I believe Oakville is a prosperous community, but not for all; we are better when we identify and address the needs of those who struggle in our community.

• 1 in 10 (9.4%) residents experience the stresses of poverty.

• Food for Life recognizes that Oakville has the highest use of food banks in the Region.

• And food banks are stretched thin to provide fresh produce for families, youth and seniors seeking support.

Vulnerable youth in Oakville are left to fend for themselves

Life doesn't always work out the way we hope. Broken marriages, job loss, illness, addiction and mental health issues can lead to family dysfunction and youth alienation. These alienated youth have no emergency shelter in our community. Hidden from view, they often “couch surf” for shelter.

As Mayor I will work with the Town and Halton Region to build a youth shelter. I will propose free community centre passes be provided to vulnerable families. I will encourage the Town to create positions that can be filled by teens who are suffering from poverty. And, I will support staff and community groups exploring innovative solutions like NAC Architecture so Oakville can be a leader in helping our most vulnerable.

Providing the Necessary Support for Mental Health  

Every year, one in five Canadians will experience a mental health issue or illness. Oakville is no different, and the Town should be doing what it can to help support the region in providing ways to combat mental health issues or illnesses.

As Mayor, I will work with the Region to expand and promote mental health resource access. I will support initiatives and services that support mental health. And I will be a champion for building inclusion and belonging in our community.

 Supporting People with Special Needs

I am passionate about creating an inclusive environment for everyone, regardless of their ability. I have worked closely with Community Living Oakville to offer meaningful work in my business.

As Mayor, I will work with Council and Town staff to help identify opportunities for those with different abilities to participate in meaningful employment.

Autism-Friendly Oakville

There are many families in Oakville raising children with autism. The Public Health Agency of Canada reports that 1in 66 children between 5-17 is on the autism spectrum. And it’s no secret that raising children with autism can be very expensive.

As Mayor, I will work with Town staff, Project Autism and other family support groups to make Oakville an Autism-Friendly Town.

Poverty Reduction Strategy

As Mayor I will bring charities, philanthropists, service organizations, business and faith groups together and develop a poverty reduction strategy by listening to their advice. Together we will explore innovative solutions to address hunger and homelessness, including building a local youth shelter for vulnerable youth.

More Community Gardens

As the founder of HealthyFam we built a community garden at Dundas and Neyagawa. I have seen first-hand the positive impact gardening can have on those who need access to healthy food. 

As Mayor, I will ask Town Parks staff to identify places where community gardens could be set-up in each neighborhood to provide access to more healthy produce.