Vikki Poirier

Please describe one concrete policy, program, or decision you would support to address both encampments and permanent housing.candidate's own words

I would support looking at City-owned land that could be used for supportive and truly affordable housing. The City can also speed up approvals for affordable housing, work with the Region and community partners, and set clear rules for temporary camping when people have nowhere else to go. The goal should be to help people move into safe, stable housing, not just move encampments from one place to another. At the same time, the City needs to keep parks, trails and public spaces safe and accessible for everyone. This means taking action where the City has control, while pushing the Region and Province to provide the housing, shelter and supports people need.

• Adjust signal timing, curb use, or intersection design
• Focus improvements around schools, transit corridors, and commercial areas
• I support looking at each street on its own. Bike lanes
• traffic calming and other changes should be based on safety
• traffic needs and feedback from the people who live and travel in the neighbourhood.

1. Invest in rapid transit to anchor growth
2. Use transit to shape land use
3. Prioritize expanding coverage area
4. Prioritize maximizing operational efficiency

Yes, sidewalks should be cleared alongside roads as part of regular winter maintenance

Yes, for specific groups

If you selected "Yes, for specific groups" above, which groups?candidate's own words

Seniors (ex. extend Older Adult Day Pass pilot), People with disabilities, Low-income residents

Please describe one criterion or principle that should not be compromised when making transit investment decisions.candidate's own words

Transit should be accessible, reliable, and connected to where people live, work, and where our community is growing. The new transit station being built at Conestoga College is a major investment in Ward 4. We need to make sure it connects well with neighbourhoods like Doon South, Brigadoon, and Pioneer Park, and benefits residents as well as students. Transit investments should meet real community needs and provide clear benefits, not simply be built because funding is available.

Please name one specific street, corridor, or project where you would prioritize these changes.candidate's own words

Robert Ferrie Dr.

Describe one concrete policy, incentive, or decision you would prioritize to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Where possible, explain how it balances environmental goals with fiscal responsibility.candidate's own words

I would prioritize energy-saving upgrades to City-owned buildings that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and save money over time. This could include better heating and cooling systems, insulation, and other energy-saving upgrades. I would also look closely at the City budget before supporting new spending. We are being asked to do more with less, so we need to know what we can afford, what funding is available, and which projects will give us the best results for the money we spend. Protecting our environment and being responsible with taxpayer dollars need to go hand in hand.

1. Promote and support low-barrier spaces for local producers to distribute and sell food
2. Partner with other levels of government to develop local food hubs that reduce costs and barriers for small businesses
3. Develop a local food strategy, including research on how land-use change affects the food system
4. Encourage and support local landowners to rent to newcomer farmers
5. Leave local food livelihoods to the private market

Please describe one concrete policy, program, or decision you would support to strengthen the local food system.candidate's own words

I would support looking at suitable City-owned land for more community gardens. Ward 4 has a community garden at Doon Pioneer Park, but I have heard from a number of neighbours, especially around Robert Ferrie Drive, who would like a community garden closer to where they live. I would start by looking at land the City already owns and asking residents where there is interest and need before spending money on new land. Community gardens can help people grow fresh food, bring neighbours together, and make good use of public space while being responsible with taxpayer dollars.

1. Use development phasing tied to infrastructure capacity
2. Limit outward growth unless full lifecycle infrastructure
3. Require detailed cost and risk analysis before approving
4. Prioritize infill and intensification where infrastructure
5. Proceed with outward growth to address housing supply

Describe one concrete zoning, planning, or development decision you would support (or oppose) that reflects how you would balance these priorities.candidate's own words

One concrete decision I would support is requiring major new development to show that the infrastructure is ready and that important natural areas are protected before it moves forward. The proposed development at 1700 Strasburg Road, beside Huron Natural Area, is an example of the difficult choices we need to get right. While it is in Ward 5, it is close to Ward 4 and raises concerns that matter to our neighbourhoods too — protecting wetlands and wildlife while planning responsibly for growth. I support building more housing and creating growth opportunities, but not at any cost. Before approving major development, I want to know: Does it make sense here? Can our infrastructure support it? What are we losing environmentally? And have residents and Indigenous communities been meaningfully heard? Responsible growth means asking those questions before decisions are made, not after.

Please describe one concrete example of a growth or infrastructure decision you would support or oppose using this approach.candidate's own words

One example I would support is requiring new housing developments on the outskirts of Kitchener to have a clear infrastructure and financial plan before approval. We need more housing, including affordable family homes, but we also need to make sure our roads, water and sewer systems, and community services can support that growth. I would want Council to understand not only the cost of building new infrastructure, but also who will pay to maintain and replace it in the future. I would also support building in stages so infrastructure can keep up with new housing, while making better use of land and services already available within the city. For me, responsible growth means building the homes people need without leaving existing residents and future generations with costs we haven't properly planned for.

What can the municipality/region do, if anything, about land which sits vacant for years because it is being used as an investment (land banking)?candidate's own words

I believe we should prioritize developing vacant land with existing infrastructure before expanding farther outward. I would support reviewing stalled developments and exploring reasonable timelines to discourage land banking, while recognizing that some delays are legitimate. We need more housing, and making better use of infrastructure taxpayers have already paid for can help keep future costs under control.

It should be more transparent and accessible

Please describe one concrete example of a trade-off you would support (or oppose) when costs rise faster than revenues.candidate's own words

I would support putting non-essential projects on hold if costs have increased or the City's financial situation has changed. Before spending more money, I would ask Council to review the costs, the need for the project, and whether it can wait. My priority would be protecting essential services like road repairs, water systems and community facilities while keeping unnecessary costs off taxpayers.

Would you like to provide any additional context for your views on budgets?candidate's own words

My experience serving on the OPSEU/SEFPO Executive Board gave me firsthand experience with budget decisions involving many competing needs and priorities. We had to balance supporting members, maintaining important services and making financially responsible decisions. I recognize that municipal budgets are different, and I would have a lot to learn about the City's finances and existing commitments. However, I would bring that same approach of asking questions, reviewing costs, listening to different perspectives and making sure decisions are responsible and accountable to the people we serve.

If you chose "It should be more transparent and accessible", please describe how.candidate's own words

Yes. I believe residents should have a better understanding of how their tax dollars are being spent and more opportunities to have a say before budget decisions are made. I would support simple, easy-to-read budget summaries that clearly show where money is going, rather than expecting residents to work through hundreds of pages of complicated documents. I would also support regular conversations and budget meetings at local community centres or through a convenient online platform, giving Ward 4 residents a chance to ask questions and share their priorities for roads, parks and community services before Council makes its final decisions.