Should the law in Ontario be changed so that those seeking to run for office must “live” in the community they want to preside over?

In Wasaga Beach, our current Mayor ran an election campaign that included a series of videos where he constantly referred to his “home”, his neighbours and generally portraying an image that he grew up here, lived here and cared about here!

The problem is that he filmed these videos in his home in Tiny Township. Okay, the legislation says you simply have to own property in Wasaga Beach to vote there or be eligible to run for office.

Some would say it doesn’t matter, but others would say, why am I learning this here???

This Mayor has lived in Tiny for a while now. He is a known real estate investor/ flipper that has flipped many properties in Wasaga Beach. Nothing wrong with that! But, has he used his political influence to help with his flips? How many properties have been in his designated downtown and how has that affected, in any way, the direction of our growth?

More importantly, the home he lives in now may be temporary as I understand he is building a new waterfront home (in Tiny) on property once owned by the Bickerstaff Family? I welcome his confirmation of these facts, or a correction of this question is based on bad information.

So is it enough to own property in a community you preside over, or should you have to “reside” in the community you want to govern?

One huge question for me is this; Is it DECEPTIVE to depict yourself as a neighbour who cares to win your vote, when doing so from your home in another community?

What other “politicians” have followed his lead? I have heard that at least two others do not reside here. To be clear, it’s Legal, but… is it right?

Let’s talk about what’s right or wrong, and about how to initiate change.

When 42.85% of your elected officials may not reside in your community do they have your best interests at heart, or the interests of the community that they reside in?

Tomorrow- Should we ,(the tax payers) “build” a downtown?