On the Issues
Jobs, Economic Development & Taxes
- As Mayor, I will keep our property taxes in line.
- I understand the importance of expanding the commercial/industrial tax base so we can lower the tax burden on our residents.
- As Regional Councillor, I voted to keep property taxes in line in 2021 bringing in the lowest property tax increase in 20 years. I will always fight for taxpayers as Mayor.
- I have a plan for bringing more good paying, local jobs to Pickering through innovation, opportunity and economic development.
- We need to cut unnecessary red tape for job creators and small business owners.
- Use our casino revenue from Pickering Casino Resort to improve service levels while holding the line on property taxes.
- Continue to fight for a hospital here in Pickering.
Responsible Growth, Our Environment, Sustainability & Conservation
- Support the four pillars of sustainability – human, social, economic and environmental.
- Make housing affordability a top priority by developing sustainably and building on transit corridors. Let’s live, work and play close to home and reduce the use of our cars.
- More attainable housing options for all, but specifically first-time homebuyers looking to get into the market, seniors who are looking to downsize or age-in-place, and families looking to put down roots here in Pickering.
- Continue to support our community by opposing development that does not align with our vision for the community. I opposed the development of condo buildings along Pickering’s beautiful waterfront and have concerns with the proposal at Rougemount/HWY 2.
- Enhance the City of Pickering’s fleet with more electric vehicles.
- Support innovation on the Federal Airport Lands. Some examples include solar and wind projects & infrastructure, community gardens, vertical growing and increase investments in the agricultural sector, just to name a few examples.
- Support and incentivize innovative development that includes environmentally sustainable features like green roofs, more green space for residents, efficient light & water fixtures, and much more.
Enhanced Services for Seniors, Youth & Persons with Disabilities
- Continue to implement and invest in the Age Friendly Community Plan.
- Establish an enhanced discount program that will make recreation more affordable to those who need it most.
- Support new centres for our seniors and youth in our Downtown.
- Ensuring our new downtown is fully accessible to all.
- Faster snow clearing for our seniors and persons with disabilities.
- More barrier free parks.
- Increase the seniors property tax grant.
- Continue to fight for a hospital here in Pickering.
Recreation, Arts, Culture & Tourism
- Promote Pickering as a top-tier film and production location.
- Bring a Performing Arts Centre to Pickering.
- Support affordable recreation fees so all Pickering residents can enjoy what our facilities have to offer.
- Enhanced programs and services through the Pickering Public Library.
- Continue to invest in our local history and heritage by continuing to invest in things like the Pickering Museum Village.
- More splash pads across our city.
Getting People Moving
- Support more transit spending – including further investments in Bus Rapid Transit and other initiatives that will move people across both Pickering & Durham faster.
- Work with other levels of government to secure further transit funding for Pickering & Durham Transit.
- Investigate further partnerships between the TTC & Durham Transit so Pickering commuters have more choice.
- Fight for reduced tolls on Durham’s portion of the 407, which is provincially owned.
What We’ve Accomplished Together at City Hall
- Second lowest property tax increase in over 20 years – 1.54%
- Lowest property tax mill rate in the Durham Region.
- Removed late fines and penalties at our libraries.
- New backup generator at Chestnut Hills Rec Centre.
- Property tax grant for seniors and persons with disabilities.
- Snow clearing for seniors and persons with disabilities.
- Porsche Test Tracking coming to Durham Live.
What We’ve Approved in Budget 2021-2022
- 6.1 Million Dollars invested into our roads and bridges
- Community Investment Fund
- Acquiring more land for our Waterfront Trail
- New Firefighters
- Pickering Heritage Community Centre
- Rotary Frenchman’s Bay Master Plan – Park & Washroom Completion
- Mechanical harvesting of Eurasian water-milfo (an invasive species in Frenchman’s)
- Whitevale Master Drainage Plan