KEVIN KRUCHKYWICH

Just over 10 years ago, my wife and I moved to Stratford. We were simply looking for a change of pace, what we found was community. Not just a city, but a community still small enough that people from all walks of life were mixing and mingling and caring for one another. It was inspiring to me. It sparked in me a desire to get involved. I joined the board of PAL Stratford to begin giving back. I ran federally in the last election to begin conversations with Stratfordians about what mattered most to them.

This is an important transition point for Stratford. This is where we lay the foundation for what we want this city to become. With over 25 years experience as a professional actor and a decade spent working as a handyman, I’ve honed the ability to truly listen, clearly communicate, and roll up my sleeves and get to work. I believe the way forward is through meaningful conversations with citizens and responsible partnerships with community leaders and builders. My priorities are affordable, sustainable, accessible housing; an expansion of the Housing First approach with those experiencing homelessness, concrete work on the Cooper Site; the creation of municipal Green Bonds to fund climate initiatives; and the creation of a local Arts Council to foster culture for Stratford by Stratford.

My pledge to you is that I will listen with humility and lead with compassion.

1. What will be your unique contribution to council?

In a city whose largest tourist attraction is a theatre festival, and who has one of the highest per capita working artist ratio in the country, I would be the first artist ever elected to council. My unique point of view, coupled with my strong communication and collaboration skills, would allow me to build consensus on compassion based policy making.

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

I am actively against urban sprawl. I believe we must build from the core out. This would involve retro-fitting existing heritage buildings, as well as heritage respecting infill builds in designated areas (always respecting the history we have in our neighbourhoods). We don’t need to annex any more land….especially our incredibly important food producing land. I would vote against any such proposals to annex land.

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

We need programs and incentives to encourage our citizens and businesses to fight the climate crisis. Such as, re-fitting homes and businesses so they are more energy efficient; a comprehensive education program around recycling and composting; water reduction strategies. While funding for programs comes almost entirely from the province, I believe that if municipalities join together to lobby our provincial government, we can create change. As a municipality, we can create pedestrian zones within our city that encourage walking, biking or using our public transit. We can Instruct and encourage citizens to convert water-hungry lawns into wild gardens or other...[]

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

I don’t believe tax breaks and sweetheart deals are the way to attract industry. What will attract business to Stratford is if Stratford is a young and vibrant city. If it has culture to offer….if it has homes to live in. There is our biggest issue: HOUSING. We must start there. We have work here; more work than we have homes for workers to live in. No industry will build here if their people can’t find good, clean, affordable, accessible, sustainable housing. For Stratford to compete for industry, we must first make our city truly livable for all.

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

Once again, the majority of funding for all social services comes from the province. I would lobby hard for reinstatement of funding cut by our current provincial government and then push for more. And then, ideally, expand on the beginnings of the Housing First approach the city has dipped its toe into. This is a proven method of eradicating homelessness by unconditionally offering housing…real housing….first to those in need, and then following up with supports as dictated by the individual. We have a chance to get ahead of a homeless crisis in this city, but we need the funds and...[]

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

As I said, I am a communicator. I will be available for conversations. And if elected, I will put aside consistent time, in a consistent location, to have one on one sessions with citizens to hear your complaints and your needs or to explain recent council decisions. And I promise to really hear you, not just listen and placate, but to hear you. And then I will do my best to distill those needs into policy I can present to council.

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

I am entirely in support of term limits. I believe two terms is enough time for a councillor to learn the ropes and start to enact policy. No term limits can sometimes lead to complacency and the belief we can keep pushing issues down the road.

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

I believe it starts with communication. It will take time to earn the trust of our young people. But if we keep asking, and keep listening, and then act quickly and decisively on policy that will serve them, they will begin to trust that we want to help enrich their lives. And they will also begin to learn that if they get involved they can actually enact change. To that end, I would organize town halls with youth. Young people tend to get ignored during elections because they can’t vote yet….and there’s only so much time to reach voters. But...[]