OCTOBER 26,2026

My name is Carolyn Fast, and for more than 15 years I have lived, worked, volunteered and raised my family in Welland. During that time, I have had the opportunity to work alongside people and families locally through the Hope Centre and Community Legal Clinic, lead a neighbourhood association, chair the Green Advisory Committee, serve on the Welland Public Library Board, and contribute to provincial and national projects through People First of Ontario and Community Living Ontario.

All these experiences have shown me Welland from many different perspectives. I have seen what strong neighbourhoods can accomplish, what happens when people feel heard and connected, and how frustrating it can be when systems are difficult to navigate or decisions feel disconnected from the people they affect.

I am running for Ward 2 because I know how to find consensus among varying views, build lasting partnerships, advocate and listen. I believe Welland should continue to grow, while protecting what makes our neighbourhoods good places to live and being good stewards of our environment. That requires practical leadership, thoughtful decisions and a willingness to hear what is important to you.

Strong Neighbourhoods. Responsible Growth. A City That Works for People.

Responsible Growth & Strong Infrastructure

Welland is changing and growing. Growth can bring opportunity, but it also needs to be carefully planned. New development must make sense alongside our roads, water and sewer systems, parks, public spaces and existing neighbourhoods. Parking considerations and traffic flow is important for home owners and public safety. We need to think beyond the next development or budget cycle and consider what decisions will mean five, ten and twenty years from now. Tax dollars are public dollars. Residents should expect them to be used carefully, transparently and with a clear focus on the services and infrastructure our community depends on. There should be good value for every tax dollar spent. I live in Ward 2 and am committed to bringing forward the issues that matter to you.

Housing Choices for a Changing Community

People should be able to build a life in Welland. Welland can diversify its housing continuum and set a standard for what affordable housing means. A planning and development approach that provides a wide variety of housing types, price points, and ownership styles within a single community or project is needed. That means creating a greater range of housing options for young people starting out, families, seniors who want to downsize, and residents who are struggling to find housing they can afford. We can encourage housing that adds choice while respecting the aesthetic of existing neighbourhoods and ensuring growth is supported by appropriate infrastructure. This includes being mindful of public lands and ensuring that planning protects green spaces and long-established urban canopies and ecosystems. Municipal government cannot solve the housing crisis alone, but it does have important tools through planning, zoning, development decisions, partnerships and the strategic use of municipal resources. Welland can be a leader in green technology, innovation and infrastructure.

In my faciltiation practise I support many people and their families to create housing plans that work for them. I am familiar with a variety of different models including tiny homes, coach homes, community land trusts, rural and small scale conversions and will advocate for zoning that allows diversification. I am tuned into housing projects in other municipalities that are leading the way in affordabiity and sustainability.

Strong, Connected Neighbourhoods

A strong city is built neighbourhood by neighbourhood. My work with the Welland Neighbourhood Project reinforced for me the importance of creating places where people know one another, feel welcome, enjoy their parks and public spaces, and have opportunities to participate in decisions affecting their community. Building communities that prioritize trust, respect, inclusion, diversity and foster citizen engagement is the pathway forward. For many years I have worked with people to find solutions to neighbourhood issues. I have seen what is possible when people work together. City Hall should not feel distant from the people it serves. As your Ward 2 councillor, I will prioritize listening to residents as an ongoing part of the job - not something that only happens during an election.

Practical Responses to Complex Community Issues

Mental health, addiction, homelessness and poverty are affecting residents, neighbourhoods, businesses and families across our community. There are no simple municipal solutions to these issues, and many of the services required fall under other levels of government. That does not mean the City should stand on the sidelines. Welland can be a stronger partner and advocate—working with Niagara Region, health and social-service organizations, neighbourhoods and other levels of government to find coordinated, wrap around, and on-the-ground- practical responses. Mobile, neighbourhood based, public health supports are effectively enhancing the health and well-being of children and seniors right here at home through the Niagara Region Public Health Mobile Dental Clinic. We can learn from others who are finding solutions to complex issues by working together. I am a team player and an experienced advocate with a good understanding of the issues.

Open & Accountable Local Government

Residents deserve to know how decisions are made, how public dollars are spent, and that the same rules apply to everyone. Public decisions should be based on merit, established processes and the best interests of the community—not personal relationships, connections or preferential access. Conflicts of interest should be identified and handled openly, and decisions involving hiring, appointments, contracts and the use of public resources should be fair, transparent and able to withstand public scrutiny. Good local leadership also means listening carefully, asking difficult questions and being prepared to explain the decisions you make. Residents may not always agree with every decision, but they should be able to understand how it was reached and have confidence that the process was fair. I am committed to advocating for fair, transparent and equitable processes.

I Want to Hear From You

Email me @ votefast2026@gmail.com

If you live in Ward 2, you are welcome to join Fast Friends in Ward 2 FB group.

Voting Information

Make sure you are on the Voter's List for Municipal Elections- https://vreg.registertovoteon.ca/en/home

Advanced voting: October 5 to 9 (10 a.m. to 6 p.m.) — Civic Square, 60 East Main Street

Advanced voting : October 17 to 25 (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.)— Seaway Mall, Welland Public Library, 800 Niagara Street

Voting Day- October 26

What's My Ward

Not sure what ward you live in? Click here for the current ward boundaries:

https://www.welland.ca/city-hall/mayor-and-council/ward-map/

Join Team Fast

There are a few ways you can contribute to the effort! Drop us a line if you would like to donate to the campaign, knock on a few doors or put a sign on your lawn. Everyone is welcome :)