The following are the survey questions presented to all the Township of Scugog municipal election candidates by the Port Perry Agricultural Society, and my answers to same.
Community Vision and Leadership
What would you like voters to know about you, your experience, and your priorities if elected to municipal office in Scugog?
I was born and raised in Scugog and have spent my entire life invested in this community. Professionally, I spent 24 years working as a law clerk before my retirement in 2023 with the last 16 years of my career working in Insurance & Risk Management and Legal & Enforcement Services for The Region of Durham and the Towns of Whitby and Stouffville.
That experience gave me a front-row seat to how municipal government works - not just at the Council table, but behind the scenes where policies are implemented, budgets are managed, risks are evaluated, and taxpayer dollars are protected.
I’m running because I believe Scugog needs strong, informed leadership that focuses on responsible spending, transparency, accountability, and open communication. My goal is not to bring an agenda to Council, but to listen to residents, ask questions, and make decisions that reflect the best interests of the community.
If elected, my priorities will be responsible financial stewardship, transparent decision-making, meaningful public engagement, and ensuring growth is planned in a way that protects what makes Scugog unique. I believe Council’s role is to make informed decisions based on facts, community input, and long-term impacts - not short-term politics.
What are the top three issues facing Scugog over the next four years?
The first is managing growth responsibly. Development is coming, whether we like it or not. It’s a Provincial priority. We need to ensure it happens in a way that protects our rural character, farmland, natural areas, and existing neighbourhoods.
The second is infrastructure and asset management. Roads, bridges, facilities, stormwater systems, and other municipal assets require significant investment. The challenge isn’t simply building new infrastructure - it’s ensuring we can afford to maintain it over the long term. With residents feeling the pressure of rising costs, Council must carefully balance infrastructure needs with the impact on taxpayers.
The third is restoring public confidence in municipal decision-making. Residents want to understand how decisions are made, how their tax dollars are spent, and how their input is being considered. Strong communication, meaningful consultation, and transparency are essential.
Growth, Development and Housing
How would you manage development pressures while protecting farmland, natural heritage, and established neighbourhoods?
One thing my municipal experience taught me is that growth decisions have consequences that last decades.
Growth should be guided by our Official Plan, sound planning principles, and community input. We need to direct development to appropriate areas while protecting agricultural lands, environmental features, and the character of existing communities.
Every development proposal should be evaluated on its long-term impact on infrastructure, municipal services, traffic, the environment, and quality of life. Growth should benefit the community, not overwhelm it.
Good planning balances growth with preservation. We should not be forced to choose one or the other.
How should the Township address housing affordability for young people, seniors and local workers?
There is no single solution to housing affordability, but municipalities can help create opportunities for a wider range of housing options.
Young families entering the housing market, seniors looking to downsize, and workers who want to live in the community where they work all have different housing needs. Supporting a mix of housing types - including secondary suites, attainable ownership opportunities, rental housing, and smaller housing options - can help address those needs.
At the same time, housing decisions must be supported by infrastructure, transportation, and municipal services. Affordability and responsible planning must go hand in hand.
What role should heritage preservation play in Scugog’s planning, development, and tourism strategy?
Heritage is one of Scugog’s greatest assets.
People visit Port Perry because it has character. Residents choose to live here because of its unique identity and sense of place. Our historic downtown, agricultural roots, cultural landmarks, and waterfront all contribute to that identity.
Heritage preservation should not be viewed as an obstacle to progress. It should be incorporated into planning decisions in a way that strengthens tourism, supports economic development, and preserves the qualities that make Scugog special.
Port Perry Fairgrounds
What is your vision for the future of the Port Perry Fairgrounds?
The Port Perry Fairgrounds are one of Scugog’s most important community assets. They have served generations of residents through agriculture, education, recreation, and community events, and I believe they should continue to do so for generations to come.
I do not support the sale of any portion of the Fairgrounds property. Once public land is sold, it is extremely difficult - if not impossible - to replace. As our community grows, the need for public spaces, recreation opportunities, event facilities, and gathering places will only increase.
At the same time, I believe the Fairgrounds should evolve to better serve the broader community while maintaining their agricultural roots and preserving the Port Perry Fair. There may be opportunities to enhance the site through improved recreational, cultural, educational, and community uses that allow the property to be utilized more fully throughout the year.
Any future plans should be developed through a transparent process that includes the Port Perry Agricultural Society, community groups, residents, and other stakeholders. The goal should be a long-term vision that preserves this important public asset, strengthens its role as a community hub, and ensures it remains a place where agriculture, heritage, recreation, and community can come together.
Infrastructure and Transportation
What infrastructure priorities should council focus on over the next term, including roads, bridges, broadband, and transportation?
One of the biggest challenges facing municipalities across Ontario is the infrastructure funding gap.
As someone who worked in municipal risk management, I understand the risks that come from deferred maintenance. Delaying repairs often costs taxpayers more in the long run.
Council must focus on maintaining core infrastructure, improving long-term asset management planning, and ensuring new growth does not create unsustainable infrastructure liabilities for future generations.
Reliable connectivity is critical for businesses, agriculture, emergency services, remote workers, and students. We need to advocate for improved broadband and cellular service, support transportation options that connect residents to employment and services, and ensure infrastructure planning keeps pace with growth.
What should be done to improve broadband and cellular connectivity in rural areas?
Connectivity is no longer a luxury - it’s infrastructure.
The Township should continue advocating aggressively to senior governments and telecommunications providers to expand service coverage and eliminate service gaps in underserved rural areas. Farmers rely on technology. Businesses rely on technology. Families rely on technology.
Residents should not experience reduced opportunities simply because they live in a rural community. Rural residents deserve the same level of connectivity as urban communities.
Environment and Lake Scugog
What actions should be taken to improve the health of Lake Scugog?
Lake Scugog is one of our most important natural assets. Protecting its health requires collaboration between municipalities, conservation authorities, agricultural stakeholders, residents, and other partners.
We should support initiatives that improve water quality, reduce nutrient loading, protect shoreline habitats, address invasive species concerns, and educate residents about practices that help preserve the lake ecosystem.
Protecting the health of the lake protects tourism, recreation, property values, and quality of life.
How would you balance environmental protection with recreation, tourism opportunities, and development pressures?
Environmental protection and economic activity are often presented as competing interests, but in reality they are connected. The goal is not to choose one over the other, but to ensure development and recreational opportunities are sustainable and do not compromise the long-term health of our natural resources.
People come to Scugog because of our natural environment. A healthy lake, protected natural areas, and attractive public spaces support tourism and recreation.
Good planning means understanding long-term impacts and ensuring growth and development occur in a way that protects the resources that make our community attractive in the first place. Environmental protection should be integrated into every planning decision.
Governance and Accountability
What are your views on transparency and public trust in local government?
Public trust is earned through transparency, consistency, and accountability.
My municipal experience taught me that residents are far more likely to accept a decision - even one they disagree with - when they understand how and why it was made.
Residents deserve timely information, clear explanations, and opportunities to participate before major decisions are finalized.
What changes, if any, would you make to public consultation and citizen engagement practices?
Public consultation should begin earlier and be more accessible.
Too often residents feel they are hearing about important issues after key decisions have already been shaped. Technology provides opportunities for better engagement through online participation, surveys, information sessions, and improved communication.
Consultation should not simply be about meeting legislative requirements. It should be about genuinely listening and incorporating community feedback where appropriate.
Economic Development and Community Services
How can Scugog attract and retain local businesses?
Municipalities don’t create jobs directly, but they can create conditions that encourage investment.
Predictable planning processes, efficient approvals, strong infrastructure, reliable broadband, and a welcoming business environment all matter. Supporting agriculture, tourism, small businesses, and local entrepreneurs should remain a priority.
We should also continue promoting Scugog’s unique advantages: our quality of life, skilled workforce, strategic location, and strong sense of community.
What should the Township do to support tourism and community events?
Tourism and community events bring economic benefits while strengthening community spirit. The Township should continue partnering with community organizations, agricultural groups, business groups, volunteers, tourism organizations, and cultural groups to support events that showcase everything Scugog has to offer and bring residents and visitors together.
What investments are needed in recreation, arts, culture, and public spaces?
Investments should focus on assets that serve residents year-round and provide long-term value.
Parks, trails, recreation facilities, cultural programming, waterfront spaces, and community gathering areas all contribute to quality of life and community well-being. The key is ensuring investments are sustainable, well-planned, and aligned with community priorities.
Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation
How should Scugog strengthen relationships and engagement with the Mississaugas Scugog Island First Nation (MSIFN)?
Strong relationships begin with respect, communication, and a willingness to listen.
The Township and MSIFN share a history, geography, and many common interests. Building stronger relationships means maintaining open dialogue, identifying opportunities for collaboration, and ensuring Indigenous perspectives are considered when decisions affect areas of mutual interest.
Meaningful engagement leads to stronger communities and better decision-making.
Final Thoughts
What is one issue you believe is being overlooked in this election campaign?
I believe long-term financial sustainability is not receiving enough attention.
It’s easy to focus on individual projects or short-term issues, but municipalities are responsible for managing infrastructure and assets that must serve residents for decades. Every decision has financial implications, whether it’s a new facility, a road project, or a development proposal.
My experience in municipal government taught me the importance of asking not only “Can we build it?” but also “Can we afford to maintain it?” Good governance requires looking beyond today’s budget and considering tomorrow’s obligations.
We need to ensure growth pays for growth where appropriate, infrastructure is maintained responsibly, and taxpayer dollars are spent wisely. Good financial stewardship may not always make headlines, but it is essential to protecting the community’s future.