, elder care, graduate school and community service work for decades. This is who I am.

I believe the use of strong mayor powers is anti-democratic, and I have been a vocal opponent since day one. The strongest power a mayor has is the ability to collaborate. 

However, in Ontario there are some legally required acts that must be done using strong mayor legislation—such as tabling the budget. So a mayoral candidate cannot say they will never use strong mayor powers. However, before exercising such acts, I am committed to consultation with the community and council. When I table the "Mayor's Budget," it will be the People's Budget.