North Bay 2026 Candidate Answers

Yes, I would support:

• Recorded votes on every item, so residents can see exactly how everyone voted.
• Follow legislation for closed-door (in camera) sessions, strictly limited to what the Municipal Act requires.
• City budget and council data published online in open formats. Definitely. And I would be interesting in knowing what type of format you are interested in so that we can consider it.

Strong mayor powers: I haven’t seen a need to use them yet and don’t intend to unless it:

• Advance provincially mandated priorities like housing and infrastructure, where council is already broadly aligned.
• Ensure budgets are passed on time, while still engaging council and the public meaningfully.

I would not use strong mayor powers to sideline council debate or concentrate power for its own sake. Any use would come with a public explanation, clear rationale, and an open vote wherever possible, so residents can see that the goal is better outcomes, not less democracy.

It’s an absolute yes to full transparency. We can easily streamline Council meetings and enhance accountability by implementing an electronic button voting system to automatically record every vote. I also support establishing an online public dashboard featuring open data, as well as regular reporting on how Council budget decisions directly impact municipal service delivery and customer service complaints.

Strong mayor powers should be a rare exception, not the norm. Consensus and alignment among Council on key community priorities will always be my primary goal. However, in the event of political paralysis or the destructive voting-block dynamics seen during the past term, those powers can be utilized responsibly to keep the city moving forward.