Housing: Municipal govts are unable to pay for all these needed supports from property taxes. Provincial/Federal Govt $$ is essential. Ontario is only province in Canada trying to pay for all these social services from property tax. Along with Mayors across Ont, I have been lobbying the Prov govt to see homelessness, MH &A as a crisis, demanding resources and a plan to help resolve these issues. Also need businesses & community to donate and help fund sanctioned encampments and shelter services. Some encampments are in unsafe areas such as close to major roads, or are close to residences & businesses. Residents have complained of increase in theft, trespassing, and behaviours that have frightened their families. I support finding sites in Waterloo Region that are safer for the entire community, which is what I voted for at Regional Council.

Public Safety: Society has changed. Big city crime and violent crimes are more common now along the 401 communities. Cambridge supports the increase in policing we have seen, including more resources into investigative services. Cambridge does not wish a reduction in the police budget and it should not be the police budget that is redirected. There are still more calls currently to increase police presence in our downtown cores. As a heath professional, I fully support increased, stable funding for the root causes of crime, homelessness etc. Most of these social services should come from the Prov govt. Tackling the social determinants of health, will help solve the root causes of Mental Health, Addictions etc. New research shoe that undiagnosed Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder in our population accounts for many homeless and incarcerated people. Far more education and training is needed across all sectors in WR to deal effectively with these individuals.

Indigenous Sovereignty: The community consultation on the Charles St terminal should be considered for its future. I will support what the community overall decides. Cambridge has already hired for an Indigenous position. If needed, will consider a second. Our country's history is complex. Teaching our children about all of our history, is preferred. Removing parts of history is not what our children should experience. I support adding statues/public art commemorating the Indigenous leaders and community of the day. I would need more details about a possible Reconciliation fund. When I was the Minister for Natural Resources and Forestry, I gained Cabinet support to create the first Cost Sharing Revenue Fund for First Nations that hosted Forestry Operations. That fund had very specific requirements and details about what percentage of the revenue was to go to each line item (Health care, clean water systems etc). That is a more fair and consistent approach to help tax payers identify what the Fund would be used for.

Social Services: See above answers on my support for the social determinants of health funding. I will note that Provincial and Federal resources are needed to help pay for social service and infrastructure. The Province should fund the application being submitted for a Cambridge CTS and safer supply clinic.

Transportation: Cambridge has been working on all of the above points. As former Minister of transportation, road safety measures and managing the Cycling Strategy for Ontario, were my top priority. I directed my Ministry to provide the most Cycling Infrastructure in the Province's history: $125 million. Waterloo received $1.1 million of that. Some of the newer directions in Cambridge has been from my focus on road safety for all users.

Other: In my opinion, Cambridge is at a critical time due to the divisive community social media sites around harm reduction services and the homelessness issue. Thousands of people have joined Private, closed Facebook sites where anyone with another point of view is removed. These echo chambers have proven toxic to democratic debate, respectful discussion and support for possible solutions, and have fueled hateful attacks on encampments and people who provide outreach services. Electing candidates who have proven they can work collaboratively with others to find and implement solutions, is what is needed, in my opinion.