Questions & Answers

While canvassing, I have heard concerns from residents about community safety, including residential break-ins, home invasions and vehicle theft. These are serious concerns, and it is important to be clear about who is responsible for what.

Policing is provided by the Halton Regional Police Service and falls under the Region, so as a Town Councillor I would not have the authority to direct police operations. What I can do is work with our Regional Councillor, Halton Police, residents and community organizations to make sure Ward 4 concerns are being heard, information is being shared, and recurring issues are followed up on.

This is particularly relevant right now. Halton Police has reported an increase in residential break-and-enters across the Region, including homes near trails and green spaces. That is the kind of information I believe should be communicated clearly and quickly to residents.

The Town also has a direct role in many areas that affect neighbourhood safety, including speeding, traffic calming, pedestrian crossings, street lighting, by-law enforcement, and the design of our roads and public spaces.

So I would look at results. Are speeds coming down in problem areas? Are there fewer collisions? Are identified safety improvements actually being completed? Are recurring concerns being addressed? And importantly, do residents feel safer in their neighbourhoods?

For me, success is not measured by how many initiatives we announce. It is whether residents can actually see and feel an improvement in their community.

Residents living near Dundas Street, including those around Wooden Hill Circle, have raised concerns about increasing traffic noise, particularly from heavy trucks.

Dundas Street is a Halton Regional road, which means Halton Region has primary responsibility for assessing and implementing noise mitigation measures along this corridor. Noise-barrier requests are evaluated using established noise and technical criteria.

As a Town Councillor, I would not promise a noise barrier or a construction timeline without knowing whether a particular section qualifies. However, I also don't believe residents should simply be referred to another level of government and left to navigate the process on their own.

For areas where residents are experiencing significant traffic noise, I would work with our Regional representatives and staff to determine whether the location has already been assessed, what the findings were, and whether it may qualify for noise mitigation. Where an assessment has not taken place, I would help residents understand the process for having their concerns formally evaluated.

Oakville has grown significantly, and with that growth has come increased traffic and pressure on our infrastructure. Responsible growth also means paying attention to its impact on existing neighbourhoods and working across Town and Regional responsibilities to protect residents' quality of life.

While the recreational use of e-scooters continues to grow, I believe Council needs a practical approach that balances new transportation options with public safety.

Currently, e-scooters are not permitted on Oakville’s roads, sidewalks, multi-use trails or parks. Yet we continue to see them being used throughout our community. Enforcement is also a challenge. Halton Regional Police currently enforce e-scooter violations under the Highway Traffic Act, while Town Municipal Enforcement officers cannot stop riders to issue tickets.

The Town is now reviewing whether and how e-scooters could be regulated in Oakville, with its E-Scooter Implementation Review expected to be presented to Council at the end of 2026. Under Ontario’s provincial e-scooter pilot framework, riders must be at least 16 years old.

As I review the Town’s ongoing study and the options available under the provincial pilot, I do not want to commit to a specific regulatory model before seeing the findings. However, I believe Council should seriously consider whether a regulated approach would be more effective than rules that are difficult to enforce in practice.

Any approach needs to prioritize pedestrian safety, particularly for seniors, children and people with disabilities. We need clear rules around where e-scooters can be used, appropriate age requirements, safety education and a realistic plan for enforcement.

I would advocate for Council to work with Halton Regional Police and explore whether permitting or rider registration could improve education and accountability, if those measures are legally and operationally feasible. This could help create greater accountability around who is riding, where e-scooters can be used and the rules riders are expected to follow.

Having rules is only useful if residents understand them and they can actually be enforced. As e-scooter use continues to grow, we need an approach that is practical, keeps pedestrians safe and gives riders clear expectations about responsible use.

My main priorities are neighbourhood safety and transportation, responsible growth and infrastructure, and accountability and value for taxpayers.

Neighbourhood Safety and Transportation.
In Ward 4, that includes looking at how the Palermo West/Bronte Creek Ride On-Demand program is working for residents, as well as gathering resident feedback on the frequency, wait times, reliability and connections of regular Oakville Transit service. I also want to look at whether pedestrian routes, crossings and public spaces have adequate lighting for people getting around in the evening.

As e-scooter use grows, I believe Oakville needs a practical approach that balances new transportation options with public safety. I am still reviewing the Town’s ongoing study and the options available under the provincial pilot, so I do not want to commit to a specific regulatory model before seeing the findings.

That said, I believe we should seriously consider whether a regulated approach would be more effective than the current situation, where rules are difficult to enforce in practice. Any approach should prioritize pedestrian safety, particularly for seniors, children and people with disabilities, with clear rules about where e-scooters can and cannot operate, appropriate age requirements, safety education and a realistic enforcement plan.

I would also support exploring whether permitting or rider registration could improve education and accountability, if those measures are legally and operationally feasible.

Responsible Growth & Infrastructure.
Ward 4 continues to grow, particularly around Palermo Village. Growth needs to be supported by the infrastructure around it, including roads, transit, parks and community services.
I want Council to consider the cumulative impact of development on both existing and future neighbourhoods rather than looking at each development in isolation.

Accountability & Value for Taxpayers.
Residents deserve value for the taxes they pay and a councillor who is accessible and responsive.
I would carefully review spending and proposed investments while protecting the services and infrastructure residents depend on. I also want residents to be able to reach their councillor, receive updates on the issues they raise, and understand what is happening at Town Hall.
These would be early and ongoing priorities. I don't want to attach artificial deadlines to issues that may depend on staff studies, budgets, public consultation or decisions of Council. My commitment is to follow through and advocate for residents to be regularly informed about the progress being made.

I am not categorically opposed to data centres or technological investment, but I do not believe facilities of this scale should proceed without a clear framework and a full understanding of their potential impacts.

I supported the Town's current Interim Control By-law, which gives the Town time to properly study issues such as noise, emissions, energy and water demands, infrastructure capacity, environmental impacts and, importantly, location and compatibility with both existing and future communities.

The Town should use this time to complete the necessary studies, hear from residents, and determine where and under what conditions these facilities may be appropriate.

Based on the findings of that work, I would support clear planning and zoning rules around where large data centres may be appropriate and what protections should be required. Any changes would need to be based on evidence, public input and what the Town is legally able to regulate.

I welcome responsible investment in Oakville, but development of this scale must make sense for the community and should not come at the expense of residents or our long-term infrastructure needs.

I don't believe in promising new programs during an election and figuring out how to pay for them afterward.

Most of the priorities I am talking about involve making better use of existing Town services and resources rather than creating expensive new programs, so I am not proposing a new tax increase to fund my platform.

I would want to see the full budget and understand where the money is going before deciding what should be increased or cut. I would look for efficiencies, available grants and other funding sources first, while being careful not to cut front-line services simply for the sake of saying we cut something.

If I support a significant new expense, residents deserve to know what it will cost, how it will be funded, and what value it will provide. I believe that is part of being responsible with taxpayers' money.

Oakville has been home to me and my family for more than 24 years. I have raised my four children here, worked hard to build a new life here, volunteered here, and watched our community grow and change.

My background in law and economics has taught me to look carefully at the facts, understand the financial and legal sides of decisions, and consider both their immediate and long-term consequences. I believe that perspective would be valuable on Council, particularly as Oakville deals with growth, infrastructure, affordability and major planning decisions.

Community involvement has also been an important part of my life. For approximately 15 years, I have been a soccer referee, officiating youth and adult games and tournaments. I have volunteered through Madina Institute and its food bank initiatives, and I currently serve on the management team of Seniors Forum Canada, helping support programs focused on fitness, education, social connection and healthy, active aging for seniors.

I am not an incumbent, and I see that as an opportunity to bring a fresh and independent perspective to Council, backed by more than two decades of living and serving in Oakville.

Throughout this campaign, I have made canvassing and speaking directly with residents a priority. What I hope to bring to Council is an approach based on listening, asking questions, being approachable, and clearly explaining where I stand and why.