Q & A - Councillor candidate - Molly Allaire
(1) How would you advocate for affordable taxes while maintaining an adequate level of service for residents?
I have been on the record for saying zero per cent means you care zero per cent about your municipality. The province mandates we increase our taxes by 1.6 per cent for asset management plan and there was a 2.6 per cent increase last year just for contractual agreements.
This doesn’t count for the increase in costs, tariffs, etc. That being said, I am always at the budget table with suggestions to administration to reduce our operational budget and maintain a low tax base. However, I am only one in seven, hopefully our new council can work together to find some more efficiencies.
(2) What does “responsible growth” mean to you and how does growth in the commercial/industrial sectors factor into that?
Amherstburg’s growth is inevitable—and in many ways, that’s a good thing. More people want to live here, but we all want that growth to happen responsibly and in a way that fits our town.
I’ll be honest, the province’s Bill 23, “More Homes Faster,” has taken away a significant amount of municipal authority. Even if council as a whole opposes a development, a developer can appeal to the Ontario Land Tribunal and potentially have the project approved anyway. We’ve lost a lot of our voice, and fighting developments can also lead to costly legal battles that ultimately come out of your tax dollars.
The system is far from perfect. However, council has updated the Official Plan to help ensure future growth considers important factors like appropriate parking, park space, traffic flow, and the overall character of our community.
(3) How would you balance protecting heritage attributes of Amherstburg against the growth of the town?
Current council approved in June 2025 a Heritage Conservation District. A Heritage Conservation District is a designated area that holds historical, cultural, or architectural significance, protected under the Ontario Heritage Act.
It helps preserve the district’s unique character by managing changes to buildings, landscapes, and streetscapes while allowing for appropriate development that respects the area’s historical integrity and community identity.
This helps preserve our heritage while allowing growth to still occur.
(4) What police service is best for Amherstburg at this time and how would you advocate for it?
Unfortunately, the only option I think the town has is OPP. If you have not followed along, Amherstburg has looked back into Windsor and we would still be looking at another increase again. We would be receiving a cost savings by switching to OPP. The new council is still to receive a report with costs for our own service and OPP. I will look at all options and make the best decision for the town’s future, for our families futures.
(5)What is the best way to present Open Air Weekends (if at all)?
(1) Open Air will continue. The question is frequency. I was proud to bring forward a motion ensuring future councils have the information they need to make an informed decision about Open Air in 2027. A lot has changed: King’s Navy Yard Park has been expanded, businesses have changed within the footprint, and the event has now been consistent for two years. Was it successful? Some weekends absolutely were. When paired with a festival, it’s amazing to see our streets full. I’m often told I’m against Open Air, but I attend almost every weekend with my family. I see the fluctuations in crowds, hear from local businesses, and have recently experienced the accessibility challenges firsthand while walking around town on crutches. Open Air can be a huge success. With some changes, compromise, communication, and collaboration, I believe we can make it work for everyone.
(6) What goals do you have to move the town forward over the next four years?
So many! Recently, I underwent ACL reconstruction, forcing me to navigate our town on crutches. It gave me a new perspective on accessibility and the challenges many residents face. I want to use that experience to be a stronger advocate for better accessibility. This term I also want to put my focus on infrastructure and roads. In my first term, I was proud to help protect and enhance our green spaces. After four years on council, I’ve learned how to get things done—and I’m ready to keep fighting for Amherstburg.
Q & A - Councillor candidate - Molly Allaire
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