Thank you for reaching out with these questions. I appreciate the opportunity to explain my approach to municipal governance.

Throughout my campaign, I've emphasized transparency, fiscal responsibility, accountability and ensuring residents have a meaningful voice in decisions affecting our community. Those principles guide my responses below.

1. Municipal policies and the UN Sustainable Development Goals

I believe municipal policies should be developed around the needs of the people we represent, supported by evidence, public consultation and sound financial planning.

The UN Sustainable Development Goals are a voluntary framework, not a governing authority over our municipality. I would not support removing municipal policies simply because they happen to share objectives with that framework. I would evaluate policies based on their actual benefits, costs and relevance to our community.

2. Disclosure of municipal policies and reporting frameworks

I support making municipal strategic plans, policies, performance measures and reporting requirements accessible to the public.

However, I would want to establish whether there are specific transparency gaps before committing municipal staff and taxpayer resources to a comprehensive review. If particular policies or reporting obligations warrant further examination, I would support bringing those concerns forward through the appropriate public process.

3. Municipal memberships and external organizations

Residents deserve to know which organizations their municipality belongs to, what those memberships cost, what commitments have been made and what benefits the community receives.

I support clear public reporting on municipal memberships, partnerships and associated expenditures. This should be a normal part of responsible financial oversight, regardless of whether an organization operates locally, nationally or internationally.

4. Conditions attached to government grants

I believe council should understand the financial and operational obligations associated with any grant before accepting it.

That includes matching contributions, ongoing maintenance costs, reporting obligations and any significant restrictions on how funding can be used.

I support making these conditions publicly accessible wherever legally permitted, while recognizing that some agreements may contain protected or confidential information.

5. Municipal technology and connected infrastructure

I support appropriate transparency about the technology municipalities use, particularly where public spending, privacy and the collection of personal information are concerned.

Residents should be able to understand what information is being collected, why it's necessary, how it's protected and who has access to it.

At the same time, any public inventory must account for cybersecurity, public safety and the protection of sensitive infrastructure information.

6. Artificial intelligence and municipal decisions

I believe decisions that materially affect a resident's rights, property, access to services or legal obligations must remain subject to meaningful human oversight and appropriate avenues for review.

Technology can help municipal staff work more efficiently, but it should not eliminate human accountability. I would support examining appropriate safeguards for automated decision-making, including clear responsibility for correcting errors.

7. Cash payments and non-digital municipal services

I strongly believe municipal services must remain accessible to residents who cannot or choose not to use digital technology.

Throughout my campaign, I've spoken with seniors who feel increasingly disconnected as more information and services move online. It's one reason I've proposed improving printed municipal communications.

I support maintaining practical non-digital alternatives wherever feasible, including accessible in-person services and reasonable payment options, while recognizing that specific arrangements must also meet operational and legal requirements.

8. Local priorities and the Declaration of Office

My responsibility as an elected councillor would be to represent the residents of our community, make decisions in their best interests and uphold the laws governing municipal government.

Ontario's Municipal Act requires elected councillors to complete a prescribed Declaration of Office before taking their seats. This is a legal requirement, not something individual councillors can replace with an alternative oath.

The declaration itself includes a commitment to faithfully and impartially exercise the office. I would take that responsibility seriously.

My commitment is to make decisions based on local needs, evidence, responsible spending and the people I represent. That has been the foundation of my campaign, and it would continue to guide me if elected.

Thank you again for taking the time to raise these questions.

Best, 

James Bowler