As 2025 comes to a close, I wanted to take some time to reflect publicly on the work, conversations, and priorities that shaped my year serving our community.

Local government work does not always happen in obvious or visible ways. Much of it takes place through listening, asking questions, strengthening decisions before they are finalized, and staying with issues long after a meeting ends. This reflection is meant to share some of that work, and why it mattered.

What shaped my work in 2025

This year reinforced for me that good local leadership is rooted in consistency, care, and follow-through. Many of the issues raised with me by residents were not about big headlines. They were about access, communication, safety, and feeling included in decisions that affect daily life.

That perspective guided how I approached Council work, committee discussions, and community conversations throughout the year.

Council resolutions I brought forward in 2025

In 2025, I brought forward a number of resolutions at Council that reflected community concerns and a focus on practical, people-centred outcomes. Below is a snapshot of some of that work.

Declaration of a Food Insecurity Emergency

This resolution formally recognized food insecurity as an urgent issue in our community. It also helped lead to a city-wide Food Security Forum and the development of a Food Security Action Plan, bringing community partners together to move from recognition to action.

Growing Community Resilience: Vertical Farming for Food Security

Building on that work, this motion explored vertical farming as one way to strengthen local food systems and community resilience as part of a broader response to food insecurity.

Addressing the Impacts of Vacant and Derelict Buildings and Properties

This resolution focused on safety concerns, neighbourhood impacts, and accountability when properties sit vacant or fall into disrepair. It reflected ongoing conversations with residents about how these spaces affect surrounding communities.

Creating Awareness for Gender-Based Violence Through Public Spaces

This motion focused on using public spaces to raise awareness and support community-wide conversations around gender-based violence, as part of continued work to respond to gender-based violence as a serious and ongoing issue.

Call for Reform and Publication of the Ontario Sex Offender Registry

This resolution called on the Province to improve transparency and reform how the Ontario Sex Offender Registry is managed and accessed. The intent was to support greater accountability and public safety, while recognizing that municipalities often see the impacts of gaps in provincial systems firsthand.

Raising this issue was about advocating for better tools and clearer responsibility at the provincial level, particularly when local communities are affected by decisions made elsewhere.

Procedural Changes to Municipal Code Chapter 2

A small but important procedural change created more space for open discussion at committees. This allows residents to engage earlier and gives staff clearer, more meaningful feedback from committee members before decisions are finalized.

Together, these resolutions reflect the kind of work I try to bring to Council: practical change, stronger processes, and outcomes that matter in everyday life.

Strengthening decisions before they are finalized

Beyond formal motions, one of the ways I try to add value at Council is by improving decisions before they are finalized.

In 2025, I amended a public consultation report to ensure the City’s Community Involvement Framework became a policy, not just a guideline. This change matters because it makes public consultation a consistent expectation and helps ensure residents are meaningfully involved in decisions that affect their neighbourhoods.

I also amended a finance report to reserve funding toward the creation of a vandalism and restoration grant program for local businesses, faith groups, and community institutions. While there are still steps required before the program can launch, reserving the funds was an important first move in supporting community spaces when vandalism occurs.

These amendments do not always draw attention, but they shape how decisions are implemented and how well they serve residents over time.

Improving transit access and reliability

Transit access and reliability were also a focus this year. I worked closely with transit staff to advocate for better service for residents who rely on buses to get to work, particularly those working in and around industrial areas.

These conversations will result in service changes taking effect in January, including improved access to the bus route connecting the Beckett Seniors building with key destinations like the mall. These are practical changes, but they make a meaningful difference for seniors, workers, and anyone who depends on transit day to day.

Supporting downtown through change

Supporting downtown is about more than revitalization alone. In 2025, it meant navigating a range of challenges including construction, disruption, safety concerns, access, and long-term sustainability.

I focused on staying connected with businesses, residents, and City staff to make sure people were kept informed, concerns were raised early, and supports were considered as work moved forward.

I also worked with a group of city councillors from downtown communities across Ontario to share lessons, learn from what is working elsewhere, and bring practical ideas and tools back to Brantford as we navigate the many pressures and possibilities facing downtowns today. How we support downtown matters, and so does how we do it.

Moments that mattered

Some of the most meaningful parts of this year did not happen at the Council table. They happened in conversations with residents, at community events, and while visiting organizations and neighbourhood spaces that quietly hold our city together.

Those moments continue to guide how I approach this role and remind me why listening and follow-through matter.

Looking ahead to 2026

As we move into 2026, I remain focused on showing up consistently, listening carefully, and doing the steady work that earns trust over time.

I am grateful for the conversations, the honesty, and the chance to keep doing this work alongside the community. I am hopeful about what we can continue building together through steady leadership, thoughtful decisions, and a shared focus on the community we care about.