Cambridge must live within its means, just like the families of Ward 7 do every single day. City Hall will be run with open books, modern tools, and respect for every tax dollar.
Five commitments. One standard: value for every tax dollar.
Every plank of this platform was written for Ward 7 first: its growing subdivisions, its busy corridors, its families and seniors. Read them all below, or jump straight to the one that matters most on your street.
Hold the line on property taxes
You cannot spend your way to prosperity with other people’s money. While families and seniors across Ward 7 stretch every dollar to handle the rising cost of living, City Hall must do the same. John pledges a strict, top-down review of municipal spending and to vote to hold taxes at core inflation, or even reduce the city’s portion of your property tax bill, by cutting bureaucratic waste, not essential services.
An independent forensic audit of every city department to eliminate redundant administrative overhead, especially where Cambridge overlaps with the Region of Waterloo in planning, infrastructure, and economic development, plus zero-based budgeting that forces departments to justify every dollar from scratch.
A digital-first bureaucracy that turns outdated processes into streamlined workflows, cutting processing times, costly staff overtime, and administrative costs, alongside procurement reform to break up legacy vendor monopolies and secure the best market rates on city contracts.
A user-friendly Taxpayer Dashboard tracking every city contract over $25,000, capital project overruns, and department performance, plus a dedicated Capital Project Watchdog keeping major projects like the new recreation complex on time and on budget, with contractors financially liable for delays.
The bottom line: John will fight for budgets that don’t exceed core inflation, and surplus revenues to go to paying down municipal debt and fortifying the Tax Rate Stabilization Reserve, not funding new bureaucratic programs.
Build homes your family can actually afford
Families are being priced out, young adults are locked out of homeownership, and seniors cannot afford to age in place in Cambridge. The fully integrated Cambridge Housing Action Plan builds the right homes, cuts municipal red tape, and lowers costs for residents.
Aggressively push to meet and exceed the 30% development charge reduction targets, waive or significantly reduce infrastructure fees for non-profits, co-ops, and deeply affordable units, and build a local builders coalition to fast-track cost-effective, climate-friendly methods like modular construction and mass timber.
Use the Housing Accelerator Fund to ensure the planning department has the most modern permitting tools, drastically reducing permit timelines for major projects and Additional Residential Units (ARUs).
Cut red tape with zoning provisions and fast-tracked approvals for built-in secondary suites, garden suites, and accessible multigenerational layouts, and unlock underutilized city-owned land for community housing providers and private developers at subsidized rates.
Partner with the Region of Waterloo to align local zoning with water, wastewater, and transit expansions, connect Ward 7’s growth to the revitalization of Galt, Preston, and Hespeler, and leverage Ontario’s legislative tools plus federal grants through the Housing Accelerator Fund and CMHC for co-op and affordable projects, with regular meetings across all levels of government on the changing needs of residents.
Ward 7 first: new housing here will be legally tied to immediate investment in transit extensions, walkable paths, and green space, with gentle density focused along major corridors like Dundas Street and near transit hubs to protect established residential streets. The housing crisis cannot be solved by the City of Cambridge alone; it takes a relentless, non-partisan partnership across every level of government.
Reclaim our streets. Support Ward 7.
Our parks, residential streets, and neighbourhood commercial zones in Ward 7 belong to the families and small business owners who call Cambridge home. Facing an unprecedented crisis of open drug use, homelessness, and rising crime, John’s balanced four-tier plan demands firm accountability for criminal behaviour while providing real, compassionate pathways to recovery.
Advocate at the Region for an increased, highly visible Waterloo Regional Police presence in Ward 7 hotspots and neighbourhood commercial pockets, with strict enforcement of city bylaws on property damage, public safety, and the obstruction of public spaces.
Push for expanded mobile crisis teams combining WRPS with mental health professionals for non-violent addictions crises, and work with the Region to transition from unmanaged encampments to structured, supportive housing that requires engagement with rehabilitation and mental health services.
Join Ontario municipalities lobbying the federal government to end “catch-and-release” bail for repeat violent offenders, and pressure Queen’s Park to fund long-term detox and rehabilitation beds directly within Waterloo Region.
Our local non-profits, faith-based groups, and neighbourhood associations understand our streets best. A Ward 7 Community Task Force will bring frontline groups, business owners, and neighbourhood associations to the same table for regular roundtables that close gaps in care and community safety.
The Ward 7 commitment: street-level issues don’t stop at the downtown borders: property crime and vehicle theft affect our residential areas daily, and Ward 7 will get its equal share of regional police attention, community outreach, and neighbourhood safety audits. A helping hand for anyone who wants to lift themselves out of addiction and homelessness; a firm line against those who choose criminal behaviour, violence, and intimidation.
Fix danger zones before the collision, not after
Ward 7 is growing rapidly, but our infrastructure hasn’t kept pace. Aggressive cut-through traffic, heavy commercial vehicles, and dangerous intersections are putting our families at risk. John will champion a shift away from complaint-driven repairs toward data-driven, preventative upgrades.
Slower, safer limits in residential areas and school zones backed by speed cushions and bump-outs, pedestrian-activated flashing LED crosswalks around Ward 7 schools, parks, and senior housing, and raised crosswalks with enhanced illumination at our roundabouts so drivers see pedestrians before entering the circle.
A Proactive Risk Index studying near-miss data and vehicle speeds to fix blind spots before accidents happen, rather than waiting for a neighbourhood petition.
Work hand-in-hand with Regional Council to assess the regional roads within our community and fast-track the Region’s raised roundabout crosswalk pilot into Ward 7. Lobby the MTO for Connecting Links funding so high-speed commuter traffic isn’t dumped into residential areas, pursue federal Active Transportation grants, and advocate for feasibility studies on a Cambridge bypass to redirect heavy Brantford and Hamilton truck traffic away from our neighbourhood streets.
As Ward 7 expands, safe connectivity must be built in from the start. Every new development will integrate pedestrian corridors, multi-use trails, and illuminated crossings at the design phase, so families can walk to parks, schools, and transit stops safely instead of playing frogger with fast-moving traffic.
The pledge: no more waiting for a tragedy to act. A proactive, aggressive approach to road safety so that every Ward 7 resident makes it home safely.
Jobs, growth, and our youth
Cambridge succeeds when our local economy thrives and our youth choose to stay here. John’s focus is practical: cut the red tape stalling our small businesses, build direct job pipelines for our students, and bring smart economic growth right to our community, making Cambridge the most business-friendly municipality in Waterloo Region.
Ensure Fast-track approvals with a single point of contact at City Hall are being used to cut permit wait times, advocate for a targeted small business property tax sub-class reduction, and make sure redundant, outdated municipal licensing fees for startups have been eliminated.
Build a student employment subsidy matching grant with local BIAs to help small businesses hire Cambridge students, a Ward 7 Youth Innovation Hub for young entrepreneurs and remote workers, and a Student-to-Work Pipeline aligning co-op programs with local school boards, colleges, and universities.
Leverage Cambridge’s position on the Toronto-Waterloo Innovation Corridor to diversify the tax base and attract high-paying jobs in stable industries. Expedited zoning on employment lands along our major highway corridors to attract the future of technology manufacturers, plus partnerships with our health networks and the Chamber of Commerce to court biomedical startups and tech offices, using our historic cores and lifestyle to attract top-tier talent with the promise of a strong family orientated community to raise and educate future generations.
A stronger economy for every ward, a brighter future for every student.
My Cambridge story
John's connection to Cambridge began before the city even bore its name. He was born in Galt the year before our communities amalgamated, to parents who were also born in Galt. His life has evolved alongside the very footprint of this city. His childhood was split between East and West Galt, and as a teenager he learned the value of hard work on our local streets, clocking in at the K-Mart on Dundas and helping neighbours at the downtown Galt A&P grocery store.
Over the decades, John hasn't just watched Cambridge change. He has lived in, worked in, or served every ward in our city, watching Ward 7 grow from its early roots into the bustling community it is today. That deep history gives him a unique perspective on where we've been, and where we need to go.
Resilience, science, and growth
In 2002, a workplace accident altered the course of John's life, but it also defined his resilience. He returned to school, graduated with honours in Biotechnology, and joined a BioPharma startup out of the University of Guelph. For nearly two decades, he has worked to help reduce the cost of life-saving pharmaceuticals globally while maintaining a strict net-zero environmental footprint.
Today, John serves as an Operations Manager in the scientific field, manages his own real estate business, and raises his family right here in the city that raised him, all while continuing his education and volunteering on local advisory boards. Balancing those roles has taught him exactly what it takes to keep a complex system moving forward.
A toolkit built for City Hall
Loving Cambridge isn't enough. Governing it requires practical, versatile expertise. John's career across three distinct industries has equipped him with a toolkit built for the challenges facing City Hall today:
He understands the complexities of housing, zoning, and sustainable development. Cambridge is growing rapidly, and John will advocate for smart growth that protects our historic neighbourhoods while ensuring affordable, attainable housing for the next generation of Cambridge families.
He knows how to read a budget, identify inefficiencies, and get things done. John will bring strict fiscal accountability to local government by streamlining processes, cutting bureaucratic red tape, and ensuring your tax dollars are treated with respect and maximized for community benefit.
He brings a data-driven, analytical mind to complex decisions. Whether tackling environmental sustainability, infrastructure resilience, or public health, John will rely on facts, research, and rigorous analysis, not political rhetoric.
"I understand where we've been, I have the professional expertise to manage where we are going, and I have a clear, dedicated vision for our future, ensuring our growth preserves the heart of the community we love."
This campaign runs on neighbours, not big money
Every lawn sign, every knocked door, and every conversation moves Ward 7 forward. Here's how to help.
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