Q & A - Councillor candidate - Stephanie Pouget-Papak
(1) How would you advocate for affordable taxes while maintaining an adequate level of service for residents?
I believe responsible budgeting is about spending wisely, not simply spending less. With the current economic climate, the middle class is struggling, and we need to be mindful of the financial pressures facing our residents.
Rather than implementing across the board budget cuts, I would advocate for reviewing departmental productivity, identifying unnecessary expenditures, and assessing whether investments in staffing or technology could improve efficiency and reduce long-term costs.
We need to ask ourselves what we are getting for the money we spend, what our residents actually need, and whether we are making decisions that provide the best long-term value.
At the same time, affordability cannot come at the expense of our community’s quality of life. We need to maintain essential services, support recreation and youth programming, and plan for future infrastructure and emergency service needs.
I want to see a municipality that is fiscally responsible, supports its employees, and delivers the services residents rely on without placing unnecessary financial pressure on taxpayers.
(2) What does “responsible growth” mean to you, and how does growth in the commercial/industrial sectors factor into that?
Responsible growth means looking at the bigger picture and understanding how today’s decisions will affect our community in the years to come. Growth is important, but it needs to be planned around the infrastructure, services, and resources required to support it.
We need to ensure that our roads, emergency services, and other municipal infrastructure can accommodate development rather than allowing growth to outpace our ability to support it. I would also like to see opportunities for commercial development that create employment, strengthen our local economy, and provide residents with opportunities to build careers here.
Commercial and industrial growth should be assessed on its merits, including its economic benefits, infrastructure requirements, environmental implications, and long-term costs to the municipality. More development does not automatically mean a better financial position if the associated costs outweigh the benefits.
As councillors, we should support economic opportunities while protecting the quality of life that makes Amherstburg such a great community. We need to plan strategically, consider the long term consequences, and make evidence based decisions rather than pursuing growth simply for the sake of growth.
(3) How would you balance protecting heritage attributes of Amherstburg against the growth of the town?
Heritage preservation and progress do not have to be opposing ideas. However, decisions need to be based on research, legislation, and sound planning rather than emotions, assumptions, or social media commentary.
Under Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act, individual property designation follows a statutory process, supported by the criteria in Ontario Regulation 9/06. Properties are evaluated for their design or physical value, historical or associative value, and contextual value. Designation requires evidence of cultural heritage value and identifies the specific heritage attributes that warrant protection.
I believe we need to educate the public about this process. Designation does not mean a building can never be altered or given a new purpose. Adaptive reuse can preserve important heritage features while allowing properties to contribute to our community in new ways.
Can every building be saved? No. Should every old building automatically be preserved? No. But decisions should be informed by proper research, applicable legislation, financial realities, and viable alternatives. We should protect what makes Amherstburg unique while allowing responsible development that supports our future.
4. What police service is best for Amherstburg at this time, and how would you advocate for it?
At this point, I believe it is too soon to firmly support one policing model without having all the information, including detailed costing and service plans. Policing is a significant municipal expense, and we need to balance reliable service with what residents can afford.
The options, including Windsor Police, the OPP, reinstating a municipal police service, and revisiting a potential partnership with LaSalle Police, each need to be assessed fairly. We need to understand the financial implications, staffing, response times, specialized services, and how effectively each option would meet Amherstburg’s needs.
I would advocate for a transparent, evidence-based comparison of all viable options before making a decision. We also need to consider how population growth and development will affect future policing and emergency service demands.
My responsibility as a councillor would be to ask the difficult questions, review the available evidence, listen to residents and experts, and work collaboratively with council and administration. In the end, we need to provide reliable, effective policing that meets our community’s needs while remaining financially sustainable.
5. What is the best way to present Open Air Weekends, if at all?
I support Open Air, but I do not believe the current model should automatically continue without reviewing the evidence and identifying opportunities for improvement.
Having worked and volunteered in tourism and hospitality for 28 years, I understand the importance of tourism to economic development and the role local businesses play in our community. I also recognize that Open Air affects residents and businesses differently, particularly when it comes to accessibility, traffic flow, parking, and daytime business activity.
We should review the 2026 reports and data, compare previous years, listen to the businesses and residents affected, and assess the program’s economic impact, costs, and accessibility concerns before making long-term decisions.
I believe council should consider multi-year planning rather than requiring businesses to operate with uncertainty each year. Businesses need predictable timelines and conditions to make informed decisions about staffing, equipment, marketing, and investment.
My goal would be to build a better long-term model that supports local businesses, tourism, accessibility, and the diverse needs of our community.
6. What goals do you have to move the town forward over the next four years?
My goal is to help build a collaborative council that uses critical thinking, considers different perspectives, and makes decisions based on evidence rather than emotion or political agendas.
We need to focus on affordability, infrastructure, responsible development, and reliable municipal services while protecting the quality of life that makes Amherstburg a great place to live. We also need to consider access to health care, recreation, employment opportunities, and the resources families need to thrive.
I would like to see us look beyond the immediate term and consider how our decisions will affect future generations. That means planning for growth, supporting opportunities for young people, and ensuring residents have a genuine voice in local decision making.
Good leadership also means listening to people whose experiences and opinions differ from our own. No decision will satisfy everyone, but we can have respectful conversations, critically assess the information, and work toward solutions that serve the broader community.
I want to help create a town where people can build their careers, raise their families, feel connected, and choose to stay because they want to.
Q & A - Councillor candidate - Stephanie Pouget-Papak
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