The Federation of Tiny Township Shoreline Associations (FoTTSA) reached out to candidates in the Simcoe North provincial electoral district for answers to questions impacting our community. The answers we received are documented below. We hope this information will help you identify the party, and/or candidate, that best represents your interests.
Please note that some answers were edited to keep them brief and to the point. Anyone interested in the full response of any candidate can reach out to us at secretary.fottsa@tinycottager.org and we would be happy to share the unedited versions.
FoTTSA is not endorsing any specific candidate. Although only permanent residents may vote in this riding, we are sharing these questions and answers with permanent and seasonal residents to help all residents who may have interest in the issues addressed.
Questions
1. Most municipalities are struggling financially to maintain infrastructure and service levels. What actions do you and your party propose to help with the tax burden on smaller municipalities? Do you support ongoing funding for policing costs or the uploading of such costs to the provincial level?
Conservative – Hon. Jill Dunlop No response was received.
Liberal – Walter Alvare Bardales
I recognize that many municipalities face significant financial pressures as they work to maintain infrastructure and services, often relying heavily on property taxes. This tax system can indeed
be unfair, as it does not consider taxpayers’ ability to pay or their actual use of services. I spent 10 years of my professional life in tax policy working for the Federal Government and was
disillusioned at learning and concluding (as a personal view) that there are unfair practices in taxation at all levels of government; while some are fair, in my opinion, I’m aware that many are not. Party Position:
Given the unexpected call for this election, our party is working to complete a carefully costed platform, which will be made public shortly. Nevertheless, we are committed firmly to addressing the financial pressures facing smaller municipalities. We believe in a joint initiative between the province and municipalities to create sustainable funding models that reduce the reliance on property taxes.
My Commitment:
I am committed to exploring options that would reduce the tax burden on our communities. This includes lobbying the province to assume a more significant share of policing costs or to provide stable funding to municipalities for core services. By reducing financial pressures, municipalities like Tiny Township can improve their ability to serve their residents without burdening them with excessive taxation.
NDP – Jordi Malcom
Bringing equitable tax policy into play is one of the elements the ONDP prides itself on. It’s one reason I am running for that party. I understand municipal operating expenditures since 2000 have grown most in the categories of health and emergency services (335 per cent) followed by planning and development (215 per cent) … [source Fraser Inst. April 2024] This reflects growth in population and the increased need for safety management efforts. Policing service costs were recently increased after the Province negotiated a new contract with the OPP Association without involving local governments.
I believe that the Province should disburse the burden across all tax revenue sources for services negotiated by the Province, such as policing services rates. A fair approach would be to amortize these costs across the province and supplement local budgets to cover increases negotiated at the provincial level. We must acknowledge the important role of first responders. We must accept that they deserve living and sustainable wages. The alternative is to reduce their effectiveness and, as a result, our own safety and peace of mind.
Green Party – Christopher Carr
The Green Party recognizes that municipalities like Tiny Township are struggling under increasing costs downloaded from the province. Property taxes are an inequitable form of taxation that does not consider income or service usage. To ease this burden, the Green Party supports:
- Revenue-Sharing — returning a portion of the provincial gas tax and HST to municipalities, providing a stable funding source without raising property taxes.
- Policing Costs — uploading a portion of policing costs back to the provincial level, recognizing that community safety is a shared provincial responsibility. This will alleviate pressure on local budgets and ensure consistent service levels.
- Infrastructure Funding — introducing a permanent Municipal Green Infrastructure Fund to help rural communities upgrade and maintain essential services like water systems and roads. In Tiny Township specifically, the Stop the Build campaign highlights how poor spending choices strain municipal budgets. This is a prime example of why we need provincial support for municipalities to cover essential services without resorting to excessive property tax hikes.
New Blue – Dave Brunelle
Municipalities face increasingly complex challenges without the financial tools to solve them. Property taxpayers, including people on fixed incomes and small businesses owners, cannot afford to subsidize investment for those most in need, and significant capital investments. Municipalities are responsible for ensuring the safety and well-being of their community. The Province, hearing the concerns expressed due to the significant increase of the most recent invoice, provided relief this year. There is a proposed billing change of a 10 per cent reduction of 2025 invoice amounts to all communities. The province will also be examining options for reviewing the OPP billing model to ensure that it meets the needs of communities across the province. There’s recently been an effort on curbing reliance on municipal property taxes to fund provincial responsibilities. For this to be achieved, all levels of government need to play a role in ensuring Ontario’s infrastructure supports economic prosperity and quality of life in the long term. I would be strongly advocating for the provincial government to sit down with municipalities and work together on a joint review of municipal finance, including a detailed analysis of Ontario’s infrastructure investment and service delivery needs.
Ontario Libertarian Candidate – William Joslin (response submitted by party leader Mark Snow) The people call this downloading. It is for two reasons, prior to amalgamation every cost of any city or municipality was borne for the most part by the residents (taxpayers) and councils or cities had to go to the taxpayers for general property tax increases. The creation of the Municipal Act allowed for the province to increase general taxation and create the need to go hat in hand to the Province to seek those new sources of funding, for provincially and legislated controlled land use. It was accepted at first as a great way to do business, as it freed the local government from any responsibility, accountability, and questions from local rate payers … because they could just say … sorry that is a provincial authority, you will have to take that up with Queen’s Park, your MPP, or the Minister in charge (through your MPP). These are the Mike Harris conditions in which those in government knew full well, the windfall of amalgamation tax revenue it would bring to the state (provincially).
The answer to this question is we will END the Municipal Act with a complete rewrite of self- governance of local, municipal, and city-wide governance and restore those powers of taxation locally. This also includes ending the authority of Provincial Conservation Authorities, and MPAC Authorities as well. You see the problem we have is for too long local governance has gotten away with no accountability and had ZERO authority to tax people the true costs of running bloated local governance which no longer is accountable to local ratepayers. This will force local councils to seek approval for any project from rate payers and be accountable to you.
2. Municipal councils are governed by the Municipal Act, which is overseen by the provincial government. The last significant update to the Act was in 2001. Do you support a review of the Act to reflect current developments and recent concerns raised by constituents regarding fiscal mismanagement, lack of transparency, qualifications to run for office, and ability to create opportunities for constituents to implement changes during a council term?
Conservative – Hon. Jill Dunlop No response was received.
Liberal – Walter Alvare Bardales
Transparency, accountability, and good governance are essential to a healthy democracy.
Since the Municipal Act has not been significantly revised since 2001, reviewing the Act and ensuring that it reflects modern realities and adequately addresses new challenges is essential. Party Position:
Our party recognizes the importance of revising the Municipal Act to meet the needs of today. We are committed to conducting a comprehensive review of the Municipal Act, working with stakeholders to include provisions that ensure transparency, fiscal prudence, and public participation in municipal government.
My Commitment:
I firmly believe in revising the Municipal Act to increase oversight and empower constituents. This requires setting high standards for fiscal management, ensuring open criteria for those who wish to hold office, and offering opportunities for residents to make a difference within a term of council. By taking these steps, we can rebuild confidence in local government and ensure that councils are genuinely accountable to the people they serve.
NDP – Jordi Malcom
I believe the Municipal Act needs serious review and revision. The Act has been used egregiously over the past few years, imposing unnecessary anxiety, disruption, and expense for local governments. While it may have been considered beneficial when written, it has been used too often to satisfy personal agendas.
However, there does need to be some oversight into municipal planning and activity if we are ever to get to the point where affordability and livability are the by-words in our towns and cities. I would like to see a cross-party committee established to review the Act with participation by local municipalities and city government. In addition, I would take the time and make the effort to work with local government in Simcoe-North by mediating issues around the application of the Act.
Green Party – Christopher Carr
Yes, I strongly support a comprehensive review of the Municipal Act, which has not been significantly updated since 2001. The Act should be modernized to address concerns such as:
- Transparency and Accountability — Strengthening public consultation requirements, mandating the disclosure of long-term financial impacts for major projects, and enhancing oversight mechanisms to prevent fiscal mismanagement.
- Qualifications for Office — Introducing basic eligibility requirements, such as financial literacy training, to ensure council members are prepared for complex budgetary decisions.
- Public Engagement Rights — Creating a mechanism for constituents to trigger a referendum on major capital projects or policy decisions, ensuring that councils remain responsive to the communities they serve. In Tiny Township, the current council’s disregard for public input on the new administrative building highlights the urgent need for legislative reforms that empower residents to hold their elected officials accountable between elections.
New Blue – Dave Brunelle
The reason why I’m running is because I, like many residents of the Simcoe North riding, became increasingly frustrated with our current provincial government’s fiscal irresponsibility, lack of integrity, disregard for accountability to constituents, and government policies driven by unelected bureaucrats, lobbyists and special interest groups. It’s time for a change in how we do politics. I am committed to bringing about that change. Therefore, I would strongly support a review of the Municipal Act to reflect current developments and recent concerns.
Ontario Libertarian Candidate – William Joslin (submitted by party leader Mark Snow)
Under a libertarian majority government the MA will be a shell of the legislation currently in place. The people must have a say in local projects and taxation to fund them. We will end centralization and return those powers to local governance.
3. Tiny Township council is following a path that would commit taxpayers to massive costs for an administrative building that is not needed, wanted, or affordable. How would you support constituents to stop this massive waste?
Conservative – Hon. Jill Dunlop No response was received.
Liberal – Walter Alvare Bardales
The proposed $50 million investment in new administrative buildings is of great concern, especially in light of the significant opposition from the community and the uncertainties surrounding its necessity.
Party Position:
Our party believes in responsible fiscal management and understands the need for community consultation on large expenditures. We are committed to helping municipalities make decisions that are fiscally responsible and aligned with the needs and aspirations of their residents.
My Personal Commitment:
I stand with the residents in calling for transparency and fiscal responsibility. The large petition against the project highlights a deep disconnect between the council’s goals and the community’s desires. If elected, I will work to:
- Facilitate Dialogue — encourage open communication between the council and constituents to ensure that all voices are heard.
- Promote Transparency — call for the public release of all reports and studies related to the project.
- Seek Alternatives — explore more affordable solutions that meet real needs without placing an undue burden on taxpayers.
- Encourage Accountability — call for the implementation of mechanisms that hold municipal councils accountable for their major financial decisions, thus ensuring that these decisions are in the best interests of the community.
NDP – Jordi Malcom
This is an issue for local citizens and their voting power. As MPP I would certainly be willing to assist in mediating the concerns of constituents and seeking alternatives to the expenditures. However, I do not believe that it is the purview of an MPP to unduly influence local decisions. That would negate the independent status of local government. If we want independent local management, we cannot also have the Province stepping in to make local decisions. Back to the question about the Municipal Act, addressing local issues such as this would be something to discuss in the review and revision of that legislation.
Green Party – Christopher Carr
The proposed $50 million administrative building is a textbook case of wasteful spending: unnecessary, unsupported, and unaffordable. As a Green Party candidate and advocate for the Stop the Build campaign, I would:
- Push for a Provincial Review — advocate for an audit of the project under the Ontario Municipal Affairs and Housing Ministry to assess financial feasibility and adherence to best practices.
- Support Democratic Action— work with residents to pursue a binding plebiscite or referendum on the project, ensuring the community has the final say.
- Promote Sustainable Alternatives — propose cost-effective solutions, such as retrofitting existing facilities or exploring shared service models with neighboring municipalities. This fight is about more than a building—it’s about respecting taxpayers, preserving our environment, and ensuring that every dollar spent serves the community’s real needs. The residents of Tiny Township deserve a council that listens to them, not one that imposes costly, unwanted projects.
New Blue – Dave Brunelle
Elected officials must be held accountable to the people they serve and uphold their duty to listen to and represent their constituents respectfully, transparently, and in a lawful manner. For this to happen, an open public meeting should occur at least once every three months to answer questions from constituents.
Due to the fact that council members are voted to a 4-year term, and there are decisions made that are irreversible, I would support legislation that would allow for a by-election when 70 per cent or more of the constituents who voted in the previous election sign a petition calling for the resignation of council members.
Ontario Libertarian Candidate – William Joslin (submitted by party leader Mark Snow)
Tiny Township requires all the taxation, local authority to seek permission from local ratepayers on this cost. It must come in the form of how much addition cost per household will I be charge on my property tax bill for these improvements. See the statement for what it is, and remind the folks, they have no power, no option, in taxation by representation – and there is nothing they can do about … but go hat in hand to the provincial authority to seek those funds. It was designed that way to force you back to the central authority to seek special permission (by loyalty to the state). IT MUST END.