JSC Asked: Your Local Councillor Candidates – Ward 3

Doug Maskell: I have lived in Ward 3, for 26 years. A sustainable future for Caledon is one that sees the residential and commercial growth, as set out in the Official Plan, Future Caledon, which was unanimously approved by this Council, attracting new builders, large businesses, health care infrastructure and educational institutions. A sustainable future also includes protecting and preserving our unique natural heritage systems, Greenbelt areas, prime agricultural lands and ground water supply.

Stan Cameron: I have proudly called Caledon home for 51 years. During that time, I have seen our community grow and change, while also seeing the qualities that make Caledon special, such as our rural character, agricultural lands, natural spaces and strong sense of community, remain a source of pride for those who live and work here.

To me, a sustainable future means managing growth responsibly while protecting those qualities. Caledon needs the infrastructure, roads, schools, parks, recreation facilities and services required to support new residents, but we cannot expect existing taxpayers to carry the full cost of growth.

I want to see development planned thoughtfully, with green space, trails, parks and natural areas incorporated from the beginning, while ensuring the provincial and federal governments contribute their fair share to the infrastructure required to service growth.

Sustainability also means being financially responsible. Council needs to make careful decisions about spending and work to protect essential services while pursuing outside funding wherever possible and ensure that the costs associated with growth are not simply passed on to the people who already live here.

Doug Maskell: The four highest priority concerns for Ward 3 are:

a) Permanent Truck Prohibition in Caledon East: According to the timeline specified by the Province, Region of Peel Roads will be downloaded to the Town of Caledon in July of 2027. When that happens, I will bring a motion to Council to prohibit trucks on Airport Road and Old Church Road. We have all seen the difference in Caledon East with the truck prohibition during the Airport Road construction. We cannot go back to having 800 – 1000 trucks per day going through the village of Caledon East.

b) Strengthening Businesses in Caledon East: This summer’s closure of Airport Road had a serious impact on local businesses. In the wake of this, I would like to work with local businesses, the Bolton Business Improvement Association (BIA), Caledon Chamber of Commerce, and Town of Caledon Economic Development staff to explore the possibility of creating a BIA in Caledon East. A strong BIA, which supports and promotes local businesses, could be a key partner in the revitalization of Caledon East.

c) Rural Roads Traffic Calming Strategy: Over the past four years, traffic calming measures such as speed reductions, speed humps, crosswalks, new stop signs, road bollards and additional signage have been deployed in Caledon East. The next task is to develop a comprehensive plan to deal with the traffic on the rural roads in Ward 3. I will work with Town of Caledon Transportation Engineering staff, Caledon OPP, Councillors and residents to develop a plan to tackle speeding and unsafe driving on our rural roads.

d) Maintaining Fiscal Discipline: During this term of Council, Town of Caledon taxes increased at a rate equal to inflation. In addition, the new Tax Stabilization Reserve, created by my motion at Council, ensures that 40% of a year-end budget surplus is allocated to mitigate any tax increase in the next budget. Times are tough for everyone, so I will continue to analyze the budget, line by line, to our request that we use Town reserve funds wisely, and to seek funding partnerships with the Provincial and Federal governments.

Stan Cameron: Property taxes and financial accountability: High property taxes are a concern I hear consistently from Ward 3 residents. They are feeling the pressure of increased costs, and Council needs to be disciplined about spending and distinguish between essential services and discretionary expenditures. Before increasing taxes or drawing further on reserves, I believe Council should carefully examine its spending, identify efficiencies and ensure taxpayers are receiving good value for their money.

Road safety: Road safety is another issue I hear repeatedly, particularly as truck and other traffic increases throughout the community. Council should work with Town staff, the OPP, businesses and residents to identify the locations and causes of the greatest concerns and implement practical solutions. Depending on the circumstances, those solutions could include targeted enforcement, traffic-calming measures, improved signage, by-law enforcement and infrastructure improvements.

Managing growth and infrastructure: Caledon is facing significant growth, and we need to make sure our infrastructure keeps pace. Roads, recreational facilities, libraries, parks and other municipal services must be planned and funded before growth places additional pressure on existing residents. I believe Caledon needs to pursue funding from other levels of government and ensure growth-related costs are not disproportionately placed on existing taxpayers.

Community safety, cleanliness and enforcement: Residents want to feel safe and take pride in the communities where they live. I have heard concerns about perceived increases in crime and other inappropriate activities, such as illegal trucking operations, improper waste disposal and questions on if there are sufficient resources for OPP and by-law enforcement. I would support evidence-based decisions about enforcement resources and work with Council and staff to ensure that residents' concerns are heard and addressed.

Doug Maskell: The role of a Councillor is multi-faceted. It combines a knowledge of planning, development, budgeting, by-laws and provincial legislation with an ability to address the concerns of residents, while working collaboratively with other Councillors and Town Staff. As the Councillor for Ward 3, for the past 4 years, I was often the first point of contact for residents with questions about zoning, taxes, by-law enforcement, traffic safety, illegal truck yards and planning.

I am running for re-election based on 4 years of experience leading committees, working on task forces with residents and a legislative record of motions, drafted and presented by me, that were passed by Council to, for example: provide Free 65+ and Veterans Recreation Passes, institute truck and traffic calming in Caledon East, acquire land in Caledon East to build a Town Square and park, create a Lobbyist Registry to ensure transparency and double the 65+ or People with Disabilities Tax Assistance Program.

Stan Cameron: I believe the role of a Councillor is first and foremost to represent residents, listen to their concerns and make responsible decisions on their behalf. A Councillor also has a responsibility to look beyond their own ward and consider what is in the best interests of the Town as a whole. That requires asking questions, examining the facts, listening to different perspectives, working respectfully with Council and staff, and being accountable for the decisions made.

I am running because I believe my experience in community service, education, leadership and public service has prepared me to contribute to Caledon's future. For 16 years, I have served as Caledon's public school board trustee and throughout that time I have made accessibility and responsiveness my priorities. I have also spent decades volunteering in our community, including with Bethell Hospice, Big Brothers of Peel, the Albion Bolton Agricultural Society, Home James and Caledon Minor Hockey.

I want to bring that same commitment to public service to Ward 3. My goal is to be a Councillor residents can reach, who will listen, return their calls or emails and follow up on their concerns.

Doug Maskell: My most significant legislative accomplishment was bringing the 65+ Seniors Recreation pass to fruition. To make this happen, I adopted a staged approach that would allow for data collection and Town Staff input. In January 2025, I tabled a motion to offer free 55+ drop-in recreation programs during Senior’s Month in June 2025. In September 2025, Town Staff presented a memorandum to Council which highlighted the increased participation rates and the overall success of this one-month initiative. After the Staff presentation, I tabled a motion to have Staff investigate the creation of a free, 65+ seniors recreation pass in Caledon. On December 2, 2025, a Staff Report was brought to Council regarding the free senior’s recreation pass and at that meeting Council voted to implement a free, 65+ Senior’s Recreation pass starting on April 1, 2026.

Stan Cameron: My most significant political and public-service experience has been serving as Caledon's elected representative on the Peel District School Board for the past 16 years. In that role, I represented Caledon while also serving on a 12-member board responsible for decisions affecting approximately 145,000 students. That experience taught me how to effectively advocate for my community while also considering the broader interests of the organization and the people it serves.

I have developed extensive experience examining complex issues, asking questions, working collaboratively, advocating for residents and making decisions that have real consequences for families and communities. I have also made accessibility and responsiveness a priority, returning phone calls and emails and following up on inquiries.

In addition, I spent 37 years teaching in post-secondary education and have volunteered extensively in Caledon. These experiences have strengthened my communication, leadership, problem-solving and interpersonal skills. I believe they have prepared me to approach Council with curiosity, preparation, respect for different perspectives and a strong commitment to public service.

Doug Maskell: As a Councillor, I rely on the professional expertise of the Planning and Engineering staff at the Town of Caledon with regards to development applications. Planning staff use a Comprehensive Planning Approach that balances community needs, legislative requirements, economic considerations, and potential environmental impacts. Relying solely on a single approach would not necessarily lead to effective and functional planning as every development application has its own unique and complex set of parameters and limitations.

Stan Cameron: Yes. I support an approach to development that considers the entire ecosystem and the cumulative effects of development rather than looking at individual applications in isolation.

Caledon's natural environment, agricultural lands, water resources, wetlands, forests and wildlife habitats are interconnected. Decisions about development should therefore consider how a proposal affects drainage, groundwater, natural heritage, agricultural lands, surrounding properties, traffic and the broader community.

I also believe environmental protection and responsible growth do not have to be mutually exclusive. With careful planning and appropriate safeguards, we can accommodate growth while protecting the natural systems and rural character that make Caledon unique. Development applications should be evaluated using sound evidence, appropriate environmental impact studies and a clear understanding of their broader repercussions.

Doug Maskell: Caledon’s existing Fill By-Law is almost 20 years old (2007) and it is no longer compliant with revised Provincial regulations such as the following Ontario Regulations: 406/19 Onsite and Excess Soil Management, 153/04 Records of Site Conditions and 347 General Waste Management. The proposed Site Alteration By-Law exists in draft form only (it can be viewed on the Town of Caledon website) and it still requires public consultation and Council approval.

As Councillors, we rely upon our Commissioners and Directors to ensure that the Town’s by-laws are up to date and consistent with ever changing Provincial and Federal legislation and regulations. I have publicly stated, and included in my 2026 Platform, that I will not be supporting a Site Alteration By- Law that permits below the water-table fill operations.

Stan Cameron: Based on what I have learned to date, I would support improving and strengthening the current fill by-law rather than passing the proposed new site alteration by-law.

The Town's current by-law already regulates the placement and removal of fill, topsoil and changes to the grade of land, with requirements intended to protect natural features, drainage and neighbouring properties. The proposed by-law would repeal and replace the existing bylaw and introduce a broader framework for regulating site alteration.

I have taken the time to learn more about the proposed changes, including attending a Council meeting where the Swan Lake issue was expected to be addressed, attending a Town staff information meeting at the Caledon East Community Centre and touring the Swan Lake site.

Based on what I have heard and observed, I have concerns about the proposed bylaw in its current form.

My priority would be to ensure Caledon has strong, enforceable protections against inappropriate fill, contaminated material, drainage impacts and environmental damage.

Doug Maskell: During this term of Council, we have supported the local tennis clubs with court resurfacing, new lighting and new clubhouse approvals. A new, permanent outdoor skating track was installed at Palgrave Park. In addition, Council has unanimously approved a partnership with the Caledon Agricultural Society to build a new multi-purpose recreational facility in Caledon Village. The Town has allocated almost $1.5 million to help with the construction of the building. I would like to see a plan, developed by our recreation staff, to bring more programming to the villages and hamlets. I am hoping that, at the conclusion of the Argo Micro-Transit pilot, we will be able to expand this service to other communities across Caledon to give seniors and young people a way to access our current recreation facilities.

Stan Cameron: Yes. I believe recreation should be accessible to residents across Caledon, not just those who live close to the Town's largest facilities.

Caledon's Recreation and Culture Strategy already recognizes the need to expand programming, improve community activation and support neighbourhood initiatives. I would like to see Council build on that work by examining opportunities for more programs, events and activities in smaller communities and villages, using existing community facilities and partnerships wherever possible.

Programming should reflect the needs of the local community. That could include sports, arts and cultural activities, seniors' programming, youth activities, family events and seasonal programming. We should also explore partnerships with local organizations, volunteers and community groups so smaller communities have opportunities to develop programming.

Doug Maskell: In the past ten years, Shelburne, Orangeville, Alliston, Beeton and Tottenham have all experienced significant population growth, and many of the people who live in those communities commute to work through Caledon. To compound matters, more than $1 billion in goods crosses through Peel Region daily. We can ensure better traffic safety by increasing the number of OPP officers to enforce speeding, distracted driving and impaired driving laws. We can make Caledon East safer by imposing a permanent truck ban when the Regional Roads are downloaded to the Town of Caledon.

Stan Cameron: Traffic safety needs a practical, location-specific approach. I would work with residents, Town staff, the OPP and businesses to identify the roads and intersections where safety and traffic-volume concerns are greatest and together explore appropriate solutions.

Those solutions could include targeted traffic enforcement, traffic-calming measures, improved signage, road design changes, restrictions where appropriate and stronger enforcement of existing rules. We also need to understand how growth and increased truck traffic are affecting our roads and ensure transportation planning keeps pace with development.

Most importantly, residents should have a meaningful opportunity to identify problem areas and provide feedback on proposed solutions. I would make road safety a regular part of my communication with Ward 3 residents and advocate for solutions that are effective, evidence-based and financially responsible.

Doug Maskell: Transparency is the hallmark of a functioning democracy. During this term of Council, as Vice Chair of the Governance Review Committee (GRC), I participated in and contributed to a complete revision of the Town’s Procedural By-law which governs how Council operates. Ensuring greater transparency was the driving premise of that review. In addition, this Council implemented: a Lobbyist Registry; a Council Decision database; a Councillor attendance and remote participation tracker; an enhanced public notice policy and expanded the mailing distance for development notices and public meetings, from 120 metres to 1 kilometre in rural areas. In the next term of Council, I will continue to build upon this legacy of increased transparency.

Stan Cameron: Yes. Residents should be able to understand how decisions are being made, what information Council is relying on and why a particular decision is being recommended.

Transparency is more than simply posting documents online. It means communicating in plain language, providing meaningful opportunities for public input and explaining the reasoning behind significant decisions.

As Councillor, I intend to hold Ward 3 community meetings every six months and use email, social media, direct conversations and other channels to keep residents informed and hear their concerns.

I also want to encourage residents to become more involved in the Town's democratic process by attending Council and committee meetings, either in person or online, and by participating in public consultations. I believe transparency is a shared responsibility: Council and staff need to provide accessible information, and residents need meaningful opportunities to engage with it

Doug Maskell: I am open to exploring a system that would avoid the costly and lengthy Integrity Complaint process. Perhaps a form of mediation could be established to resolve matters before they get to the Integrity Commissioner. I have publicly stated, and included in my 2026 Platform, a desire to see a comprehensive review of the Council Code of Conduct.

Stan Cameron: Yes. I would be agreeable to researching a process that encourages issues to be resolved constructively before an Integrity Commissioner complaint is pursued, provided it does not interfere with legitimate complaints or the independence of the Integrity Commissioner.

Integrity Commissioners have an important role in maintaining ethical standards and accountability. Ontario municipalities are required to have codes of conduct for members of Council and local boards, and municipalities may appoint an independent Integrity Commissioner to deal with matters including codes of conduct and certain ethical obligations.

At the same time, not every disagreement between elected officials or between Council and staff needs to become a formal complaint. I would support exploring a clear, fair process that could include informal discussion, facilitated resolution, clarification of the issue or mediation, where appropriate, before a formal complaint is made.

My broader concern is the need to rebuild respectful working relationships. During my 37-year teaching career and 16 years as an elected public servant, I learned that people with different perspectives can work effectively together when there is respect, communication and a shared commitment to the people they serve. I would bring that approach to Council while ensuring legitimate accountability mechanisms remain available when they are required.