Former councillor and mayor, Heather Jackson, is bidding to return to city hall after an unsuccessful mayoral run in 2022. She also sought a third term as mayor in 2018, but finished second to Joe Preston.
The obvious starting point in the conversation was what influenced her to return to the public spotlight.
“You know, I’ve had that question quite a few times from a lot of different folks, and it was, as you will note, a very late, last-minute getting my nomination papers in. It was the second-to-last day.
“And that was due to a lot of thoughtful conversations, especially with my husband. It was just four years ago that he underwent cancer treatment. So we’ve been through a lot in a very short time. I said, I’m not going to do this unless you’re the first one to sign my nomination papers. And he did. So, you know, a lot of conversations, not just with family, but with the public as well.”
It should come as no surprise, then, that a key platform issue this time around is fiscal responsibility.
“Absolutely. Like I just said, a 6.1 per cent tax increase this year is absolutely insane, especially for anyone who is on a fixed income. I know of many people who have reached out to me who are in a really bad spot. They’re on fixed incomes. They don’t have any way to get any increased income.”
“And that really concerns me. As a homeowner, as a taxpayer in this city, I’m really concerned that we saw a 6.1 per cent tax increase this year and what is going to come down the pipes, what’s going to happen. And so we need to be very fiscally responsible with the funds that we have.”
Jackson adds that a big concern is what are the next significant budgetary items the city will face.
She continues, “And it’s that wear and tear that’s going to be another cost for people. You’re putting that wear and tear on your vehicle just driving to get groceries or to get to work. And that’s just another added expense.
“So asset management plans are a great thing brought in by the province and help us to track where we need to be. But we all know that municipalities all across the country are way behind on infrastructure needs. And that makes the projects cost a lot more. So I think we need to evaluate what roads could be resurfaced now and extend that lifetime so that we can plan for some of those bigger projects that need to happen.”
Jackson continues, “I said it years ago that we need to be working better with our neighbours.
She stresses, “I hope the public is aware that the Green Lane landfill we rely on, which is owned by the City of Toronto, it will reach capacity in 2035. Every landfill in the province is reaching that same deadline of 2035.
“There’s a report put out last year that details all of this. And I saw on local news that Mayor Joe Preston said we’re going to wait and see what Toronto’s doing before we move.
“That really bothered me because to get any permits, whether it’s to expand Green Lane, whether it’s to look for a new facility, a new landfill or other options that are out there, you’re looking five to eight or nine years just to get the permits and the permissions in place to be able to do the work. So what happens in the meantime?
“We should be planning for our future and not waiting to see what the City of Toronto is going to do. Because I can pretty much guarantee they don’t care about what we do with our garbage.”
“If the City of Toronto decides they do not want to do an expansion at Green Lane, which is highly likely, then we’re going to be stuck. And we won’t have enough time to be able to get those permits and find a landfill or a space for a landfill.
“Or if we wanted to do another route, like energy from waste and incineration, which I know Toronto’s looking at. And we should be planning now for our own future and not waiting to see what the City of Toronto is going to do with their garbage.
“The Green Lane Public Liaison Committee meets quarterly, and the city has a representative on that committee, and they should be asking for a report after each meeting as to what was discussed because at the most recent meeting, there was a staff report presented.
“It was a great report, and it outlined where the City of Toronto is at in the process. And what they have done: a feasibility study at the existing landfill, and it is feasible to do an expansion, but it will really come down to whether or not the City of Toronto council decides that that’s what they want to do and what our local community – those that live near the landfill, our conservation area, our friends at Oneida – what they want.
“I think we all should be working a little more toward finding solutions for ourselves. And in this instance, that should involve the County of Elgin and the lower tiers and having that discussion. We should be planning for our future and not waiting to see what the City of Toronto is going to do. Because I can pretty much guarantee they don’t care about what we do with our garbage.
“I’m surprised that the response here is let’s wait and see what Toronto does, instead of having contingency plans.”
Jackson admits she is also passionate about housing and homelessness.
“And, we know that it’s not all housing with supports that’s needed. We need housing that people can afford. And affordable doesn’t have to mean just folks who are homeless. It’s about affordability for everyone.”
“And I think that we need to do better, and everybody deserves a safe, warm roof over their head at night that they can afford and a community that supports them.”
This allowed Jackson to transition to a related issue, on-street parking.
“In certain neighbourhoods where you’ve got multi-generational families living in the home. And so there are extra vehicles. And I know that parking, especially in the winter, is difficult. So there are some areas where I think we can improve the on-street and overnight parking system throughout the winter.
“I think we have to be a little more flexible when we’re looking at communities or areas in the communities that have multi-generational households. They need more places for their vehicles.”
As to the anticipated growth of the city in the coming decades, Jackson pointed out, “We thought we were growing at record speeds 20 years ago. But it’s nothing compared to what’s happening now. So it’s really about making sure that we’re planning appropriately, that we’re putting in the right policies, and that we’re attracting the right kind of industry to our community.
“Years ago, we spoke about diversifying and the need to diversify our economy. Are we achieving that? Are we really diversifying the type of industry that’s in our community so that if there is a 2008 again where we see all kinds of automotive factories closing, that we’re not going to be in that situation again where half the community is out of work because they relied on one industry? So, you know, those are important checks and balances that we need to have.”
As for Jackson’s campaigning, she stresses, “I want to meet people where they’re at. If that means, you know, you want me to come to your house or you’re in a building where there’s a community room, I’m happy to come at any time.
“I have experience. I love this community, and I am St. Thomas proud. I want to see our community thrive. And I think that we need to do better, and everybody deserves a safe, warm roof over their head at night that they can afford and a community that supports them.”
Jackson can be reached through email at heather_jackson76@outlook.com.
Written by Ian McCallum
