No, I won't endorse specific candidates.  A mayoral candidate should not attempt to create a slate of preferred councillors. That's not good governance.  I encourage every voter to be informed about the many candidates -- their values, experience and skills -- and ask them meaningful questions. Then align your vote accordingly.

Only 14 cities in Canada have a AAA credit rating. Guelph is one of them. I intend to keep it that way.  As Chair of Corporate Services from 2022 through 2026, I am incredibly proud that we achieved and maintained this rating during a global recession.  Sound fiscal management of an $800+ million budget comes from challenging the status quo and continous improvement.  I support value audits and service reviews, and have voted in favour of recommendations that make us lean and high performing.

In my current position as a manager in Ancilliary Services at the U of Guelph, my role brings in $55+ million in revenue annually, I have met targets every year, and have come in under budget on expenses every single year of my career.

We are a city for everyone. We've been a university town since 1874. We welcome students, families, seniors, newcomers. That's who we are. 

Many people don't know that the university accounts for over $2 billion annually in economic benefit and is our city's second largest employer. We accommodate that kind of outstanding contribution. 

The key to tackling "town and gown" issues is building a relationship of trust and open communication.  As an alumna, I intend to strengthen that relationship even more.  We are partners, not service providers.

Currently, my average work week is 60+ hours working two jobs.  If elected, I will be leaving my job at the university and dedicating myself full-time+ to the role of being Mayor.  This is an all-in commitment to lead Guelph for the next four years.

I've been a working mom juggling four kids, two jobs, elder care, graduate school and community service work for decades.  This is who I am.

I voted to freeze the Mayor's compensation at the current level.  

The strongest power a mayor has is the ability to collaborate.  I believe the use of strong mayor powers is anti-democratic, and I have been a vocal opponent of the introduction of this American-style partisan city governance structure.

However, in Ontario there are some legally required acts that must be done using strong mayor legislation -- such as tabling the budget.  So a mayoral candidate cannot say they will never use strong mayor powers.  However, before exercising such acts, I am committed to consultation with the community and council.  When I table the "Mayor's Budget", it will be the People's Budget.

The reason is simple. I  listened to a wide variety of voices and stakeholders.

Let me start by saying that I love hockey. I come from a hockey family (two hall-of-famers!) and am a Storm supporter! I understand the value of sports tourism and that having an OHL team is a major contributor to civic pride and the local economy.  The Memorial Cup funding vote is not a pro-hockey or anti-hockey issue.  I am absolutely thrilled we will be hosting the 2027 Memorial Cup during our Bicentennial year and I will be cheering along with the community for our team! 

Here's the context.  The $600,000 contribution represents the entire pot of MAT tax (Municipal Accommodation Tax) that has been collected over three years.  The sum total of the MAT pot was collected from a wide variety of events and activites over several years - tourism, music festivals, conferences, arts and cultural groups, and more.  The purpose of this fund is to re-allocate it back out to promote more tourism, more events, more conferences, more tournaments -- all year long.

By allocating 100% of the fund for one event for a limited time period, there is nothing left for anyone else for at least another two years.  All of the other organizations that would have benefitted from being able to host events and festivals or tournaments are not able to access the funds that they helped to build.  That's not fair. I listened to all stakeholders and made a balanced decision.  If the $600K vote had failed at Council, I would have introduced a more balanced motion to provide $300K in funding to the Memorial Cup.   

Leadership is listening.  It's hearing all stakeholders and perspectives and finding a win-win-win solution that benefits as many as possible.