Cody Sebben

My name is Cody Sebben. After growing up in Stratford, I went away to school for Behavioural Science, and moved back after four years. My wife and I have two young children, I am a current member of Stratford City Council, and also work as a Rehabilitation Facilitator supporting people living with brain injuries.

I have one main priority, and that is to represent you. I have worked as your City Councillor for four years by being responsive, hosting monthly meetings, and running with each of your issues as if it were my own.

I am a firm believer that governments should spend money as if it were their own -and Stratford is no exception. During my four years on council I have been vocal and consistent in my belief that council needs to set reasonable targets for tax increases while maintaining existing services, because I believe we can do better.

I believe we need a climate plan with teeth, and I have a plan to make that happen. My vision for Stratford’s newly created Climate Coordinator position is to allow this individual to provide recommendations to council completely independent of other departments, and strictly through a climate lens.

Stratford needs to continue to raise community awareness of homelessness to build more successful partnerships with non-profit and private business, such as the recently opened Connection Centre. We need to work with our community partners to find solutions to these important issues.

Being accessible is key to representing people, that's why if re-elected I will continue to host monthly forums for the public to ask questions and provide feedback in an informal setting.

For four years I have been right alongside you whether it was an issue at your home, on your street, or one that could change the course of the entire city. I want to continue to represent you when it comes to the big issues and the issues that affect you day-to-day. After all, that’s the role of a councillor.

I came before you four years ago asking for your support and was so humbled by the amount I received. I’m here again because I believe there is still much work to be done, and because I continue to believe people need a bigger voice, and a bigger ear, at city hall.

I have a plan, but I, Cody Sebben, need your support. Thank you.

1. What will be your unique contribution to council?

I have always been a proponent of representation. I believe the main role of a councillor is to represent the people who elected them. Since being elected in 2018, I have responded to all emails and phone calls, hosted monthly meetings with the public, and worked hard to voice the concerns of people at meetings.

2. How will you tackle urban sprawl and protect prime agricultural land?

During the past four years I have pushed for an increase in density for developments taking place at the edges of the city to limit sprawl. Taking initiative to continue this approach as well as providing incentives to develop existing land within the city boundary are ways I will tackle further urban sprawl to protect prime agricultural land.

3. How will you encourage businesses and individuals to respond to climate change?

As part of the Climate Emergency declaration I supported in 2020, education around individual actions, including a plant-based diet, was part of the action plan. Moving forward, my vision for the newly created Climate Change Coordinator position is to allow this individual to provide recommendations to council completely independent of other departments, and strictly through a climate lens. This would allow for recommendations that would inform council on projects from an environmental perspective, while also building an extra layer of accountability and record to actions and decisions as they relate to carbon footprint and environmental impact.

4. What is your idea(s) to attract new industry to Stratford?

I believe we should continue to attract a diverse group of industry, with an emphasis in the form of incentives to attract those that are beneficial to Stratford's carbon footprint.

5. How will you address wealth inequality, homelessness and poverty in Stratford?

Over the past four years on council I have been supportive of Phase 1 and 2 of the Britannia Affordable Housing project, which will see an additional 27 units available in Spring 2023. Also, earlier this year saw the Community Connection Centre open it's doors for those experiencing homelessness and those at risk, which provides access to laundry, shower, social services, mental health and addiction, and legal services. This is an example of a positive relationship between the city, the United Way, and other community partners. I want to see more community awareness to allow for other partnerships to be...[]

6. How will you engage and inform the public about current issues and legislation?

Since being elected in 2018 I have hosted monthly forums to allow members of the public to ask questions and provide feedback in an informal setting. This is one way I have committed to being accessible. In addition, often at meetings I request clarification from staff for those who may be watching so they can be more informed about the item or report being discussed.

7. Would you support term limits? Why/why not?

I would support term limits, however I do believe that the term of an elected official, particularly in municipal government, is set by the electors. I understand the positive and negative of having someone elected for many consecutive years, but ultimately this is a decision I feel best decided by voters. I do support Stratford having a ward system for elections and for council members, as I believe this would add much accountability and also ties together nicely with the issue of term limits.

8. What is your plan to better engage youth in Stratford?

Engagement in politics is a challenge. Of note is the difficulty raising awareness of any given issues, given that there is no main line of communication, but rather a splintered array of media. Having said that, there is much to be said about 'grassroots' awareness. Not particular to youth, I feel mobilizing individuals into action for issues they are passionate about is one effective way to increase engagement, and I want to see more resources allocated to this as a strategy.