Deliver on Affordability
Like you, my family is feeling the effects of the affordability crisis. Taxes are not the only pressure you are feeling in your daily lives. The rising cost of housing, transportation, food, and fuel are all adding to the burden.
Taxes
I think we can all agree on three things:
- Our property taxes must be spent efficiently.
- We must invest strategically.
- We need to bring in more revenue.
Actions
- We will demonstrate that the budget decisions we make contribute to making the city more affordable for all of us through an independent economic analysis.
- We will protect Guelph's AAA credit rating through rigorous policy on debt, reserves and spending balance.
- Every budget will be tabled as the "People's Budget" - - listen first, then budget.
Housing
Guelph clearly needs more homes -- of all kinds. That means options for young families, for seniors who want to stay in their neighbourhoods, and for the next generation who deserve to build a life here.
We have builders. We have buyers. We have renters. We have shovel-ready projects. The barriers to housing aren't just one singular thing: labour, land value, financing, and constant regulatory change from the province. I'll be straight with you about what the city can fix what we can't. Then I'll fix our part.
Actions
- We will incentivize the housing we need most -- social, supportive, and affordable housing -- through our Development Priorities Plan.
- We will create free database of home plans and ADU design templates to make your project predictable and truly affordable.
- We will protect the rental housing stock we have through enforcement of rental protection bylaws.
Improving Transit
The keys to a success transit service are frequency, reliability and, proximity. Fixing transit makes your life more affordable only if we make it work to get you where you want to go -- on time. Improving ridership drives down the overall cost of the system and gets cars off the road.
Actions
- We have a Transit Master Plan to tackle all three pillars of success, but it’s gathering dust on a shelf. We put this plan into action and fix the system.
- We will negotiate a partnership to integrate Guelph Transit with Presto, and open Guelph Central Station for public use, making your commute easier than ever before
- We are committed to lifecycle replacement of the full Transit fleet to electric buses, driving down the annual cost of operation.
Collaborate for Better Results
Municipalities are where politics get local. They’re also where we experience most tangibly the effects of provincial and federal policies. As mayor, I will make City Hall more open, more understandable, and more accountable.
Community Engagement
A successful mayor does not work alone. Public engagement is only as good as how City Hall uses what they hear. Public consultation has to be done as if we mean it, with an effort to help people understand how they can have the most impact on their city.
I believe in bringing everyone to the table. Better decisions come from better conversations. Alone, we never have the full picture. Guelph deserves all of our voices.
Actions
- I will build a listening culture at city hall.
- You will receive monthly newsletter from the Mayor.
- Regular online open Zoom Town Halls. You bring the questions. I'll bring the answers.
Transparency
Every decision Council makes that impacts your life should be easy to find, read, and understand. You should never have to wonder who the mayor is meeting with about decisions that affect our city.
Action
- We will create an online Council dashboard with our motions and votes, with links to the reports. They will be colour coded by theme, easy to find, and easy to use.
- No non-emergency walk-on agenda items without a report or public consultation.
- A public-facing calendar of the Mayor's schedule so you know what I'm doing on your behalf.
A Caring City
Every person deserves to live with dignity. Lifting citizens out of poverty and
homelessness is simply what civilized societies do. Investing in a more just Guelph is a
safer and more prosperous one, where everyone has a shot at being part of the city we
deserve. Our partners in the provincial and federal government are key to our local success.
Actions
- We will work with service providers to meet the specific needs for day use space and food security programs.
- We will ensure that our local initiatives are shovel ready to activate grants and financial incentives to fund our highest priorities for social services.
- We will create issue-based relationships with other municipalities on critical Guelph
needs, such leading advocacy with Town and Gown Ontario for recalculation of the “heads and beds" levy which could yield $1+ million in annual revenue
Build a More Livable City
A city is more than a place on a map, it’s home and community, it’s where we relax and play, conduct business and make our futures. We are a city that cares for others, the next generation, and giving back.
Climate Resiliency
Guelph calls itself a green city. It's time we earned it—not with promises, but with policies that stick. Guelph's environmental leadership is something we measure, not just something we say. Every climate investment has a return, financial or otherwise.
Actions
- An annual report on our progress towards being Net Zero by 2050.
- Protect and restore our urban tree canopy.
- Partner with experts on community energy goals.
Arts and Culture
Actions
Campaign Priorities
Carbon Neutrality
Equity and Inclusion
I am committed to ensuring every citizen can participate fully in the 2026 municipal election. If you require campaign information in an alternate format, please contact me. If you require accessible voting options, please reach out and I will arrange assistance through the City Clerk office on your behalf.