“My main objective is to represent the bloc of young people who want and deserve to own homes, start families, and live happy lives. It is very difficult to make an impact with these issues on the municipal level, but I will do what I can. This includes lowering residential property taxes, proposing a property tax deferral for owner occupied homes with children, and supporting social programs that make starting a family easier.”

Why do you want to be a city councillor?

As a member of Generation Z, I have watched my future be completely thrown away by those in power. I’ve gone to university, been frugal with my money, and served in the military, and yet I can not see how it will ever be financially possible for me to buy a home and start a family. I know that there are a million young people like me across the country and tens of thousands in Guelph. I’m running because I want to be a voice and an advocate for us.

What is your background and experience, and how do you think that will serve you as a city councillor?

I am a teacher during the school year and a wilderness canoe guide during the summers. In my lines of work, I get to meet and understand many different people with many different backgrounds and values. Our city is home to many types of people who all deserve respect and a listening ear. I believe my work has equipped me with the ability to be that effective ear.

Given Strong Mayor Powers, how do you see your role as a city councillor when the mayor can override the will of council with just three votes?

Being on council is more than just voting. It’s also about negotiation and discussion. If elected, I would be happy to offer perspectives and ideas to the mayor in the event of disagreement.

Affordability is important to a lot of voters, and municipal budgeting can be very difficult. How will you balance the needs of a growing city with the demands for low or zero tax increases over the next term?

I think the city needs to be a lot more frugal with our tax dollars and take a long break from costly megaprojects that raise our taxes. I will prioritize core municipal services and infrastructure.

Council this past term has done a lot of housing policy, but that hasn’t translated into more shovels in the ground. How will you help close the gap over the next four years?

The city needs to penalize corporate landowners that sit on empty lots without building anything on them.

Aside from the demands for more housing, land use planning also means assuring that there’s enough room to account for growth in business, institutional and commercial land uses, how will you balance all these priorities?

I’m a fan of mixed use zoning, with housing developments that allow for small scale commercial operations such as a corner store or small restaurant within a walkable neighbourhood.

Water availability is a growing concern. How will you ensure that Guelph has the capacity it needs to support this growing city?

I will always be against the potential construction of AI data centres in Guelph that would threaten our water supply.

Trust in government and institutions is a major issue. How will you keep your constituents well informed about city hall business, and help them feel included when it comes to decision making?

I think we need to understand why trust in government and institutions is declining. It has become more and more evident over recent years that our governments (mostly federal and provincial) are helping facilitate a controlled and gradual decrease in our standard of living. It is clear that many of those in power do not respect or care about the wellbeing of regular people. The negative outlook on federal and provincial government that many people develop because of this, then trickles down towards their municipal government. If we are going to change this outlook, we need to show people that the city is run by people who do care about them. If I’m elected, I will be as transparent and communicative as possible through social media. I will explain my thoughts and be accountable to those who put their trust in me. I will also put forward a motion to lower council pay to match Guelph’s median income, to symbolize that our society should be run by regular people and that positions of power should not be held for monetary gain.

What would you say is *your* issue? What is the one thing you want to talk about on the campaign trail this fall and have a thorough debate about it before this election is over?

My main objective is to represent the bloc of young people who want and deserve to own homes, start families, and live happy lives. It is very difficult to make an impact with these issues on the municipal level, but I will do what I can. This includes lowering residential property taxes, proposing a property tax deferral for owner occupied homes with children, and supporting social programs that make starting a family easier.

What perspective do you think you will bring to council that is not currently reflected?

The perspective of a young person who needs to help make his community as livable as possible.