Lesley Biehn

My name is Lesley Biehn, and I am running to represent you on Stratford City Council.

I am a longtime resident of Stratford, a wife and mother of an active family, and I work as a stylist at a downtown hair studio.

Having been on the Board of our local Member of Parliament for the last 5 years, I have an understanding of the needs of our city and the political process. I have been involved in our city through community meals outreach, serving the homeless, being a mentor for teen mothers, and volunteering with youth and young adults for over two decades, as well as serving at the House of Blessing.

I am passionate about:

• maintaining a healthy family environment

• creating affordability

• encouraging small businesses to thrive.

The skills I bring to City Council are:

• LISTENING

• RESEARCHING, and

• GETTING THE JOB DONE.

I am here to represent YOU.

We have an incredible city with a bustling downtown, academic opportunities, skilled trade training, and a world class theatre. My goal as councillor is to continue to build upon our city’s strengths through integrity, transparency, and trust.

Let’s keep Stratford an incredible place to live, work, and raise a family.

1. What will be your unique contribution to council?

I will be a voice for young families. I want to help ensure Stratford is a place young adults can live and work, and families have the supports they need to thrive. I also work and earn a living in a small business in the downtown core that was shut down for 42 weeks. I have empathy for small business owners and would work to support them as a city. I have an ability to cut through chaos and find the main point on issues. I see big picture and would listen to experts as to how to best proceed.

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

This area in Southern Ontario has some of the richest farm land in the world. It is incredibly valuable. I think one way to help preserve that is to approve taller multi unit buildings for dwellings as well as making it easier for people to have zoning for shared living spaces and rentals. Are we using all available land within city limits to the best of our ability first, before we consider expanding on farmland? This would all need to be carefully explored.

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

I believe in individual responsibility which improves through education. I also think that rewarding businesses for environmental ingenuity would work better than punishments. Rewards could be as simple as promoting the businesses achievements in this manner to the city in whatever way we can.

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

Industry goes where there is an ease of business (less red tape hindering). I would support legislation that supports this. A client of mine is being hindered from opening an office space because of red tape. I would use common sense to eliminate the obstacles to the best of my ability. Business coming to Stratford would be a win win in my opinion.

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

My thoughts are to collaborate. There are so many individuals, as well as groups that want to help. Let’s get together, brainstorm and make it as easy as possible to help. I would also work to support legislation that seeks to keep cost of living as low as possible. Our infrastructure both City and Province really do work. We can help ensure it is more accessible, while also holding the provinces feet to the fire to increase funding to meet demand. The MAIN thing is these are individual people and need to be treated with dignity and included in the ...[]

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

I have thought about renting space in the city hall or library to host information sessions. Social media will play a big role as well.

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

I think democracy decides. Why stop someone that is doing a fantastic job from continuing if the people want them.

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

This is a good question. Being available to speak in classrooms to issues and host listening sessions to hear ideas in that context would be one way. People engage when they feel their voice matters. We need to listen. What are your thoughts on this as a group that is obviously on the pulse? What do you need?