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A letter to the Caledon community from Lynn Kiernan, Councillor Ward 1
For the past eight years, I have had the privilege of representing Ward 1, a place I have called home my entire life. Serving this community has been one of the greatest honours of my life.
But these past four years in particular have tested all of us. Rapid growth, difficult decisions, and a sharply divided 5 – 4 council have made clear just how high the stakes truly are. Time and again, I have felt the weight of decisions that will have lasting consequences for our community.
Caledon is at a turning point.
Ward 1 is facing pressures unlike anything we have seen before – from a package of 12 contentious zoning by-laws introduced all at once, to a proposal that would allow Swan Lake to be filled in, and others which would fundamentally reshape our rural landscape. These are not abstract policy debates. They will determine what Caledon looks like, feels like, and stands for for generations to come.
I have not always agreed with the direction taken. Too often, I believe development pressures have been prioritized over the natural environment, farmland, and the rural character that define who we are. I have also been deeply concerned by a pattern of decision-making that has not always felt as open or accountable as it should be. When the public is not fully informed, or when meaningful public engagement is limited, trust is eroded and our community deserves better.
These were not easy moments, but they mattered. And I believe it was important to speak up, to ask questions, and to stand firm in protecting what makes Ward 1 so special.
The question many of you have asked is both simple and urgent: can Caledon endure another four years like the last? That is something every voter will need to consider carefully in the municipal election this fall. Because the decisions made in this election will shape our town in ways that cannot easily be undone.
Through it all, the people of Ward 1 have remained resilient, engaged, and deeply committed to this community. Your voices, your advocacy, and your care for this place have stayed with me every step of the way. For that, I am truly grateful.
As I step away from elected office, I do so with a deep appreciation for the opportunity I was given to serve. I hope I have honoured the trust you placed in me by standing up for this community, especially when it mattered most.
While my name will not be on the ballot, my commitment to Ward 1 – and to Caledon – remains.
Thank you for allowing me to serve. It has been an honour I will carry with me always.
Sincerely,
Lynn Kiernan,
Councillor Ward 1 Caledon
Thanks for your term on council. If I Remember correctly, you were once a candidate on a slate of candidates backed by Benny Moratta. Onwards and upwards!