Council candidates: Ryan Dole

Introduce yourself to readers. Who are you?

Born in ‘83 and raised in Stratford, I’ve lived in neighbourhoods across the city – Devon Street, Elgin Crescent, McQueen Court in Queensland and now Avonwood – giving me a lifelong connection to the people and places that make Stratford home. For more than 10 years, I’ve served as president of my condominium corporation, overseeing 30year reserve fund plans, capital projects and financial forecasting. People who know me describe me as honest, forwardthinking, empathetic and realistic. I’m a team player who listens first, solves problems with a level head. A fun fact: I am a Toronto Maple Leafs Fan. GO LEAFS GO!

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

What the citizens of Stratford are telling me, which are affordability (lower taxes), roads (asphalt repaving, snow removal), finish the Grand Trunk site and reduce homelessness with a caring and compassionate approach.

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?

I would defer the City of Stratford Capital Project A.2.3 Enterprise ERP Enhancements. $1 million is allocated for 2027 and there is no project plan available to evaluate if the money is required and justified to move to a new financial system from existing.

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?

The citizens of Stratford want a companionate approach to reducing homelessness. We need to create more beds with wrap around supports that give pathways for people who are homeless a chance to recover and overcome the challenges they are facing. The city needs to work with the Canadian Mental Health Association and increase investment into the Connection Centre. Our citizens are looking to the city for tax relief and it is time for the city to “pull up a chair at the kitchen table” and look at our budget and make decisions on what is best for Stratford citizens.

The Grand Trunk renewal project is underway, yet still far from any concrete changes to the grounds or superstructure. Are you in favour of the current council’s direction? If not, what strategy would you be in favour of?

The Grand Trunk site should become the new home for our YMCA and library. Our tax dollars have paid for lawyers, committees and consultants and contractors maintaining the site since we acquired the property in June 2009. A Master Plan for the site was published in 2018. It has been 17 years of debate of what to do with the Grand Trunk property. Let’s stop wasting tax dollars and choose to make the Grand Trunk the new home for our YMCA and library. I would like to have the ribbon cutting scheduled to occur by Oct. 1, 2030.