Collingwood's Municipal Election takes place on Monday, October 24th, and we want you to vote informed! We've received partial responses from all 3 Mayoral Candidates, both Deputy Mayor Candidates and half of the 12 candidates for Council. These candidates views really matter, because the overall look of a transportation system is almost entirely within the control of the local elected officials and staff.
The results are here for Mayoral candidates:
Yvonne Hamilin - full responses
Mariane McLeod - no specific response
Norm Sandberg - partial response
For Deputy Mayor Candidates (both provided no specific response)
Bob Madigan
Tim Fryer
For Councillor
Christopher Baines - partial response
Ian Chadwick - Full responses
Steve Johns - Full responses
Deb Doherty - Full responses
Brandon Houston - Full responses
Chris Potts - Full responses
Steve Perry - Full responses
Steve Berman - No response
Cam Ecclestone - No response
Kathy Jeffery - No response
Rob Ring - No response
George Dickerson - No response
The Questions we posed are:
What does an all ages and abilities mobility system look like in your opinion? Where is Collingwood providing that? Where is it falling short?
The Town of Collingwood's compact urban form means that the majority of trips in Town are 5km or less, a distance easily biked in 15 minutes. Despite this, however, most trips made by residents in Town are done by private automobile. The CAA estimates the average cost of owning a car in Ontario at nearly $10,000 per year, making car ownership a key component of the affordability crisis being felt by people who make Collingwood their home. Would specific actions and efforts would you champion make it easier for people to walk, bike or take transit in Collingwood to expand mobility choice and reduce the costs associated with transportation for residents?
We continue to emphasize in our policy documents, including in the recently released Draft of the Official Plan Update, that providing active transportation options is a priority for the community. Despite those policy goals, however, The Town of Collingwood has not built any new cycling infrastructure (bike lanes etc) since the opening of Hume Street in 2015. What specific projects would you like to see move forward in the 2022-2026 term of council to make cycling safer and more comfortable in Town?
The Maple Street Pilot Project in 2021 saw a reduction in vehicular speeds from 53km/h to 39km/h, a reduction in vehicle volumes from nearly 1200 vehicles a day to 450 and an increase on adjacent streets of approximately 250 trips per day. The use of Slow Streets - routes which divert traffic away from residential streets to create safe places for people of all ages and abilities to walk or bike - has been proven to increase property values, boost community connectivity and increase levels of active transportation. Would you support Slow Streets projects through Collingwood's existing residential areas to create safe routes to schools, shops and places of worship?
Are there any other efforts that you think the Town should take to improve the mobility options available to children, seniors, people with disabilities and those who may not be able to drive?
We would love to have responses from all candidates, so if you are contacting candidates or they knock on your door, let them know that Safe Streets matter to you, and that they should complete the Streets for People questions!