The Greater Arnprior Chamber of Commerce hosted the 2022 All Candidates Debate for McNab/Braeside candidates in mid-September 2022. After the event, they asked all candidates to submit written responses to all questions submitted by local residents. You can read the full responses from all candidates at www.gacc.ca.
Share your opening statement/platform:
I’m Oliver Jacob and I’m running to be your next Mayor for the Township of McNab/Braeside. Over the last four years, it has been an honour to serve the residents of McNab/Braeside as one of your Councillors but it has also proven to me that effective leadership starts at the top. That’s why I’m running to be your next Mayor. I believe that we can accomplish so much when we work together collaboratively as Council, staff and the broader community. A little bit more about me, I have grown up and lived in McNab/Braeside for most of my life, starting in Pine Grove and then Braeside. Having completed a Bachelor of Arts in History and Political Science at Acadia University, I decided that I wanted to come back and give back to the local community both as a Councillor and as a community volunteer. Over the years, I have also volunteered on the Board of Directors of Arnprior Regional Health, the local Advisory Council and Investment Committee of United Way East Ontario and through the Renfrew and area Community Safety and Wellbeing Planning Table. I have also led the work of the Greater Arnprior Community Council on Poverty and Homelessness, volunteered at the COVID-19 vaccination clinics throughout 2021 and worked with Councillor Heather Lang at Clay Bank Nature Park for Outdoor Learning. Finally, I also bring an abundance of municipal experience with over eight years working with the Town of Arnprior and the last four years at McNab/Braeside’s Council table. Overall, I’m running to bring a fresh, collaborative and forward-thinking perspective to the Mayor’s chair and I’m ready to hit the ground running to serve you over the next four years and beyond.
Help us understand the type of leader you will be by describing your highest priorities both short and long term for the township.
For me, the most important part of the Mayor’s role is to provide leadership to Council and the community. The Mayor should do this my listening to all residents, learning from staff and other experts and then leading together with Council and the broader community while promoting the values of transparency, accountability and openness at all times.
My short term priorities would be hitting the ground running with the preparation of the 2023 budget and conducting a collaborative strategic planning exercise that involves all of Council, Township staff and the community-at-large. Strategic Plans are very important as they serve as the roadmap for Township Council and staff over the next 4-5 years but they must also be reflective of what the McNab/Braeside community actually wants to see. Once we know what the community wants to see in the future, we can build future budgets to plan for known expenditures and to limit tax increases to manageable levels.
In terms of longer term priorities, I think that it is very important to look at the financial and environmental sustainability of our community. This involves two distinct elements in my mind. Firstly, the incoming Township Council must act swiftly to review staff feedback on the Sustane Technologies project and to stop it in its tracks. That project has no benefits to the Township and it would likely result in financial and environmental risks to our community. There is no reason why we should use our landfill to take garbage from across the region and store tons of synthesized char waste material from this proposed plant. The Mayor’s pet project does not meet the needs of our community nor does it solve a problem that we are facing. Secondly, Council must take a leadership position to reform the way that the Township completes its annual budget process. By implementing a pay-as-you-go financial model and working to limit budget increases to manageable levels, Council can still invest in its priorities and enhance service delivery for residents while also leaving future generations without a heavy debt load. This is another area where the strategic plan will pay dividends as it would allow Council to identify its priorities and save up for large expenses.
How will you work to increase tourism and bring new residents to the township?
Tourism can be a double-edged sword but it is also the most effective way of enticing people to come to visit our community and ultimately decide that it is the best place to move, raise a family, start a business and build a life. As Mayor, I would work more closely with the County of Renfrew and their tourism organization (Ottawa Valley Tourism Association) to find ways to promote the Township to tourists. In particular, it will be necessary to take a look at ways to harness the Township’s natural assets and our hamlet communities to create a value proposition to attract new residents. In addition, it will be important to strengthen and build new relationships with existing businesses within the Township to ensure that they are getting the support that they need to from the Township. Finally, we need to support smart residential growth that increases the supply of housing stock, preserves our rural character (larger lots with green space) and protects prime agricultural lands.
There have been current plans pursued for the township to host a waste processing facility at the township landfill site on Calabogie Road that would process garbage from two counties.
Since learning about this, McNab/Braeside residents have raised concerns about potential financial, health and environmental risks of this project to the community. If elected to council, would you support this project? Why or Why Not?
Over the last few months, the McNab/Braeside community has been concerned about the potential installation of a Sustane Technologies pyrolysis plant at the Township landfill. I have joined many of you over the last few months to discuss our shared concerns for the environment but more importantly, for the protection of the health and safety of our community.
While this has been the pet project of Mayor Peckett, Council has now adopted my recommendation that this proposed project be placed on ice while it is studied by Township staff. This allows our professional staff to review the facts and provide an informative report to the new Council. Despite the Mayor’s unacceptable actions up until this point, I believe that Council made the best decision to pause and study the project.
As a sitting Councillor, I have taken time to review the available information, spoken with local residents, experts and other municipal colleagues (locally and from Nova Scotia), and I have come to the conclusion that this project does not meet our community’s standards financially, environmentally nor from a health standpoint. It is an largely unproven technology that has not been refined to such a stage that it could be replicated in our community. To my knowledge, it has not undergone the level of environmental and health impact monitoring that would be necessary to prove its safety and efficacy. Indeed, the CEO of Sustane Technologies acknowledged at their public information session on August 18th, 2022 that the company is undertaking a $9 million project at their Chester, NS plant that will take another year to complete before it can even start the required testing under its current operating permit. That would mean that it is at least 2 to 2.5 years before sufficient data would be available to prove that the pyrolysis technology works as has been shown in the proponent’s sales presentation.
As a result, I will oppose this project when it comes forward for Council consideration but I also want to make it clear that Council must take a balanced approach to dealing with the company. Because Mayor Peckett decided to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Sustane Technologies behind Council’s back, the Township has been placed in a legally precarious position. By doing our due diligence with a pending non-partisan staff report, Council is taking the responsible path to protect us from liability associated with “breaking” the MOU that Mayor Peckett signed. It will also provide the newly elected Members of Council with the appropriate background information to make an informed decision.
The new Council will be challenged to find solutions to divert waste from our landfill and to address the environmental hazards of landfill operations. However, I believe that this must be done in a transparent and collaborative process through which Council, Township staff and community members can work towards a more sustainable waste management program for our community. I believe that we should work together to investigate and explore sustainable waste management practices and develop a sustainable waste management strategy that aims to divert waste from the landfill while maintaining high public health, financial and environmental standards.
What are your thoughts on current municipal tax rates and if elected would you support an increase? Why or Why Not?
Municipal tax levies are a complicated system of interconnected tax rates and tax ratios. Your tax bill is a combination of lower-tier tax rate (Township of McNab/Braeside), upper-tier tax rate (County of Renfrew) and education tax rates (set by the Province of Ontario) and a 1% tax levy increase generates around $55,000 worth of additional revenue for the Township.
On the whole, I support property tax rates and municipal budgeting that include smart investments in programs and services aimed at providing residents with what they deserve as ratepayers. However, we need to be balanced in our approach to budgeting to make sure that tax increases are manageable and high quality services can be maintained and enhanced. Political candidates who champion very low increases (less than the cost of inflation) are simply pushing the issue down the line so that future Councils have to play catch-up to address pressing infrastructure needs. This is simply not sustainable and frankly, it is irresponsible to promise such policies without a full understanding of how municipal finances work. Instead, what I will promise is that I will support the adoption of a more effective way of budgeting where Council sets a desired percentage increase (3% for example) and the Treasury staff work to determine how to implement Council’s priorities within that desired budget increase. This would still allow for necessary investments but also create much more consistency for rate payers from year-to-year.
How will you handle transparency or lack of with the residents of McNab/Braeside? How do you envision communicating with your constituents?
Communication is one of the issues that I have championed over the last four years as one of your Councillors. From keeping folks informed through social media to supporting continued improvements to the municipal website, I have been actively involved in increasing communication with residents and working with staff to get it done. I have also pushed hard for the installation of video conferencing equipment in Council Chambers so that meetings can be live-streamed and recorded for greater transparency. However, I know that we can always do better, especially at communicating with residents. At the debate, most candidates talked about a municipal newsletter which is a good idea; however, we must also consider how our residents want to be communicated with. From my conversations with residents at the doorstep, people think that we can do better at communicating what Council is discussing, what programs/services we offer and what projects we will be doing (i.e. road construction). To do this, we need to adopt a public notice policy that specifies how and when we should be communicating and engaging with the community on various issues that they want to be involved with. Finally as always, I will be available by phone, text, email and on social media to answer questions and share with residents what I’m up to. That’s just what your Mayor should be doing.
What specific measures would you introduce to increase resident engagement at both a staff level and at council level?
Promoting active engagement in municipal government is absolutely essential. The more people that are engaged with a conversation, the better the decision will be. As mentioned above, one key priority that will get folks involved would be the development of the Township strategic plan. By getting Council, staff and the community around the table, we can identify our priorities for the next 4-5 years and set the right direction. Beyond strategic planning, we can involve people by bringing back citizen engagement on Township committees. As the only candidate who has brought forward an Advisory Committee policy early in 2019, I firmly believe that we should have various committees that both residents and Council members sit on to provide advice to Council and staff. We have so many folks in the community who have expertise and talents in accounting, planning, engineering, communications, etc. and we should be harnessing that talent to contribute to better decision-making in the end. You can read more about my proposed Advisory Committee policy at https://voteoliverjacob.ca/2019/01/22/draft-advisory-committee-policy/.
What do you cherish most about this community?
For me, I love my community but I know that our community’s spirit of continuous improvement means that together, we can always build a better future for future generations. I believe in a future where McNab/Braeside is a strong community where our unique character and distinctive history is preserved and enhanced, while we foster growth and economic development to keep our communities sustainable and competitive into the future. Where we encourage responsible development while keeping close attention to the necessity of environmental stewardship. Where present and future generations can enjoy the immense beauty of our natural environment from the Ottawa River to White Lake and the Burnstown Beach. Where people can raise a family and contribute to the numerous small businesses that call our township home. And where our people can be more involved in the important decisions that affect them and their families.
Do you have plans to make a viable transportation plan for McNab/Braeside in helping to connect residents with access to commute freely in and out of the township?
As a rural municipality, it would be difficult to implement a transportation plan that our urban neighbours in Arnprior and Renfrew cannot achieve. I believe that we must take a County-wide approach and that the County of Renfrew should lead a regional transportation project to connect our communities across the valley and to work with the City of Ottawa to expand services into West Carleton. There are other counties who have transportation programs that work effectively and we must learn from their example to deliver better options for our residents. While this would be outside of the Township’s role, we can also be leaders to encourage the Province of Ontario to invest more in rural transportation, including making the Community Transportation Grant program permanent (Arnprior-McNab-Braeside Seniors-At-Home Program Inc is currently funded by this program).
What role do you envision arts and culture in our economic future?
We need to revitalize how we look at public spaces and work with local artists to bring culture back into our communities. Public art installations are just one thing that we can use to bring colour to our public buildings. However, we also need to continue the work that has been done on the Loggers Memory Project so that we can create a tourism opportunity using local history and rural tradition.
What is your perspective on the best ways to collaborate with other levels of government to ensure a sustainable and prosperous future for our area?
We need to work together regardless of political stripe with both our local representatives (MPP John Yakabuski and MP Cheryl Gallant) and other leaders within the provincial and federal governments. Forming solid relationships with politicians of all political stripes would ensure that we can be successful even if the government changes. By utilizing delegations at events like the annual Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) and Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) conference, we can put ourselves on the map and learn more about what programs, services and funding opportunities could be directed to McNab/Braeside.
Do you value strategic planning? How does it fit in with your plans for the township if you are elected?
Strategic planning is one of the most effective tools that Council has to define its vision and priorities. Through a consultation process, Council can hear from each other, staff and community members about what they want to see and then Council/staff can work together to put a plan in place to get it done. For me, strategic planning is my first priority as it provides a wonderful opportunity to keep engaged with the community and for new Members of Council to share their passion and why their constituents elected them to serve on Council.
The county has recently done lots of roadwork in the Township but no one was well informed about what they were doing and when. How will you support increased communication for road projects?
I have spoken with many residents along White Lake Road and River Road who did not feel like they were kept informed of road construction work being done in front of their driveways. This is an area where we can and must improve our communication, especially at the County level. As Mayor, I will advocate at County Council to establish clear public notification policies so that residents know what is going on. During this last term, it was apparent that the current Mayor was failing to keep Township Council informed about what the County was doing and this left us at a loss when residents contacted us with questions. If elected, this will be a key priority for me as I want to be as transparent as possible with local residents. I will provide Council and the community with regular updates on County business (at least once per month) and I will also publish my mayoral meeting schedules (you should know who I meet with).
How will you push the County of Renfrew to develop more social and affordable housing solutions for rural communities like McNab/Braeside?
Affordable housing is one of the most important issues that Canadians are facing. This has been an issue that I have been actively involved in through the Greater Arnprior Community Council on Poverty and Homelessness since we formed the community group back in 2020. Through working with stakeholder groups and service providers, we have been able to help coordinate services and to bring everyone together to plan a better future for poverty and homelessness in our region.
As Mayor, I will work hard with County staff in the Community Services branch to put plans in place to supporting increased social housing stock across the County and to explore other options for more affordable rural development. Using progressive land use planning principles, we would also be able to make better use of existing lands while also providing income opportunities for homeowners who may want a tenant.
What are your plans for parks and green spaces across the Township?
I believe that our parks and open spaces are our biggest asset and we must do more to develop them into attractions that draw people together while preserving our rural traditions and natural environment.
1. I believe that we must work alongside community leaders like outgoing Councillor Heather Lang to build up Clay Bank Nature Park for Outdoor Learning and to do this, we need to adopt a multi-year action plan that provides for new investments in the site while being fiscally responsible. This site has tremendous potential to become a renowned nature-based educational destination for local residents and tourists alike, especially children. Whether it is the diversity of birds/moths or the sheer beauty of the Madawaska River, Clay Bank is one of our crown jewels and with continued leadership, we can strengthen the site as a hub for outdoor learning and nature exploration.
2. Another parks-related priority is that we should be taking a serious look at Red Pine Bay and Braeside Beach to see how we can develop a connected and sustainable waterfront that brings our community together to enjoy the Ottawa River. With the upcoming rehabilitation of Usborne Street, we can best able to study how the Braeside community wants its waterfront to look like into the future. Similar conversations should also occur around Burnstown Beach and the Waba Cottage Museum and Gardens.
3. Finally, on a somewhat related note, the creation of a Recreation Master Plan will allow us to plan for the development of programming that utilizes our parks and green spaces to optimal effect. By identifying the existing gaps in programming and the community needs, we can create new and innovative programs that bring people back into nature / agriculture and build the sense of community that our Township is known for.
We have been disappointed with how the McNab-Braeside Council has handled land planning questions – the way decisions are made has not been very open or transparent, the credentials of applicants and their undertakings have not been adequately screened, and the rural residential character of the Township has not always been upheld. How would you handle land use applications differently?
The land use planning process is fairly prescriptive under the Planning Act; however, we are definitely able to build a more transparent and inclusive public process to ensure that everyone can be actively involved in the process. By introducing more opportunities for public participation beyond the legislated public meeting requirements, we would be able to address community concerns early in the process, saving money and time for all involved and preventing expensive appeals to the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT).
One other comment that I would make about planning is that we must be more careful when developers ask us to convert agricultural lands to residential or industrial zones. During the last term, Mayor Peckett led the charge to ask the Minister of Municipal Affairs to redesignate farm lands to industrial lands so that the proponents could by-pass the regular planning processes and community engagement. That project has still not moved forward with site plan development almost 2 years later. I voted against this request and I still believe that we must do a better job at balancing developer timelines with the absolute need for community involvement and buy-in. We should not be converting agricultural lands to another use without proving why it is needed and engaging with neighbouring landowners and the broader community.
The Arnprior Skateboard Association has been working closely with the town of Arnprior in an attempt to build a new skatepark for wheeled sports such as biking, skateboarding, rollerblading, etc. Arnprior and McNab Braeside are unique in that we share so many facilities. How can McNab Braeside support this initiative? Specifically, would you be willing to help find money or land to fund such a project?
While this is not an issue that I have talked to many folks about, creating opportunities for young people is a pressing concern for our community. We have far too many young folks who leave the area for schooling/work and never come back. By investing in youth programming, we can try to create the bonds that will draw them back to McNab/Braeside. The conversation about a skateboard park in McNab/Braeside would need further study by staff and Council but it would be something that I am open to, especially near our new John A. Gillies Recreation Centre in Braeside.
What is your top priority for the next Council term?
I would say that my greatest priority is rebuilding public confidence in the office of the Mayor. That will involve increasing transparency and accountability at the Township Offices through regular updates on Township and County business, informal community meetings to talk with residents outside of formal Council meetings and publishing information on who I’m meeting with. I promise that I will not be making back room deals like the current Mayor and I want to be fully transparent because you should know who I’m meeting with as your Mayor.
In addition, focusing on building the Council team and Strategic Plan will be a key priority for the first few months of the Council term. Making sure that all Members of Council have a role to play in areas that interest them and that the strategic plan includes a fulsome list of priorities as per Council, staff and community feedback.
Why do you think that you would be a great leader for the Township? What would you say are the values that motivate you as a municipal politician?
After getting to know both mayoral candidates, I chose to run for Mayor this election because I believe that I can bring a collaborative and inclusive approach to the Mayor’s office rather than the top-down approaches of my competitors. As Mayor, I believe that providing leadership to Council means actively listening to all Members of Council and learning from the different perspectives. Rather than making a decision before the Council meeting and bullying Council to agree, I believe that we can only make the right decisions when we work to find consensus and try to incorporate everyone’s ideas. My campaign slogan is Listen, Learn, Lead and this is exactly how I see my style of leadership.
LISTEN
In order to fully understand the issues of our community, the Mayor must be present and willing to listen to resident concerns, perspectives and ideas at any time. Through active listening, I will ensure that residents know that, regardless of how they vote, my door will always be open and that I am always here to help. All residents should be comfortable contacting their Mayor and getting help with issues that are impacting them and their families. Even if I am not able to directly act, I can help them to navigate towards a solution.
LEARN
Through conversations with community members, the Mayor can gain valuable insight into topic areas that they are not familiar with. Whether it is agriculture, recreation, road construction or other important municipal topics, there are subject matter experts right here in McNab/Braeside who can assist Council in formulating the best policies and programs for local residents. Additional research and dialogue with Township staff will also help to see the totality of an issue from all sides.
LEAD
As Mayor, I would provide more effective leadership to Council and the community. By being actively involved with Township and community events, I will be around the community listening to folks and being available to answer resident questions. In addition to increased public engagement opportunities, I will also work to bring Council and the community together to work toward consensus in order to move the Township forward.
The vast majority of older adults wish to age in place. What should the Township of McNab/Braeside do to help increase the stock of housing options for older adults in our Community and ensure that housing is both affordable and accessible?
Affordable and accessible housing is an issue that I have been passionate about and very involved in across the Greater Arnprior / McNab-Braeside area over the last five years. In particular, seniors face unique challenges in staying in their own homes. As a lower-tier municipality, the Township does not have a direct role in the provision of social housing; however, there is certainly a role in advocating with County Council to increase the supply of housing options across the region, including our rural areas. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that many older residents that I have spoken to are interested in moving into the Town of Arnprior or Town of Renfrew to be closer to services (grocery stores, hospital, transportation, etc.). As a result, I would disagree with the current Mayor that we should use the open field space beside the municipal building for senior-focused townhouse development. For me, this simply doesn’t make sense nor is it compatible with the rural character of our community.
The Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the negative and measurable impacts of social isolation and loneliness on the health and well-being of older adults who have spent months being apart from family and friends and absent from their social and recreational activities. What actions should the Township of McNab/Braeside take to increase awareness of social and recreational opportunities and to ensure these opportunities are inclusive, affordable and accessible?
We need to continue working with the Seniors’ Active Living Centre and Mens Shed while also introducing new and innovative recreational programming options at our two community centres led by our amazing Township recreation staff. Apart from providing great options for recreation, we must also work to engage with seniors through communication channels that work for them. This would involve a broader community conversation about how we should be communicating with residents. Not everyone is on social media nor does everyone listen to the local radio station but we need to know if there is something that we should be doing in addition to our current mediums.
When schools and jobs were moved virtual during the height of the global pandemic it truly brought to light the lack of infrastructure in our community to provide access to the internet across all homes within McNab/Braeside. If elected, what steps will you take in ensuring that every home that has a want for internet services will have the opportunity for those services to their home?
As the Government of Canada has said, broadband internet is an essential service and I support the goal of extending high-speed internet services to all communities by 2025. However, I also realize that this goal may not be 100% possible, especially in rural communities.
As a result, we need to learn from telecommunications companies about what prohibits them from reaching everyone and where we can help. We can also explore potentially viable alternatives that other municipalities have done like installing the internet infrastructure when road projects are done and leasing it to telecommunications companies. This could be generating profits for the Township while connecting more people to high-speed service. We must, however, make sure that it is financially viable and that we can support such services in collaboration with our telecommunications and utility partners.
Oliver Jacob for McNab/Braeside 