Engagement
I want all residents and business owners in Aurora to feel engaged.
- The Town and Councillors can do a better job communicating, keeping residents informed about what's happening in the Town, how and why decisions are made, and providing opportunities for public input on the choices that impact our lives.
- My social media efforts (weekly activity roundups, Did You Know series, Hometown Highlights, and newsletter) are a step in this direction, but we can do much more.
One action I will take
If elected, I will hold weekly office hours for anyone who wants to meet or speak with me, and I will advocate to increase opportunities for residents to weigh in through consultations, surveys, advisory roles, and active outreach to underrepresented groups.
Belonging
I want all residents and business owners to have a sense of belonging.
- Whether it's a matter of age, ability, income, location, culture or ethnicity, I hope we can create an Aurora where everyone feels welcome, included and supported across their lifespan.
- This includes having the right type, quality and cost of infrastructure in place to make sure all residents can grow and thrive, from our littlest members of society to our seniors aging in place.
One action I will take
No child should be too hungry to learn, play and participate. If elected, I will propose a motion for a universal food access program for children and youth in Aurora. Toronto recently committed to providing free snacks and lunch at city-run day camps; I think we should do the same in Aurora, guaranteeing that kids on March break, PA Days and in our summer camps will have access to healthy meals, similar to school-run meal programs during the week. I will also champion the creation of a Community Fridge, in partnership with and located at a local non-profit host organization, allowing community members to give and freely take food, whenever they need it.
Accountability
I want all residents and business owners to feel confident the government is accountable.
- We all know there are going to be differences of opinion when it comes to politics, but we can aim for a government that strives to be trusted and transparent.
- My goal is to find ways to build confidence that our Council and public services are achieving value-for-money, and it begins with better, more frequent and transparent communication, information sharing and reporting.
One action I will take
The Town has a 20-year strategic plan that was created in 2011. If elected, I will push for a shorter-term strategic plan — similar to the corporate and non-profit industry standards — so that we can identify, measure and report transparently on annual goals and targets.
Perspective
Above all, I believe we need new, respectful voices and fresh ideas on Council.
We need councillors who are committed to collaborating with everyone around the table, and our Council lacks representation of many important groups. I commit to being a respectful, creative voice on Council, and working hard to elevate new perspectives.
Ready to make these priorities a reality?
Join our movement for a better Aurora. Whether you can volunteer your time, share your expertise, or contribute financially, every bit helps.
