Jason Davis

I, Jason Davis am a 32 year old husband, father, and 310 diesel technician living and working in the Stratford area. I have volunteered on several political campaigns throughout my life and have also worked with several political groups representing, woman's reproductive rights, wealth inequality, and special needs activities.

I have many reasons for running, first and foremost I believe affordability has become a major concern for many citizens who currently work in Stratford, but are quickly becoming unable to afford to live here.

Another concern facing many citizens today is availability, and affordability of child care. I understand these issues because I myself am a renter hoping to enter the housing market that has been inflated and manipulated beyond the means of the standard family. I also have a son who has been on the waiting list for daycare for 15 months and we have no hope of receiving a placement anytime soon. I understand these issues because these are problems I myself face today.

I see new homes being built on vital land with 7 figure price tags, I see a city council implementing new short term rental licenses in the middle of a housing crisis. Luxury homes do not fix a housing crisis, airbnb's do not provide rental space for working families. We need to make sure that the land we do have is being used to build for the needs of the populace, not to maximize income for wealthy developers.

My last concern is investing in better public transportation, we cannot as a municipality call a climate emergency and simultaneously degrade our public transit. I do not wish to be a candidate that simply acknowledges problems, I want to present plans to deal with these problems while campaigning and I have done so through my social media. It is one thing to state you want to be transparent and "listen" to electors, but if you aren't presenting idea's or thoughts towards solutions to problems, how can you be transparent? Voters should know how and what you think before deciding to support you, and that is why I have made my thoughts and hopes for this beautiful city public.

For anyone who wishes to hear more on my proposals you can find me at:

1. What will be your unique contribution to council?

I bring a unique perspective to council as I am one of the only candidates running for council that does not own property. I am a 32 year old husband, father, and blue collar worker fixing transport trucks for a living and this gives me perspective on needs within our municipality that may not be seen in the same way by other candidates.

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

As our population continues to grow protecting agriculture is a prime concern. I work in the farming industry myself, one way we can help protect our agriculture is by building up. Another is to make sure we are maximizing the properties we build by building what we need rather than what makes the most money for developers. We are facing an affordable housing crisis and yet we keep building luxury homes with near million dollar price points. This takes away needed land and provides nothing for those in need of housing.

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

Climate change is a huge concern, it is hard to look at my 15 month old son and know we are not leaving a livable planet for his future. I would like to invest in more viable public transportation including a municipal bike share. I would also like to look at providing compost pick up to rental complexes instead of just houses within the city. We have up to 10'000 renters in this city and allowing them to seperate compost from garbage would be a big step in the right direction.

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

We cannot attract new industry until we can provide affordability to the workers already here. Stratford has an unemployment rate of 3.8%. Yet we are hiring everywhere. Nearly 30% of our workforce is underemployed compared to the cost of living. We have citizens who currently work, yet cannot afford to live. Even if we brought in higher paying jobs someone still needs to do their jobs. The best way to attract industry today is to have an available work force, we have to find a way for those that wish to work here be able to afford to live here.

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

Wealth inequality, homelessness, and general affordability are the primary causes for my campaign. I want to build affordable smaller homes dictated in size and cost directly to middle class families who can afford to purchase a home, yet cannot afford to compete in today's inflated market. I also want to provide small shelter lots for our struggling homeless. I have already been out in the streets volunteering with and trying to aid our homeless. For more in-depth details on my affordability plans please check my social media.

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

I currently engage the public through social media and hand delivering letters. I also am available by email at jason310t@gmail.com or cell 226-938-7454 anytime. Feel free to contact me, I will never sign an NDA as a city councillor, you the public hire me for this position with your vote and I am beholden to you and you alone.

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

I do not support term limits for local elections, when you find good people who do great work there is no need to force them out. We have at large elections which allows the citizens to pick a balanced council each term. It also allows them to decide who should or shouldn't receive another term. Term limits were created in the west as a way to remove candidates who kept winning elections, stating that the public can't choose who they want because they have been doing it too long goes against my beliefs on democracy.

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

Right now we are seeing some of the greatest youth engagement in politics I have ever seen. It's unfortunate that this comes at a time where their engagement is a near direct result of their wishes being ignored. I totally support the notion that we should allow voting to occur earlier, many students have already attempted to sue the province for voting rights and I support them 100%. This is your city, province, country, just as much as it is mine, and your voice should be heard.