Council candidates: Lesley Biehn

Introduce yourself to readers. Who are you?

My name is Lesley Biehn, and Stratford has been home for 40 years. I am a wife, mother, longtime community volunteer and hairstylist by trade, and for the past four years I have had the privilege of serving on Stratford city council. I bring more than two decades of volunteering, mentoring, outreach and community service, along with experience serving on boards and committees focused on housing, seniors, public health and social services. I approach council by listening carefully, researching the facts, asking difficult questions and considering the people behind every decision …

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

My focus is keeping Stratford affordable while protecting the services residents depend on. That means responsible spending and keeping tax increases as low as possible; investing in roads, stormwater, sewers and pedestrian safety; and advancing affordable housing solutions. We need permanent supportive housing while maintaining short-term measures that keep vulnerable residents safe. I will continue advocating for partnerships with non-profits and senior governments so property taxpayers are not carrying these challenges alone. Above all, I want decisions guided by data, staff expertise and long-term value, while ensuring Stratford remains a great place to live, work and raise a family.

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?

As a councillor, I would push to keep departmental increases within inflation wherever possible and require clear justification when they exceed it. I would support a thorough review of staffing and service levels to ensure we make the best use of existing staff and vacancies before adding positions. I would defer non-essential capital projects and scrutinize new or expanded programs that create ongoing costs. For housing and homelessness, we must fund necessary short-term safety measures while advancing permanent solutions that reduce long-term reliance on emergency responses. Every new expenditure should demonstrate a clear need and value for taxpayers.

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?

We need to continue advancing Stratford’s 10-year Housing and Homelessness Plan, with a focus on permanent supportive and affordable housing. I initiated a housing reserve that now holds $1 million dedicated to affordable housing, and a path to reduce the multi-residential tax ratio which helps landlords absorb rising costs without increasing rents. We must also pursue partnerships with non-profit housing providers and senior governments because property taxpayers cannot fund the solution alone. While short-term measures, including emergency accommodations and the warming centre, remain necessary to keep people safe, our investment and energy must remain focused on creating permanent housing solutions.

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

I support moving the Grand Trunk forward, but a project of this scale cannot be rushed. The potential is tremendous, but so is the financial risk to taxpayers. I support a walkable, mixed-use neighbourhood with housing, businesses and community facilities, developed in phases as funding permits. I am not committed to retaining the existing superstructure at any cost, given the significant expense involved, but I am open to retaining it if a sound business case supports it. We need firm partner commitments, government funding and clear spending limits before proceeding with major investments.