Paris councillors weigh in on growth, budgets and big plans for 2026

Edward Lander

Paris Independent Contributor

Last week, The Paris Independent asked councillors from Paris’ two wards about their work in 2025 and what’s in store for the new year. This week, we’re asking the remaining County of Brant councillors the same thing. Here’s what they had to say.

Jennifer Kyle, Ward 1

In your view, what was council's biggest accomplishment in 2025?

Two big ones stand out for me: successfully navigating the Downtown Dig and strengthening our Long-Term Financial Plan. The Dig tested patience but it was 100 per cent necessary. I’m proud of how council, staff, businesses and the community locked arms to get through it. At the same time, the Long-Term Financial Plan helps set us up to make smart, sustainable decisions well beyond this year.

What were some of the biggest challenges that council faced in 2025?

The Downtown Dig was a major challenge on its own. It was disruptive and tough, even though it was work that had to be done. At the same time, rising costs across the entire county put pressure on everything. Balancing affordability with the need to keep moving forward required a lot of careful decision-making.

What project would you like to see proposed or moved forward this year?

I’m really looking forward to seeing progress on critical infrastructure like the new North Paris Fire Station and upgrades on the St. George wastewater treatment plant. These projects are about safety, growth and making sure our communities have the services they need. They’re absolutely essential.

This year is an election year—which will no doubt shake things up for council. How do you think this will affect things leading up to election day?

Election years can bring more noise, but the responsibility stays the same. I believe council still needs to focus on respectful debate, good governance and getting the work done. Just because it's an election year does not mean the work stops. Residents expect consistency, especially in times of change.

Finally, do you have a favourite event you attended in 2025?

One of my favourite events was the mock council meeting we held with a Grade 6 class. Seeing students debate issues, listen respectfully and understand how decisions are made was incredibly encouraging. It was a great reminder of why local democracy matters and why investing in civic education is so important.

Councillor John MacAlpine, Ward 1

In your view, what was council's biggest accomplishment in 2025?

Last year marked my first full year as Chair of the John Noble Home, jointly operated by Brantford and Brant County. Together with four councillors from each municipality, we oversee this vital long-term care facility and its $30 million, 40-bed expansion, scheduled to open this spring. This addition will ease pressure on local hospitals and support families through our day and stay program. With 360 employees—soon growing to 420—the Home is one of the largest organizations in our community, and it’s been an honor to help guide its evolution over the past four years.

What were some of the biggest challenges that council faced in 2025?

As we look back on the past year, it’s clear how much has changed—both globally and locally. At the start of the year, President Trump took office, and the resulting turbulence reminded us of the importance of electing the right leaders. Here at home, navigating challenges brought on by tariffs and the economic slowdown caused by uncertainty from our American neighbors was perhaps the greatest risk we faced last year. It reinforced my appreciation for the professionalism of our staff and the dedication of council members around the table.

What project would you like to see proposed or moved forward this year?

When you see major projects like the big dig, the seven years of planning behind it, Trillium Way affordable housing and the new clubhouse for the Paris Lawn Bowling Club, it may seem like everything is centered in Paris, but behind the scenes, similar initiatives are underway across rural areas and St. George—alongside smaller projects that maintain the infrastructure we all rely on.

This year is an election year—which will no doubt shake things up for council. How do you think this will affect things leading up to election day?

In the coming year, as our current terms as councillors come to an end, we will focus on finishing projects already underway rather than starting new ones. The economy seems to have turned a corner as unemployment edges down and trade deals initiated in the past begin to bear fruit. That leaves me hopeful for the future.

Finally, do you have a favourite event you attended in 2025?

At a conference in Ottawa, I met with the Minister of Long-Term Care, learned about emerging trends in municipalities and connected with councillors from across the province. On a personal note, I travelled to British Columbia and was reminded of the beauty of our country. However, my favorite events were closer to home, enjoying live music at the Adelaide Hunter Hoodless Homestead in St. George and helping organize the car show with the St. George Business Association.

David Miller, Ward 4

In your view, what was council's biggest accomplishment in 2025?

A completed, working long-term financial plan. There's so much growth happening and with that are a lot of major expenses like water treatment plants and roundabouts—on top of the required spending that it's very easy to get in over our heads. The long-term plan allows council to analyze that spending and to smooth it out over the coming years while allowing council to prioritize different projects.

What were some of the biggest challenges that council faced in 2025?

Biggest challenges are fiscal. The construction price index is much higher than the CPI and we see this as tenders will come in two and three times more than back in 2020. But the demands on our finances have never been greater with increased demands for affordable housing—a uniquely municipal responsibility in Ontario, a new hospital, a new Landsdowne Children’s Centre, and on and on.

What project would you like to see proposed or moved forward this year?

In the grand scheme of things this is a small but significant one—a parkette in downtown Burford. Burford Connects has been working on this for some five years and county staff for the last two. This parkette will really enhance that corner of the county.

This year is an election year—which will no doubt shake things up for council. How do you think this will affect things leading up to election day?

Elections are, by their nature, adversarial. I suspect we’ll see the current Mayor challenged come this October by a sitting council member, or two. We just need to make sure these clashes don't impair our ability to make sound decisions on behalf of our residents.

Finally, do you have a favourite event you attended in 2025?

My favourite event is—and always has been—the Remembrance Day service held at the Burford Ag Hall the Sunday before Nov. 11. It allows one to really reflect on what a generation of, literally, kids did for Canada. We have freedoms we would not have were it not for their sacrifice and we need to remember or we risk losing those freedoms. Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.

Robert Chambers, Ward 4

Answers were not provided as of press deadline. 

Brian Coleman, Ward 5

In your view, what was council's biggest accomplishment in 2025?

I’m going to have to say getting that Downtown Dig done in time.

What were some of the biggest challenges that council faced in 2025?

Probably the biggest challenge we had was that one councillor resigned. It threw things out of whack because there were 11 of us sitting at the table and now there’s only 10, so you can get those tied votes pretty easily. If you have that odd number, then it makes it a little bit easier to sometimes get something through.

What project would you like to see proposed or moved forward this year?

There ARE quite a few things—I’d like to see the new fire hall get going in the north end of Paris. There’s also a bunch of projects we never got done last year and they need to be completed—the stoplights at Forced Road and Highway 53—we ran into weather problems on that one—there’s also some road projects that never got done through the municipality. There are challenges everywhere, but some of those things just didn’t get done.

This year is an election year—which will no doubt shake things up for council. How do you think this will affect things leading up to election day?

It’s going to affect it big time. I think there’s some councillors that are probably not going to run and then it gets into that lame duck which will make for some challenges. That’s on top of the by-election we’ve already got in Ward 5. 

Finally, do you have a favourite event you attended in 2025?

The Paris Fair—I love it. We’ve been showing cattle there for 50 some years and we enjoy mixing the rural with the urban.

Responses have been edited for length and clarity