Question?

Urban development in the County of Brant is moving ahead without the infrastructure required to support it. This is unsustainable and jeopardizes our community’s long-term success.

Oakville’s expansion north of the QEW prioritized infrastructure: public transit, GO and VIA rail, and a six-lane expressway, now eight lanes with an HOV lane. Yet, even with these investments, Oakville faces major challenges when routes are closed. East-west connectivity remains limited to a handful of roads because of natural barriers and protected lands.

Rural communities are caught in a cycle: infrastructure is underdeveloped, funding depends on development, and development stalls without adequate infrastructure. We must break this cycle through strategic planning and targeted investment.

Additional bridges over Bronte Creek in Oakville have not been built because of protected lands, provincial parks, and unresolved funding disputes between municipalities. Oakville’s population has grown from 75,000 in 1981 to 248,459 today, averaging 2.2% annual growth over 45 years.

Every development brings challenges. Oakville’s growth resulted in both gains and losses: family homes replaced by large-scale redevelopment, farmland lost, and a new hospital built. In Paris, we have seen significant development over the past two decades, but infrastructure has not kept pace with urban growth.

As I engage with residents and share information, I continue to ask critical questions about the future of our community.

Why does the province mandate urban growth in areas without the infrastructure to support it? Why do municipalities allow sporadic development instead of insisting on coordinated, sustainable planning?

What real benefits does expanding development into all our villages deliver?

We moved to the County of Brant because our previous community no longer offered the quality of life we valued. Daily errands meant long drives, and schools were not within walking distance. We wanted to raise our family in a place where neighbours know each other and community events are part of daily life.

We must learn from the mistakes of others and focus on rural municipalities that share our challenges. The County of Brant is not an urban centre. Our rural character and limited infrastructure demand solutions designed for our unique needs.