Regional Council — Kitchener

• Reallocate space on selected streets (e.g. road diets, transit lanes, protected bike lanes)
• Prioritize active transportation improvements during routine resurfacing
• Focus improvements around schools, transit corridors, and commercial areas

1. Invest in rapid transit to anchor growth
2. Use transit to shape land use
3. Prioritize lower-cost or incremental transit improvements
4. Prioritize maximizing operational efficiency
5. Prioritize expanding coverage area

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

Improve existing subsidies and discounts, but maintain fares for most riders

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

Equity of access. Public transit is a community service meant to bring us all together. Our investments should always ensure that everyone, especially neighbours who rely on it most, have a reliable way to get to work, school, and doctor appointments.

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

I would like to prioritize the Huron Road and Fischer-Hallman Road transit corridor, to better connect the south side of Kitchener to the rest of Kitchener. There has been, and continues to be immense residential development on the south side of Kitchener. Making it critical to establish a high-frequency transit link that connects this dense part of the community directly to the city core and other parts of the region. Taking public transit from the south side of Kitchener to downtown and nearby post-secondary institutions takes more than twice as long as driving, and forces commuters through multiple time consuming transfers. Prioritizing this corridor with a direct, transfer-free express option will bridge these gaps and provide a truly realistic, competitive commuting option for local residents and students that does not involve a car.

• Reallocate space on selected streets (e.g. road diets, transit lanes, protected bike lanes)
• Prioritize active transportation improvements during routine resurfacing
• Focus improvements around schools, transit corridors, and commercial areas

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

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

I believe public transportation is an essential public service and affordability should not be a barrier to accessing it. As Regional Councillor, I have focused on practical ways to improve transit access and affordability for residents who rely on public transportation. I supported free transit for children six and under, supported the GRT Night Loop to maintain access to transit during late-night hours, and supported the Older Adult Day Pass pilot to make transit more accessible for seniors. I also advocated to ensure the Affordable Transit Pass remained at the same fare, protecting an important affordability measure for low-income residents. These actions reflect my broader view that transit policy must consider both the cost of the fare and the availability of service. I support targeted fare-free and reduced-fare programs where they can meaningfully improve access, while also ensuring that transit remains reliable, frequent and financially sustainable. Transit is not truly accessible if people cannot afford the fare or if the service they depend on is not available when they need it.

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

As a Regional Councillor, I have advocated for transit decisions that recognize that not everyone has the same mobility options. One example is my support for the GRT Night Loop, which helps maintain access to transit outside traditional service hours for residents who work late shifts, attend evening programs or do not have access to a vehicle. I have also advocated for expanding the Veterans Transit Pass Program, recognizing that affordability can be a barrier to accessing transit. For me, transit investment is about more than ridership numbers. We need to consider who relies on a service, when they need it, and whether changes will leave people disconnected from employment, education, healthcare and community services. Operational sustainability is important, but equity must remain a fundamental consideration in deciding where and when we invest in transit.

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

I would prioritize suburban corridors and neighbourhood streets where rapid growth has increased traffic and where residents are concerned about speeding and pedestrian safety. Over the past four years, I have advocated for a more pedestrian-focused approach, including bringing forward the No Right on Red and Leading Pedestrian Intervals (LPI) pilot to improve pedestrian visibility and safety at intersections. I would build on that work by prioritizing traffic calming in suburban communities with regional roads, particularly near schools, and transit stops and neighbourhood shopping areas. This could include speed management, safer crossings, LPIs, curb extensions and other street-design measures that encourage slower speeds. As our suburbs grow, we need to make sure our transportation infrastructure grows with them. Residents should not have to choose between living in a growing suburban neighbourhood and feeling safe walking or cycling in it.

• Adjust signal timing, curb use, or intersection design
• Prioritize active transportation improvements during routine resurfacing
• Focus improvements around schools, transit corridors, and commercial areas

1. Prioritize maximizing operational efficiency
2. Use transit to shape land use
3. Invest in rapid transit to anchor growth
4. Prioritize lower-cost or incremental transit improvements
5. Prioritize expanding coverage area

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

Improve existing subsidies and discounts, but maintain fares for most riders

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

I have asked the Region to consider alternatives to simply placing more bicycle lanes beside vehicle traffic. Different corridors require different solutions, including separated multi-use paths, trail connections, safer intersections and signed routes that help cyclists avoid streets where protected infrastructure is not practical. Transit must remain central to regional growth, and I continue to support moving Stage 2 ION forward. At the same time, we must improve the reliability and efficiency of the service people use today. I support targeted affordability measures rather than eliminating fares for everyone. The Affordable Transit Program should be strengthened for residents who need it most, and initiatives such as the Older Adult Day Pass should be evaluated using ridership, accessibility, cost and measurable results before being expanded.

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

Long-term operational sustainability should not be compromised. Every expansion must include a credible plan to provide frequent, reliable and affordable service. Building new infrastructure is not enough if we cannot operate it effectively or connect it to housing, employment and essential services.

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

I would prioritize the Stage 2 ION corridor between Fairway Station and downtown Cambridge. While work toward the full LRT extension continues, we should improve the existing corridor through transit-priority measures, reliable bus service, safer intersections and better walking and cycling connections to stations. These near-term improvements should complement, not replace, Stage 2 ION.

• Reallocate space on selected streets (e.g. road diets, transit lanes, protected bike lanes)
• Prioritize active transportation improvements during routine resurfacing
• Accessible public transit needs to be a priority. Reducing parking minimums in tandem with developing a more robust and comprehensive public transit system will be important for accessibility and sustainability as the Region continues to grow.

1. Prioritize maximizing operational efficiency
2. Use transit to shape land use
3. Prioritize expanding coverage area
4. Prioritize lower-cost or incremental transit improvements
5. Invest in rapid transit to anchor growth

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

Yes, for all residents

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

Public transit is going to become incredibly important as the Region continues to grow. I believe we should be looking for ways to reduce car traffic, and prioritizing active transportation options as well as accessible and efficient public vehicle transit options so that people can reliably travel and complete errands with relative convenience will absolutely be a part of that.

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

Equity of access and operational sustainability are essential. I think again we can turn to that core value of "care for people and the land we share" as we continue to explore and develop public transit options.

• Prioritize active transportation improvements during routine resurfacing

1. Prioritize maximizing operational efficiency
2. Prioritize lower-cost or incremental transit improvements
3. Prioritize expanding coverage area
4. Use transit to shape land use
5. Invest in rapid transit to anchor growth

No, maintain the current system where property owners clear adjacent sidewalks

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), Low-income residents, Post-secondary students

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

efficiency

• Reallocate space on selected streets (e.g. road diets, transit lanes, protected bike lanes), Adjust signal timing, curb use, or intersection design, Focus improvements around schools, transit corridors, and commercial areas

1. Use transit to shape land use
2. Invest in rapid transit to anchor growth
3. Prioritize expanding coverage area
4. Prioritize lower-cost or incremental transit improvements
5. Prioritize maximizing operational efficiency

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

Improve existing subsidies and discounts, but maintain fares for most riders

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

Connection to land use

Other priority not listed abovecandidate's own words

Through our forthcoming Integrated Mobility Plan, I hope to champion the roll out of a rapid transit program that continually looks to expand the network and ways to connect more people to GO Transit in west Kitchener and the Townships.

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

In recent years, the Region has been incrementally expanding its network of transit priority measures that help speed up buses. I continue to push to increase the pace of this work. One specific corridor that I would prioritize these changes on is the Fischer-Hallman corridor to create a new high-frequency bus priority corridor that connects many neighbourhoods, institutions, and employment areas.

• I'm running for Regional Council because of an issue I'm having with a local business that also happens to have a contract with the Region of Waterloo. That business has asked me to take my patronage of their service elsewhere while refusing to provide an explanation as to why. My position is that Waterloo Taxi Ltd., if they wish to keep their MobilityPlus contract, has to provide me, and Waterloo Taxi's shareholders, an explanation as to why I was told to take my business elsewhere.

1. Use transit to shape land use
2. Invest in rapid transit to anchor growth
3. Prioritize expanding coverage area
4. Prioritize lower-cost or incremental transit improvements
5. Prioritize maximizing operational efficiency

Yes, but roads should take priority; sidewalks cleared after

Improve existing subsidies and discounts, but maintain fares for most riders

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

I'm running for Regional Council because of an issue I'm having with a local business that also happens to have a contract with the Region of Waterloo. That business has asked me to take my patronage of their service elsewhere while refusing to provide an explanation as to why. My position is that Waterloo Taxi Ltd., if they wish to keep their MobilityPlus contract, has to provide me, and Waterloo Taxi's shareholders, an explanation as to why I was told to take my business elsewhere.

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

I'm running for Regional Council because of an issue I'm having with a local business that also happens to have a contract with the Region of Waterloo. That business has asked me to take my patronage of their service elsewhere while refusing to provide an explanation as to why. My position is that Waterloo Taxi Ltd., if they wish to keep their MobilityPlus contract, has to provide me, and Waterloo Taxi's shareholders, an explanation as to why I was told to take my business elsewhere.

Other priority not listed abovecandidate's own words

I'm running for Regional Council because of an issue I'm having with a local business that also happens to have a contract with the Region of Waterloo. That business has asked me to take my patronage of their service elsewhere while refusing to provide an explanation as to why. My position is that Waterloo Taxi Ltd., if they wish to keep their MobilityPlus contract, has to provide me, and Waterloo Taxi's shareholders, an explanation as to why I was told to take my business elsewhere.

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

I'm running for Regional Council because of an issue I'm having with a local business that also happens to have a contract with the Region of Waterloo. That business has asked me to take my patronage of their service elsewhere while refusing to provide an explanation as to why. My position is that Waterloo Taxi Ltd., if they wish to keep their MobilityPlus contract, has to provide me, and Waterloo Taxi's shareholders, an explanation as to why I was told to take my business elsewhere.