In the Media
Following is a list of issues and decisions the media found worth covering.
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October 20 , 2025 - Hillsburgh Gravel Pit Restoration
Speaking against the proposed tipping fee reduction, Coun. Cathy Aylard said she's concerned about the application's proposed traffic and the potential impacts on area residents, especially when considering a future development and the town's future Transportation Master Plan.
October 3, 2025 - Vote my Mail in 2026 Municipal Election
Coun. Cathy Aylard said she'd also prefer to stick to the "status quo" because that's what residents are used to and it's the fiscally responsible thing to do. For comparison, the hybrid model would've cost the most of the four options presented at $239,564; voting by mail will cost $169,793. "Whatever we can do to reduce the financial burden on our residents right now, we have to do," said Aylard.
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October 2, 2025 - Vote by Mail in 2026 Municipal Election
https://www.wellingtonadvertiser.com/erin-residents-to-vote-by-mail-in-2026-municipal-election/
Councillor Cathy Aylard also supported the vote-by-mail option, citing fiscal responsibility and the importance of a user-friendly experience.
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September 12, 2025​ - Short Term Rentals
​Coun. Cathy Aylard commended the staff's "slow and steady" approach to the regulation and said she feels encouraged by how many check-ins are proposed with the community to ensure staff are "on the right track." "There are so many different variables in this. I think we need to encourage and support our entrepreneurs, that's what makes living in Erin and visiting Erin so special," said Aylard. "But I agree that we have to provide safety guidelines for those visitors."
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July 25 - Mattamy & Coscorp Developments, 8th line, Erin
When Coun. Cathy Aylard asked how the town can enforce the conditions of approval, the consultant said there will be ongoing monitoring and residents can always reach out to the township. Worst comes to worst, there are securities built into the agreement that the town can take to ensure compliance.
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July 3, 2026 - Wastewater Construction Update
Coun. Cathy Aylard wanted Kavanagh to clarify that shaft six on Water Street was as close to completion as Kavanagh's presentation let on, since "it looks far away from being anywhere being completed and restored." She also asked about shaft eight, which is located outside of Erin Fitness.
Correcting himself, Kavanagh said shafts one to five will be completed this summer, and shaft six is "further away." Regarding shaft eight, Kavanagh said they've made an effort to tighten up the schedule since the linear and restoration works will impact Erin Fitness' driveway during construction.
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July 3, 2025 - Short Term Rentals
While supportive of the motion, Coun. Cathy Aylard shared concerns about over-regulation, speaking on the importance of encouraging short-term rentals that align with the town's character, like farm stays.
"We have very limited accommodations in this town. I'd like to encourage appropriate short-term rentals, not discourage them," said Aylard.
Aylard also questioned whether the developers would follow conditions associated with the draft plan of subdivision, considering it took Mattamy 12 days to breach the site alteration agreement when it was approved in May.
June 15, 2025 - Development
Sharing several concerns, Coun. Cathy Aylard said she'd like to see the development deferred until the town's active transportation master plan is completed in September, so they can consider all of the planned development.
"I continue to be disappointed and frustrated with these new developments. We're looking at 4,970 new homes in the town of Erin. It's shocking," said Aylard. "Looking at all of these as they come to the council table, none of them are offering anything that's unique to Erin or respects the quality of life for the existing residents, and this is after tons and tons of consultation and public input."
Aylard also questioned whether the developers would follow conditions associated with the draft plan of subdivision, considering it took Mattamy 12 days to breach the site alteration agreement when it was approved in May.
"On behalf of Mattamy, we apologise for that," said Ryan Oosterhoff from Mattamy. "I know it's hard, but try to trust that the contractor that we have on site to do the earthworks is a reputable contractor; they are very aware of the requirements."
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June 5, 2025 - Wasterwater construction plagues local businesses
Previously advocating for Erin Fitness, Coun. Cathy Aylard said the construction has been frustrating for everybody, especially for two "very active" businesses across from it. "It's been a long haul. It's really tough. This whole project is so complex," said Aylard. "I believe we're making some progress and I have to apologize for the impact that has had on our residents and our businesses." Participating in discussions with the CAO and Erin Fitness, Aylard said there are safety concerns in addition to well and accessibility concerns, but it "feels like we're almost at the end of it" with the restoration of some of the Main Street shaft sites.
"The only thing we can do is commit to better communication and getting people at the table to talk about these issues," said Aylard. "So we've got a lot of work to do."
May 24, 2025 - Zoning
​Coun. Cathy Aylard agreed, saying she thinks it will streamline the process and ensure applicants have their current state in order before they ask for more.
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May 10, 2025 - Developments
Opposing the application alongside Ryan, Coun. Cathy Aylard was more focused on future development lands set aside for single-detached dwellings, townhouse dwellings and a commercial block that weren't subject to the draft plan. "We obviously have a really, really large supply of single detached homes with very little alternative type housing ... I don't think this is an optimal blend right now," said Aylard.
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May 10 , 2025 - Public Meeting - ADU - Auxiliary Dwelling Unit
https://www.elorafergustoday.com/local-news/neighbours-outraged-at-huge-erin-home-proposal-10634504
Reflecting residents' comments, Coun. Cathy Aylard said while she supports ADUs when they're done appropriately, she doesn't feel this one fits the bill. She later asked whether the applicant has considered using the existing residence as the perfect country home and doing an appropriate ADU on that.
"The client would like to have a relatively bigger main dwelling, that's why we went this route, so that we can consider this as an existing ADU ... moreover, the look of the proposed dwelling, it's not like we're proposing a very contemporary house which looks out of the blue, this totally aligns" said Sood.
"I don't agree with that," said Aylard. "We do have architectural design guidelines and that is not represented in this house."
March 2025 - Infrastructure
These concerns were mirrored by Coun. Cathy Aylard at an Erin council meeting Thursday, during which she commented on the importance of prioritizing safety, saying the existing site lines are "awful."
"I know we'll get to a point that is satisfactory for both parties but I think there's a much better way of getting there ... we have to provide exceptional customer service. That's what we stand for," said Aylard. "We have to respect our business owners ... and we have to respect their property."
Advocating for improved communication from the town, especially when it comes to projects that interfere with local businesses to this level, Aylard asked whether businesses can vet construction plans before they're implemented to give them the best possible solution rather than having to go with a "half-baked idea."
"We have to put ourselves in the shoes of the business owners and provide adequate solutions," said Aylard. "I believe we have to stop expecting our business owners to negotiate with the contractors to find an acceptable solution."
February 14, 2025 - Ballantry Development​​
Some of those changes include reducing the number of dwelling units from 799 to 670, which would provide a density of approximately 15.5 units per hectare.
However, Coun. Cathy Aylard was quick to point out that this reduction doesn't include the senior housing component and the development actually has an estimated density greater than 21 units per gross hectare which will provide housing "over and above what is expected."
Aylard later questioned why the senior development components have a delayed construction date compared to the residential units, saying it feels like senior and mixed housing options are always a "second thought."
"I find that we're really lacking in this community with seniors housing, mixed-use housing, kind of alternative housing, and we are looking at lots of single-family dwellings popping up so I'd like that to be addressed if possible," said Aylard.
Nov 29, 2024 - Budget
https://www.wellingtonadvertiser.com/erin-council-approves-2025-budget-2-4-tax-rate-increase/
Throughout the presentation, department heads told council how they plan to use a total of $17 million in expenses next year.
Big-ticket capital projects in 2025 will include:
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an aerial ladder truck expected to cost $2.5 million;
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road grader, $650,000;
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digital transformation, $500,000; and
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road restoration program, $400,000.
“I think these are very ambitious plans; I’m a little uncomfortable they may be too ambitious,” said councillor Cathy Aylard.
“We’re committed to delivering these things so I’m a little bit uncomfortable with the amount of new requests for the budget.”
Aylard wanted staff to sift through the budget once more and include only essential projects.
“Can we be a little bit less ambitious and give our taxpayers a break?” she asked.
With the little time before the next meeting, Adams stated that would be “impossible” to accomplish.
October 11, 2024 - Logo
https://www.wellingtonadvertiser.com/erin-council-votes-to-pause-implementation-of-new-logo/
Councillor Cathy Aylard said she supports “discontinuing the new logo,” but would like to reinstate the previous logo “immediately.” She added she does not support further exploration of another option.
“However, I don’t support abandoning all the work that went into this branding exercise.” she noted.
“It was so much more than developing a new symbol; it was really about defining who we are as our population doubles in the next 10 years.”
October 10, 2024 - Logo
"I don't support a further investment into exploring another option. However, I don't support abandoning all the work that went into this branding exercise," said Coun. Cathy Aylard. "It was so much more than developing a new symbol. It was really about defining who we are as our population doubles in the next 10 years."
May 23, 2024 - Economic Stimulus
Council here supported a motion put forward by councillor Cathy Aylard to allocate $40,000 from the town’s economic development reserve “over and above” the regular economic development budget to support economic development activities.
Aylard spoke of “extreme construction fatigue” during a May 9 discussion on her motion.
The money can go toward promoting economic development, stimulating local businesses and enhancing prosperity within the community, Aylard said.
“Especially during construction,” she added, referring to ongoing construction in Erin’s downtown cores, related to the town’s new wastewater treatment plant.
“Construction fatigue in Hillsburgh is an even bigger concern,” Mayor Michael Dehn suggested.
“I think Hillsburgh has to be looked at, at the same time.
Aylard received unanimous support for her motion, and directed staff to deliver a progress report on projects funded by the reserve dollars six months from now.
May 15, 2024 - Ballantry Density
Speaking on behalf of Beachcroft Investments, Maurizio Rogato of Blackthorn Development said revisions to the plan are “extensive” and consider comments and feedback from local politicians, residents and formal commenting agencies.
Rogato added the latest plan reflects a complete mixed-use community.
Councillor Cathy Aylard questioned the rationale for increasing density.
Rogato said they had to take a guess in the original plans without details about the roughly six acres that had been set aside for mixed use and senior-focused housing.
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May 10, 2024 - Ballantry Density
Coun. Cathy Aylard wanted to know what the minimum density allowed is, what thought process and methodology were behind the changes in density and how guest parking would be addressed in the senior housing block.
"Our job was obviously to meet the minimum (density) and generally try to stay within the minimum if we could," said Rogato, during the meeting. "(But) I think for me it's more about what type of housing is being provided (and) are they being provided for all types of people."
March 28, 2024 - Transportation Master Plan
Council here wants to see a green light for a transportation master plan sooner than later, considering the ongoing development in the municipality.
“It [has] become clear that we’re behind with our planning; it’s imperative that we get a move on this,” councillor Cathy Aylard said at a March 14 meeting.
Council has approved $100,000 in this year’s budget for a consolidated traffic study, but conversations between Aylard and the town’s recently-hired CAO Rob Adams became the impetus for something more involved.
“I wasn’t really after a consolidated traffic study, but a more robust plan, which would be referred to as a transportation master plan,” Aylard told the Advertiser.
Consolidating individual traffic studies will still be a part of the “much more robust” plan, which will examine the community as a whole and all the ways of getting around in it, she said.
“I think it’s really the foundation for a really safe, livable community, so the sooner we get going on it the better because we are looking at additional development plans,” said Aylard.
If a plan is realized, it would be the town’s first – and not a moment too soon for councillors.
Indeed, it’s the overall effect development is sure to have on the town that prompted Aylard to call for action.
New development applications were coming in stating there would be no effect on traffic, she said, but studies were limited in scope without considering all development in town.
“I’m very concerned about it,” Aylard said.
March 21 , 2024 - Transportation Master Plan
Erin council wants a detailed plan on how to handle the upcoming increase in traffic.
At a Thursday afternoon meeting, Erin councillors approved a motion to direct staff to expedite a report looking at options on how to fast track a transportation master plan.
The motion by Coun. Cathy Aylard noted Erin has budgeted $100,000 in 2024 for a transportation master plan and should be considered a high priority project as the plan is intended to improve the “safety and livability of our community by managing the safe and efficient movement of traffic flow, whether by vehicle, bike or foot.”
“It is essential that a proactive stance be taken to ensure the future development is planned to ensure the safety and quality of life for our residents,” Aylard said, reading the motion at council.
Aylard explained through conversations with the new CAO Rob Adams, who she said offered insight into best practices from different municipalities, that “it’s become very clear that we’re behind with our planning. It’s imperative that we get a move on this.”
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February 1, 2024 - Strategic Plan
​Councillors considered hiring a company to form a “desperately-needed” strategic plan, but ultimately bounced a recommendation back to Erin staff for review at a Jan. 18 meeting.
Councillor Cathy Aylard said supporting the town’s “desperately-needed” plan would be one of this council’s most important tasks. She urged council to defer a decision on hiring the company until a new town CAO was hired.
Former CAO Nathan Hyde abruptly quit last summer and started working for Caledon days later, after Caledon Mayor Annette Groves used her strong-mayor power to remove its CAO and hire Hyde. “I think this report is a bit premature, and a bit of a surprise,” Aylard said, explaining she wants a new CAO to have input on the process.
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August 2, 2023 - Construction
The most complex work is yet to occur along Main Street in Erin, with a tunnelled project involving eight shafts.
The first is located at Main Street and the Elora Cataract Trailway, and the final shaft will be located on Main Street, south of Wellington Road 124.
Two-traffic flow will be maintained at each shaft location with diversions around the work planned.
“Some of those will require a widening of the road, opposite the shaft,” Colucci told council.
Along Main Street, near Church Boulevard, some parking will inevitably be lost to accommodate the diversion.
Councillor Cathy Aylard was shocked by photos seen in Colucci’s presentation aimed at illustrating what a work site could look like. “Is this real? Is this what we can expect?” Aylard said.
“You lost me at this … it’s shocking,” she continued to say. “And we’re going to have eight of these?”
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​May 4, 2023 - Blue Triton Grant
https://www.wellingtonadvertiser.com/five-erin-projects-moving-forward-with-83750-blue-triton-grant/
Staff recommendations felt “a bit random” to councillor Cathy Aylard. She questioned if they contributed to shaping the town’s future, and suggested money should be focused on longer-term initiatives. Aylard suggested grant dollars instead be spent on revitalizing the downtown and creating “inspirational public places” following construction related to the town’s wastewater treatment plant. The recommendations, she suggested, should go back to staff for more evaluation. “That will take time, but in the long run, maybe it’s worthwhile,” Aylard said.
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March 28, 2023 - Construction
https://www.wellingtonadvertiser.com/main-street-construction-the-focus-of-erin-mayors-breakfast/
Councillor Cathy Aylard took to the stage praising a new “business impact group,” whipped together in response to what business leaders felt was a lack of prudent planning and attention from the town to the realities facing local business after the pandemic and recent Enbridge gasline work.
Aylard called the small group a “grassroots” and “homegrown” solution bringing together municipal and community interests. “There is really no way we’re going to sugar-coat this,” Aylard told the room.
“It’s going to be dirty, it’s going to be messy, it’s going to be frustrating, and it will test our patience to absolutely no end.”
Aylard spoke of a two logos dreamed up by the group:
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a “Dig Erin” logo to accompany construction messaging (with a corresponding online portal); and
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an “open” during construction logo.
Aylard also relayed news of $41,000 in council-approved funding to support a marketing campaign during construction.
“This is your new council recognizing and addressing unmet needs in our community,” she said, to shouts and applause.
February 3, 2023 - Construction
Councillor Cathy Aylard, the council representative to the committee, told the newspaper she was to meet with town staff this week to firm up details such as the committee’s role, membership, meeting schedules and agenda.
“We’re looking at forming this committee quickly,” Aylard said.
“It will help mitigate the impact of construction on our community,” she added, without being able to speak to specifics.
“The message from the chamber was loud and clear and we take it very seriously,” she said. “We’re in action, we’re listening.”
Shanahan said she is happy with the response and feels good about Aylard’s position on the committee.
“She, from day one, was in support of the chamber and the businesses having a say, and I think she’s the right person for the job,” Shanahan said.
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October 25, 2022 - Election Results
https://www.wellingtonadvertiser.com/dehn-defeats-smith-in-erin-mayors-race/
On Monday night voters decided the winners are: newcomers Cathy Aylard and Bridget Ryan, and incumbents John Brennan and Jamie Cheyne.
Total votes received by candidates, in descending order, are as follows:
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Cathy Aylard, 2,050;
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Bridget Ryan, 2,011;
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John Brennan, 1,959;
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Jamie Cheyne, 1,805;
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Val Bush, 1,794; and
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Kevin Johnson, 1,381.
“I will do everything I can to preserve the best of what we have and consider change that will further enhance our lives,” Aylard stated in a press release the day after the election.
“We need to have people with different voices and life experiences stepping into elected leadership roles to help govern our communities.”
Aylard added she is “excited” to be on town council and “ready to get to work to represent the residents in our villages, hamlets, and everyone in between.”
2022 Election
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Sept 23, 2022
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Sept 5, 2022
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