On Oct. 24, folks across Waterloo Region in Ontario will go to the polls to pick city and regional councillors, mayors, and a regional chair.
In Cambridge, which is the region’s second-largest city, voters will choose councillors in eight wards along with a mayor to make up the city council.
We’ll see at least three new faces since Ward 4 Coun. Jan Liggett is running for mayor and Ward 5 Coun. Pam Wolf is aiming for one of two seats on regional council. Ward 3 Coun. Mike Mann won’t be running again.
Liggett is one of three candidates challenging current Mayor Kathryn Mc Garry, who wants a second term. Randy Carter and Cody Botelho are also running against her.
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To help voters get ready for this election, Cambridge Chronicle reached out to everyone running for regional or city council, mayor or regional chair in Kitchener, Cambridge and Waterloo whose contact info was available online. We sent them seven questions by email and over the next few days we’ll share all responses from those who reply.
Below are answers from candidates running for councillor in Cambridge, listed alphabetically:
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Jan Liggett
Q.2 Why do you believe you’re the right person for this role?
I’ve spent the last eight years serving as an elected councillor here in Cambridge along with working on various committees at both city and regional levels. For decades before that I volunteered on many different committees too.
I know this community inside out – I’ve raised my family here over 35 years while volunteering with lots of organizations and causes plus running a well-known international business. Being a business owner gives me insight into what businesses need to grow or invest here – things like costs of materials, shipping, utilities, labour, rent, debt payments and taxes all impact us. And as someone living here I understand what it takes to feel safe and have good services for my family’s needs.
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I’m just like you – paying taxes and trusting elected officials to spend wisely. I live right here in Cambridge; I’m fully invested in it in every way possible. My work has been about making our community a place where everyone can call home. When some mayors or councillors set taxes but don’t pay them themselves yet still collect their paycheque funded by taxpayers – that’s a real problem. Since I both live here full-time AND run a local business that pays residential AND industrial municipal taxes fully-I feel these taxes just like everyone else does.
I believe being ready for challenges makes any positive surprise even better. I’m prepared to face whatever comes ahead if you elect me Mayor.
Q.3 What do you think is the biggest issue facing your ward and the whole city?
Mental health struggles alongside addiction problems keep coming up everywhere when I talk with people around town – these issues top residents’ concerns by far. Add homelessness plus rising crime rates into that mix; they’re deeply connected problems needing full attention from politicians at every government level-and I’m tackling this head-on already.
You see folks living on streets using drugs openly; dealers scattered throughout neighborhoods; human waste and needles left around alleys parks schools-the downtowns filled with vulnerable people wandering mentally unwell yelling alone or smashing shop windows-that’s sadly reality now.
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No one seems untouched by overdose deaths lately either-people are dying fast due to poisoned drugs everywhere now (fentanyl really worsened things). Debates about supervised injection sites (SIS/CTS) started before fentanyl hit big but as an official I’ve had to figure out if CTS centers actually work-or if there’s something better we should try instead: something safer not risking other parts of community while helping addicts slow down or quit drug use altogether.
If we put such a center anywhere nearby we must realize it’ll become a hub of suffering no matter where-it begs asking “which neighborhood are we okay sacrificing?” Some might find that harsh but just look at places like Vancouver Seattle San Francisco-they show what doesn’t work well firsthand.
The truth is those addicted really need free long-term rehab programs accessible quickly anytime needed-both genders included-which don’t exist right now; funding mental health facilities adequately feels almost mythical too.
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This crisis demands serious thinking about mandatory rehab combined with court-ordered mental health treatment because without these tools restoring dignity or law & order feels impossible so far-we get stuck debating policies endlessly but nothing effective happens urgently enough yet; real solutions are needed fast now more than ever.
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If we don’t keep our community healthy while dealing with these tragedies everything else only gets worse-and people keep dying sadly each day after that.
Back when I first joined council during my first term I noticed how huge these problems were-and back in 2017 started laying groundwork toward lasting fixes Council approved forming Cambridge Community Outreach Task Force which helped create Community Wellbeing Advisory Committee under Mayor Craig starting by 2019 I’ve chaired that committee three times consecutively staying committed strongly toward improving wellbeing overall here.
Getting proper funding matters most though-it’ll be my job representing Cambridge pushing hard at every government level until we secure enough money fast enough solving these crises I’ll push regional councillors provincial MPPs federal MP advocating increased support fixing service gaps expanding public resources alongside population growth Our infrastructure facilities workforce all must meet growing demand locally This tops my priority list.
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Q.4 What are your long-term goals looking ahead?
After eight years representing you on council , it feels right time applying what I’ve learned about our community’s needs toward bigger responsibility – being your mayor.
Over those years , we’ve made progress on several fronts but there’s still much room left for growth + opportunity.
We need bring back community engagement as normal part everyday public discussions during decision making process Everyone should feel heard valued sharing ideas Together rediscovering joy unity listening carefully between neighbors You deserve knowing someone truly cares amid today ‘s political noise.
I want folks excited proud calling Cambridge home again while working hard getting things done Under my lead civic participation will be encouraged welcomed that’s promise I give You might have smart ideas too I’d love hearing them because we’re all building this place together.
Heritage + Environment + Development = Livability
Smart development respecting location within Grand River valley protecting built heritage plus natural environment wins my support always.
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I want continue pushing forward comprehensive plans addressing climate change challenges affecting us all Ensuring infrastructure planning stays grounded evidence based Raising resilience through practices structures able handle risks related climate impacts remains important goal too.
Please refer platform details provided via postcard sent widely across households businesses Also check campaign website vision page outlining stands clearly regarding key issues including :
– Safety health transparency accountability preserving heritage promoting activities suited all ages renewing pride within community represent just samples dedication behind promises made.
– Decades long underinvestment created huge affordable housing shortage Waitlist jumped from around 3000 families back then To over 8000 waiting today Long wait times grew likewise Causes include recession fallout COVID shutdowns closing mental health centers demolishing low cost homes lack retirement prep variable market prices renovictions among others Much street homelessness tents drug addiction links directly back lack adequate housing Both supportive social housing critical needed Children seniors can’t thrive unless housed securely safely comfortably Government led efforts partnering nonprofits private builders alongside major provincial federal funding required If national announcements mention building thousands homes nationwide concern arises Local need far exceeds those targets Developing land fund availability delays ground breaking projects completion inevitable delay arises As mayor joining region presenting united front petitioning higher governments essential Solving local housing crisis beyond sole municipal ability Taxpayer capacity must always guide spending decisions involved alike.
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Q6 What do you enjoy doing when off duty?
I balance busy life serving on council enjoying family time gardening reading whenever possible That’s fulfilling enough currently.
@What stands out most about living where you do?
The opportunities ! A great spot raising kids (ours plus grandkids thriving), loving diversity architecture cultures distinct neighbourhoods scenic river valley nature People met along way added meaning joy deep personal connections made forever cherished here.
Kathryn Mc Garry
@Brief background including profession length lived area Incumbents please mention time held position please :
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I’ve been part of Cambridge life actively volunteering & advocating important causes for over three decades Raised six children locally Professionally worked as registered nurse for thirty-five years caring especially emergency ICU patients CMH Hospital Served as MPP Cabinet Minister (2014-18) Currently Mayor Regional Councillor since 2018 Presently holding office continuing service dedicatedly.
The Queen’s Platinum pin recognizing service recently received YWCA named me Woman of Distinction Arts award trustee involvement leading Crime Prevention Council WR endorsement supports candidacy foundership Hospice Waterloo Advocacy ongoing strong collaborative leadership marks career thus far.
