Ajax
Not all candidates responded to the survey. Those who did are listed, along with their responses below.
Survey Questions
1. Do you support an enforced heat maximum by-law for all rental units within your municipality?
2. Do you support a moratorium on municipal approvals for the construction of data centres until the full impacts have been assessed and understood?
3. Do you support an expanded, accessible, reliable, and sustainable public transit system across the Durham Region?
4. Do you support the installation of renewable energy generation (e.g., solar, wind, geothermal, etc.) and battery storage at all suitable municipal structures?
5. If elected, what will you do to support programs and policies that address climate change in your municipality and at the Regional level in addition to the above?
Mayor
- Yes
- No
- Yes
- Yes
- If elected, I would focus on the following:
- Improve energy efficiency and reduce municipal emissions by looking for opportunities to improve energy efficiency in municipal buildings, facilities, street lighting and operations, while considering cleaner technologies when they provide long-term value for taxpayers.
- Invest in resilient infrastructure by incorporating climate resilience into road, drainage, stormwater, water and wastewater planning. Growth and infrastructure decisions should account for increased risks from extreme weather and flooding.
- Support responsible growth and sustainable development by encouraging planning that makes efficient use of existing infrastructure, protects important natural areas, and supports walkable, connected and complete communities where practical.
- Expand practical transportation options by supporting safe sidewalks, cycling connections, public transit and other alternatives that can reduce reliance on single-occupancy vehicles while improving mobility for residents.
- Protect and enhance green spaces by recognizing the role that trees, parks, wetlands and natural areas play in managing stormwater, reducing heat and improving quality of life.
- Work with the Region and other municipalities to coordinate climate-resilience planning and pursue provincial and federal funding for projects that reduce emissions and protect our infrastructure.
- Keep taxpayers in mind by evaluating climate initiatives based on measurable environmental benefits, cost, feasibility and long-term savings. Climate action should be responsible and sustainable rather than based on short-term announcements.
- Most importantly, I would support policies that make our community more resilient, cleaner and better prepared for the future without placing unnecessary financial pressure on residents. Addressing climate change and responsible economic growth do not have to be competing goals. With good planning, innovation and cooperation between the municipality, Region, Province and federal government, we can make investments that benefit residents today while preparing our community for tomorrow.
Ward 1 Regional
- I support an enforceable, health-based maximum indoor temperature for rental housing, developed with public-health guidance. Implementation should be phased, protect tenants from renovictions or excessive costs, and include support for older buildings requiring electrical or mechanical upgrades.
- I support pausing approvals where adequate standards are not yet in place, while the Town and Region assess electricity, water, emissions, noise, heat and infrastructure impacts. The review should have a clear timeline and produce enforceable approval standards, rather than becoming an indefinite moratorium.
- Yes. Durham needs a faster, more reliable regional network connecting its downtowns, GO stations, hospitals, post-secondary campuses and major employment areas. Investments should be based on ridership, travel-time improvements and long-term value.
- Yes. Having previously worked in the wind energy industry, I have seen the value of renewable energy firsthand. I support installing renewable generation and battery storage on suitable municipal properties where assessments demonstrate technical feasibility, resilience benefits and good long-term value for taxpayers.
- In addition to the measures above, I would push for climate resilience to be built into municipal budgeting, infrastructure planning and development decisions.
- At both Ajax and Durham Region, I would support assessing roads, bridges, stormwater systems, public buildings and other municipal assets for increased flooding, extreme heat and severe weather. The results should guide capital planning so we strengthen vulnerable infrastructure before failures become more expensive emergencies.
- I would support expanding the tree canopy and protecting natural areas, wetlands and other green infrastructure that help manage stormwater, reduce flooding and provide shade. New developments should include effective stormwater management, adequate green space and infrastructure capable of handling future conditions, not only historical weather patterns.
- I would also support reducing emissions and operating costs through energy-efficiency upgrades to municipal facilities, more efficient municipal vehicles and equipment, improved waste diversion and climate-conscious procurement where it provides good lifecycle value.
- Most importantly, I would push for measurable public reporting. Residents should be able to see the cost of each major initiative, its expected benefits, whether it is meeting its targets and how much money or energy it is actually saving. Climate policies should be practical, evidence-based and financially responsible. They should make our community healthier, more resilient and more affordable over the long term.
- Yes
- Yes
- Yes
- Yes
- As a candidate for Durham Regional Council representing Ajax, I view climate change not as a distant global challenge, but as a local priority directly impacting our infrastructure, public health, and property values. Addressing extreme weather, severe storm run-off along Lake Ontario, and transit needs requires coordinated leadership at both the lower-tier (Town of Ajax) and upper-tier (Region of Durham) levels. Here is my action plan to support and strengthen local climate programs and policies:
- Municipal Action Plan: Town of Ajax: Accelerating Green Building Standards
- Enforce & Expand Tiered Green Standards: Strengthen the Ajax Green Development and Environmental Design Guidelines. I will advocate for making Tier 2 voluntary measures. such as green roofs, urban canopy preservation, and EV-ready electrical infrastructure mandatory for all new midddle to high-density residential and commercial developments.
- Decarbonizing Town Infrastructure: Support the full execution of the Town’s Corporate Net-Zero Emissions Plan. This includes retrofitting municipal facilities (community centres, operations depots) and expanding the Sustainable Green Fleet Strategy to electrify public works vehicles and municipal equipment.
- Strengthening Natural Infrastructure & Climate Adaptation
- Stormwater & Watershed Resilience: Build on the Ajax Climate Risk & Resiliency Plan updates by prioritizing critical stormwater management upgrades to protect shoreline communities and prevent localized urban flooding from Lake Ontario and regional creek networks.
- Expanding Sustainable Neighbourhood Programs: Expand the Ajax Sustainable Neighbourhood Action Program (SNAP) in collaboration with the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) to help older neighbourhoods implement green infrastructure, rain gardens, and targeted residential retrofits.
- Protecting the Urban Canopy: Execute the Ajax Urban Forest Study directives to increase canopy cover, mitigating urban heat islands while preserving native ecosystems.
- Regional Action Plan: Durham Region
- Pushing for Low-Carbon Transportation
- Electrifying Durham Region Transit (DRT): Champion the implementation of the DRT Fleet Electrification Plan, ensuring high-volume transit corridors connecting Ajax to Pickering, Whitby, and Oshawa receive zero-emission buses early in the deployment schedule.
- Active Transportation Networks: Expand integrated cycling networks and pedestrian pathways that align with the Durham Regional Cycling Plan, linking local trails to GO stations and regional bus hubs to provide safe alternatives to car travel.
- Pushing for Low-Carbon Transportation
- Expanding Energy & Building Efficiency Programs
- Scaling Durham Greener Homes: Promote and increase funding support for the Durham Greener Homes Program. I will work to ensure Ajax homeowners have direct access to home energy coaching, low-interest financing, and rebates for heat pumps, solar panels, and insulation upgrades.
- Achieving Regional Net-Zero Targets: Drive regional policy to align with the Durham Community Energy Plan (targeting net-zero community emissions) and ensure regional capital projects adhere strictly to the Durham Standard for Sustainable Infrastructure Design.
- Waste Management & Circular Economy
- Diverting Organic Waste: Support expanded regional organics collection, food waste reduction initiatives, and methane capture operations across regional waste treatment facilities.
- Municipal Action Plan: Town of Ajax: Accelerating Green Building Standards