Council candidates: Taylor Briscoe

Introduce yourself to readers. Who are you?

I'm Taylor Briscoe, a mom of three, assistant director of public affairs for the Salvation Army, and founder of ComplyGov, a civic tech company that makes government more transparent and accessible. In my director role, I work with all levels of government across Canada to implement innovative social and housing solutions addressing homelessness, cost of living, childcare, long-term care and access to justice. I'm running for re-election because I want to bring the solutions I've helped implement in other communities home to Stratford, so every family here can thrive.

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

My plan focuses on four areas. First, growing revenue outside property taxes through a Municipal Services Corporation, reducing reliance on the tax levy without cutting services people depend on. Second, building a full spectrum of housing that meets core housing need, including emergency, transitional, supportive and affordable. Third, maintaining our roads and core infrastructure, prioritizing safety-critical repairs, since deferring that work only raises the cost later. Fourth, expanding childcare capacity, so families can bring in the income today's cost of living demands. Together, these make Stratford affordable for everyone who wants to build a life here.

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?

By growing revenue outside of property taxes. A Municipal Services Corporation is a city-owned company that can raise capital and earn its own revenue, running services like housing and parking so they fund themselves instead of relying on the levy. It stays publicly owned and accountable to council. I'll also bring budget amendments to defer transit fleet electrification, building a reserve for a future purchase while technology and grid costs settle, and invest in internal digital tools that streamline routine work and reduce outside consultant spending. Unlike deferring road repairs, these savings don't risk safety or grow long-term costs.

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?

Through a Municipal Services Corporation, the city can buy affordable units in new developments and rent them to people ready for independent living, the decentralized model Finland used to reduce homelessness. That frees existing units to become supportive housing with services on site. I'd also retrofit underused municipal buildings using federal housing funding. To keep homes turning over, I'd add a rent-to-equity trust: part of each tenant's rent is saved toward a down payment. When tenants buy their unit, the city reinvests the sale into the next one; when they move on, the unit opens for someone new.

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 the YMCA and library anchoring the Grand Trunk footprint. Together they create a true community hub, expanding childcare access and reducing stigma in reaching services. The rest of the footprint remains in the ideation phase. Through the market sounding, I hope to see visions of a mixed-use space with housing above or co-located with retail, dining, entertainment and community space. I've worked toward that by sharing the market sounding with not-for-profit builders across Canada. Establishing a Municipal Services Corporation would create revenue-generating potential on site, such as a grocery store, community and theatre space rentals and parking.