Council candidates: Naireta Chatterjee

Introduce yourself to readers. Who are you?

I am Naireta Chatterjee, a Stratford resident, a mother and a wife, a property manager, and the person behind Mirapac Home-Care. My professional experience has shown me how housing, affordability and responsible decisions affect everyday life. With my Southeast Asian background, I also understand the importance of making our community welcoming and inclusive. I am running for city council to bring practical, common-sense leadership, listen to residents and help build a Stratford where families, seniors, young people, newcomers and local businesses can thrive.

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

My priorities are affordable housing, responsible property taxes, safe and connected neighbourhoods and support for local businesses and agriculture. I also want to strengthen food security, improve access to community services and create more opportunities for young people to live and work in Stratford. I believe residents should have a stronger voice in local decisions, and public money must be spent carefully. My goal is a city where people can afford to live, businesses can grow and everyone feels included.

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 will carefully review every budget item, question unnecessary expenses and prioritize essential services and infrastructure. I will ask for clear cost estimates before approving major projects and consider long-term maintenance costs. I will also explore grants, partnerships and other funding opportunities to reduce the burden on property taxpayers. While working collaboratively with the mayor and fellow councillors, I will advocate for transparent spending, responsible financial decisions and better value for every tax dollar. My goal is to keep tax increases as low as reasonably possible without compromising essential services.

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?

Stratford needs more affordable housing, but we must also make better use of the housing already available. I would support identifying vacant and underused properties, encouraging owners to bring suitable units back into use and exploring ways to match available rentals with people who need them. We should also encourage a mix of affordable rentals, smaller homes and supportive housing, while reducing unnecessary development delays. Working with non-profit organizations and other levels of government, we can improve access to housing and support services for people experiencing homelessness. Our goal should be to make the best use of existing resources …

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 revitalizing the Grand Trunk site, but I believe we need a clear, practical plan with realistic timelines, costs and measurable outcomes. I would favour exploring all viable options, including phased redevelopment, partnerships with private developers and opportunities for housing and community use. Before committing significant taxpayer money, council should clearly communicate the financial implications, investigate available grants and consider long-term maintenance costs. Residents deserve transparency and meaningful input into the site's future. My priority would be to turn this underused property into a valuable community asset while protecting taxpayers and ensuring the project meets Stratford's needs.