A Strong Economy and Fiscal Resilience:

A strong economy does not happen by accident. It is built through clear vision, disciplined choices, and a city that understands what businesses need to start, grow, and stay. The COVID-19 pandemic reminded us how important it is to have a local economy that is diverse, resilient, and rooted in community — one that supports small businesses and local entrepreneurs, protects the light-industrial lands that keep our city working, attracts new investment and quality jobs, and makes it easier to do business here. For me, economic development is not separate from livability or financial resilience. It is how we create opportunity, strengthen our tax base, support families, and build a city where people can work close to home, businesses can thrive, and innovation can take root. That is why we have strengthened the City’s financial foundation through long-term planning, asset management, improved reporting, reserve and investment policies, and a disciplined approach to securing external funding — so we can continue investing in the services, infrastructure, and public spaces people rely on, while keeping affordability for taxpayers firmly in view.

Linda with a local business owner

Since being elected Mayor we have:

  • Approved the new Economic Development Strategy
  • Have seen the investment of several new businesses across the City
  • Have one of the lowest commercial property vacancy rates in the region
  • Have advanced the planning of the Health Innovation District in Central Lonsdale 
  • Convened the Mayor’s Leadership Roundtable for the Health Innovation District
  • Approved the creation of the Central Lonsdale Business Improvement Area
  • Endorsed the Lonsdale Great Street Project Vision 
  • Partnered with Canada Soccer to host Canada Soccer House during FIFA World Cup
  • Received national recognition for financial reporting, with the 2023 and 2024 Annual Municipal Reports earning the Government Finance Officers Association’s Canadian Award for Financial Reporting
  • Launched Property Taxes e-Billing
  • Approved 2026 Financial Plan that was just a 0.9% tax rate increase for operating programs, plus 2% for capital
  • Updated the Investment Policy to align with MFA Best Practices, and incorporated ESG
  • Advanced Asset management planning across utilities, bridges, roads, sidewalks, waterfront and marine structures
  • Modernized Financial planning and reporting through improved public engagement, quarterly reporting, reserve reporting and budget processes
  • Updated Fees and charges, reserve policies, investment policies and project funding processes to improve governance and accountability
  • Advanced Development Cost Charges and Amenity Cost Charges to better align growth with infrastructure needs
  • Developed formalized outreach and coordination with businesses, including regular in person visits by staff with over 500 visits in 2025 alone
  • Implemented street light activation in Central Lonsdale ahead of the holiday season to support vibrancy
  • Created the Lower Lonsdale Brewery District
  • Implemented Gateway: Client Services Center and Online Services to streamline licenses, planning and permits
  • Supported businesses during COVID-19 through the Open Streets Action Plan
  • Renewed the Lower Lonsdale Business Improvement Association for an additional 8 years
  • Introduced Retail Cannabis
  • Convened the Mayor’s Business Advisory Task Force: Business Roundtables Final Report Key Recommendations which includes an updated Economic Investment Strategy which is in progress. Three key areas include Health Economic Hub, expansion of Arts, Culture and Tourism; and expanding technology
  • City selected to host Rogers Hometown Hockey