Councillor Robert Uhrig

Q1. Meaford is experiencing dynamic growth. How do you see ratepayers’ involvement in that growth?

Ratepayer’s bear the burden of growth in the short term and should reap the benefits in the long term. Growth, both commercial and residential, are vital to economic balance. Yes, growth means expansion of services resulting in higher costs, but growth means new businesses and residents to help offset that tax burden. Just as importantly, ratepayers’ need to have a voice in the shaping of that growth by holding Council and Staff accountable in terms of the Municipality’s development, natural resources, economic stimulus, and tourism initiatives. Council represents the ratepayers and needs to listen to the ratepayers.

Q2. Currently there is a debate on the effectiveness of the Municipality of Meaford’s Advisory Committees as they are currently structured. How would you ensure community committees are used more effectively by Council and the Municipality in the next term of Council?

I cannot speak to all Advisory Committees but as a member of the Economic Development Advisory Committee I am concerned about the efficiency of this body.  I do not believe that meeting for 1-1/2 hours bi-monthly is adequate time to discuss such a vital topic. While well intentioned, EDAC seemed to spend an inordinate amount of time on topics that seemed to be better suited for other departments. For example, a great deal of its time was spent on public surveys, and discussing the Official Plan which, while being a crucial blueprint for Municipal initiatives, was not identified as being a priority in our Work Plan. I would have preferred more effort be spent on topics that directly impact economic development: vision, goals, development, tourism, culture, etc. Moving forward, I would propose that past and present members of all advisory committees be consulted to determine the efficiency of these bodies, particularly focusing on meeting frequency and length, topic selection and staff direction.

Q3. Would you support the creation of a community-based Advisory Committee for Planning and Development?

Definitely. Meaford is already experiencing significant growth and has the potential to continue to grow exponentially. The public needs to have a voice in how developments are selected, approved, and administered.

Q4. What is the role of Council and the Municipality in supporting the development of downtown Meaford? In rural areas? Please provide examples. 

The possibilities of large companies coming to small communities are rare which means that small businesses are crucial components for economic growth, both urban and rural. The Municipality needs to provide a suitable framework to stimulate and support small business growth. 

What many people do not realize is there is already rapid growth in home-based businesses in our area. I recently retired from a local internet provider, and it was amazing to see just how many such businesses there are in the Municipality, particularly in our rural areas. This was a bi-product of:
- Covid, as many people were forced to work from home and subsequently discovered they could do it successfully, and many have chosen to continue to do just that as it can create a better life-work balance.
- lifestyle choices. Many people are opting to work from home as opposed to standard workspace environments as it can provide economic advantages (no commuting, office space costs, childcare, etc.)
However, choosing to work at home often relies on adequate connectivity which can be an issue, particularly in rural areas. Accordingly, I believe Council should be focusing on improving internet access throughout the entire municipality (some urban environments also suffer from poor service). In addition to the major providers, there are local companies that are installing wireless and fibre solutions. The Municipality needs to work with these entities to make Meaford a desirable destination for businesses because of its superior connectivity, an attainable goal.

As the President of the Chamber of Commerce, I witness firsthand how many new businesses are coming to our area. This body strives to maintain a thorough listing of these and existing businesses to ensure there is an up-to-date directory available. However, their list currently contains only Chamber members. The Chamber and EDAC both recommend, which I support, an initiative whereby Council requires all businesses to have a business license to operate in the municipality. This can be a no-cost requirement that negates any financial burden, while creating a definitive list of all local businesses that would provide:
- additional visibility for the participants that could be used for marketing purposes
- a vehicle by which the Municipality could conduct surveys regarding business related issues
- a comprehensive business directory that would be a valuable resource for customers and residents

I would also like to see Council encourage the development of a district specifically for professional businesses. Like many small communities, Meaford’s urban main street is a vital artery for promoting tourism. The Sykes Street patios are an example of if you build it, they will come, mentality. Unfortunately, many of our downtown storefronts are professional establishments (medical, real estate, investment, etc.) leaving limited opportunities for retail businesses. Professional buildings could provide convenient one-stop centres and free up valuable potential retail or similar customer serving space.

I would also like to see Council institute stricter penalties and restrictions for absentee landlords who do not develop, rent, or maintain their properties. There are several undeveloped properties that do not contribute to infrastructure costs (existing water, sewage, etc.) despite being connected to these services. There are also buildings that either sit empty, with little or no effort to maintain or rent them, or are in serious need of repair. Simply existing should not be acceptable. Curb appeal should be a fundamental component of being part of the community fabric.

Finally, arts and culture and recreational tourism should be embraced as the major economic development drivers they are. Meaford is touted as a 4-season destination. We should walk that walk:
- neighbouring communities groom their trails in the winter to promote tourism, yet ours are not maintained during the winter
- our harbour holds great potential, yet great parts of it are largely underutilized year-round
- Meaford boasts the premier arts and culture centre in Southern Georgian Bay, yet it is often priced out of reach for local artists and organizations to utilize as a meeting or performance space.

The Ontario arts and culture sector represents $27.5 billion, or 3.7% of its GDP, and arts and culture tourists spend twice as much per visit as a typical tourist, $667 vs. $347 (Ontario Arts Council 2016 study). Furthermore, regional tourism benefits both our urban and rural residents. In a single visit, a play or concert attendee can support the municipal economy by attending Meaford Hall or other local facilities, the urban economy by having dinner in a local restaurant or shopping in an urban retail space, and the rural economy by visiting the many area breweries, cideries, wineries or farm or fruit stands on their way to or from the event.

We also need to embrace regional tourism avenues. Southern Georgian Bay Tourism is just one example of a body that is working towards collective efforts to attract tourists to areas ranging from Meaford to Midland. Working with neighbouring municipalities to cross promote our events and attractions is a win-win for all involved. Council should be participating and investing in initiatives designed to increase awareness of our assets.

Q5. What role does Meaford’s “Official Plan” have in guiding development?

The Official Plan is crucial for guiding development! Whether it is economic development, urban or rural planning, facilitating growth, or maintaining the integrity of the community’s heritage and culture, there needs to be a blueprint that outlines and directs the long-term goals of the municipality. There will always be differing views on the direction of any community but, with public input, there must be a definitive document that provides concrete guidelines for future developments. Ad hoc or special interest solutions can create bad precedents or result in long term issues that carry collateral consequences that can negatively impact the overall vision of the community.

Q6. There are many issues that need to be addressed in the coming four-year term, including affordable housing, staffing shortages, the downtown heritage district, business development, climate change, tourism, and a host of infrastructure needs supporting agriculture, bridges, roads, water and sewer and urban green spaces. a. As a member of Council, how will you work with local and county/regional partners and Meaford's CAO and staff to move the Municipality forward on the above issues? Can you provide any examples? What, in your opinion, are the most urgent issues to address? 

a. As a member of Council, how will you work with local and county/regional partners and Meaford's CAO and staff to move the Municipality forward on the above issues? Can you provide any examples?

Every term of Council has its unique challenges. I strongly believe that there should be an overall long-term vision that provides guidance and consistency for future Councils. However, there are and will be, many governmental and economic factors over the next four years that will put the Municipality in a reactive vs. proactive position:

TCE: there has obviously been much discussion regarding this project. While the Municipality has no control over whether it proceeds, it will definitely have long-term effects on our community. I would like to see Council take a stand as to whether it supports or opposes the project. I have met with Save Georgian Bay and agree with their position that, if Council does oppose it, they should officially declare that Meaford is an unwilling host. It will not likely affect the final decision, but it does provide direction to its residents. If the project does proceed, the Municipality needs to ensure that it is properly compensated for the burden that it will be forced to bear. Guideline/bylaws need to be considered to mitigate the impact during construction (air quality, noise levels, road repairs, etc.). The Municipality is already engaged in negotiations regarding suitable compensation which, beyond adequate annual cash instalments, needs to address other potential community benefits such as funding support for a recreation or wellness facilities, infrastructure maintenance, etc. If TCE is going to be part of our future, we need to view them as potential partners in improving our community, not adversaries.

Affordable/Attainable Housing: this issue is not unique to Meaford as Federal, Provincial and global influences are going to directly impact property values beyond our control. Council will need to work within that economic framework to encourage developers to entertain dedicating a percentage of their projects to affordable/attainable housing. Imagine Meaford was instrumental in reshaping the Loon Call development and similar public input should continue to help shape future developments. It is unfortunate that the SkyDev principals have chosen to appeal to the Ontario Land Tribunal which, at least for the present, takes it out of the hands of the Municipality. Council will need to be prepared as to how to deal with the fallout of the decision of the OLT.  Notwithstanding the already greenlit developments, the TCE project, if approved, will require substantial housing to accommodate the necessary workforce to build it. I am concerned what shape this housing will take, where it will be built, and what will happen to it after the project has been completed?

Workforce: this is another far-reaching issue that will have to be addressed in concert with affordable/attainable housing. It is difficult to foster small business growth if there isn’t a sufficient workforce to support it. Meaford’s median age is 53.4 as compared to Ontario’s 41.3 (2016 Census figures). We need to position ourselves as a destination for younger individuals and families to provide a diversified workforce, ensure a thriving community long term, and replace an aging volunteer base.

Climate Change: we are blessed with a beautiful natural playground and need to preserve our ecosystem and natural resources, not just for the benefits of tourism, but for the bedrock of our rural community, the agribusinesses which rely on long term sustainability. Policies and guidelines need to be continuously re-examined to ensure they meet current challenges and anticipate predicted conditions.

Infrastructure: this is not the sexiest issue that Council has to deal with, but it certainly has a large impact on the annual budget. The Municipality has a large footprint with an aging system of bridges and roads. Past Councils have wisely earmarked an automatic levy increase of 1% annually to be dedicated for both roads and bridge/structure capital funding. Of course, without implementing significant tax increases, this leaves little room for other expenditures. Without an infusion of funds from other avenues, I believe these ongoing levies are critical to maintaining this essential infrastructure.

Water: we are fortunate to have an adequate water supply but with our projected development growth, will have to address an expensive solution to meet the projected demand for our waste management system.

Q7. What is the Municipality of Meaford’s share of tax dollars collected by Grey County? How will you ensure that Meaford’s needs are met through County initiatives (via these tax dollars)? 

In 2021, the Grey County budget allocation was 27.2%. I feel that Meaford’s interests have been well served through the participation of Mayor Clumpus and Deputy Mayor Keaveney and needs to be continued by whoever represents Meaford after the election. Rising costs have impacted so many residents of our Municipality and Grey County and it is encouraging to see some of the efforts and initiatives addressing vital issues such as Transportation and Affordable/Attainable Housing. We need to ensure Meaford also benefits in other strategic County programs such as Paramedic Services, Long Term Care, Children’s Services, Healthcare and Education, and Planning and the Environment. One topic under the County’s umbrella that is again of particular interest to me is Economic Development, Tourism and Culture. I find it interesting that the County earmarks $3.5 million of its $186.6 million budget, or approximately 1.9%. I queried Municipal Staff what Meaford budgets for Tourism and was informed it was approximately $24,000 (final 2022 figures pending) of the $16.5 million budget, or 0.15%. As I previously stated, I believe tourism will be an important component of future economic development and wonder why it warrants such a low contribution. We need to forge stronger alliances with neighbouring municipalities to encourage regional tourism to the benefit of all, as well as continue to work with the County to foster tourism in our area.