Christopher Baines is running for a spot on Collingwood council in the hopes of bringing in a ward system for future councils.
Baines lists “ward system” first on a list of three reasons why he is running for council.
“Currently, if you have potholes on your street, ‘who ya gonna call?’” said Baines in his campaign literature. “A ward system will ensure each councillor has responsibility for a specific area of town, so you would always know who to call. This would also ensure greater councillor accountability to taxpayers.”
Baines lists a ward system as one of his short-term goals.
His other two reasons for running include affordable housing and Georgian Bay.
“For too long Collingwood has turned its back on the bay and the harbour,” he said. Our harbour is big enough to allow more folks to share this area. Likewise, the terminals and its lands now represent the most precious public space left on our waterfront. It must be protected and further developed for all users. But first, let’s move ahead with the recommendations of the [Waterfront] Master Plan, which I fully support.”
Affordable housing, according to Baines, is important to encourage a young workforce “required to run our community” to live here too.
“We need to embrace new partnerships and models that get more housing for these young folks to be able to live where they work,” said Baines. “The economy and the future of our town depend upon a workforce that can afford to work and live here.”
Baines has owned a home in Collingwood since 1962, and moved here full-time five years ago. He has been working as a chartered mediator for the last 20 years in insurance, wrongful dismissal and estate. In the past, he worked as an executive assistant to two Ontario cabinet ministers at Queen’s Park. He has served on the Collingwood Police Services Board and been a member of the Collingwood Optimist club and local Toastmasters club.
He said Collingwood’s best attribute is the people who live here.
“Its many passionate, creative, and committed people ... that may sound corny, but not a day goes by without a fundraiser of one type or another – proof of passion and commitment.”
Baines said his dream for Collingwood is to find the town’s “second wind of growth and swagger.”
“Not from old-fashioned manufacturing – that’s gone – but from smaller, high-tech firms bringing smart young people who embrace the four-season lifestyle,” he said. “At this point in our development, I believe in everything in moderation. We have bitten off an awful lot in the last four years or so and I think it is time to make incremental steps that address most concerns rather than sweeping measures.”
Baines proposes making those incremental steps through heavy communication.
“Just like in my mediation practice, it is amazing the misinformation that is out there and is believed to be common knowledge,” he said, adding the most important job for a councillor is to “listen, listen, listen and then decide.”
Baines is one of 19 candidates for councillor in the Oct. 22 municipal election. Voters may choose up to seven candidates on their ballots for councillor.
The Collingwood Chamber of Commerce is hosting a meet-the-candidates event for councillor candidates on Sept. 25 at 7 p.m. at the Collingwood Legion. Doors open at 6 p.m. The last event was at capacity and some residents were turned away from the meeting.
The chamber will be posing questions received by members of the public to each of the candidates during the meeting. Click here if you have a question you’d like included.
