Get Involved Guelph Survey

What is your plan for encampment residents that respects people's humanity and need for safety?

People living in encampments deserve dignity, humanity and safety. Encampments are not housing and are not a permanent solution to homelessness. I support outreach, accessible shelter, housing and appropriate supports, with clear safety expectations for everyone. The goal must be stable housing, not simply moving people from place to place.

 

What actions would you champion to address the housing crisis and improve income security in our community?

There is no single solution to the housing crisis. We need to build more housing while protecting the affordable housing we already have. I would champion faster, predictable approvals; implementing and enforcing Guelph’s renoviction bylaw; partnerships with non-profit and co-operative housing providers; and strategic use of City land and municipal tools to support affordable, deeply affordable and supportive housing. Where incentives are provided, they should have clear, measurable outcomes. Housing and income security are connected. Municipally, we must keep services accessible, use the tools we control effectively, and advocate for stronger income supports for those struggling to meet basic needs.

 

What is your understanding of the causes of homelessness and what actions should the municipality take to prevent it?

Homelessness rarely has a single cause. Housing affordability and availability, low or unstable income, mental health and substance-use challenges, family breakdown, violence and other circumstances can intersect. Prevention must begin before someone loses their housing. I support protecting existing rental stock, enforcing the renoviction bylaw, increasing affordable and supportive housing, and strengthening partnerships that can intervene when someone is at risk of losing their home. Sometimes modest assistance at the right moment can prevent homelessness altogether. For those who need more than affordable housing alone, housing must also be connected to appropriate supports that help people remain successfully housed.

 

How will you make sure the City stops shifting the responsibility onto residents, fixes its own pollution problems, and puts the necessary funding back into local climate action?

The City must lead by example. Guelph has invested in reducing emissions through energy-efficient facilities, fleet electrification, and water and wastewater infrastructure. There is more work to do. I will support responsible climate investments that deliver measurable emissions reductions and long-term value, while transparently reporting our progress toward established targets.

 

How will you work to ensure that Guelph's transportation, construction, commercial and industrial sectors meet greenhouse gas emission targets?

The City can influence emissions through transportation, development and infrastructure decisions. I support electrifying our municipal fleet, improving transit and active transportation, encouraging energy-efficient construction, and working with businesses and industry on practical emissions reductions. We must measure our progress and adjust when targets are not being met.

 

What measures will you take to ensure that Guelph stays within its water capacity limits and does not end in a crisis like the City of Waterloo?

As a groundwater-dependent community, water capacity must guide how Guelph grows. I support continued investment in water infrastructure and conservation, regular capacity monitoring, and our new “Use It or Lose It” servicing allocation policy. Growth must be planned alongside the water and wastewater infrastructure required to support it.

 

As a member of council, how would you show leadership to ensure that the city continues to grow and enhance green spaces that support healthy environments for native plant and animal species, such as pollinators, as well as for city residents?

Guelph already faces a shortage of parkland, and as our population grows, that pressure will increase. I support acquiring new parkland, protecting natural heritage, expanding native and pollinator-friendly plantings, and connecting green spaces and trails. Growth must include accessible green space that supports biodiversity and the wellbeing of residents.

 

What initiatives or additional measures would you propose and fund to protect and increase the canopy to achieve the goal of 40% coverage?

Reaching 40% canopy will require continued investment in planting, maintaining and replacing trees on public land, while encouraging residents to plant trees on private property. I support expanding planting opportunities and incentives, while reviewing whether existing tree protections strike the right balance between protecting our canopy and respecting property owners.

 

What steps will you take to improve the safety, accessibility, and completeness of Guelph's active transportation infrastructure for all ages and abilities? How will you ensure that the City remains on track to achieve the Transportation Master Plan's active transportation mode share goal? (Mode share is the proportion of trips by different transportation modes such as walking, cycling, transit, and cars.)

I support filling gaps in our sidewalk and cycling networks, improving safe crossings, and incorporating active transportation when roads are reconstructed. Infrastructure should be accessible and safe for people of different ages and abilities. We must track how people travel and prioritize investments that make walking and cycling practical choices

 

Will you give staff the mandate and tools necessary to carry out the priorities outlined in the Guelph Trails Master Plan?

Yes. I support closing gaps in sidewalk and cycling networks, improving safe crossings, and making active transportation safe, accessible and practical for residents.

 

Recently the Guelph Junction Railway and the city closed century-old trails between Victoria Rd and Stone Rd. The staff responsible for the GJR continually ignore council's direction for a more responsive relationship with the public. Do you support changing the makeup of the GJR board of directors to a community-based board whose membership equally reflect GJR's profit and community-good mandates and excludes members who are not Guelph residents?

There's room to improve GJR governance, accountability and community responsiveness. I support reviewing the board structure to better reflect both its business and community mandates.

 

What measures will you support to improve local transit service, especially frequency and reliability, and how should those improvements be funded?

I support continuing to improve frequency and reliability through the Future Ready Action Plan, using ridership and performance data to prioritize service improvements. Transit should be funded through a balanced mix of fares, municipal investment and available grants, while keeping affordability and value for taxpayers central to funding decisions.

 

What do you see as the highest priority for the Yorklands (former Ontario Reformatory property)?

My priority is protecting the Yorklands as a natural, cultural and heritage asset while pursuing its potential as an urban park, including available federal funding opportunities. I support preserving the landscape and trails and exploring adaptive reuse of heritage buildings for community, museum, cultural or performance uses.

 

How will you ensure residents have equitable access to needed services and amenities, like parks, recreation and libraries, in light of the province's mandated growth target for Guelph of 208,000 people?

Building Faster must also mean Building Smarter. As Guelph grows, parks, recreation, libraries and community amenities must grow with us. I support using master plans and data to identify gaps, secure land and plan investments early, ensuring new neighbourhoods have equitable access to the spaces and services they need.

 

What is your vision for the growth and development of Guelph's business and industry? What specific strategies do you have in mind to attain them?

Guelph needs a diverse economy alongside residential growth. I support protecting employment lands, streamlining approvals, ensuring infrastructure is ready for new investment, and creating conditions for businesses to start, grow and remain here. Economic development should attract new employers while supporting existing businesses and maintaining a strong local employment base.

 

How can the city implement the action items suggested by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission?

Reconciliation requires more than land acknowledgements; it requires relationships and action. I have valued opportunities to speak with Indigenous leaders, listen to their teachings and better understand what meaningful reconciliation can look like. The City should continue implementing its Indigenous Relations Framework, strengthening relationships with Indigenous governments and local communities, and acting on TRC Calls to Action where municipalities have a direct role. This includes education, meaningful consultation and ensuring Indigenous perspectives inform relevant City decisions. Progress should be measurable and publicly reported. Reconciliation requires us to keep listening, learning and turning those lessons into action.

 

How would you support the protection of our built and cultural heritage in Guelph?

Guelph’s heritage helps tell the story of our city and is worth protecting. I support preserving significant buildings, structures and cultural landscapes, while finding opportunities to adapt them for continued use. Heritage protection should not simply preserve the past, but find practical ways to keep it relevant for future generations.

 

How will you empower the generations poised to inherit this city, as contributors?

Young people should have opportunities to shape the city they will inherit. I support meaningful ways for youth to contribute to public spaces and community projects, including exploring a graffiti and public art strategy. Creative outlets provide purpose, build confidence and give young people pride and ownership in their city.

 

What is your position on intellectual freedom in public libraries, and how would you support the Guelph Public Library in maintaining its independence in selecting materials, programming, and resources for the community?

I support intellectual freedom and the Library’s independence in selecting materials and programming. People will reasonably disagree about books, displays, programs and creative expression. The Library has established processes to request materials or reconsider existing ones. I support allowing those processes and the Library Board’s policies to guide decisions.

 

How will you support our vibrant arts community, which contributes so much to Guelph's quality of life and economy?

Guelph’s arts community contributes to our identity, economy and sense of belonging. I support sustainable municipal arts funding, accessible spaces for artists and events, strong partnerships with local arts organizations, and including artists in conversations about our public spaces. Supporting the arts means recognizing their cultural, social and economic value.

 

How would you improve the relationship between the city and community organizations that volunteer to enhance the city through many different projects?

Community organizations and volunteers bring energy, expertise and ideas that make Guelph better. The City should treat them as partners by providing clear points of contact, timely responses and transparent processes. I support identifying and removing unnecessary barriers so good community-led projects are easier to navigate from idea to implementation.

 

What changes would you make to current tax allocations to get better value for our tax dollars?

Better value does not necessarily mean moving money from one service to another or simply cutting spending. I support regular value-for-money audits, reviewing programs against measurable outcomes, identifying duplication and inefficiencies, and prioritizing core services and infrastructure. One thing I have learned on Council is that we must consider long-term costs when making budget decisions; deferring necessary work can cost taxpayers more later. Budget decisions should be transparent about what residents are paying for, what results those investments are delivering, and where we can reasonably do better.

 

What mechanisms would you support to give city government better accessibility, transparency and accountability?

Accessibility and transparency require more than making information public; people need to be able to find and understand it. I support clear, plain-language reporting, searchable access to policies and Council decisions, and meaningful public engagement early enough to influence outcomes. Clear, accessible records of Council decisions, votes and the reasoning behind them are essential to counter misinformation and allow residents to verify what actually happened. When residents raise concerns, there should be clear responsibility for responding and following up. Accountability also means being willing to revisit decisions when circumstances change, and being honest about what worked, what didn't, and why.

 

What is your position on ranked ballots for municipal elections, and what role, if any, should Council play in advocating to the Province on how local elections are run?

I am open to considering ranked ballots, but would want to better understand the implications and hear from residents before taking a position. Municipalities should have a meaningful voice in how local elections are conducted, and Council can appropriately advocate to the Province when changes would benefit local democracy.

 

Do you support strong mayor powers? Explain why or why not.

Municipalities are creatures of the Province, so Strong Mayor Powers are our reality. I am uncomfortable with significant decisions being made with support from only a minority of Council. Thirteen people are elected to represent Guelph. We should work collaboratively and build consensus before extraordinary powers become necessary.

 

Will you sign/have you signed the Elect Respect pledge?

Yes I have signed it twice actually. Once as a Trustee and again as a Councillor.

 

What experiences, community involvement and civic participation do you bring to the office you wish to be elected to?

I bring experience as a City Councillor, UGDSB Trustee and Vice-Chair, staff-elected UofG Governor, and Trustee on the Boards of The Elliott Community and Art Gallery of Guelph. I am a proud Woman of Steel, community volunteer and lifelong customer-service professional, with experience in municipal, educational and community governance.