Collaboration

Hello!

The issues facing this community do not fit on a brochure. They deserve a close-up look. That's what my campaign is about. I'm asking you to look closely at the issues and what it takes to represent our community. I will continue to lay out my position, show you how I deliver, and share my plans going forward. I'll include links to additional resources if you want to dig in further.

This week I am sharing my thoughts on Collaboration and how this skill translates into meaningful results for our community.

My Position:

Collaboration means uniting diverse groups to turn shared challenges into victories. Being a councillor requires a diverse set of skills. Collaboration is a key skill essential to success in this position.

I believe it is more important to be clear about how I make decisions than to promise specific outcomes that I alone can deliver.  Municipal government does not work through a single person. 

My Proof:

Here is just one example of Collaboration in action.

Did you know that only 28 cents of every tax dollar collected by the Town of Erin stays in the Town of Erin? Here is an example of how I collaborated with a diverse group to ensure that more of that money stays in our Town, in this case to support affordable housing for seniors.

Affordable housing in the Town of Erin is managed and administered by the County of Wellington as the Consolidated Municipal Service Manager for the region. The county-wide Attainable Housing Strategy and the County Official Plan govern affordable housing policies, subsidized housing, and homelessness initiatives.

Recently, cost estimates rose from $88 million to $135 million for the Continuum of Care project at the Wellington Place Campus in Aboyne, resulting in its termination. County Council decided to make the $7M already set aside for this project available to the 7 lower-tier municipalities. Each municipality would receive up to $1 million to tackle affordable housing.

When this funding became available, I did not sit back. Instead, I seized the opportunity amid countless competing priorities and started collaborating to ensure it didn't disappear. I followed what other municipalities were doing and met with several potential housing partners. I collaborated with the Mayor and the CAO, and held everyone accountable to a schedule to secure our share of the redirected funds.

Our Council voted unanimously to support a $1-million funding request to expand Meadowview Place at 15 Spruce Street in Hillsburgh.  This project maximizes existing non-profit land to build at least 20 new affordable one-bedroom units for seniors aged 65 and older, directly addressing a waiting list of over 150 local households and allowing our seniors to age with dignity right here in their own community.

We are awaiting final approval from the County, but we are confident this project will move forward.

My Plan

This one project will not solve the housing affordability crisis or the diversity of housing needs in our community, but real progress rarely waits for the perfect, comprehensive fix. I will continue to use my experience in navigating bureaucracy to move projects through the system.

I can't predict what issues will come before Council in the next four years. What I do know is that I'm better equipped to handle them this time around. I know which processes and procedures actually work, whom to call for advice and support, and how to get things across the finish line.

Program:

• https://www.wellington.ca/county-allocate-continuum-care-funds-address-affordable-housing-gaps

Media:

• https://www.wellingtonadvertiser.com/erin-to-submit-1-million-funding-request-for-affordable-housing-project-for-seniors/

• https://www.wellington.ca/county-allocate-continuum-care-funds-address-affordable-housing-gaps

• https://www.wellingtonadvertiser.com/county-takes-aim-at-housing-crisis-municipalities-to-split-7m/

• from 2022 - https://www.orangeville.com/news/council/residents-call-for-town-regional-councils-to-bring-more-affordable-housing-to-erin/article_3485539c-57a9-51c6-8303-78a868116fc9.html

Reports:

• https://pub-erin.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=19325

• https://pub-erin.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=19326

Thank you to all the candidates who have stepped forward. It is exciting to see so many people willing to serve our community. I hope it inspires everyone to get engaged and VOTE.

The nomination period is now closed. You can find the final list of candidates here.

Check out my Candidate Tracker here that includes links to social media channels and media coverage.

Get your ticket here for the All Candidates Meeting on September 22.

NOTE

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No public funds or municipal resources are used in its creation or operation.

Check out my other campaign updates here https://www.cathyaylard.ca/bulletins

Cathy

cathy4council@gmail.com

647-882-4996