Respecting taxpayers by making life more affordable.

"We can't allow tax increases above the rate of inflation to become the norm."

Without a solid economic base, our residents – our taxpayers – pay the price. So many people on fixed incomes – seniors, youth, people with disabilities – have told me they’ve been financially stretched to the limit. Their incomes aren’t going up by double digits, but their tax bills are.

Over the past several years, Peterborough residents have faced double-digit property tax increases that are making home ownership less affordable and putting additional pressure on rents. It’s contributed to an affordability crisis.

Under my administration, that will change. All of our economic development efforts will mean little if Peterborough isn’t an affordable city in which to live. We will treat tax dollars with care and ensure municipal spending delivers measurable results. Here's our plan to respect taxpayers:

Our Strategic Approach

To achieve these goals, our approach will be guided by three core strategies:

  • We will endeavour to keep property tax increases capped at the rate of inflation.[cite: 6]
  • We will ensure that taxpayers receive good value from every dollar the city spends.[cite: 6]
  • We will ensure spending is guided by transparent priorities and community needs.[cite: 6]

Our Core Policies

Inflation-Capped Tax Increases

We can't allow tax increases above the rate of inflation to become the norm.

I recognize that the 2027 budget process will already be well underway by the time the new Council takes office. So the 2028 budget will be the first budget under my administration with a clear objective: annual tax increases below the rate of inflation. Every department and every external agency will be challenged to find ways to deliver services within those fiscal constraints.

Funding Growth with Growth

We grow Peterborough by investing in Peterborough. More businesses mean more jobs, more jobs mean more people earning money, and more investment means more assessment growth.

When I propose new programs that require municipal participation, they'll be funded through the growth of our assessment base. More assessment growth gives us the capacity to provide better services and more opportunities — without continually asking existing taxpayers to pay more.

Absolute Procurement Transparency

We will strengthen procurement transparency by creating a single, searchable public register of all City contracts over $50,000. We'll publish regular reports to Council on awarded contracts and publicly disclose all sole-source contracts with the explicit reasons they were awarded. Taxpayers deserve to know exactly where and how their money is being invested.

Additional AffordabilitY Policies
  • Work with Council and staff to carefully review and implement appropriate recommendations from the Effectiveness and Efficiency Review, with the goal of improving service delivery, reducing costs, and delivering better value for taxpayers.
  • Prioritize City funding for organizations that demonstrate fiscal stewardship, innovation, and collaborative approaches that reduce administrative costs.

"Then, and only then, will residents feel like they’re getting value for their money. Then and only then will residents feel like Peterborough loves them back."

Together, We Will.

It’s time to invest in our future.

It’s time to have the taxpayers' backs.