Conviction

cathyaylard
2 days ago
3 min read

Hello,

Too often, election campaigns focus on promises without explaining the approach behind them. I believe residents deserve to know not only what I will work toward, but how I will achieve it.

Over the next few weeks, I'll be sharing how my three core principles - Conviction, Commitment, and Communication - will continue to guide my work and deliver meaningful results for our community. In this update, I'll share how the principle of conviction has shaped my decisions on Council and where I intend to take it next.

CONVICTION

Conviction means making decisions based on what is right for the long-term future of our community. It means taking clear positions on complex issues while remaining open to differing perspectives. It means listening carefully, weighing competing priorities, and then standing firm on what is right. Conviction is about consistency, clarity of purpose, and putting long-term community benefit ahead of short-term pressure.

In my first term as your Councillor, I've been consistent about one thing: we can't keep leaning on our tax stabilization reserve and call that fiscally responsible. The record shows (links below) that this hasn't been a one-time objection, but a consistent position across multiple budget cycles.

During the 2025 budget, I told Council I was "uncomfortable with the amount of new budget requests" and pushed for cuts to give taxpayers a break. The year-end results proved those concerns were justified.

Heading into 2026, after a heavy investment year, I said I was treating it as "a year of maintenance" and asked staff for more detailed numbers so we could actually prioritize. As that budget grew from a proposed 2.5% increase to 3.8%, my concern stayed the same: every time we dip into the reserve instead of living within our means, "that really represents that we're overspending," so I voted against it.

Even our first-quarter surplus this year didn't ease my concerns. I noted the results were "distorted because we're still accounting for the use of tax stabilization reserves that we did not have." Looking good on paper isn't the same as being back on track, and I want our budget to serve as a real accountability document, with concrete plans rather than numbers that happen to look better this quarter.

With your continued trust, I will strive to sharpen the way I make my case by bringing clearer alternatives to the table, so I can bring my Council colleagues along rather than be the opposing vote. I will keep striving for improved financial processes and real accountability: not just promises of fiscal restraint, but a demonstrated commitment to spending your tax dollars wisely.

The first regular Council meeting of the new term is December 3, 2026, when the new Council will receive the 2027 Draft Budget. With your support, I will be there, bringing conviction and experience to the table.

Conviction in Action

My motion on the 2026 Budget passed unanimously on April 9, 2026. It directed the CAO and Director of Finance to:

Conduct a comprehensive review of the 2026 Budget to identify savings, efficiencies, and deferrals in light of the 2025 deficit
Report back to Council by May 15, 2026, with a clear recovery and control plan to restore the deficit and replenish the Tax Stabilization Reserve, using the newly implemented seven-step process

Conviction in the News

https://www.wellingtonadvertiser.com/erin-shows-surplus-of-300-000-in-first-quarter-councillors-still-concerned/

https://www.wellingtonadvertiser.com/erin-council-passes-budget-with-3-8-tax-hike/

https://www.elorafergustoday.com/local-news/erin-approves-38-per-cent-tax-increase-in-2026-despite-concerns-11613308

https://www.wellingtonadvertiser.com/erin-draft-budget-proposes-2-5-tax-increase/

https://www.wellingtonadvertiser.com/erin-council-approves-2025-budget-2-4-tax-rate-increase

IMPORTANT DATES

All Candidates Meeting - September 22 - hosted by the Erin Chamber of Commerce

Get your tickets here

Register to vote here