Muskoka Lakes Township — District Councillor and Township Councillor — Ward C / Ward 3 — Acclaimed
1. What actions have you personally taken to support a greener, more sustainable climate?
2. What opportunities for climate leadership at the municipal level (e.g. greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs)) would you champion in one or more of these areas: Buildings | Housing | Land use (sprawl) | Transportation | Other
3. A long-term problem requires a long-term solution. What is your 100-year plan? If elected, what would be your first action?
I am looking forward to the opportunity of serving as Muskoka Lakes Ward C District and Township Councillor. I admire and respect all who have run and served on municipal councils, and it is now my time to step up and contribute to the continued progress and success of Muskoka Lakes Township and the District of Muskoka.
I’ve been a year-round Muskoka cottager since 1987 and a full-time resident since 2019. Over the years, I have been involved in numerous diverse community groups, including Muskoka Algonquin Health Care (Vice Chair), Muskoka Lakes Museum (Director and Treasurer), and Muskoka Lakes Association Water Quality Monitoring, as well as minor hockey.
As we all know, there are numerous challenges and opportunities facing Muskoka. I believe that the most significant challenge is the ongoing threat of overdevelopment and the long-term impact on our lakes and quality of life. While I’m not against development, it must be long-term, planned, reasoned, and strategic to avoid unintended consequences.
Healthy and prosperous communities are also vital to long-term success. We need to work together and with other governments to address the attainable housing shortage across our district. We also must focus on planned phased growth within serviced areas, which includes making our communities more accessible and providing transportation options. Ensuring reliable Internet service and other new technologies will in turn help create and increase new opportunities across the district.
As Councillor, I bring extensive professional and board expertise in the finance/investment, information technology, human capital, governance, and environmental sectors. I will also draw on my previous municipal experiences, including The Atmospheric Fund of the City of Toronto and as a board member of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities Green Municipal Fund.
Muskoka has always been a welcoming community and a great place to visit, live and work. I feel honoured to be a steward of its future. Going forward, I am committed to working with Council and the community to do what is required to ensure that it remains so.