2022 to 2026
The four year record.
Getting work done in politics is not an individual sport. It takes Council members, staff, other levels of government and you. Here is what this Council finished, what I pushed for in Ward 4, and where the work fell short.
The big picture
Four plans that will outlast this Council
These are the documents that will guide development, spending and stewardship in Fort Erie long after the term ends.
The new Official Plan
Approved by the Province, it guides land use to 2051 and sets the urban boundary that protects farmland and environmentally sensitive areas.
Parks and Open Space Master Plan
Already, it's delivered new neighbourhood parks and has rebuilt Sugar Bowl and Douglas Parks. Outdoor recreation and open space protection are priorities as development continues.
Asset Management Financing Strategy
Protects and grows capital reserves to fund repair and renewal of roads, water and wastewater plants. Upfront about the infrastructure/funding gap that's a problem for every Ontario community.
Climate Change Action Plan
Innovative pathways to environmental stewardship that attracted grant funding for major tree planting and EV chargers at locations across Fort Erie.
My 2022 priorities
How did I do?
Housing alternatives
Development should include a range of housing types. Provincial policy has pushed density beyond what local plans and services anticipated 10 years ago.
Roughly 600 new units were approved between 2023 and 2025. In early 2025 we adopted the Affordable Housing Community Improvement Plan, which provides grants for affordable units in new developments, studies and additional dwelling units. Sixteen applications came in between March 2025 and July 2026.
We also talked to builders, developers and community partners at Fort Erie's first Affordable Housing Symposium.
Healthy aging
About 53% of Fort Erie residents are over 50, and 27% are over 65. They are looking for a healthy lifestyle and quality of life in retirement. Housing, support services and a continuum of care have to be planned together.
After extensive consultation with the Town and residents, the redevelopment of Gilmore Lodge's long term home and community hub has brought enhanced service to residents, and the new 10 bed Hospice Niagara approved for the same site adds on site care and community outreach.
New seniors housing proposals, from the Fort Erie Lions on High Street and a private developer at 848 Garrison Road, give people real options for downsizing.
Strong Council advocacy made the province aware of local needs and likely contributed to the $4.75 million primary healthcare funding decision for south Niagara announced on July 10th.
Transit and roads
Fort Erie Transit was folded into the Niagara Transit Commission on January 1, 2023.
Work still unfinishedIn early 2026 the Commission introduced a fixed route hourly bus between Town Hall and Bridgeburg with a regional connection to Niagara Falls. The west end continues to be served by Niagara Transit Plus.
Residents have been sharply critical, particularly those using specialised transit. Some improvements have followed, but not enough. Continued follow up and advocacy are needed to make sure Fort Erie gets full value for a significantly larger payment to Niagara Transit.
Economic development
Fort Erie sits within 800 km of a market of 1.35 million people, but quality of life is what closes the deal.
Over 200 new retail, food and professional businesses have opened since 2023. Many are small and family run. Others, including Abatement Technologies, Holland Power Services and Siltech Corporation, represent multi million dollar investments here.
The new Ridgeway Centre added over 16,000 square feet of commercial space in Phase 1, with Phase 2 under way. We are also coordinating incentives across the Town's six Core Area Community Improvement Project (CIP) Areas and the Brownfield CIP Area to encourage investment and revitalisation.
Environmental stewardship
A Ward 4 clear cut started it. A town wide by-law brought in consequences.
After the December 2022 snowstorm, a stand of trees along Thunder Bay Road was clear cut despite being prohibited by the subdivision agreement with the Town. Residents, myself included, were outraged. I suggested a tree by-law to restrict the unauthorised destruction of our tree canopy, the Mayor moved it, and the by-law is now in place. It's been updated since to protect heritage and at risk species.
The Climate Change Action Plan followed to protect us long-term. Short-term, we have EV chargers installed across Town, tree planting initiatives and a community gardens programme run with local food providers and the Fort Erie Public Library.
In Ward 4 specifically
Work you can walk to
Thunder Bay Road urbanisation
Streetlights, sidewalks, traffic calming, water and wastewater from Prospect Point to Cook Avenue.
Six Mile Creek flooding
Supported residents through a full watershed assessment, which led to approval of a 425 metre berm to stop lake effect seiche flooding up Shirley Road and Bethune Avenue.
The beachfront watermain
$4.5 million secured from Ontario to move three kilometres of a failing lakefront watermain into the road network, add 17 fire hydrants and reconnect 84 properties.
The Legion crosswalk
Facilitated support for the memorial crosswalk at the Ridgeway Village Square marking the Royal Canadian Legion's 100 years of service to veterans and their families.
Schools that fit the subdivisions
Asked staff to challenge school board claims that overcrowded schools could absorb families in new subdivisions. Fort Erie is getting a new elementary school and a high school addition.
Urban design standards
As Chair of the Planning, Building and By-law Sub-committee, pushed for standards that reflect each neighbourhood, and spoke bluntly against proposals that ignore community vetted plans.
Around the table
Committee work, including the unglamorous kind
Appointed to the Fort Erie Public Library Board during a period of organisational crisis, balancing Council and Board expectations while the organisation stabilised.
Moved the Senior Citizens Advisory Committee from event provider to policy advisor to Council, while keeping the events that matter so much to isolated seniors.
Co-chair and now Chair of the Planning, Building and By-law Sub-committee, reviewing policy from professional staff and bringing public perspectives into the room.
Chair, then Vice-Chair, of the Community Health Care Services Committee, and Champion for the Health Strategic Pillar, which is how the Douglas Memorial study got started.
Council Liaison appointed to the Ridgeway Business Improvement Area Board of Management, supporting the RBIA in its beautification and business support mandate. After COVID's damage to our small businesses, RBIA members and volunteers fought to keep key events like Ridgefest, Christmas on the Ridge and the Farmers' Market going. I am proud to know the entrepreneurs who make Ridgeway Village a great place to shop, eat and do business.
Ribbon cuttings, business openings and Remembrance Day. The part of the job that happens after the agenda is done.
If the work were finished, I would not be running.
Here is what the next four years are for.