Straight Answers
No spin. Just where
Rob stands on the issues that matter.
The TCE Pumped Storage project
1
I understand that the TCE Pumped Storage project is controversial in Meaford. I believe it must pass independent, legislated environmental requirements to ensure that the project will not negatively affect Georgian Bay or the surrounding lands. If it passes these tests, I am in favour.
There is no doubt that the construction of the project will be difficult and challenging. However, many of our municipal assets – like the pool, arena and other facilities – are nearing their end of life and are very expensive to replace. The Community Benefits Agreement we were able to negotiate with TCE gives us the opportunity to re-invest in our public facilities in our community – just as the residents of the surrounding municipalities have benefitted from being close to the Bruce Nuclear Generating Station.
Taxes in Meaford
2
Interestingly, Meaford has had one of the highest tax rates in Grey County for quite a while but that has changed and we are now in the middle of the pack. No one likes paying taxes, but they are necessary to maintain services and amenities. In the past four years, our Council was able to limit the impact to around 3.3% each year except for 2025 which was 5.3%. It should be noted that 2025 was a correction year for the economy and many of our neighbouring municipalities faced much higher increases, some in the double digits. Meaford’s ongoing annual funding of 1% for roads, 1% for bridges and 0.5% for facilities has enabled us to support our vast infrastructure and maintain healthy reserves.
Water Rates in Meaford
3
We are fortunate that we have an over-engineered water supply system. This means we will not have to upgrade our facilities for the foreseeable future. However, we also have a relatively small population that uses water, which means fewer people to spread the cost. There are two things that will reduce the cost of water: more users (which means urban growth) and sharing our water supply with our neighbour municipalities. We are investigating the possibility of working with the Municipality of The Blue Mountains as they have the opposite issue we do – they need more water. Municipal staff has also told us that the recently announced increases may not be as high as expected for low-capacity users. As a matter of fact, residents that only use 4 or 5 metres cubed per month may actually see a decrease in their water bill.
Meaford’s Affordability Issue
4
Affordability is a regional, provincial and national concern. We are all subject to the general economy and therefore cannot control the external impacts of groceries, housing, fuel, etc. In Meaford, we have seen drastic increases in visits to the local food bank. Yet, our business occupancy rate is very high and our population is growing. This brings us back to what we can control: maintaining a reasonable overall budget, minimizing local taxes, and continuing our Well-Being Plan. This plan provides financial incentives for business through grants and loans, accessible municipal services, emergency management planning, and active, community planning that focuses on maintaining and improving our infrastructure. I understand supporting responsible growth is essential, since more people sharing the costs of these necessary investments reduces everything from water and wastewater rates to taxes.
Affordable Housing in Meaford
5
Affordable housing is probably the most difficult issue to deal with, particularly at a municipal level. The overall economy dictates housing rental and sales rates and realistically, there is very little that individual municipalities can do about it. We do encourage developers to consider affordable housing when considering Meaford, but the reality is, there really isn’t truly “affordable” housing currently available anywhere in Ontario. Conversations with fellow councillors from other municipalities confirm this is a far-reaching concern.
So, what can we do?
We need to encourage the building of more rental stock, and at least one of the developments underway in Meaford is proposing units for rent. Council approved “secondary dwellings” that would provide additional housing, but we need to encourage greater interest in this opportunity. Council unanimously approved the addition of Tiny Homes, but this requires the necessary land, figuring out the unique infrastructure, and a partner developer that shares and is willing to create this option. We also continue to lobby the federal and provincial governments for assistance, but they are actually reducing development charges that are paid to municipalities by developers. These further handcuffs our ability to fund the necessary infrastructure for growth.
I realize this doesn’t provide a lot of answers to this issue, but we are working hard seeking out potential solutions to this problem.
Youth Unemployment in Meaford
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Like the housing market, youth unemployment is an issue that requires solutions from all levels of government. To increase youth employment opportunities, we first must attract businesses to Meaford to employ them. When the overall state of the economy is not healthy, unemployment is an issue for all segments of the population. Again, we need to work with Grey County on making Meaford a desirable destination not just to visit, but to work and raise a family. It is worth noting the unemployment rate in the Stratford-Bruce Peninsula Economic Region, which includes Meaford, actually remains among the lowest in Ontario, rising slightly to 5.3% in March 2026.
The Trowbridge Street Advance Development
3
I do not support that development in its proposed form. There are many concerns, including how it will blend into the designated heritage district, how its size will fit with the other buildings in the downtown core, and most importantly, how it will fare on a flood plain – particularly with proposed underground parking. I will be working closely with the local conservation authority on the underground parking concern. We are also waiting to see what will happen with the Ontario Land Tribunal: the developers have already appealed to that body to bypass municipal authority. I plan to continue to ensure that the public’s concerns regarding this project are heard.
The SkyDev Development
8
I do not approve of the revised plan. While many residents did not like the original condo plan, it provided greenspace, public amenities, and limited surface parking. While the switch from condos to rental units would provide some desperately needed rental stock in our municipality, I do not support the removal of the underground parking that was in the original plan. The vastly increased paved lot is neither aesthetically nor environmentally appropriate or advantageous and feels like poor and lazy planning. Again, this developer has appealed to the OLT to bypass municipal authority, and I support Council’s decision to oppose SkyDev’s appeal.
There is also a concern that the shift to rental and the large, paved parking lot will affect the hotelier’s desire to continue with building the hotel on the property next to SkyDev’s development. I believe this hotel is crucial to Meaford’s economic growth and we need to ensure that the two developments can cooperatively and beneficially coexist.
Short-Term Rentals in Meaford
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Meaford is one of the last municipalities in Ontario to implement a bylaw for short-term rentals (STRs), so it is long overdue. I have been pursuing such a policy since I was elected to Council in 2022. One advantage of being late to the game is we have the luxury of learning from other municipalities experiences. We need some short-term rental units so that we have enough accommodations for tourists and short-term workers. However, we are well aware that short-terms rentals can become “party houses” and be very disruptive to a neighbourhood.
I believe a policy with teeth is our best tool to handle bad actors. That involves requiring STR owners to register their units and have strict rules in place – including noise monitors, local easy-to-contact management, and displayed rules regarding municipal restrictions (noise, parking, garbage, etc.). Finally, and most importantly, a strong 3-strike policy is required that will enable the municipality to cancel an operator’s licence if they fail to comply with the regulations.
The Dredging of Meaford Harbour
10
This is a hot button topic that should be addressed on a regular basis. The inner harbour has not been dredged since 2012, and its current condition is negatively affecting Richardson’s Boats abilities to function as well as reducing access for recreational boaters. Council did request that the harbour be dredged in 2025. However, that did not happen, and we were extremely frustrated that it was delayed. Council has budgeted $500,000 for the dredging to happen later this year. Of course, this requires approvals from many different federal and provincial and environmental agencies and can only be done at certain times of year to avoid species disruptions.
Flooding in Meaford
11
As we saw this spring, the Big Head River eroded the bank at the corner of Miller and Edwin Streets. In fact, it has altered course and now runs from south to north, directly hitting the Miller Street bank. Another portion of the bank has collapsed, and the post office boxes and municipal infrastructure are now less than three feet from the edge of the bank. Further west on Miller Street, the bank is also precariously close to the road, and the Trout Hollow Trail has been decimated before the bridge. Moreover, the washed away sediment from the Miller Street bank is being carried down river and is contributing to the buildup in Meaford Harbour.
I believe we need to alter the course of the Big Head River – something that was done more than 30 years ago to alleviate this same issue. I have made staff and the local conservation authority aware of this issue since 2022 and will continue to push to have it dealt with. Correcting this problem would help reduce the dredging requirements in the inner harbour.
Meaford Harbour Development
12
Meaford has several amazing assets that are being underused and our harbour is probably the most obvious example of this. A harbour of this size is a luxury that many municipalities would love to have, and while harbours come with a price tag, they are also economic drivers for tourism, boating, and fishing. It also provides an appealing visual benefit for its residents. Fixing the harbour has been a discussion point in Meaford since I was growing up here. Council allocated $200,000 in the 2026 budget for a Downtown Harbourfront Master Plan; in addition, I have requested that a public Visioning Exercise be conducted so the Harbour, the urban, and the rural sectors are all considered when the Economic Development Strategic Plan is updated.
It’s time to showcase our Harbourfront -- including of the hotel to be built by David Johnson Park! The harbour is a connector to the urban downtown core, so this area should be a major focal point for residents and visitors alike to enjoy.
Restaurant Patios and Parking
13
Studies show that urban Meaford has more than enough available parking spots – even when some are temporarily replaced by restaurant patios – but they need to be properly marked to ensure that residents and visitors are aware of their locations. I plan to work with municipal staff and urban planners to conduct an updated parking study and determine how we can improve what parking already exists.
Municipal Purchase of the Land Behind the School
14
I supported the purchase of this land because Meaford is increasingly being discovered by developers and business owners alike. Available land that is fully serviced is crucial for growth, and many prospective parties first go to Grey County to look for such properties. Meaford has not been on the County’s radar for some time as we had very little such inventory. This acquisition changes that and makes us a desirable place to invest compared to our neighbours. In addition, if the TCE project proceeds, this land can by used by the many businesses supporting the construction of the project. These same businesses may well morph into other industries once the project is completed.
Supporting Both Rural and Urban Needs
15
As someone who grew up on an orchard in rural Meaford, I have direct experience with both the rural and urban aspects of our community.
There is a misconception that the rural portion of our municipality is under-appreciated and under-funded. The reality is, Meaford has more than 400 km of roads and 80 bridges that must be paved, plowed, maintained and/or replaced, and more than 50% of our budget goes to support our rural assets.
While agriculture continues to be our largest industry, we are fortunate that Meaford offers something for everyone. We have urban experiences – like shopping, restaurants, the harbour, and Meaford Hall. And we have rural attractions like rivers, trails, parks, conservation areas, and our collection of small halls that feature the unique character of every corner of our community.
I believe urban and rural Meaford are equally vital to our continued growth and success. That is why we need to be diligent to listen to the specific needs of all of our residents and visitors.