DEVELOPMENT CHARGES — GROWTH. INFRASTRUCTURE. ACCOUNTABILITY. Part 2
October 5th, 2026
Who pays for growth — and are we planning far enough ahead?
Wasaga Beach is changing. New residential developments bring opportunities, but they also raise important questions that deserve clear answers.
When a development is proposed, I want to know:
🏗️ INFRASTRUCTURE: Will our roads, water and wastewater systems, stormwater management and other municipal services have the capacity to support the additional growth? If upgrades are needed, what are they, and when must they be completed?
💰 WHO PAYS? How much will the development contribute through development charges and other applicable fees? Will those contributions cover the eligible growth-related costs, or will other funding be required?
📅 TIMING MATTERS: Will the infrastructure be ready when residents need it? When will the Town collect the money, and what happens if development-charge payments are deferred?
🌳 OUR ENVIRONMENT: How will development affect traffic, flooding, drainage, our tree canopy, natural spaces and the character of our neighbourhoods?
📄 READ THE FINE PRINT: What exactly has the Town agreed to? What obligations does the developer have? What are the timelines, conditions, financial commitments and consequences if those obligations are not met?
These aren't unreasonable questions. They're responsible questions.
What you can expect from me
If elected to Wasaga Beach Council, I will do my homework.
I will read the reports, study the financial implications and examine the agreements and contracts that come before Council. I will ask questions when something isn't clear, seek the information residents need, and make decisions based on evidence rather than assumptions.
And just as importantly, I want to hear from you.
I want to understand what's happening in your neighbourhood — whether your concern is traffic on your street, drainage and flooding, disappearing trees, pressure on municipal infrastructure, or the pace and scale of development around your home.
Residents shouldn't have to wait until a problem becomes a crisis before their concerns are heard.
I will make a genuine effort to listen, ask questions and bring residents' concerns forward through the appropriate Council processes. I won't promise that every concern can be resolved exactly as requested, but I will promise to take those concerns seriously and work to get answers.
The bigger question
Can Wasaga Beach accommodate growth while protecting the small-town beach-town vibe that brought so many of us here?
I believe we need thoughtful planning, responsible financial decisions, transparency and meaningful public engagement.
You deserve a voice in decisions that affect your neighbourhood, your property and your community's future.
That's the kind of councillor I intend to be.
Stay tuned for Development Charges — Part 3, where we'll look at what Wasaga Beach actually charges for different types of residential development.
Thanks for listening!
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