Greg's Platform

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Released August 12, 2026

Our residents deserve better when the power goes out. 

This past weekend, I had the opportunity to knock on doors across Lincoln. One concern came up repeatedly: the reliability of our electricity. For many families, the flooding we experienced was devastating enough on its own. But when the power went out at the same time, an already terrible situation became significantly worse.

When the power goes out, sump pumps stop. Basement flooding gets worse. Refrigerators and freezers stop working. Communication becomes more difficult. And families are left wondering when their power will come back on. I’ve heard from many frustrated and upset residents, and I understand why.

This is not about pointing fingers at frontline hydro workers. They do incredibly difficult work, often in challenging and dangerous conditions. This is about asking whether the system itself is resilient enough for the weather events our community is increasingly experiencing.

Whether the problem involves Hydro One’s transmission system, and/or how that impacts NPEI’s distribution system, or it’s a combination of factors, residents don’t experience those distinctions. They experience one power outage. 

As Mayor, I will bring NPEI, Hydro One and the Province to the table and ask some difficult questions:

1. Can we strengthen redundancy and establish alternate power feeds into our communities?

2. Are there vulnerable areas where additional infrastructure or backup capacity should be prioritized?

3. Can critical infrastructure, including stormwater systems, pumping stations and emergency facilities have greater backup power capability?

4. Can hydro utilities and municipalities improve emergency coordination so that flood response and power restoration efforts work together?

5. Are the investments being made today sufficient to prepare Lincoln for the extreme weather events we are increasingly experiencing?

I‘m not pretending there is a simple answer. But I believe we have a responsibility to start asking these questions before the next major storm, not after it. 

Residents who watched their homes flood while their sump pumps had no power deserve more than an explanation of which utility is responsible for which part of the system. 

They deserve a plan. I was pleased to have the opportunity today to meet with the Associate Minister of Energy - Intensive Industries to begin that conversation. MPP Sam Oosterhoff is also engaged in these discussions and advocating for a clear path forward.

As your next mayor, I will make reliable and resilient power a priority, bringing the right partners to the table, pushing for the investments Lincoln needs, and making sure this issue doesn’t disappear once the immediate crisis has passed. 

Lincoln deserves a power system that is ready for the next storm.

Released September 3, 2026

Growth must be matched by infrastructure. The recent storm and flooding have reinforced an important responsibility as Lincoln continues to grow, we need to be absolutely confident that our infrastructure is keeping pace with that growth.  

Staff at both the Town and Niagara Region have brought forward plans to Council over the years outlining significant investments in our water, wastewater, stormwater, roads and other infrastructure. 

Lincoln has made substantial investments, and the Region has also invested in infrastructure that serves our communities. I know that no municipal infrastructure system can be expected to withstand every possible weather event, especially rainfall of the intensity we experienced. But I also believe residents deserve to know where the limits of our systems are and whether anything more needs to be done.

 As a result of this storm, before moving forward with new development approvals, as Mayor, I will ask staff to bring back a comprehensive report that validates the performance and capacity of our existing infrastructure. That work should examine what happened during the storm, identify any vulnerabilities or capacity issues, and determine whether additional investments or changes to our infrastructure planning are warranted. 

This is not about stopping growth. It is about making sure growth is responsible. 

We all want to be sure that the infrastructure we have, and the infrastructure we are planning is sufficient to support the communities we are building. 

If the evidence shows our systems performed as they were designed to and can accommodate planned growth, we should have confidence in that. If it shows that more investment is needed, then we need to know that too and we need to act.

 The storm should be a catalyst for us to validate, learn and improve. Before we approve more growth, I want us to have the facts and the confidence that our infrastructure is ready for it.  

Released September 29, 2026

Families, seniors, farmers and businesses are all dealing with higher costs. Municipal government is facing many of those same pressures, but we can't simply pass every increased cost on to taxpayers. 

I believe responsible financial leadership means setting priorities, protecting the services people rely on and making sure residents receive value for the money the Town spends.  It also means recognizing that sometimes we need to invest today to avoid much greater costs tomorrow. 

Debt is a tool, and it needs to be used responsibly. The question isn't simply whether Lincoln should borrow - it's what we're borrowing for, whether we can afford it, what other priorities it may affect and whether the investment will provide long-term value. 

As Mayor, I will focus on:
1. Maintaining responsible debt levels and preserving flexibility for future needs. 

2. Prioritizing critical infrastructure and essential services. 

3. Using debt strategically for appropriate long-term investments. 

4. Continuing dedicated levies where they provide a transparent and responsible way to plan for known future needs. 

5. Looking at the full lifecycle cost of major investments - not just what they cost to build. 

6. Pursuing grants, partnerships and funding from other levels of government before placing additional costs on Lincoln taxpayers. 

7. Growing Lincoln's commercial and industrial tax base to help create a better balance with residential assessment. 

We can't do everything at once. Good financial leadership means knowing what we need, what we can afford and what investments will provide the best long-term value for Lincoln.