Seguin mayoral candidates split on amalgamation, housing at community centre forum

SEGUIN TOWNSHIP — The two candidates for mayor of Seguin Township disagreed on municipal amalgamation and offered different approaches to the housing crisis during a recent forum.

Ronald Steele and Ann MacDiarmid answered questions at a meet-and-greet event at the Bobby Orr Community Centre on Oct. 8, according to the Parry Sound North Star.

On the topic of amalgamation with neighbouring municipalities, MacDiarmid said she is "totally opposed to it."

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"It's going to cost us more in taxes," she said.

Steele said the issue is not currently pressing, but he would oppose any merger that brought debt.

"I will never amalgamate with a township that brings debt, like Parry Sound," Steele said.

Your Space Hamilton reported in October that St. Catharines mayoral candidate Ann-Marie Zammit also opposes forced amalgamation in Niagara.

Asked how council can address the housing crisis, MacDiarmid said she would support approving any subdivision or housing project that meets permit requirements.

"I think that if you own the property, want to build several units, or want to build a house for yourself and meet the permit requirements, then I would support approving it," she said.

Steele pointed to the MZO lands and the Nest project as examples of the township's approach, aiming for attainable housing.

"Our goal is to have all units in an attainable range, and we're asking the developer that at least 60 per cent of his units will be purpose-built rental," he said.

On balancing growth and the environment, Steele said the building department reviews plans for heating systems and night-sky lighting to discuss with developers from the start.

MacDiarmid linked development directly to job creation.

"If you build houses and you don't have jobs, you're wasting your money. If employers can't hire people because there's nowhere for them to live, they'll move their business elsewhere," she said.

Both candidates acknowledged the challenge of keeping taxes low while maintaining services.

"We have to do more with less, and that is tough," Steele said, noting road repairs are a frequent request. "We have to ask ourselves, what do you want to cut, or are you prepared to go with a higher tax rate?"

He suggested exploring other revenue streams like licensing short-term rentals and implementing a municipal accommodation tax.

MacDiarmid said inflationary pressures, particularly fuel costs, make tax increases likely.

"As long as prices are going up, taxes are probably going to go up, too," she said, suggesting relocating manufacturing to the area might help.

On public transit, both saw potential but noted challenges in the large, rural township.

Steele said other municipalities have used an Uber-type system supported by grants and township revenue to help coordinate rides to appointments.

MacDiarmid said people have no resources to depend on in an emergency or vehicle breakdown.

"I don't know that anybody wants to pay tax money to run a public transportation system, but there may be government funding, and it's something that you can look into," she said.

The online and phone voting period runs from 10 a.m. on Oct. 14 to 8 p.m. on election day, Oct. 26. Paper ballots can be cast on Oct. 26.