Council candidates: Elaine Strawbridge

Introduce yourself to readers. Who are you?

I am a fourth generation Stratfordite and I am deeply invested in this community. I am a former teacher and a retired minister in the United Church of Canada. I believe all voices should be heard and together we can create a stronger, healthier, more sustainable and caring community. I like to foster communication, engagement and I believe strongly in democracy and that it should be protected.

What are the core issues you are focused on this election?

Some of the issues that have come into focus for me are homelessness, housing affordability, environmental sustainability and transparency. As noted above, I would like every citizen of Stratford to know that their voice matters and I invite feedback and engagement at all levels. I am a skilled listener and as a councillor I would welcome input from everyone. We also need to tackle the Grand Trunk site and I would advocate moving forward with a staged construction beginning with a new YMCA including an aquatic centre for all ages and a new public library …

Next year’s budget, like last year’s, will be presented and guided by the mayor. As a councillor, what will you do to keep the tax levy low?

Keeping the tax levy low is important to me because I pay what I consider to be very high taxes for what I own. As for specific actions I would take, I would have to first see the mayor’s budget and go through it carefully to see where savings can be found. Even if we just account for inflation our taxes will increase over three per cent every year and that is substantial when you considered over five or 10 years. I would consult with staff and other people who will be directly affected by cuts.

Housing and homelessness in Stratford continues to be a challenge. What, in your opinion, is the strategy the city should be taking in building more homes and/or improving affordability?

I firmly believe that everyone who wants housing should be housed. One strategy that the city can undertake to create more housing units is encouraging densification. Those on larger lots can be encouraged to build a one- or two-bedroom suite or those living in larger homes could be encouraged to make a duplex of their home. This would only be part of the solution. The city needs to move ahead with the proposed 12-unit housing complex with wrap around services. The time for talking about it has come to an end …

Are you in favour of the current council’s direction on the GTR? If not, what strategy would you be in favour of?

I am in favour of the city’s current proposal for the Grand Trunk site as far as partnering with the YMCA and the Stratford library to build new facilities. However, with over 12 acres available for development, the city needs to seek more stakeholders who have the capital to invest in infrastructure like a performing arts space, grocery store or geared to income housing. We also need a centrally located seniors’ centre and this should be part of the early plans for the site. With an aging population we need to keep seniors top of mind.