1
Affordability
Water Affordability Pledge
Reducing unnecessary consultant spending and reinvesting in stronger local water-system capacity to help lower water bills.
Platform & PledgesSix Priorities.
Six Priorities.
Ten Commitments.
One Clear Plan for Smiths Falls.
Explore the six priorities and the ten specific commitments that make up my platform.
You can also see where every registered Council candidate stands on the 10 Pledges for Smiths Falls ahead of the 2026 municipal election.
This Candidate Pledge Scorecard is prepared and maintained by the Nate Morris for Mayor campaign. All registered council candidates are invited to participate.
The Six Priorities
These six priorities are the broad framework for my platform.
Tap any priority to read the full plan.
The 10 Pledges
The six priorities set the direction. These ten commitments are the specific promises residents can hold me to.
2
Accountability
Chief Administrative Officer Accountability Pledge
Supporting lawful steps toward new administrative leadership and a fresh start at the highest level of Town administration.
3
Environment
Waterway Remediation and Bicentennial Restoration Pledge
Using the Rideau Canal bicentennial as an opportunity to restore the waterway, improve habitat, and protect water quality.
4
Housing
Affordable Housing and Permit Reform Pledge
Making the building permit system more efficient, predictable, and responsive so responsible housing projects can move forward faster.
5
Public Safety
Police Reform and Civilian Oversight Pledge
Strengthening public trust through modern policing policies, accountability, transparency, and civilian oversight.
6
Public Safety
Fair and Consistent By-Law Enforcement Pledge
Making by-law enforcement more consistent, fair, proactive, and focused on accountability.
7
Community
Youth Well-Being and Voice Pledge
Treating youth well-being as a real public policy priority and strengthening youth voice in local decisions.
8
Community
Recreation and Youth Opportunity Pledge
Expanding affordable recreation and creating more positive public spaces for youth and families.
9
Environment
Affordable Climate Action Pledge
Supporting practical climate action that lowers costs, protects infrastructure, and benefits the community.
10
Affordability
Guaranteed Basic Income Advocacy Pledge
Advocating for a guaranteed basic income and working to position Smiths Falls as an early pilot community.
Where the Council Candidates Stand
2026 Smiths Falls Council Candidate Scorecard
Compare Smiths Falls Council candidates’ responses to three policy questions asked at the October 7 All Candidates Night, along with the pledges they support.
2026 Smiths Falls Council Candidate Scorecard
Updated as candidates respond. Last updated .
| Candidate | Biggest challenge facing Smiths Falls | Do you support OPP costing? | What would you do about blighted properties? | Pledges Supported |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alex Brown | Affordability and municipal debt. | Supports costing the OPP and comparing service levels. | Would identify best practices from other municipalities and use a data-driven approach. | Indicated support for 6 pledges: Water Affordability; Housing & Permits; Police Reform; Fair By-Law Enforcement; Youth Well-Being; Recreation & Youth. |
| James Creighton | Growth, capital project spending, inflation, and tariffs. | Wants to keep SFPS. | Supports reviewing complaint-based bylaw enforcement and setting faster compliance deadlines. | Declined to respond. |
| Bill Dickson | Affordability and attracting new businesses. | Supports costing the OPP. | Would strengthen property standards and enforcement, focus on absentee landlords, consider a tax on vacant storefronts, and offer incentives to clean up properties. | Declined to respond. |
| Marie-Pier Guerin | Affordability and food security. | Supports costing the OPP. | Supports rewilding front yards with pollinator gardens, along with volunteer-led cleanups and tree planting. | Indicated support for all 10 pledges: Water Affordability; CAO Accountability; Waterway Restoration; Housing & Permits; Police Reform; Fair By-Law Enforcement; Youth Well-Being; Recreation & Youth; Climate Action; Basic Income. |
| Greg Hull | Affordability and attracting industry. | Supports costing the OPP but wants to keep SFPS. | Supports stronger bylaws. | Declined to respond. |
| Lewis Koluk | Affordability. | Does not favour costing the OPP. | Supports stronger bylaws with safeguards against potential enforcement abuse. | Declined to respond. |
| Spring Loomes | Affordability, aging infrastructure, and managing growth. | Would compare costs, service levels, and oversight; said it is not a black-and-white issue. | Would enforce property standards and, if an owner does not comply, have the Town do the work and bill the owner. | Indicated support for all 10 pledges: Water Affordability; CAO Accountability; Waterway Restoration; Housing & Permits; Police Reform; Fair By-Law Enforcement; Youth Well-Being; Recreation & Youth; Climate Action; Basic Income. |
| Christopher McGuire | Infrastructure deficit. | Supports costing the OPP and believes SFPS is already lean, with limited opportunities to lower costs. | Supports a clear bylaw enforcement structure and would have the Town do the work and bill the owner in cases of non-compliance. | Declined to respond. |
| Jennifer Miller | Long-term infrastructure investment. | Said it is not a black-and-white issue. | Supports reviewing the fines. | Declined to respond. |
| Chance Peterson | Affordability. | Would compare the costs and service levels of both police services. | Supports a full review of bylaw effectiveness. | Indicated support for all 10 pledges: Water Affordability; CAO Accountability; Waterway Restoration; Housing & Permits; Police Reform; Fair By-Law Enforcement; Youth Well-Being; Recreation & Youth; Climate Action; Basic Income. |
| Dawn Quinn | Managing land use; improving industrial growth; the Chamber Street subway; and climate change. | Would compare costs and service levels and look for efficiencies within SFPS. | Supports strengthening bylaw enforcement powers. | Declined to respond. |
| Leslie Allison Richardson | Affordability. | Supports costing the OPP, public consultation, and looking for efficiencies within SFPS. | Supports stronger policies, particularly for commercial properties with out-of-town landlords. | Declined to respond. |
| Stephen Robinson | Affordability. | Said he could not answer because of a conflict of interest. | Is open to stronger bylaw enforcement but raised concern about the increased enforcement cost. | Declined to respond. |
| Zachary Thoms | Affordability and growth. | Is open to costing the OPP but opposes switching to the OPP. | Would increase bylaw enforcement capacity and promote a culture of “pride of ownership.” | Indicated support for 6 pledges: Water Affordability; Waterway Restoration; Fair By-Law Enforcement; Youth Well-Being; Recreation & Youth; Climate Action. |
| Peggy Lee Tye-Bernicky | Affordability; doctors; homelessness; mental health; addiction; domestic violence; and flooding. | Said it is not a black-and-white issue. | Would help property owners find grants and is open to fines and reviewing the bylaws. | Declined to respond. |
Candidate pledge responses in text
Pledge statuses reflect the campaign scorecard, last updated September 12, 2026. “Declined to respond” indicates a “No Response” entry on that scorecard. Source: smithsfallsvotes.ca/pledges.
- Alex Brown
- Biggest challenge facing Smiths Falls
- Affordability and municipal debt.
- Do you support OPP costing?
- Supports costing the OPP and comparing service levels.
- What would you do about blighted properties?
- Would identify best practices from other municipalities and use a data-driven approach.
- Pledges Supported
- Indicated support for 6 pledges: Water Affordability; Housing & Permits; Police Reform; Fair By-Law Enforcement; Youth Well-Being; Recreation & Youth.
- James Creighton
- Biggest challenge facing Smiths Falls
- Growth, capital project spending, inflation, and tariffs.
- Do you support OPP costing?
- Wants to keep SFPS.
- What would you do about blighted properties?
- Supports reviewing complaint-based bylaw enforcement and setting faster compliance deadlines.
- Pledges Supported
- Declined to respond.
- Bill Dickson
- Biggest challenge facing Smiths Falls
- Affordability and attracting new businesses.
- Do you support OPP costing?
- Supports costing the OPP.
- What would you do about blighted properties?
- Would strengthen property standards and enforcement, focus on absentee landlords, consider a tax on vacant storefronts, and offer incentives to clean up properties.
- Pledges Supported
- Declined to respond.
- Marie-Pier Guerin
- Biggest challenge facing Smiths Falls
- Affordability and food security.
- Do you support OPP costing?
- Supports costing the OPP.
- What would you do about blighted properties?
- Supports rewilding front yards with pollinator gardens, along with volunteer-led cleanups and tree planting.
- Pledges Supported
- Indicated support for all 10 pledges: Water Affordability; CAO Accountability; Waterway Restoration; Housing & Permits; Police Reform; Fair By-Law Enforcement; Youth Well-Being; Recreation & Youth; Climate Action; Basic Income.
- Greg Hull
- Biggest challenge facing Smiths Falls
- Affordability and attracting industry.
- Do you support OPP costing?
- Supports costing the OPP but wants to keep SFPS.
- What would you do about blighted properties?
- Supports stronger bylaws.
- Pledges Supported
- Declined to respond.
- Lewis Koluk
- Biggest challenge facing Smiths Falls
- Affordability.
- Do you support OPP costing?
- Does not favour costing the OPP.
- What would you do about blighted properties?
- Supports stronger bylaws with safeguards against potential enforcement abuse.
- Pledges Supported
- Declined to respond.
- Spring Loomes
- Biggest challenge facing Smiths Falls
- Affordability, aging infrastructure, and managing growth.
- Do you support OPP costing?
- Would compare costs, service levels, and oversight; said it is not a black-and-white issue.
- What would you do about blighted properties?
- Would enforce property standards and, if an owner does not comply, have the Town do the work and bill the owner.
- Pledges Supported
- Indicated support for all 10 pledges: Water Affordability; CAO Accountability; Waterway Restoration; Housing & Permits; Police Reform; Fair By-Law Enforcement; Youth Well-Being; Recreation & Youth; Climate Action; Basic Income.
- Christopher McGuire
- Biggest challenge facing Smiths Falls
- Infrastructure deficit.
- Do you support OPP costing?
- Supports costing the OPP and believes SFPS is already lean, with limited opportunities to lower costs.
- What would you do about blighted properties?
- Supports a clear bylaw enforcement structure and would have the Town do the work and bill the owner in cases of non-compliance.
- Pledges Supported
- Declined to respond.
- Jennifer Miller
- Biggest challenge facing Smiths Falls
- Long-term infrastructure investment.
- Do you support OPP costing?
- Said it is not a black-and-white issue.
- What would you do about blighted properties?
- Supports reviewing the fines.
- Pledges Supported
- Declined to respond.
- Chance Peterson
- Biggest challenge facing Smiths Falls
- Affordability.
- Do you support OPP costing?
- Would compare the costs and service levels of both police services.
- What would you do about blighted properties?
- Supports a full review of bylaw effectiveness.
- Pledges Supported
- Indicated support for all 10 pledges: Water Affordability; CAO Accountability; Waterway Restoration; Housing & Permits; Police Reform; Fair By-Law Enforcement; Youth Well-Being; Recreation & Youth; Climate Action; Basic Income.
- Dawn Quinn
- Biggest challenge facing Smiths Falls
- Managing land use; improving industrial growth; the Chamber Street subway; and climate change.
- Do you support OPP costing?
- Would compare costs and service levels and look for efficiencies within SFPS.
- What would you do about blighted properties?
- Supports strengthening bylaw enforcement powers.
- Pledges Supported
- Declined to respond.
- Leslie Allison Richardson
- Biggest challenge facing Smiths Falls
- Affordability.
- Do you support OPP costing?
- Supports costing the OPP, public consultation, and looking for efficiencies within SFPS.
- What would you do about blighted properties?
- Supports stronger policies, particularly for commercial properties with out-of-town landlords.
- Pledges Supported
- Declined to respond.
- Stephen Robinson
- Biggest challenge facing Smiths Falls
- Affordability.
- Do you support OPP costing?
- Said he could not answer because of a conflict of interest.
- What would you do about blighted properties?
- Is open to stronger bylaw enforcement but raised concern about the increased enforcement cost.
- Pledges Supported
- Declined to respond.
- Zachary Thoms
- Biggest challenge facing Smiths Falls
- Affordability and growth.
- Do you support OPP costing?
- Is open to costing the OPP but opposes switching to the OPP.
- What would you do about blighted properties?
- Would increase bylaw enforcement capacity and promote a culture of “pride of ownership.”
- Pledges Supported
- Indicated support for 6 pledges: Water Affordability; Waterway Restoration; Fair By-Law Enforcement; Youth Well-Being; Recreation & Youth; Climate Action.
- Peggy Lee Tye-Bernicky
- Biggest challenge facing Smiths Falls
- Affordability; doctors; homelessness; mental health; addiction; domestic violence; and flooding.
- Do you support OPP costing?
- Said it is not a black-and-white issue.
- What would you do about blighted properties?
- Would help property owners find grants and is open to fines and reviewing the bylaws.
- Pledges Supported
- Declined to respond.
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