The Bradford Mayoral Platform
Balancing responsible growth with the preservation of our town's unique character. A platform built on three terms of proven council experience.
not playing catch-up. Growth should strengthen our community and contribute to the quality of life we value in BWG.
Growth must be supported by the roads, water and wastewater capacity, stormwater systems, emergency services and community infrastructure needed to serve it.
New development should respect the character of established neighbourhoods and rural communities while directing appropriate growth to the areas best equipped to accommodate it.
As BWG grows and intensifies, particularly around the GO Station and key corridors, decisions should consider traffic, parking, infrastructure capacity and impacts on surrounding neighbourhoods and businesses.
Growth should contribute to the community around it, helping support the parks, public spaces, infrastructure and amenities that make BWG a great place to live.
BWG is home to some of the most important and productive agricultural land in the country, including the Holland Marsh. As our community grows, we must continue to respect and protect our prime agricultural lands and recognize the vital role agriculture plays in our local economy, food security and identity.
Continue attracting employment and investment, particularly around Highway 400 and our employment lands, so more residents have opportunities to work closer to home and the tax burden is not carried disproportionately by homeowners.
Growth should recognize that Bradford, Bond Head, Newton Robinson and our rural communities are different and should not be treated with a one-size-fits-all approach.
Decisions made today should consider not only the initial cost but also the long-term cost to taxpayers of maintaining new roads, facilities and infrastructure.
Pillar 2
As Vice-Chair of BWG's Strategic Initiatives Committee which absorbed the former Community and Traffic Safety Committee's mandate in 2024, Peter already leads the work of making our streets safer.
Continue focusing on speeding, traffic calming and problem areas identified by residents.
Proven tools: traffic-calming measures, signage and red-light cameras.
Infrastructure and planning must keep pace with new development.
Recognize unique challenges of rural roads and intersections.
Improve safety around schools, parks and recreation facilities.
Active-transportation connections between neighbourhoods, parks and schools.
Working closely with South Simcoe Police on community safety.
Strong advocacy for road improvements and safety priorities.
Pillar 3
Peter has already delivered real upgrades including the new 2,400 sq. ft. pavilion at Henderson Memorial Community Park and ongoing improvements at Joe Magani Park, with a future baseball diamond in planning. As BWG grows, our quality of life should grow with it.
Continue renewing existing neighbourhood parks while planning new parkland to serve a growing population.
Support facilities and programming that serve children, youth, families, adults and seniors
Continue improving trails, playgrounds, sports fields, courts, splash pads and outdoor recreation opportunities.
Ensure growth planning considers access to parks, natural spaces and outdoor recreation as essential community infrastructure
Create and maintain spaces where residents can come together for recreation, culture, events and community activities.
Recreation investments should reflect changing demographics, participation levels and demonstrated community demand.
Building new amenities matters, but so does properly maintaining and renewing our existing parks, facilities and infrastructure.
Quality of life also means clean and attractive public spaces, vibrant neighbourhoods, community events and a strong sense of belonging.
Pillar 4
Support efforts that improve water quality, reduce phosphorus and protect the long-term health of Lake Simcoe and its watershed.
See Environmental RecordOur prime agricultural lands, particularly the Holland Marsh, are among BWG's most valuable and irreplaceable resources. We must continue to respect and protect these lands and recognize their importance to our environment, economy, food supply and agricultural heritage.
As more land is developed, ensure stormwater infrastructure is properly planned and maintained to reduce flooding, erosion and pollutants entering local waterways.
Consider wetlands, woodlands, watercourses and other environmentally sensitive areas when making long-term planning decisions.
Encourage planning and infrastructure decisions that balance the needs of a growing community with responsible environmental protection.
Look for opportunities to strengthen the urban tree canopy, native planting and naturalized areas where appropriate.
Recognize Scanlon Creek Conservation Park as one of the hidden jewels of our community and an important natural, recreational and educational resource for BWG residents and future generations.
Continue working collaboratively with Conservation Authorities, community organizations, agricultural partners, landowners and other levels of government. Protecting Lake Simcoe and our natural environment requires cooperation that extends beyond municipal boundaries.
Decisions affecting Lake Simcoe should always consider the long-term legacy we leave behind.
Pillar 5
Residents deserve a Mayor and Council that is transparent, accountable and respectful of the taxpayers it serves. Good government starts with trust, accessibility and responsible decision-making.
01
Open & Transparent Decision-Making
Residents should be able to understand what decisions are being made, why they are being made and how those decisions affect their community.
02
Respect for Taxpayers
Every budget decision should recognize that municipal dollars ultimately come from residents and businesses and should be spent responsibly.
03
Clear Priorities & Measurable Results
Council should establish clear priorities and regularly communicate progress to residents.
04
Communication is Key
BWG has made important strides in keeping residents informed. As our community grows, we should always look for new ways to make municipal information clear and accessible.
05
Meaningful Public Engagement
Consultation should happen early enough that residents feel their input can genuinely contribute to the decision-making process.
06
Clear Roles & Responsibilities
Good governance requires appropriate oversight, clear lines of authority and respect for the respective roles of Council and municipal administration.
07
Value for Money
Regularly examine how services are delivered and look for opportunities to reduce duplication, improve efficiency and make the best possible use of taxpayer dollars.
08
Accountability Beyond BWG
Advocate for fairness, transparency and value for BWG taxpayers when dealing with the County of Simcoe and other levels of government.
09
Accessible Leadership
Residents should have a Mayor who is visible, approachable and willing to listen — someone people know they can call, message and see in the community.
10
Respecting the Democratic Process
Peter believes the democratic process is fundamental to good government. Residents elect a Council to represent them, debate the issues and make decisions together, and every member of Council should have a meaningful voice at the table. Peter does not believe effective leadership requires concentrating decision-making authority in the Mayor's office. Where permitted by provincial legislation, he would delegate eligible Strong Mayor powers back to Council and the appropriate municipal administration. His approach to leadership is collaborative: Council sets the direction, professional staff provide their expertise and advice, and decisions are made openly and democratically in the best interests of the community. For Peter, strong leadership isn't about having more power. It's about knowing how to bring people together, build consensus and lead a Council that works as a team for the people of BWG.
Pillar 6
As BWG grows, how residents move around our community will become increasingly important. Transportation planning must consider not only roads and traffic, but also reliable and accessible public transit that connects people to work, school, shopping, recreation, medical appointments and the Bradford GO Station.
Peter will work with Council, staff and residents to build a more reliable and effective transit system that better serves the needs of our growing community. Transit is an important municipal service for people of all ages. Young people need independence to get to school, work and recreation. Seniors need reliable transportation to remain active and connected. Commuters need dependable connections to the GO Station, and residents without access to a vehicle need a transit system they can count on.
As BWG evaluates and evolves its transit system, Peter believes the experiences of the people who actually use the service must be an important part of the conversation. Ridership patterns, reliability, accessibility and resident feedback should help guide future decisions.
With the Bradford GO Station playing an important role in how many residents commute, Peter supports improving reliable local connections that make it easier for residents to get to and from the station.
A good transit system must work for residents of different ages, abilities and circumstances. Peter believes accessibility and affordability should remain important considerations as BWG plans for the future of local transit.
Transit cannot be an afterthought. As new neighbourhoods are built and BWG's population grows, transportation and transit needs should be considered as part of the broader conversation about responsible growth and community infrastructure.
Peter believes a growing community needs transportation choices. Building a more reliable transit system will take planning, collaboration and a clear understanding of what residents need - and he is committed to working toward a system that BWG residents can depend on.
Real change requires a community effort. Whether you can put a sign on your lawn, volunteer, or share your ideas, your voice matters.