As we enter 2026 I am very much looking forward to charting a course of renewed civic engagement. Having dedicated myself to a rewarding career in teaching and public education advocate, I am ready to be a service to my beloved City of Guelph. Like many citizens I have been taken aback by the pressing needs and challenges many in our community face. This is at a time when Guelph, like many Ontario cities, is facing an uncertain economic future and citizens are being hit hard by an affordability crisis. The idea that we can keep falling back on the same approach of raising property taxes each year well beyond the rate of inflation, is not sustainable. Property taxes, unlike income taxes, are not progressive, where the more you make, the more you pay. When we raise property taxes 6 to 8 percent each year we are placing a heck of a burden on people whose income can’t keep pace. If a person loses their job and their income drops, so do their income taxes. In Guelph that same person's property tax bill goes up again! It is why leadership is desperately needed from our elected officials to set clear priorities and make tough choices so that precious tax dollars are spent creating the most good for the most people. By no means is this process the easy or fun part of the job. But effectively communicating these hard truths is what we need more than ever. Continually letting the Province off the hook, by making up for their funding shortfalls through eye popping regressive property tax increases is masking a seriously flawed funding formula. The province has passed the buck - but we can't let them keep passing the blame as well. It is why I was more than disappointed to see bike lane snow ploughing added back to the budget. It is a prime example of why the full costs of building things like libraries or bike lanes must be fully examined for the annual operational costs they bring. What should be remembered when we have serious conversations about setting funding priorities is the silly notion that not funding something means you’re against it. When money is tight, tough choices have to be made. My spending triage would have tax dollars go first and foremost to universal programs that are available to all - like transit. Let’s make our transit system be the go to option for getting around this city. Affordable, convenient, reliable and safe!

I also believe we have an obligation to provide additional support to our most vulnerable community members for shelter and housing. Finally, I am also in favour of making strategic investments to generate increased revenue from outside tourists and visitors who pay the Municipal Accommodation Tax directly to city coffers. Government spending does garner most of the attention, but I believe the other side of the budget equation needs greater attention as our revenue growth has stalled. It is why the city needs to look closely at any future non-operational spending with a clear objective of ensuring a positive return on investment for this city. Generating top line revenue growth is essential for this city to ensure that base line services are not only protected, but so we can make key investments necessary for a just and prosperous Guelph. To kick off the new year, I will be speaking with civic leaders to gain further insight to address our challenges. Renewed civic engagement in pursuit of excellence in our public services and accountability at City Hall are the goals. This year, I look forward to sharing a compelling vision on how Guelph can reach them. By Greg Cawsey