Meet the candidates.
Compare their commitments.

Entrepreneur and community volunteer; Stratford resident since 1999, with a master’s degree in communication studies.

Housing, childcare and transit affordability; safer streets and infrastructure renewal; improved city communications; economic and environmental resilience.

Yes — current councillor.

“provide a variety of opportunities for connection and conversations”

Proposes a city communication plan with more opportunities for conversation and outreach to underrepresented residents. No recurring council forum specified.

Proposes closing gaps in housing, increasing affordable childcare and improving transit connections. Identifies homelessness as a challenge; no named shelter, addictions or mental-health program specified.

Promises better communication and transparency, but no specific budget disclosure or reporting process found.

President and internal legal counsel of Hunter Steel, with a background in business leadership and municipal council.

Restrain tax increases, invest in core infrastructure, expand affordable and supportive housing, advance Grand Trunk redevelopment, and improve communication.

Yes — current councillor.

Proposes regularly delivering city information directly to residents. No recurring public council forum specified.

Links ending homelessness to more affordable and supportive housing; proposes faster approvals and development incentives through builder, community and provincial partnerships.

Proposes public tracking of council commitments so residents can see project progress, spending and reasons for decisions.

Regular attendee at council meetings who is running a self-funded mayoral campaign.

Emphasizes affordability, healthcare access, infrastructure, sustainable growth and accountability. This summary is from a campaign interview, not a detailed platform.

Not on current council. Earlier council service not verified.

Calls for residents to be heard and officials held accountable. No specific new public forum mechanism described.

Raises affordability and healthcare access as priorities. No specific homelessness, addictions or mental-health intervention described.

Calls for municipal accountability and frugal spending. No specific budget publication or scrutiny process described.

Educator and former multi-term councillor who became Stratford’s mayor in 2022.

Campaign interview emphasizes continuing housing, infrastructure and Grand Trunk initiatives, the police station relocation, partnerships and municipal financial sustainability.

Yes — current mayor.

“open to conversation and interaction”

Promises openness to conversation and respectful exchanges; no recurring council forum proposal specified.

In a January interview, described moving from emergency help to permanent supportive housing, including 12 planned Erie Street units and wraparound supports. This is an incumbent policy statement, not a new campaign pledge.

No specific commitment found in the sources reviewed.

Lifelong Stratford resident and architect with more than 40 years of business experience.

Open decision-making, consultation before decisions, disciplined spending, thoughtful infill housing, community partnerships and productive use of public land.

No prior council service identified; the campaign interview describes his lack of political experience.

Calls for earlier public consultation. A campaign interview also proposes restoring wards so residents have a designated councillor; it does not specify recurring council forums.

Promises collaboration with community organizations and other governments on homelessness and affordability. No named program, funding amount or delivery timeline found.

Promises spending discipline and open decisions. No specific budget dashboard, reporting schedule or budget consultation process found.

Stratford native and Carleton graduate; his undated biography describes work in employment services and Chamber of Commerce leadership.

Listed website emphasizes jobs, infrastructure, Grand Trunk, debt reduction and affordable housing. Its pages are undated, carry a 2014 footer and contain older biographical details; 2026 applicability is unconfirmed.

Yes — current councillor.

No specific commitment found in the sources reviewed.

Undated housing page proposes completing projects, mixed affordable/social/market housing, access to transit and green space, and infill. No distinct homelessness intervention described.

Undated debt page calls for sustainable debt reduction. No budget transparency mechanism specified.

Longtime Stratford resident with more than two decades of volunteering, mentoring and community service.

Affordable housing through partnerships, planned growth and financial sustainability; highlights a housing reserve, rental-tax reform and protection of subsidized seniors’ housing.

Yes — current councillor.

No specific commitment found in the sources reviewed.

Proposes mixed-income housing and partnerships with nonprofit supportive-housing providers such as Indwell. Would assemble construction funding while nonprofit operators run the housing, limiting ongoing property-tax costs.

Emphasizes financial discipline and stretching housing dollars through partnerships. No specific budget disclosure mechanism found.

Lifelong Stratford resident and Vice President, Administration at AISIN Canada, with community and economic-development involvement.

Affordable taxes with protected services, housing approvals, local business, infrastructure maintenance, Grand Trunk progress and transit connections.

Not on current council. Earlier council service not verified.

“I'll meet with residents, businesses, neighbourhood associations, and community organizations before important decisions are made”

Commits to meeting residents and community groups before major decisions. No fixed council forum schedule specified.

Proposes more affordable housing and nonprofit partnerships; connecting residents with financial counselling, benefits navigation and existing relief programs. No specific homelessness, addictions or mental-health service plan found.

Commits to measuring budget results and explaining spending increases, efficiencies and rejected spending requests.

Former professional hockey player with a background in social services, homelessness advocacy and national policy work.

Housing and renter protection, economic development, climate-resilient infrastructure, family services, and more accessible civic participation.

Yes — current councillor.

“Establish monthly informal council and director nights.”

Proposes rotating evenings where councillors and a city director meet residents informally, plus working remote-participation tools and plain-language updates.

Proposes supportive housing with onsite case management, health and addictions services; a recovery model guaranteeing a room for four years through detox, rehabilitation and outpatient care; family housing, coordinated service data, modular homes and a charitable housing entity.

Provincial advocacy: opposes expanding involuntary care without major investment in voluntary treatment and supportive housing; supports continued regional addiction-treatment funding, more accessible social assistance and a housing-first response to encampments. These are her descriptions of her advocacy.

Federal advocacy: calls for stable, expanded mental-health and addictions funding, including the Emergency Treatment Fund, and direct food-provider funding and survivor-service hubs.

Proposes clearer community-grant tiers, defined funding terms and restrictions on overhead; better public access to file history and status. No city-wide budget reporting schedule specified.

Community volunteer running for Stratford council; her listed campaign profile provides limited background.

No verified 2026 platform found. The listed social profile was accessible only as a preview; its posts could not be reviewed.

Not on current council. Earlier council service not verified.

No specific commitment found in the sources reviewed.

No specific social-issue commitment verified in the sources reviewed, including homelessness, addictions or mental health.

No specific commitment found in the sources reviewed.

Property manager behind Mirapac Properties, with experience helping residents navigate housing and everyday affordability.

Housing affordability and fair taxes, newcomer access to services, food-bank expansion, youth opportunities, healthcare access and support for local businesses and agriculture.

Not on current council. Earlier council service not verified.

Wants council to be more accessible to underrepresented communities. No specific public forum structure or schedule found.

Supports shelters, housing choices, food-bank expansion, newcomer access to city and family services, and youth access to local healthcare and opportunities. No specific addictions or mental-health program described.

Promises careful use of public funds; no specific budget transparency mechanism found.

Diesel technician and former local campaign volunteer, according to his 2022 candidate profile.

No verified 2026 platform found. The listed social profile was accessible only as a preview; its posts could not be reviewed.

Not on current council. Earlier council service not verified.

No specific commitment found in the sources reviewed.

Reported speaking in favour of an emergency shelter during the 2025 Rotary Complex debate. This is past advocacy, not a verified 2026 campaign plan.

No specific commitment found in the sources reviewed.

Stratford-raised IT professional at Wilfrid Laurier University and longtime condominium corporation president.

Predictable taxes and long-term financial planning, affordable workforce housing, support for vulnerable residents and a stronger year-round economy.

Not on current council. Earlier council service not verified.

No specific commitment found in the sources reviewed.

Supports services for people experiencing homelessness, mental-health challenges, addiction, domestic abuse or human trafficking. Also supports housing programs for families, single parents and workers. No named intervention or funding commitment specified.

Advocates disciplined budgets and long-term reserve planning, drawing on condominium budgeting experience. No specific public budget disclosure process found.

Realtor since 2010, local business founder and youth soccer coach; moved to Stratford in 2016.

Tax freeze, faster approvals for attainable housing, year-round downtown activity, disciplined Grand Trunk delivery and clearer council communication.

Not on current council. Earlier council service not verified.

Proposes plain-language summaries after every meeting, advance notice of major votes and publicly declared conflicts. No recurring council forum schedule specified.

Supports temporary assistance that leads to permanent housing, with measurable results and public costs; proposes suitable city land and expansion of Britannia Street affordable housing.

Calls for value-for-money reviews before major project spending, public reporting of homelessness costs, meeting summaries and public conflict declarations.

A public biography could not be verified from the available sources.

No verified 2026 platform found. The City lists no campaign website or social profile.

Not on current council. Earlier council service not verified.

No specific commitment found in the sources reviewed.

No specific social-issue commitment verified in the sources reviewed, including homelessness, addictions or mental health.

No specific commitment found in the sources reviewed.

Stratford-raised hospitality professional and University of Waterloo lecturer who completed a PhD in 2025.

Downtown vitality and heritage, infrastructure oversight, Grand Trunk redevelopment, childcare and affordable family activities.

Not on current council. Earlier council service not verified.

Proposes written advance notice of planning and infrastructure disruptions to businesses and residents. No new public council forum specified.

Proposes easier access to childcare, affordable seasonal programs and more arts and cultural activities for families. No specific homelessness, addictions or mental-health intervention found.

Proposes milestone-based infrastructure spending and costing projects to operate as well as build. No specific public budget reporting mechanism found.

A public biography could not be verified from the available sources.

No verified 2026 platform found. The listed social profile was accessible only as a preview; its posts could not be reviewed.

Not on current council. Earlier council service not verified.

No specific commitment found in the sources reviewed.

No specific social-issue commitment verified in the sources reviewed, including homelessness, addictions or mental health.

No specific commitment found in the sources reviewed.

Serving Stratford city councillor seeking re-election in 2026; further career background was not verified.

No verified 2026 platform found. The listed social profile was accessible only as a preview; its posts could not be reviewed.

Yes — current councillor.

No specific commitment found in the sources reviewed.

No specific social-issue commitment verified in the sources reviewed, including homelessness, addictions or mental health.

No specific commitment found in the sources reviewed.

A public biography could not be verified from the available sources.

No verified 2026 platform found. The City lists no campaign website or social profile.

Not on current council. Earlier council service not verified.

No specific commitment found in the sources reviewed.

No specific social-issue commitment verified in the sources reviewed, including homelessness, addictions or mental health.

No specific commitment found in the sources reviewed.

A public biography could not be verified from the available sources.

No verified 2026 platform found. The City lists no campaign website or social profile.

Not on current council. Earlier council service not verified.

No specific commitment found in the sources reviewed.

No specific social-issue commitment verified in the sources reviewed, including homelessness, addictions or mental health.

No specific commitment found in the sources reviewed.

Hospitality entrepreneur with a background leading Pazzo Pizzeria and supporting local tourism.

No verified 2026 platform found. The City lists no campaign website or social profile.

Yes — current councillor.

No specific commitment found in the sources reviewed.

No specific social-issue commitment verified in the sources reviewed, including homelessness, addictions or mental health.

No specific commitment found in the sources reviewed.

Founding member of Stratford’s Iris Collective, which organizes events connecting and amplifying women’s voices.

No verified 2026 platform found. The listed social profile was accessible only as a preview; its posts could not be reviewed.

Not on current council. Earlier council service not verified.

No specific commitment found in the sources reviewed.

No specific social-issue commitment verified in the sources reviewed, including homelessness, addictions or mental health.

No specific commitment found in the sources reviewed.

Veteran elementary teacher, track-and-field coach and community volunteer with environmental and active-transportation committee experience.

Collaborative and inclusive council decision-making, housing affordability, community well-being and bringing residents’ concerns to council.

Not on current council. Earlier council service not verified.

Commits to hearing residents and carrying their concerns to council. No specific council forum format or schedule found.

Identifies housing shortages and affordability pressures. No specific homelessness program found.

No specific commitment found in the sources reviewed.

Lifelong Stratford resident, senior IT professional and local business owner.

Responsible finances and growth, housing and economic opportunity, safety, youth and seniors, and an inclusive community.

Yes — current councillor.

Commits to listening and collaborative council work. No specific public forum proposal found.

Lists housing, community safety, inclusion and support for youth and seniors as priorities. No specific homelessness, addictions or mental-health program found.

Promises responsible financial management and respect for tax dollars. No specific budget disclosure mechanism found.

A public biography could not be verified from the available sources.

No verified 2026 platform found. The City lists no campaign website or social profile.

Not on current council. Earlier council service not verified.

No specific commitment found in the sources reviewed.

No specific social-issue commitment verified in the sources reviewed, including homelessness, addictions or mental health.

No specific commitment found in the sources reviewed.

Stratford-raised behavioural-science graduate and rehabilitation facilitator supporting people with brain injuries.

Consistent access to councillors, lower tax increases, affordable housing incentives, stronger homelessness partnerships, climate action and smaller transit buses.

Yes — current councillor.

“I will continue to host monthly forums with the public”

Commits to continuing monthly informal meetings for residents’ questions and feedback.

Proposes affordable-housing development incentives and expanded support for people experiencing homelessness through nonprofit and private-sector partnerships.

Advocates tax-increase targets, closer spending scrutiny and separating necessities from discretionary spending. Publishes his past budget remarks, but no new budget disclosure system is specified.

United Church minister whose campaign draws on experience with community service needs.

Good-paying year-round jobs, affordability for younger and older residents, inclusion, active listening and fiscal responsibility.

Not on current council. Earlier council service not verified.

No specific commitment found in the sources reviewed.

Links good-paying jobs to reducing poverty; supports affordable housing and services for vulnerable residents, bringing stakeholders together and matching community expertise to needs. No named addictions or mental-health program, funding amount or delivery timeline found.

States a commitment to fiscal responsibility. No specific budget transparency mechanism found.

Volunteer with the Perth Huron Multicultural Association, according to her listed campaign profile.

No verified 2026 platform found. The listed social profile was accessible only as a preview; its posts could not be reviewed.

Not on current council. Earlier council service not verified.

No specific commitment found in the sources reviewed.

No specific social-issue commitment verified in the sources reviewed, including homelessness, addictions or mental health.

No specific commitment found in the sources reviewed.

Retired IT and human-resources professional with nonprofit board experience, including food-bank and supportive-housing organizations.

Affordability, core services, open decisions, accountability, accessible representation and addressing housing insecurity.

Not on current council. Earlier council service not verified.

“I will advocate for fair and open debate at public meetings”

Supports earlier public input and open debate; promises to explain every vote. No recurring forum schedule specified.

Calls housing and homelessness critical issues and promises advocacy. The site also includes a video titled “On Homelessness, Addiction, Mental Health”; its contents were not transcribed, so specific proposals from that video remain unverified.

Says city finances should be publicly accessible, final decisions publicly voted on, and every vote explained. No budget-specific dashboard or publication schedule found.

Multicultural Association president, community volunteer and RBC Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Award recipient.

No verified 2026 platform found. The listed social profile was accessible only as a preview; its posts could not be reviewed.

Yes — current councillor.

No specific commitment found in the sources reviewed.

In 2025, proposed a temporary winter shelter at the Rotary Complex for inclusion in the 2026 budget. The motion was defeated. This is a past council proposal, not a verified 2026 campaign pledge.

No specific commitment found in the sources reviewed.

Garden landscaper with 25 years of film and television experience, including assistant directing and location management.

Tiny homes, renoviction protection, heritage and tourism, traffic changes, term limits, and Grand Trunk demolition/remediation and redevelopment. Officially listed as a councillor candidate, although his website says “Deputy Mayor.”

Not on current council. Earlier council service not verified.

No specific commitment found in the sources reviewed.

Proposes installing a group of tiny homes at existing tent locations before winter, plus a renoviction-protection bylaw.

Emphasizes transparent government. No specific budget transparency mechanism found.

AMDSB board chair and psychosocial rehabilitation specialist with more than 25 years of mental-health work.

School-board priorities: affordable before/after-school care, school space and transport as Stratford grows, extracurricular costs, responsible AI use, funding and elected trustee representation.

City council service not verified. Separate role: AMDSB trustee in 2010–2014 and 2022–2026; board chair.

Discusses representing families in school-board governance. No proposal for public forums with city council found.

Highlights accessible before- and after-school care, extracurricular affordability and student belonging. His campaign interview describes his mental-health work experience, but does not specify a new mental-health or addictions program.

Highlights a balanced school-board budget and funding pressures. No new budget transparency mechanism specified.

Engineer with an MBA and corporate, nonprofit and school-committee experience; appointed an AMDSB trustee in 2025.

Prioritizes student achievement, mental health, safety, inclusion and stronger engagement with students, families and educators.

City council service not verified. Separate role: appointed AMDSB trustee in 2025.

Advocates listening to students, parents and educators in school-board decisions. No specific city council forum proposal described.

Identifies student mental health, safety and inclusion as priorities; advocates listening, collaboration and practical solutions. No named mental-health service or addictions program specified.

No specific budget transparency mechanism described in the campaign interview.

Stratford native and educator who has taught in Japan, South Korea and China.

Improve student learning and communication among students, families and staff; gather local evidence, compare other boards’ approaches and explain changes.

Not on current council. Earlier council service not verified.

Calls for consultation and better school-board communication. No proposal for public forums with city council found.

Proposes listening to students, parents and educators, gathering evidence on challenges and supporting each student’s potential. No specific homelessness, addictions or mental-health program described.

“How decisions are made and how spending is done should be a much more open process”

Calls for more open school-board decisions and spending, school visits, and scrutiny of the justification for public expenditure. No reporting format or schedule given.

Ontario Certified Teacher, Registered Early Childhood Educator, college professor and school council chair.

Student well-being, safe and inclusive schools, evidence-informed learning, family/community partnerships and responsible school-board governance.

Not on current council. Earlier council service not verified.

Promises family engagement and active listening in school-board governance. No city council forum proposal found.

Supports student well-being, emotional safety, belonging, inclusion and family/community partnerships. No specific clinical mental-health service, addictions program or homelessness intervention described.

Commits to transparency, accountability and responsible use of school-board resources. No specific budget reporting or consultation mechanism found.

Previously ran for Huron Perth Catholic school-board trustee in 2014; further biographical details were not verified.

No verified 2026 platform found. The City lists no campaign website or social profile.

Not on current council. Earlier council service not verified.

No specific commitment found in the sources reviewed.

No specific social-issue commitment verified in the sources reviewed, including homelessness, addictions or mental health.

No specific commitment found in the sources reviewed.

Has coordinated a local tutoring-support program connecting the Catholic school board and St. Vincent de Paul.

No verified 2026 platform found. The City lists no campaign website or social profile.

Not on current council. Earlier council service not verified.

No specific commitment found in the sources reviewed.

No specific social-issue commitment verified in the sources reviewed, including homelessness, addictions or mental health.

No specific commitment found in the sources reviewed.

A public biography could not be verified from the available sources.

No verified 2026 platform found. The City lists no campaign website or social profile.

Not on current council. Earlier council service not verified.

No specific commitment found in the sources reviewed.

No specific social-issue commitment verified in the sources reviewed, including homelessness, addictions or mental health.

No specific commitment found in the sources reviewed.

A public biography could not be verified from the available sources.

No verified 2026 platform found. The City lists no campaign website or social profile.

Not on current council. Earlier council service not verified.

No specific commitment found in the sources reviewed.

No specific social-issue commitment verified in the sources reviewed, including homelessness, addictions or mental health.

No specific commitment found in the sources reviewed.

Employment and community-services professional with experience supporting newcomers and serving as a school parent council chair.

French-language education, student success, family engagement, inclusion, school access and regional representation. Listed as acclaimed.

Not on current council. Earlier council service not verified.

Offers family contact and follow-up and links to Viamonde consultation tools. These concern school governance; no city council forum proposal found.

Prioritizes student well-being, belonging, emotional safety, inclusive learning and family participation. No specific homelessness, addictions or clinical mental-health program described.

Promises to explain decisions and report back to families. No specific budget publication or review mechanism found.