Why I’m Running for Hawkesbury Municipal Council

Hawkesbury has potential. We see it in our location, our businesses, our waterfront, our neighbourhoods and, most importantly, in the people who call this community home.

I’m running for Hawkesbury Municipal Council in the 2026 municipal election because I believe the next four years should be about turning that potential into action.

For me, this isn’t about simply having a seat at the Council table. It’s about helping Hawkesbury grow responsibly, planning for the future and making sure residents have a meaningful voice in the decisions that affect our community.

Grow the Tax Base, Not the Tax Burden

When I talk about growing Hawkesbury, I’m not talking about growth simply for the sake of becoming a bigger town.

I’m talking about growing our tax base instead of continually increasing the tax burden on the residents and businesses already here.

Hawkesbury has roads, water and sewer infrastructure, recreation facilities, public spaces and municipal services that all require money to operate, maintain and eventually replace. Those financial pressures aren’t going away.

One part of the long-term solution is responsible residential, commercial and industrial growth.

New housing can bring new residents and new assessment into our community. New businesses and investment can expand our commercial tax base, create jobs and strengthen the local economy. Redeveloping underused properties can also create additional value from land where municipal infrastructure and services already exist.

Growth doesn’t automatically mean lower taxes, and new development also creates costs. That’s why I believe Hawkesbury should pursue the right kind of growth — growth that strengthens our community and contributes more than it costs to service over the long term.

“We can’t look at our existing taxpayers as the answer every time costs increase. We need to grow Hawkesbury’s tax base, not simply the tax burden.” — Simon Guindon

Plan for the Future

Municipal government has an enormous impact on everyday life, sometimes in ways we don’t immediately notice.

Our roads, water and sewer systems, parks, recreation facilities and other essential services all require long-term planning.

Over the past several months, I’ve been paying close attention to the issues coming before Hawkesbury Council. Major decisions are being made about infrastructure, growth, municipal assets and the future development of our town.

I believe those decisions need to be viewed as pieces of a larger plan.

We should be asking: Where do we want Hawkesbury to be in five, ten or twenty years? What do we need to do to get there? And how will we measure our progress?

“A good plan shouldn’t sit on a shelf. It should identify where we’re going, what we’re going to do and how we’ll measure whether we’re getting there.” — Simon Guindon

Listen - and Then Deliver

Another reason I’m running is simple: I believe residents should have a meaningful voice in Hawkesbury’s future.

A senior living downtown may have different priorities from a young family, a business owner or someone living in another neighbourhood. Those perspectives matter.

That’s why I want this campaign to be a conversation. I want to hear what residents appreciate about Hawkesbury, what frustrates them and what they believe could make our town better.

But listening alone isn’t enough.

Residents should also know what happens after they share their concerns. Council decisions should be communicated clearly, and municipal priorities should lead to concrete actions whenever possible.

Three Priorities Guiding My Campaign

My campaign is built around three straightforward priorities.

Grow our community. Encourage responsible residential and commercial growth that expands Hawkesbury’s tax base, supports local businesses and attracts new investment — without simply placing a greater burden on existing taxpayers.

Plan for the future. Make thoughtful decisions about infrastructure, services and public spaces while considering their long-term financial and community impact.

Listen and deliver. Strengthen communication and transparency, listen to residents and turn community priorities into concrete, measurable action.

These aren’t promises that every problem can be solved overnight. They are principles I believe should guide how decisions are made.

What You Should Know

I’m running for Hawkesbury Municipal Council in 2026.

I want to grow the tax base, not simply the tax burden.

I believe Hawkesbury needs responsible growth and stronger long-term planning.

Municipal priorities should be connected to clear, measurable actions.

I want residents to have a stronger voice in conversations about Hawkesbury’s future.

Hawkesbury, Let’s Talk

I’m running because I believe Hawkesbury can grow and improve without losing the character that makes it our community.

We won’t always agree on every issue. That’s part of democracy. But I believe we can expect our municipal government to listen, plan carefully, communicate clearly and focus on results.

“I’m not running just to have a seat at the table. I’m running to help move Hawkesbury forward.” - Simon Guindon

Over the coming weeks, I’ll be sharing more about the issues facing our town. More importantly, I’ll be listening.

Hawkesbury has potential. Let’s help it grow.