I believe in simple ideas, strong relationships, and lasting impact.
Financial Sustainability
Municipalities look after about 60 per cent of Canada’s essential infrastructure: roads, bridges, water and waste systems.¹ In Ontario, towns face high infrastructure costs and limited revenue. That’s why property taxes keep climbing, and why many towns turn to new development to bring in money through development charges and a larger tax base.
But not all growth pays off. That’s why I would push for a fiscal impact review of both existing and new development. It would help the Town plan for a more financially sustainable future and build a community residents enjoy.
Development charges don’t last. According to the Town of Arnprior Development Charges Pamphlet, “Development charges are levies against new development imposed to assist in financing the infrastructure required to meet the increased need for services resulting from growth and development. Development charges help protect existing taxpayers by having growth pay for growth.”²
But that money gets spent, and once new roads and pipes are in the ground, the Town is responsible for operating, maintaining, and eventually replacing them, paid for through property taxes, grants, and other sources. Over time, that means higher taxes for residents.
New housing, nor commericial stores, don’t always pay for itself. Developers, and sometimes councils, argue that new homes bring in a new tax base to support the town. The research says that’s often false:
Ottawa: Serving new low-density homes on the edge of the city costs about $465 per person per year more than it brings in. High-density infill, like apartment buildings, generates over $600 per person annually.³
Halifax: The most sprawling areas cost three times as much per household as the most compact ones. For water, sewers, and roads, sprawl costs ten times more over the life of the infrastructure.⁴
Metro Vancouver: Infrastructure for a single-family house cost five to nine times more per person than for an apartment development.⁵
Peterbourgh: The local corner store brings in $133,000 per hectare, while the Costco only brings in $47,000.⁶
Peterborough hired Urban3, a U.S. research firm, and shared the results in a series called “Closeing the Gap: Unleashing Economic Potential (Click to watch).” In Peterborough, tax revenue per hectare was:
Single-family homes: $58K
Duplexes: $69K
Townhouses and condos: $90K to $96K
Walmart (big parking lots, building designed to last about 20 years): $73K
Mixed-use downtown (commercial and residential): about $295K
What this means is that every pipe, road, and service costs money, and that cost may land on Arnprior taxpayers every year.
Growth isn’t bad. But there are better approaches that we can take that can address the “missing middle” housing (such as duplexes, townhouses, and small apartment buildings), that can provide an improved tax base, more housing options and keep Arnprior feeling like a community. We can also build our commerical centers with financial sustainabilty and residents in mind, Arnprior is at the start of it’s commercial growth, and I think we need to take full advantage of it. For an idea of what this might look like, check out this interesting concept video on updating how we plan suburbs and our town.
If elected, I would push for a fiscal impact study so we can see how different kinds of development actually perform financially here in Arnprior. With that information, we can make informed choices about the kind of future we want.
A study like this would help us:
Compare the financial return of different types of development, side by side, within our own local market
Find the parts of town that generate the most value for every hectare of land
Set priorities for spending on roads, pipes, and other capital projects, and guide how we design our neighbourhoods
I would also encourage council and staff to consider new development guidelines in our official plan during the 2027 update so they reflect more financially sustainable growth.
What this means for residents:
Smarter planning that helps keep your taxes under control. I’ve heard at the door, taxes are high and so is the cost of living. It’s time Arnprior addresses this firsthand for residents by making long-term strategic plans.
A clear view of where town revenue comes from. A simple visual would show residents how each part of the community contributes.
Growth that suits Arnprior. We can welcome development that respects our heritage, serves the people who live here, and brings the kind of growth we want to see.
Let’s build Arnprior together, for a more financially sustinable future.
References:
2. Why Active Transportation Matters in Our Community
Active transportation—including walking, cycling, and wheeling—is an important part of creating a healthy, connected, and vibrant community. In towns that combine rural and urban characteristics, providing safe and accessible ways to get around benefits everyone, from children and families to commuters, older adults and visitors. We already have an accessible community with places to go, people to meet and local businesses to support. The opportunity now is to build on what we have and make it safer and easier for everyone to get around.
Affordability and Accessibility
The cost of owning and maintaining a vehicle can place significant pressure on household budgets. Active transportation offers a low-cost alternative for shorter journeys, helping people reach shops, schools, parks, workplaces and community facilities without always relying on a car. The Government of Canada's National Active Transportation Strategy recognises the potential for active transportation to reduce transportation costs and improve access to local destinations.[1]
By investing in connected sidewalks, cycling routes and accessible pathways, we can make everyday journeys easier for people of all ages, abilities and income levels. Where distances are greater, particularly in rural areas, active transportation can complement public transit and community shuttle services.
Health and Wellbeing
Walking, cycling and wheeling encourage physical activity as part of everyday life. Regular movement can improve cardiovascular health, strengthen mobility, support mental wellbeing and reduce the risks associated with inactivity. The World Health Organization recommends regular physical activity for adults because it reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and some cancers, while supporting mental health, sleep and overall wellbeing.[2]
Research published in The Lancet Planetary Health in 2024 reviewed 80 studies examining the wider effects of active-travel interventions. Of the studies assessing health outcomes, 67% reported favourable results, while 71% of those assessing safety outcomes also favoured the interventions.[3] This evidence supports investing in infrastructure that makes walking and cycling more practical, attractive and safe.
A large Scottish longitudinal study, published in 2025, followed 82,297 people over 18 years. Compared with non-active commuters, people who cycled to work had lower observed risks of several adverse health outcomes, including all-cause mortality and cardiovascular hospitalisation. Walking commuters also had lower observed risks of hospitalisation and cardiovascular-related outcomes.[4] Although this observational study cannot prove that active commuting alone caused these differences, it adds substantial evidence of the potential long-term health benefits.
Connectivity and Safety
A community is only as accessible as its connections. Safe, continuous routes between residential areas, town centres, parks, schools, healthcare facilities and public transport allow people to reach the places they need to go with greater confidence and independence.
Although we already have an accessible community, there is an opportunity to improve how people move around it. Filling gaps in sidewalks and pathways, improving crossings, reducing conflicts between vehicles and pedestrians, and providing clear signage can make a meaningful difference. These improvements are particularly valuable in communities where residents have different mobility needs and where some journeys currently depend heavily on driving.
Tourism and Local Economic Growth
Attractive walking and cycling routes can also strengthen our local economy. Visitors are more likely to explore a town when they can move around comfortably, discover local attractions and stop at independent shops, cafés and restaurants. Trails, heritage routes and connections to natural spaces can create opportunities for recreation and tourism, supporting local businesses and encouraging longer visits.[1]
Conclusion
Active transportation is about making the most of the community we already have. By improving safety, strengthening connections and making everyday journeys easier, we can create a place where people of all ages and abilities have greater freedom to move around. These investments support healthier lifestyles, household affordability, local businesses and a stronger sense of community. We have an accessible community—now let's make it safer, better connected and easier for everyone to enjoy.
Footnotes and References
Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada, National Active Transportation Strategy 2021–2026.
The Lancet Planetary Health (2024). “The co-benefits of active travel interventions beyond physical activity: a systematic review.” Review of 80 studies.
Public Health Agency of Canada, Age-Friendly Rural and Remote Communities: A Guide.
Health benefits of pedestrian and cyclist commuting: evidence from the Scottish Longitudinal Study (published online in 2025). Longitudinal research involving 82,297 participants.