Polls open October 16th and I encourage everyone to vote - the council you choose will make decisions that could forever change Port Hope.
I don’t say that lightly.
Council’s decisions related to 1) preserving Port Hope’s land, heritage, and culture in the face of possibly building a new nuclear facility in Wesleyville, 2) addressing nearly $100 million in upcoming infrastructure projects, 3) advocating on behalf of residents as we wind down the historical low-level radioactive waste cleanup, and 4) identifying how and where land development is dealt with will impact you and future Port Hope residents for generations. As a member of Council over the past four years, I already understand the complexity of these issues and the urgency of moving forward responsibly.
These are big issues and your voice matters.
Collaboration is more than teamwork or an invitation to help. It’s sharing ideas, engaging in healthy debate, wrestling with discomfort, and ultimately finding a better path forward. It’s not about selling people on your own idea. It’s about having the humility to give way to the best idea.
My success has always rested on my willingness to ask important questions like, “what haven’t I thought of”, “what would make this idea even better”, “what would you do in this situation”, and “who else should be included”.
Given the importance of the issues and the need to collaborate, I have a practical plan to make Port Hope more affordable, adaptable, and accountable to you.
AFFORDABLE
Residential taxes have reached levels that make it nearly impossible to live in Port Hope. Not enough attention has been placed on balancing our tax base (Industrial vs Commercial vs Residential) so, the lion’s share falls on residents.
My plan is to work with farmers and businesses to grow our agricultural and manufacturing sectors - helping our existing industries earn more money, creating local jobs, and bringing new companies and non-residential taxes into Port Hope so residents don’t need to carry the load.
I will also work with Council, industry experts and the community to introduce policy changes to make it easier and faster to build much-needed apartment rentals, starter homes, and multi-generational housing - providing seniors, youth, and residents of all income levels with flexible living options without having to look outside our community.
ADAPTABLE
What people call “red tape” is really the frustration of living in 2026 but dealing with bylaws written in 1976. When the laws that govern us are so outdated that they no longer meet our needs, we become victims to our past.
My proposed plan will revise, remove, simplify, and standardize the policies, bylaws, systems, and processes that stand in the way of people improving their lives and our community while maintaining important protections to our safety, environment, heritage, and culture.
ACCOUNTABLE
I believe Town Hall needs fundamental change, starting with stronger transparency and real accountability. That means ensuring Council and staff follow through on the decisions of Council, and that decision-making follows Council’s established processes. This is the foundation of good governance, and it’s how trust it built.
Residents deserve to be kept informed before, during, and after council makes decisions. You should never be surprised to learn what the mayor and Council are doing.
My proposed plan will make it mandatory to explain why major changes and large expenses are being proposed, how residents will be impacted, and report what works and what doesn’t. At every step, residents will be consulted before decisions are made - not informed afterwards.
FINALLY, A WORD ON DEMOCRACY
We live in dangerous times, when our rights are slowly, steadily and quietly being taken away from us - where politicians bank on the fact that we’re not paying attention so they can claim later, we were included all along.
As Mayor, I will not only work to keep Port Hope well-informed – I will work to keep Port Hope well-engaged. My highest hope would be that, by the end of the term, residents are in the habit of questioning, challenging, and engaging with elected officials at every level of government.
Leading a community is a marathon, not a sprint. It’s not about collecting trophies or chasing quick wins. It’s about putting in the hard work to build the muscles needed to thrive over the long term.
Over the next four years, I want Port Hope to become known as a community that is financially secure, culturally distinct, and determined to protect what makes our home so special.
This is the Port Hope I plan to build - together.