Resolutions & The Fight for Calvin
As Mayor, I have worked to protect the interests of Calvin Township and to make sure our municipality is not overlooked when important decisions are being made.
I believe that being Mayor means being prepared to stand up for Calvin Township when it matters.
CALVIN’S VOICE BEING HEARD OUTSIDE OF CALVIN
When I became Mayor, I felt it was my responsibility to manage more than the day-to-day affairs of the Township. We have problems that affect our residents, and it was my hope to do the research, put forward solutions — and make sure Calvin’s voice is heard in the rest of the province and country.
Over the past few years, I have brought forward three issues where I believed Calvin needed to speak up. In each case, the work began at our Council table. In each case, I continued working to build support beyond Calvin.
- A NATIONAL FIREFIGHTING STRATEGY
In January 2024, I researched and wrote a resolution calling for a provincial and national firefighting strategy, including a Canadian fleet of waterbombers. Calvin Council passed it, and the idea circulated beyond our municipality.
The response was far greater than I expected. Municipalities across Ontario — including East Ferris, Bonfield, Alnwick/Haldimand, St. Charles, Mattice-Val Côté, Marathon, Killarney, Alberton, Tarbutt, Champlain, Dutton/Dunwich, Magnetawan, Asphodel-Norwood, Otonabee-South Monaghan and Sault Ste. Marie.
In December 2024, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, The FCM, took Calvin’s resolution to the national level, specifically identifying Calvin as the municipality that brought the issue forward.
Since then, the need for stronger aerial firefighting capability has continued to gain attention. In 2025, a petition for a national wildfire response was presented in the House of Commons. In January 2026, the federal government announced funding to lease additional firefighting aircraft for provincial use. Most recently, Premier Doug Ford has called for a national firefighting strategy and a fleet of 60 waterbombers.
An idea that started around the Council table in Calvin became part of a much larger national conversation.
- A CONNECTED CALVIN – RURAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Reliable telecommunications are not a luxury. They are a public safety issue.
In January 2026, I brought the issue of rural telecommunications reliability to a ROMA Zone 6 meeting, where I spoke directly about the problems facing communities like Calvin. I then formally lodged a complaint with the CRTC.
ROMA subsequently wrote to the CRTC regarding these concerns.
I have continued working with Blue Sky Networks and federal and provincial governments to address telecommunications failures and the public safety risks they create.
This work is ongoing. If re-elected, I intend to make reliable rural telecommunications a priority for the next Council.
- CALVIN TO QUEEN’S PARK — FAIRNESS FOR SMALL MUNICIPALITIES
In May 2026, I researched and wrote a resolution asking the province to review how municipalities are charged for shared municipal and provincially mandated services. This is called CVA or weighted assessment. Calvin Council passed my resolution on May 26, 2026.
The issue clearly resonated beyond Calvin and was subsequently supported by municipalities, including East Ferris, Southwold, O’Connor and Norwich, among others.
By the end of July, the issue had reached FONOM — the Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities. FONOM took the matter directly to Premier Doug Ford, writing in support of a review and specifically identifying the Municipality of Calvin as one of the municipalities that had brought the issue forward.
This matters because it is about fairness. Small rural municipalities are being asked to help pay for services delivered through agencies and organizations whose costs can place a disproportionate burden on our taxpayers. We need a funding system that recognizes the realities of small rural municipalities — not one that assumes every municipality has the same ability to pay.
I wrote these resolutions. Calvin Council passed them. Other municipalities supported them. And FONOM, and the FCM took the issues to the leaders of government.
THIS IS THE KIND OF LEADERSHIP I BELIEVE CALVIN NEEDS
Calvin may be small —- Our voice doesn’t have to be.