AFFORDABLE HOUSING
Finish the housing we started this term.
The work and planning of last council and staff have produced two significant housing projects. 28 affordable house ownership units that are shovel ready, and 159 long term affordable rentals, that should be ready soon.  I will continue to work hard to see these projects to completion.  We have a housing crisis, and we have an obligation to do something about it.  

As always, I will listen, engage, and consult the public at each stage.  I am passionate about this project, and I will be the strong unwavering voice on council, that sees this through to completion.


THE ENVIRONMENT
Continue the significant good work initiated this term. 
Continue to plant 10,000 trees in 10 years and expand the tree sales. 
Continue working with the Saugeen Shores Butterfly way group to nurture and expand our pollinator gardens  https://ssbutterflyway.ca/
Continue to support the good work of Garlic Mustard Challenge of Saugeen Shores, the Invasive Species Group, and the Wildflower project.
Continue to rehabilitate our beaches with dune grass to retain sand and create habitat and food for migrating birds and insects.
Continue to cut less grass, and leave more natural areas along our trails, shores, and parks.

Let’s protect and enhance the thin green line along our shoreline.  We share this coastline with a significant number of migratory birds and insects.  Gaps in this thin green line are an existential threat to wildlife.  Everyone loves birds and butterflies.  Surely, we can share our coastline with them.


TAXES
​In 2026 we held the tax increase to 0.9%, less than inflation. I am committed to inflation only rate increases for the Town portion of taxes as much as it is possible. Each budget last term I am on record calling for less increase. Last year we achieved it. Let’s work towards budget increases that are capped at the rate of inflation.

Making a budget is the delicate art of balancing the budget and balancing the needs of the community.


RAIL TRAIL AND HIGHWAY 21 CROSSING
The rail trail crossing at Highway 21 has been a safety concern for years. A controlled crossing would be safest solution. Controlled crossings are not allowed in 80 KPH zones, they must be in 60 KPH zones. Despite past efforts to have the speed lowered, it remains 80 KPH. 

Through my role as the council representative on the Saugeen Rail Trail, I made a motion to lower the speed limit to 60 KPH on highway 21. As I follow up on this next term, I am hoping that persistence will pay off and this safety issue will be resolved. 

It must be noted that the highway is under the authority of the Provincial Government and decisions about the speed limit are made by them and them alone. The way forward is to keep lobbying and keep asking. I can't promise that I can get the speed limit lowered, but I can promise that I’ll try.


DEVELOPING A NEW PARK
The new park in the Bluewater Lands needs to be designed and built. Do its size it will be a unique neighbourhood park. We will engage the public to guide this new park. I hope to see some naturalized sections and wildflowers under and along some sections of the trees.

This term, council invested in three major parks: Northshore, Jubilee, and Helliwell. Concepts were presented at public meetings. There was broad public engagement and consultation, and as result, we produced three great parks. You can count on the same proven level of public engagement in the Bluewater park.

ADVANCE CONSTRUTION OF STREETS WITH POOR DRAINAGE
I want to advance the construction of streets with drainage and flooding problems in their neighbourhood. Our rainstorms are getting more severe; flooding is costly and disruptive. Resilience to climate change and controlling localized flooding must become criteria to consider when prioritizing street reconstruction.

FIX THE DRAINAGE IN SOUTHHAMPTON
Council invested in the 2-zone flood plain in east Southampton. It has unlocked needed housing lots and will improve drainage in that area. We also completed a master drainage plan, and studies of outlets 12, 13A,13B, and 14. The studies are complete. Now let’s find the grant money and continue the good work of this council, and fix this missing infrastructure link. It will help to provide housing in our planned development area and protect homes down stream from storm water. This will help control localized flooding and build resilience to climate change and severe weather.

LOOKING EVEN FURTHER AHEAD,
EXPANDING OUR ACTIVE TRANSPORT LINKS
I want to continue to develop our active transport links. I want to explore a new trail next to Highway 21, on the west side of the road. This will link Concession 10 to the rail trail at 21. This is the vision and idea of the retiring vice deputy mayor Mike Myatt.