Council Candidate Brandon Forder (Incumbent)

Q1: Meaford is experiencing dynamic growth. How do you see ratepayers’ involvement in that growth? What role do you see the community playing in establishing the common direction and longer-term priorities?

It is absolutely critical that residents have opportunities to share their views on how Meaford grows. Consulting with the public should not be something we do simply because legislation requires it. It is equally important that residents can provide feedback early enough in the process so their input can help shape the outcomes.

Growth is coming to Meaford and we need to plan for it responsibly. Our community should help with establishing our long-term priorities through the Official Plan, strategic planning, public meetings and surveys, advisory committees, and ongoing communication with Municipal Council.

Where I see the most room for improvement is explaining how and when residents can participate. I hear far too often from residents who first hear about major projects when it is already far along in the approval process.

Q2: Would you support the development of an active community-based Advisory Committee for planning and development?

I am certainly open to the idea of a community-based planning and development advisory committee providing there is a clear purpose and structure that adds value to the planning process. If this committee were to be created, I would want to see clear terms of reference, defined responsibilities, and a path for committee recommendations to effectively reach Council.

I recognize there is real value in having residents share their knowledge and perspectives on planning decisions. We would just need to ensure that an advisory committee’s role is not duplicating the work of planning staff, the Committee of Adjustment, or Municipal Council.

Q3: Currently, Meaford Council has just two Advisory Committees: Heritage and Accessibility. Prior to this current Council, there were seven advisory committees. Given that advisory committees facilitate public input into important matters, would you reinstate other advisory committees? And how would you ensure they are used effectively in the next term of Council?

Yes. I do support advisory committees where there is an identified need and where useful advice can be provided to Council.

This past term, I have served as the Chair of Meaford’s Heritage Advisory Committee and Co-Chaired the Ensuring Sustainability Advisory Committee. I also recently voted against dissolving the Pumped Storage Advisory Committee (PSAC) because I believed it served as an important direct link between the community and Council on a subject of significant public interest and importance.

Throughout my last four years on Council, I have seen and experienced the value these committees can provide. This experience has also allowed me to see where we can do better, particularly when committee members may feel unclear about their roles, responsibilities, and purpose. Each committee needs to have a clear mandate and priorities, reliable and consistent volunteer attendance, and regular reporting back to Council and the community.

Q4: What is the role of Council and the Municipality in supporting the development of downtown Meaford? In rural areas? Please provide examples.

Downtown Meaford and rural Meaford are equally important, and both have very different needs.

Council should be supporting investment in downtown Meaford by maintaining infrastructure, protecting and promoting the unique character of the Heritage District, improving public spaces, and making it easier for local businesses and property owners to invest in their buildings. Current municipal programs like the recently refreshed Community Improvement Plan (CIP) includes support for housing, heritage, accessibility, sustainability, downtown and rural beautification, and more.

In rural Meaford, it is essential that we recognize the importance of agriculture to our local economy. This requires protecting agricultural lands, maintaining our roads and bridges, and supporting rural businesses. It is equally important that we support our rural community centres as these are the social hubs for the areas they serve. This requires maintaining and investing in rural facilities, and supporting the volunteers who dedicate their time and energy to provide programming for the community.

Q5: What role does Meaford’s “Official Plan” have in guiding development?

The Official Plan (OP) is the primary planning document guiding how and where Meaford grows. It establishes the long-term framework for land use, and helps determine where residential, commercial, agricultural, and other types of development should occur. The OP also addresses matters such as infrastructure, environmental protections, heritage, and overall community character.

 It is important that as new development proposals are brought forward, Council uses the Official Plan to consider whether they are consistent with its established community vision.

Q6: If a development project does not appear to meet Official Plan requirements (like the SkyDev proposal), what should Council do to ensure the project is in the best interest of Meaford and its citizens?

Council needs to be asking questions, listening to residents, and using professional planning advice to ensure the municipality’s planning policies are being respected.

With regards to developments that undergo significant changes compared to their original proposal, these changes need to be judged on their own merits. One should not assume that original development approvals mean every future change should simply be accepted. Council has a responsibility to determine whether substantial changes to development still align with municipal policies and whether they remain appropriate for the community. This requires a Council that is prepared to ask difficult questions, push back when necessary, and advocate for the concerns of residents.

Q7: Should Council members or municipal staff meet with developers prior to a development application being submitted? What is your understanding of them role in such meetings? Can you give us an example of what you would do in that position?

Yes. These meetings are highly valuable.

The municipality currently has a pre-application consultation as part of the planning process. These meetings help in identifying servicing requirements, planning concerns, municipal policies, and more

Developers must clearly understand that respecting our Official Plan is mandatory. I would encourage them to work with municipal staff, and be receptive to resident feedback in order to bring forward a proposal that fits the community.

I also believe Council members can meet with developers providing there are clear boundaries. A councillor can listen, ask questions, and communicate resident concerns, but they should never suggest any project has their support before the formal process takes place. Personally, I would make it clear to any developer that my final decision will be based on the application, municipal policy (like the Official Plan), professional advice, and public feedback.

Q8: There are many issues that need to be addressed in the coming four-year term, including the TCE pumped energy project, affordable housing, job creation, the downtown heritage district, business development, climate change, tourism, and a host of infrastructure needs supporting agriculture, bridges, roads, water and sewer and urban green spaces. What, in your opinion, are the most urgent issues to address?

Infrastructure is certainly among Meaford’s most urgent issues to address. We have a very large network of roads and bridges, major wastewater needs, aging municipal facilities, and more. It is critical that Council continues to work with municipal staff on a viable long-term plan.

Directly connected to infrastructure is responsible growth. Meaford needs development, housing, and new businesses. Growth needs to occur where it makes sense from a financial and planning perspective. Whenever possible, I support using existing serviced areas and infrastructure before creating new expensive financial obligations for taxpayers.

Economic development and housing are also high on the list of Meaford’s most urgent issues. We need more housing choices, more employment opportunities, and a stronger commercial tax base.

Last but certainly not least, protecting our environment and natural resources must remain central to every major decision. If our vulnerable natural resources are compromised, they can be extremely difficult or even impossible to replace.

Q9: The TCE Pumped Storage Proposal will be decided by the federal government. What is your position on the project, and what role do you think the Meaford Council has as the project moves through approvals?

I do not support the proposed pumped storage project and have been outspoken about this since starting my first term on Council four years ago.

My opposition to this project has remained consistent, including the conditional willing host declaration, and the recent pre-development agreement. I also voted to retain the municipality’s Pumped Storage Advisory Committee, which was ultimately dissolved by a majority vote of Council.

While the final decision on this project is ultimately made by the federal government, Meaford still has an important role to play. It is our duty to fully participate in the assessment process, advocate for resident concerns, and ensure that issues involving municipal infrastructure, emergency services, water, environment, and community impacts are thoroughly addressed.

Council and the municipality also play a key role in continuing open communication with residents as the process moves forward.

Q10: As a member of Council, how will you work with local and county/regional partners and Meaford's CAO and staff to move the Municipality forward on the issues listed in Q8? Can you provide any examples?

First, it is essential that Council, municipal staff, and regional partners understand their roles and work collaboratively toward common goals.

The role of Council is to establish clear direction, approve budgets and policy, ask questions, and represent residents. The CAO and municipal staff are responsible for the day-to-day operations of the municipality, and provide Council with professional advice and recommendations. Having a respectful working relationship is important on both sides, while recognizing that Council has a duty to challenge recommendations when necessary.

Many of the challenges we face in Meaford cannot be solved without outside support. Housing, transportation, healthcare, economic development, environmental issues, major infrastructure, and more, often involve Grey County, our municipal neighbours, conservation authorities, and the provincial and federal government.

Throughout my first term, I have learned that progress often comes from building and maintaining these relationships rather than solving problems independently. In my second term, I would continue pushing for stronger partnerships, outside funding, and exploring opportunities to share resources while ensuring Meaford’s interests are represented and advocated for.