Cambridge — Mayor
1 candidate responded
Tony Chaves See responses
It should be more transparent and accessible
- Moderate, predictable tax increases to maintain service levels
- Actively pursue provincial and federal transfer funding and grants
- Exploring new local revenue tools where permitted by provincial legislation
- Ensure new development pays a greater share of long-term infrastructure costs
- Re-evaluate development incentives or subsidies that create long-term liabilities
- Growth should come with the infrastructure needed to support it. When new development creates additional demands on roads
- wastewater
- stormwater
- transit
- parks
- and other infrastructure
- we should make sure an appropriate share of those costs is recovered from development rather than placing the burden on existing taxpayers. I would also review development incentives and subsidies to ensure they provide a clear community benefit and do not create unnecessary long-term financial liabilities. Growth is important
- but it needs to be planned responsibly and financially sustainable for the residents who already call Cambridge home.
- Adjust service delivery models to reduce costs without reducing access
- Reduce discretionary programs to protect core services
- Prioritize maintenance and state-of-good-repair over expansion
- Require lifecycle cost analysis before approving any new infrastructure
- Defer or cancel capital projects with low long-term return on investment
Please describe one concrete example of a trade-off you would support (or oppose) when costs rise faster than revenues.candidate's own words
If costs were rising faster than revenues, I would support deferring or cancelling a capital project that has a low long-term return or is not an immediate priority, rather than automatically increasing taxes to fund it. Before making that decision, I would require a clear review of the project’s costs, benefits, urgency, and long-term operating impact. Essential infrastructure, public safety, maintenance, and services residents depend on should come first. If a tax increase is ultimately necessary to maintain an essential service or address a critical infrastructure need, I would support being transparent with residents about exactly what the increase is funding and why it is necessary. Every tax dollar should provide clear value to the people of Cambridge.
Would you like to provide any additional context for your views on budgets?candidate's own words
Residents deserve to understand how their tax dollars are being spent. Municipal budgets should be easier to understand, with clear information about major projects, operating costs, long-term commitments, and the impact on taxpayers. I would support a budget process that focuses on accountability and measurable results. Before asking residents for more money, we should look for efficiencies, review spending, and make sure existing resources are being used effectively. My approach is simple: be transparent about the numbers, explain the decisions, and make sure residents know what they are getting for their tax dollars.
If you chose "It should be more transparent and accessible", please describe how.candidate's own words
Residents should be able to clearly understand how their tax dollars are being spent, what projects are being funded, and why certain financial decisions are being made. I would support making municipal and regional budgets easier for residents to access and understand, including clearer explanations of major spending decisions, project costs, and long-term financial commitments. Transparency should not require residents to be financial experts or search through hundreds of pages of documents to understand where their money is going.
On the ballot but have not responded to survey (5)
- Ryan Bolender
- Scott Hamilton (current Ward 7 councillor)
- Ihtsham Haq
- Jan Liggett
- Ken Roche
Full candidate list: CBC Waterloo Region election coverage ↗