RESIDENTS OF PORT DALHOUSIE:
Re-Elect Port Dalhousie Ward Councillor Bruce Williamson
Re-Elect Port Dalhousie Ward Councillor
Bruce Williamson
"I have not and will not accept campaign money from powerful vested interests."
"I have not and will not accept campaign money from powerful vested interests."
PLATFORM:
How Bruce Advocates For The Responsible, Fair & Efficient Use Of Your Tax Dollars
Standing up for residents in land use planning decisions to protect our neighbourhoods and create a more liveable community.
Acting to ensure the North End receives its fair share of civic and recreational facilities.
A strong record of supporting public access to our waterfront and conserving natural areas.
Engaging cooperatively with volunteer community groups.
Ending property tax subsidies to developers of luxury condominiums.
"I will continue to serve the public interest of the people of Port Dalhousie Ward and St. Catharines first and above all else."
Commited to:
protecting and enhancing public assets for the benefit of all the people of St. Catharines
Controlling taxes, user fees and rates.
Upgrading city services and programs.
Sustainable growth including compatible infill development in established neighbourhoods.
Renewing essential local infrastructure, such as roads, water and sewers.
Improving water and air quality.
Enhancing our parks and preventing the sell-off of public green-space.
Full disclosure of information to the public.
Encouraging growth in jobs by supporting appropriate economic development.
PLATFORM:
How Bruce Advocates For The Responsible, Fair & Efficient Use Of Your Tax Dollars
Standing up for residents in land use planning decisions to protect our neighbourhoods and create a more liveable community.
Acting to ensure the North End receives its fair share of civic and recreational facilities.
A strong record of supporting public access to our waterfront and conserving natural areas.
Engaging cooperatively with volunteer community groups.
Ending property tax subsidies to developers of luxury condominiums.
"I will continue to serve the public interest of the people of Port Dalhousie Ward and St. Catharines first and above all else."
Commited to:
protecting and enhancing public assets for the benefit of all the people of St. Catharines
Controlling taxes, user fees and rates.
Upgrading city services and programs.
Sustainable growth including compatible infill development in established neighbourhoods.
Renewing essential local infrastructure, such as roads, water and sewers.
Improving water and air quality.
Enhancing our parks and preventing the sell-off of public green-space.
Full disclosure of information to the public.
Encouraging growth in jobs by supporting appropriate economic development.
Where Can I Vote?
Advance Polls
Oct. 6th, 10am to 8pm
St. Catharines Kiwanis Aquatics Centre, 425 Carlton St.
Oct. 13th, 10am to 8pm
Armenian Community Centre, 156 Martindale Rd.
Oct. 18th, 10am to 8pm
Grantham Optimist Club, 188 Linwell Rd.
Oct. 22nd, 10am to 5pm
Grantham Lions Club, 732 Niagara St.
Oct. 11-21st (M-F), 9am to 4pm
City Hall, 50 Church St. 3rd Floor
Oct. 15th, 10am to 5pm
Merritton Community Centre, 7 Park Ave.
Oct. 20th, 10am to 8pm
Church of the Transfiguration, 320 Glenridge Ave.
Advance Polls
Oct. 6th, 10am to 8pm
St. Catharines Kiwanis Aquatics Centre, 425 Carlton St.
Oct. 11-21st (M-F), 9am to 4pm
City Hall, 50 Church St. 3rd Floor
Oct. 13th, 10am to 8pm
Armenian Community Centre, 156 Martindale Rd.
Oct. 15th, 10am to 5pm
Merritton Community Centre, 7 Park Ave.
Oct. 18th, 10am to 8pm
Grantham Optimist Club, 188 Linwell Rd.
Oct. 20th, 10am to 8pm
Church of the Transfiguration, 320 Glenridge Ave.
Oct. 22nd, 10am to 5pm
Grantham Lions Club, 732 Niagara St.
Election Day - October 24th
Election Day - October 24th
Grantham Optimist Club
188 Linwell Road
St. John Ukrainian Church
91 Lakeshore Road
Trinity Christian Reformed Church
1230 Old Martindale Road
Lions Club of Port Dalhousie
201 Main Street
Grantham Optimist Club
188 Linwell Road
Trinity Christian Reformed Church
1230 Old Martindale Road
St. John Ukrainian Church
91 Lakeshore Road
Lions Club of Port Dalhousie
201 Main Street
Questions & ANSWERS:
Bruce's Approach To This Term In Office
1. What do you think is the biggest issue specifically affecting your ward?
The most important issue in Port Dalhousie Ward is the responsible, fair, and effective use of property tax dollars. Maintaining affordability by controlling taxes, user fees and rates while providing the essential infrastructure and local services we all rely on is the ongoing challenge of good municipal government.
2. How would you handle that issue as a councillor?
I will continue to emphasize directing our energies to core municipal responsibilities like roads, sidewalks, water mains, sewer pipes, parks, and recreational facilities which require major investments to restore them to financially manageable levels. Ending CIP tax give-aways will help.
3. What do you think is the top issue affecting the whole city?
Trust, accountability, and integrity in local government.
4. How would you handle that city-wide issue?
I will continue to serve as an honest, reliable, and independent voice on behalf of the people, in part, because I do not accept campaign money from vested interests.
5. Why are you the right person for this job?
I am the right person for the job because I have a proven track record of working diligently to put citizens’ interests first.
6. We know Port Dalhousie has seen its share of climate-related impacts with flooding in Lakeside Park in recent years and shoreline erosion. We’ve also seen cases of trees being cut down by homeowners to get a better view of the lake. All three of you have gone on record as saying the environment or climate change is an issue important to you.
Can you please explain what you would do to protect the environment or prepare for climate change as a city councillor? What has the city done well, and how can it improve?
I brought forward the motion for the city to declare a climate change emergency which passed, and I sit as the chair of the Environmental Sustainability Pillar Committee. A climate change adaptation policy was also passed. However, not nearly enough has been done since to address this threat. We must act to mitigate the effects of global warming by enacting green standards, stop selling off and paving over green spaces, reforming tree management practices, and restructuring the environmental committees so they have a meaningful voice in decision-making.
As it stands now, the ecological footprint of municipal actions is not being calculated therefore, we have no means to measure our true environmental impacts. This must change. I will continue to work to make us a greener, more climate resilient, environmentally conscious community.
"I have not and will not accept campaign money from powerful vested interests."
INVESTMENTS:
Recent and Upcoming Recreational Facilities
Bill Burgoyne Memorial Arena
The interior renovations and systems renewal has been completed and budget monies have been approved to insulate and clad the exterior of the building.
Elma Street Basketball Court
The cost of constructing a new replacement court was approved in the last capital budget.
The Neil Campbell Rowing Centre
A legacy facility of the 2022 Canada Games is now in use serving need for off-water training and support facilities at the Royal Canadian Henley Rowing Course in Port Dalhousie. It is fully accessible, with universal change rooms, fitness rooms, and a multipurpose training, event, and administrative/support space. It has a net zero energy design.
Port Dalhousie Piers
It has been terrific to witness the number of people who have used these valuable assets which are now owned and maintained by the City of St. Catharines.
Port Dalhousie Wading Pool
Budget approval has been granted to refurbish the children’s pool.
Staircases to the Lake
Work is underway to perform the required repairs to reopen and maintain the four sets of existing stairs at Lake Front Park, and on the Pawling, Graham and Simcoe, road allowances. In addition, we received approval for funds to eventually replace a fifth set of stairs at Masefield (or another suitable location) since they were rendered unusable following emergency shoreline repair and protection work.
INVESTMENTS:
Recreational Facilities Issues
Jack Gatecliff/Rex Stimers Arenas
I spoke against closure and believe they can continue to be useful recreational facilities. Rex Stimers has become a popular volleyball venue through a partnership with a private operator. The Northend has only one arena and forcing residents to drive even further to access more distant facilities does not serve our needs adequately.
YMCA
Despite several motions regarding working with the Y on an arrangement to keep it open or, failing that, to purchase the facility and repurpose it as a civic recreational facility. It was purchased by out-of-town interests. Now, taxpayers may be on the hook for two or three times what it was sold for to build a second indoor aquatic facility. This was a significant lost opportunity since we could have had an excellent existing indoor aquatic facility which was paid for largely by St. Catharines residents.
Ending Tax Subsidies for Luxury Condos
Through this term of council, I have consistently objected to and voted against these subsidies, which are granted through the Community Improvement Program (CIP), because I strongly believe that one of the basic duties of citizenship is that everyone ought to pay their fair share of taxes. This is a fundamental aspect of equality and fairness in our country and there should be no special exemptions from meeting this obligation, least of all for individuals with the financial means of doing so.
Climate Change and the Environment
Global warming and the effects of climate change are one of the most challenging issues of our times. The negative impacts extend to human lives, species extinction, and biodiversity loss in ecosystems. In Canada, we are witnessing immediate impacts in the form of extreme weather events such as severe rainstorms, floods, wildfires, and droughts. Early in the current term of Council passed the Climate Change Emergency Declaration based on a motion I put forward. Since that time, a Climate Change Adaptation Plan has been implemented. However, we must make more progress by considering the measurement of environmental impact in every
decision we make and deal with these issues much more vigorously. It is also critical that we progress to taking mitigation actions.
There are many practical and inexpensive initiatives we can support starting with a genuine arboriculture program to plant more trees, nurture these newly planted trees and protect and manage existing trees, as well as to maintain the greenery in our parks. We need to look to nature-based solutions and prioritize the use of permeable, low-carbon, less costly alternatives to hard surfaces such as asphalt for pathways in trails and parks.
Questions & ANSWERS:
Bruce's Approach To This Term In Office
1. What do you think is the biggest issue specifically affecting your ward?
The most important issue in Port Dalhousie Ward is the responsible, fair, and effective use of property tax dollars. Maintaining affordability by controlling taxes, user fees and rates while providing the essential infrastructure and local services we all rely on is the ongoing challenge of good municipal government.
2. How would you handle that issue as a councillor?
I will continue to emphasize directing our energies to core municipal responsibilities like roads, sidewalks, water mains, sewer pipes, parks, and recreational facilities which require major investments to restore them to financially manageable levels. Ending CIP tax give-aways will help.
3. What do you think is the top issue affecting the whole city?
Trust, accountability, and integrity in local government.
4. How would you handle that city-wide issue?
I will continue to serve as an honest, reliable, and independent voice on behalf of the people, in part, because I do not accept campaign money from vested interests.
5. Why are you the right person for this job?
I am the right person for the job because I have a proven track record of working diligently to put citizens’ interests first.
6. We know Port Dalhousie has seen its share of climate-related impacts with flooding in Lakeside Park in recent years and shoreline erosion. We’ve also seen cases of trees being cut down by homeowners to get a better view of the lake. All three of you have gone on record as saying the environment or climate change is an issue important to you.
Can you please explain what you would do to protect the environment or prepare for climate change as a city councillor? What has the city done well, and how can it improve?
I brought forward the motion for the city to declare a climate change emergency which passed, and I sit as the chair of the Environmental Sustainability Pillar Committee. A climate change adaptation policy was also passed. However, not nearly enough has been done since to address this threat. We must act to mitigate the effects of global warming by enacting green standards, stop selling off and paving over green spaces, reforming tree management practices, and restructuring the environmental committees so they have a meaningful voice in decision-making.
As it stands now, the ecological footprint of municipal actions is not being calculated therefore, we have no means to measure our true environmental impacts. This must change. I will continue to work to make us a greener, more climate resilient, environmentally conscious community.
"I have not and will not accept campaign money from powerful vested interests."
INVESTMENTS:
Recent and Upcoming Recreational Facilities
Bill Burgoyne Memorial Arena
The interior renovations and systems renewal has been completed and budget monies have been approved to insulate and clad the exterior of the building.
Elma Street Basketball Court
The cost of constructing a new replacement court was approved in the last capital budget.
The Neil Campbell Rowing Centre
A legacy facility of the 2022 Canada Games is now in use serving need for off-water training and support facilities at the Royal Canadian Henley Rowing Course in Port Dalhousie. It is fully accessible, with universal change rooms, fitness rooms, and a multipurpose training, event, and administrative/support space. It has a net zero energy design.
Port Dalhousie Piers
It has been terrific to witness the number of people who have used these valuable assets which are now owned and maintained by the City of St. Catharines.
Port Dalhousie Wading Pool
Budget approval has been granted to refurbish the children’s pool.
Staircases to the Lake
Work is underway to perform the required repairs to reopen and maintain the four sets of existing stairs at Lake Front Park, and on the Pawling, Graham and Simcoe, road allowances. In addition, we received approval for funds to eventually replace a fifth set of stairs at Masefield (or another suitable location) since they were rendered unusable following emergency shoreline repair and protection work.
INVESTMENTS:
Recreational Facilities Issues
Jack Gatecliff/Rex Stimers Arenas
I spoke against closure and believe they can continue to be useful recreational facilities. Rex Stimers has become a popular volleyball venue through a partnership with a private operator. The Northend has only one arena and forcing residents to drive even further to access more distant facilities does not serve our needs adequately.
YMCA
Despite several motions regarding working with the Y on an arrangement to keep it open or, failing that, to purchase the facility and repurpose it as a civic recreational facility. It was purchased by out-of-town interests. Now, taxpayers may be on the hook for two or three times what it was sold for to build a second indoor aquatic facility. This was a significant lost opportunity since we could have had an excellent existing indoor aquatic facility which was paid for largely by St. Catharines residents.
Ending Tax Subsidies for Luxury Condos
Through this term of council, I have consistently objected to and voted against these subsidies, which are granted through the Community Improvement Program (CIP), because I strongly believe that one of the basic duties of citizenship is that everyone ought to pay their fair share of taxes. This is a fundamental aspect of equality and fairness in our country and there should be no special exemptions from meeting this obligation, least of all for individuals with the financial means of doing so.
Climate Change and the Environment
Global warming and the effects of climate change are one of the most challenging issues of our times. The negative impacts extend to human lives, species extinction, and biodiversity loss in ecosystems. In Canada, we are witnessing immediate impacts in the form of extreme weather events such as severe rainstorms, floods, wildfires, and droughts. Early in the current term of Council passed the Climate Change Emergency Declaration based on a motion I put forward. Since that time, a Climate Change Adaptation Plan has been implemented. However, we must make more progress by considering the measurement of environmental impact in every
decision we make and deal with these issues much more vigorously. It is also critical that we progress to taking mitigation actions.
There are many practical and inexpensive initiatives we can support starting with a genuine arboriculture program to plant more trees, nurture these newly planted trees and protect and manage existing trees, as well as to maintain the greenery in our parks. We need to look to nature-based solutions and prioritize the use of permeable, low-carbon, less costly alternatives to hard surfaces such as asphalt for pathways in trails and parks.