Last updated: October 21, 2022
There are three people running for city council in Ashburnham Ward. To help you make an informed decision, the Peterborough Currents team has rounded up information about who the candidates are and what are their priorities.
Navigate through this tracker by using the links below.
We’ll be updating this page up until the October 24 election when new material becomes available. Is there something we’ve missed? Let us know. Email publishers@peterboroughcurrents.ca
Gary Baldwin
Profile: Two-term city councillor Gary Baldwin is running for re-election in Ashburnham Ward. His campaign website describes him as “experienced, accessible, [and] committed.” His website highlights his work over the past term to make “sensible and sustainable infrastructure improvements in Ashburnham” a priority, and his campaign goal to walk 200,000 steps going door-to-door. In a Q&A for the chamber of commerce, Baldwin said he supports developer incentives as a solution to the housing crisis, and that he would continue to support local organizations like the safe consumption site by pushing for new funding.
Promises:
- In regards to housing, Baldwin pledges to prioritize building rent-geared-to-income units and supports the continual investment in rent supplements. He supports the creation of 484 new rent-geared-to-income supportive housing units by 2029.
Source: United Way Peterborough candidate questionnaire - When surveyed by the United Way, Baldwin promised to continue funding the overflow shelter and indicated his support for the eviction of tent encampments.
Source: United Way Peterborough candidate questionnaire - Baldwin supports a more robust education campaign promoting grassroots responses to climate emergencies. He will push for all city reports to include a section on climate change.
Source: For Our Grandchildren candidate survey - In order to prevent urban sprawl and reduce reliance on cars, Baldwin supports urban intensification policies and additional investments in public transportation.
Source: For Our Grandchildren candidate survey - Baldwin advocates for “smart, targeted investments in climate mitigation and adaptation,” and pledges to advocate for increased investments from upper-levels of governments.
Source: For Our Grandchildren candidate survey - Baldwin pledges continued investment in the workforce and businesses we already have.
Source: Chamber of Commerce Q&A - If elected, Baldwin promises to advocate for additional housing construction.
Source: Chamber of Commerce Q&A - Baldwin is a strong supporter of the creation of the “Government Business Enterprise” which will be responsible for the management and construction of affordable housing.
Source: Chamber of Commerce Q&A - Baldwin promises his continued support of the Peterborough police force, “ensuring that the city provides the necessary resources to provide adequate and effective policing.”
Source: Chamber of Commerce Q&A - In regards to the local economy, Baldwin advocates for the creation of a long-term plan for job creation and retention, which would include “post-pandemic opportunities for the city.” He also endorses a “buy local” initiative, that would support local businesses. Finally, he would support initiatives that promote Peterborough as a destination for tourism and recreational competitions, such as the recent Ontario 55+ Summer Games.
Source: Chamber of Commerce Q&A - He supports making the city’s artist grant program permanent, increasing funding by tying it to the rate of inflation, and adding an arms-length peer-review to the grant process.
Source: ArtsVote Peterborough - When surveyed by Peterborough Bicycle Advisory Committee (P-BAC), Baldwin expressed support for mixed-use developments and increasing density; spending $1.5 million per year on implementing the cycling network; improving winter maintenance of walkways; and installing bike racks on buses. He did not endorse the city’s current sidewalk policy, which mandates sidewalks on both sides of all streets.
Source: P-BAC survey - He also agreed to pursue gold designation from the Ontario Share the Road Cycling Coalition in the next five years. He endorses increased funding for local organizations that deliver cycling education programs.
Source: P-BAC survey - He supports the implementation of the “Complete Streets” design framework, which provisions infrastructure for cyclists, pedestrians, transit riders and motorists, on all city roads, including planned reconstructions on sections of Sherbrooke Street and Parkhill Road, but he does not support reconstruction of a section on Brealey Drive.
Source: P-BAC survey - Baldwin promises support for road projects that aim to eliminate serious injuries, including support for traffic calming infrastructure and public engagement. He does not support making 30 km/h the default speed limit on residential roads.
Source: P-BAC survey
Andrew MacGregor
Profile: Andrew MacGregor was a small business owner and financial advisor until he closed his business to work at One Roof Community Center, according to his website. He recently ran as the Green Party candidate for Peterborough–Kawartha in the 2019 federal election. MacGregor’s campaign platform calls for protecting city green space and investing in cycling infrastructure, investing in traffic calming infrastructure and bus service improvements. If elected, MacGregor would adopt a “housing first” approach to poverty, increase funding for city shelters, and allow tenting on municipal properties.
Promises:
- MacGregor advocates for “increasing funding to Social Services and a bold plan to increase housing of many kinds ([rent-]geared-to-income, shared, halfway, supported, subsidized, tiny homes).” He further believes that “the City of Peterborough should use all assets to contribute to solving a housing issue, including (but not limited to) the use of parks.”
Source: United Way Peterborough candidate questionnaire - On his website, MacGregor promises to “work to make all municipal properties available to [Peterborough’s] most vulnerable while shelter space and housing is made available.”
Source: Andrew MacGregor For Ashburnham Ward - MacGregor supports the expansion of the bicycle lane network, traffic calming initiatives in residential areas, and pedestrian-only commercial districts.
Source: For Our Grandchildren candidate survey - MacGregor promises to support projects that will “protect [Peterborough] from difficulties in food logistics [such as] community-sourced foods [projects like] community gardens and farmers’ markets.”
Source: For Our Grandchildren candidate survey - MacGregor supports “an immediate reversal to pre-change routes [for public transit], with a revisit to the Consultant’s report, so that we can follow expert advice.” He also promises “an infusion of investment [in transit] to purchase more buses, and [to] hire more drivers, so that routes are dependable, more frequent, and can get people to work on time.”
Source: Chamber of Commerce Q&A - MacGregor promises to “act in good faith towards [the] Official Plan; granting exceptions and trying to work around it are counterproductive.” To that end, “annexing townships where townships are not interested is not an option.”
Source: Chamber of Commerce Q&A - According to MacGregor, “Peterborough needs to increase its industrial and commercial serviced land spaces in order to relieve the incredible municipal tax burden on residents.” MacGregor promises to “vote in favour of motions and plans that help address this inequality in appropriate development application areas.”
Source: Chamber of Commerce Q&A - MacGregor promises to “always vote in favour of protecting our limited green spaces… and will favour development projects that build upwards, instead of outwards.”
Source: Chamber of Commerce Q&A - MacGregor promises to “hear the truth of the [94] Calls to Action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission… [which would mean] to take action on all of these, with haste, insofar as a municipal government can.”
Source: Chamber of Commerce Q&A - When discussing poverty issues on his website, MacGregor promises to “vote to continue, expand, and enshrine the funding of shelters and poverty-related social supports in Peterborough” and will “vote to cancel expensive capital projects as necessary to fund these essential social programs.”
Source: MacGregor’s campaign website - In regards to city council accountability, MacGregor promises to “hold quarterly Town Hall meetings with constituents; [to] work with fellow councillors to make reasonable and attainable progress on any portfolio; [to] never make outlandish election promises; [and to] leave [his] campaign website fully functional for the duration of [his] term.”
Source: MacGregor’s campaign website - When surveyed by P-BAC, MacGregor expressed support for mixed-use developments and increasing density; spending $1.5 million per year on implementing the cycling network; the city’s current sidewalk policy, which mandates sidewalks on both sides of all streets; improving winter maintenance of walkways; and installing bike racks on buses.
Source: P-BAC survey - He also agreed to pursue gold designation from the Ontario Share the Road Cycling Coalition in the next five years. He endorses increased funding for local organizations that deliver cycling education programs.
Source: P-BAC survey - He supports the implementation of the “Complete Streets” design framework, which provisions infrastructure for cyclists, pedestrians, transit riders and motorists, on all city roads, including planned reconstructions on sections of Brealey Drive, Sherbrooke Street and Parkhill Road.
Source: P-BAC survey - MacGregor promises support for road projects that aim to eliminate serious injuries, including support for traffic calming infrastructure and public engagement. He also endorses making 30 km/h the default speed limit on residential roads.
Source: P-BAC survey
Keith Riel
Profile: Incumbent councillor Keith Riel is seeking a fourth term representing Ashburnham Ward. Riel told the Peterborough Examiner that easing traffic congestion in East City is a top priority, as well as building more rent-geared-to-income housing. He also spoke about attracting good jobs and clearer communication about property taxes.
Promises:
- Riel pledges to try to build as many rent-geared-to-income units as possible, and committed to supporting 484 new units by 2029.
Source: United Way Peterborough candidate questionnaire - Riel advocates for the creation of a task force to deal with housing, homelessness, addictions and the opioid crisis. He also calls for the creation of a “business table where local businesses discuss their needs.”
Source: Chamber of Commerce Q&A - Riel wants to see the repair of “as many roads as financially possible,” along with the reassessment of Peterborough Transit services.
Source: Chamber of Commerce Q&A - Riel promises to meet with the Peterborough MP to push for the repeal of Bill C-75 which amended the Criminal Code. Riel says the federal government should make it “more user friendly for the police.”
Source: Chamber of Commerce Q&A - When surveyed by P-BAC, Riel expressed support for mixed-use developments and increasing density; spending $1.5 million per year on implementing the cycling network; the city’s current sidewalk policy, which mandates sidewalks on both sides of all streets; improving winter maintenance of walkways; and installing bike racks on buses.
Source: P-BAC survey - He also agreed to pursue gold designation from the Ontario Share the Road Cycling Coalition in the next five years. He endorses increased funding for local organizations that deliver cycling education programs.
Source: P-BAC survey - He supports the implementation of the “Complete Streets” design framework, which provisions infrastructure for cyclists, pedestrians, transit riders and motorists, on all city roads, including planned reconstructions on sections of Brealey Drive, Sherbrooke Street and Parkhill Road.
Source: P-BAC survey - Riel promises support for road projects that aim to eliminate serious injuries, including support for traffic calming infrastructure and public engagement. He also endorses making 30 km/h the default speed limit on residential roads.
Source: P-BAC survey
We’ll be updating this page up until the October 24 election when new material becomes available. Is there something we’ve missed? Let us know. Email publishers@peterboroughcurrents.ca
