1. If elected, what will you do for new municipal land transfer taxes that make buying a
home even less affordable? Provincial Land Transfer Tax is controlled by the
Province.
Toronto is the only Municipal in Ontario that charges a Land Transfer Tax.
I would Not support charging Land Transfer Tax in St. Marys
2. If elected, what will you do on lowering development charges and speeding up
development approvals?
The Province has already mandated a lower Development
Charges across the Province which will lead to a short fall in long term infrastructure
funding. I believe this mandated reduction is a good incentive for new builds. I would
support lowering or eliminating town Development charges for Supportive Housing
Developments.
3. If elected, what will you do on zoning changes that make it easier to build
townhomes, multiplexes and other missing middle housing?
I am a believer in housing
diversity options. I welcome zoning changes at support development in the missing
middle housing and builds that accommodate all of our citizens.
Healthcare & Social Programs:
4. What are the things that you will do to help our health care system specially for those
who are waiting for a family doctor in town?
Local Physicians are succession planning and actively recruiting physicians for future patient care. I believe we need to continue
supporting their efforts annually by budgeting $75,000 toward retention and recruitment
of Physicians through Happy Valley Health. New Physicians directly supports St. Marys
hospital and Emergency care, keeping this open is vital. The Town also committed
$300,000 over 6 years to support Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance and regional
healthcare.
5. What will you do about the day care system in our area?
WE have limited space in the towns existing daycare and expanding is a large capital investment. Independently
owned, licensed daycare with qualified ECE educators is an entrepreneurial opportunity
within the community. I would support establishment independent provincially regulated
daycares that would benefit from the current legislated funding structure.
6. When it comes to social programming, would you like to see funding increased for
this and if so where would it be allocated?
I would like to see more funding to support new public, subsided and attainable house
within St. Marys.
7. Most importantly where would this funding come from?
WE continue to seek Grant funding by the Province and Federal levels to support new
builds in supportive housing but are overlooked because the larger cities present a
larger problem. I truly hope small town and rural community needs are soon deemed as
important by these levels.
Strong Mayor Powers:
8. Ontario has given mayors strong powers. Do you feel that the mayor of St. Marys
should have the ability to use them? Explain why or why not.
I do Not Support strong mayor powers. I feel a table of elected Councillor and Mayor
have the better ability together to make an informed decision over the thoughts of one
person ruling from a position of power.
Industry & Business:
9. Tourism was recently announced as the primary focus for economic development.
What are your economic development plans for increasing the towns industrial base as
well? There are currently 2 parcels of land being developed for light industrial use with
each having the potential to draw several new companies to St. Marys. The town will
cooperate in assessing infrastructure needs. WE have heard from existing industry that
the availability of employees to hire is very important. Building housing forms that fit
with employee earnings is important. So I will continue to support house forms that
increase the workforce ability to live locally.
10. How would you deal with downtown vacancies?
A key motivator to shifting focus on Tourism is to support our downtown. Having a
stronger Tourism will support downtown businesses with increased sales. St. Marys will
eventually become the “Place to Be” for retail success leading to less vacancies.
Similar to St. Jacobs or Elora with healthy downtowns.
11. How would you incentivize businesses to grow?
Each initiative or Strategic Priority has spinoffs. A variety of housing forms allow workers
to live locally, creating a strong local workforce. Tourism priority brings new people to
town and spinoff to financial health for local business. Having a local hospital and
Doctors are attractive to future industries investor's. It is the package of offerings that
make St. Marys an attractive choice to grow a business.
Fiscal Items
12. What is your experience with fiscal management?
I was new to municipal finance when I came onto council 8 years ago. My career as a
Realtor allowed me lots of connection people and advice on individual financing and
affordability. I think my experience on a micro scale helps me understand clearly the
impact of council decisions on the individual tax payer.
13. The question is for all current Councillors running for re-election current mayoral
candidates: What is the cost to date on the restoration of the Mercury Theatre, and what
will the total cost be to complete the project?
The total cost for interior and exterior work will be approximately $4,000,000.
The Library is currently fundraising to support $1,000,000 of that total cost as they will
be a anchor tenant in the space.
Supplementary is, How do you justify this cost?
Answers to Questions not asked:
Don Van Galen:
6. A few months ago I attended the Kick Off for the campaign at the Emily Murphy Centre, Tiny Homes - Big Impact, which will add 5 new units to meet the always present need at the Centre. In my discussion with a board member, access to proper information was key to assist women in crisis. I believe we should ensure all our public buildings and our online resources have that information available and that our outreach worker is well versed in accessing those services. Providing contact information for all resources available is a key first step.
9. While Tourism is important to this town, I don't think it should be the only focus. Economic development must include attracting new businesses, manufacturing and services that provide good paying jobs. In the midst of a trade war with the United States we are constantly threatened with tariffs that could devastate one or more of our employers. Keeping industrial land available and ready for development has paid dividends in the past by attracting new industry and allowing existing industry to expand. As Mayor I will meet with existing business leaders to determine their needs, seek out new opportunities and grow our economy.
12. I have spent the last 20 years working in financial services, guiding families and businesses with proven strategies to protect and grow their wealth. Budgeting, reducing debt, reducing taxes and building wealth are key for everyone. During my time I expanded my business skills from my days as a local merchant, obtaining designations and awards for my efforts. Added to those skills are the 18 years I spent on council, and various boards. Studying budgets, debt and capital plans to ensure strong fiscal management and ensuring wise use of your tax dollars. Keeping taxes low and the town on budget while preserving services and economic growth is always my goal.
13. In round figures the current council has spent $1.3 million and is planning on additional $2.5 million to complete the project, if the fundraising goal is reached and the financial plan using a combination of reserves and new debt is adopted by the new council. Key issues remain to be determined, but most notably how $361,000 in projected new annual costs will be funded ($211K operating and $150K asset management.) I will be looking for answers on those key issues, including the financial benefits to the community and services to our citizens.
Marg Luna:
8. Strong Mayor Powers, in my opinion, are unconstitutional and take away the ability for a duly elected council to make decisions. It can create fear and uncertainty amongst the CAO and senior staff if they have an opinion or recommendation differing that of the mayor. The Mayor and Council rely on the CAO and staff to give us accurate, honest and well researched recommendations. If there is an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty, trust is lost. I wrote a motion in 2025 to ask the province to remove the town of St Marys from the list of Strong Mayor Powers and it was passed unanimously by council, including the mayor. To date, we have had no response to the request. Mayor Strathdee was very open and clear with council, staff and the public that he would not use Strong Mayor Powers but this does not carry forward to a new mayor.
9. This past year, the town purchased land on Glass Street for light industrial development. In the south end of town James and Given rd, there are 10 to 16 industrial lots. I am open to almost any kind of industrial addition to the town that does not put a strain on our infrastructure. I would not support a data centre however.
12. For 15 years as the Director of Resident Care at Spruce Lodge I was responsible for a $1 million plus budget. With 18 years in total on council I’ve participated in 18 budgets and passings. I learned that 0% isn’t a good way to go, but also yearly increases must be kept manageable for our citizens.
13. To Date $1,298,523 have been spent on 14 Church St., N.
This is broken down into purchase price of $286,092, renovation cost of $922,872, planning of $89,559. $50,880 of this was from a Grant.
There is a funding plan with a goal to limit impact on taxes.
For Renovations $840,843 will be taken from Development charges. An amount to be decided will be added from the Library reserve. A 14 Church St. N. reserve fund will be developed and an amount to be decided based on the project timing.
To date, community fundraising has $165,000 in pledges received with a goal of $1 million to be raised.
Some debt will be incurred over the years for this project, but a plan is in place that no new taxation will be needed for debt financing.
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