The Plan

A Future for Waterloo

Affordability and Taxes

Taxes have increased a record 27% over the last 4 years, 60% higher than Cambridge and 70% higher than Kitchener.  At the same time, the Mayor led the charge for a 33% wage increase and goverment pension for herself and council.  We can’t afford 4 more years of this mayor.

The platform

Value for every tax dollar

1

Taxpayer Value Guarantee

Cost, outcome, alternatives and lifecycle cost for significant discretionary proposals.  Challenge departments to cut red-tape, use technology & innovation for productivity and find efficiencies and lower-priority spending.

2

Multi-Year Affordability Commitment

Keep annual City property-tax increases as close to inflation as possible while protecting essential services.

3

Annual value-for-money reviews

Every year, a review of what residents are getting for what they pay.

Regional affordability commitments

Waterloo's voice at the Region

33%

Since the last election, Regional taxes have increased by 33%. That is before the City of Waterloo's own increases.

Set the target first

At the start of every regional budget, I will move that council direct staff to bring forward a budget at or near inflation, with the trade-offs laid out in public.

Line-by-line review

I will push for every regional department to justify its budget from the ground up, not simply add a percentage to last year's number.

Measure ourselves against our peers

I will ask that every regional budget be compared publicly with Peel, Durham, Halton and other comparable regions, so residents can see whether we are keeping pace.

Protect the core

Water, roads, paramedics, transit and policing come first. New spending must show its value before it is approved.

No surprises

Major cost changes will come to council as clear, stand-alone decisions, never buried in a routine or housekeeping item.

Report back to you

After every regional budget, I will publish how I voted on each major item and why.

This election, you are not only choosing a mayor for Waterloo. You are choosing Waterloo's voice at the Region, where roughly half of your property tax dollars are decided.

Getting the basics right

Fix what you see every day

Roads and potholes

  • Infrastructure Before Extras. Infrastructure-first budgeting: maintain existing assets before considering major discretionary projects.
  • Public Infrastructure Report Card.
  • Prioritize a fully funded multi-year road resurfacing and pothole-prevention plan.

Snow clearing

  • Neighbourhood Basic Standard. Measurable maintenance standards.
  • Better Winter Service. Performance measures after major winter events; identify chronic problem areas; review routes and service standards.

Parks, trails and playgrounds

  • Neighbourhood Basics Standard for parks, trails, trees, boulevards and landscaping.
  • Parks and Playground Renewal. A transparent long-term schedule for maintenance and replacement of aging parks and playgrounds.

Accountability and service

  • Trackable requests where feasible.
  • Earlier, meaningful consultation.
  • Accessible summaries of decisions, costs, impacts and alternatives.
  • Regular public progress reports.