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VOTE MATHEW FLYNN FOR MAYOR OF THE CITY OF THE KAWARTHA LAKES

I’m running for mayor because the Kawartha Lakes needs to change. From Norland to Pontypool each town, every home, and all of the people who reside in the Kawartha Lakes deserve to have their concerns heard, and their communities taken care of. I intend to work closely with the Council to make sound decisions, build new strategies and continue to grow our towns rather than push old agendas, utilize tired ideas, and remain beholden to plans from previous administrations. It’s time for change and that change starts now. That change starts with you.

This year features both the physical in-person voting and a new e-voting sysem which will allow you to cast your ballot from home. How you choose to vote is entriely up to you. Please click below to learn more and register.

EVERY VOTE MATTERS

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WHAT NEEDS TO CHANGE?

STRONGER INFRASTRUCTURE

Our current infrastructure cannot handle expansion at it’s current rate. What we have now is putting too much strain on our roadways, bridges and utilities before accounting for future growth. Approximately 86,000 people live in the Kawartha Lakes with an upwards projected population of 130,000 by 2050. Under the Kawartha Lakes Municipal Housing Pledge (page 9) we are in the middle of developing 6,500 homes before 2031. We have limited time to get ahead of our current issues before they become major problems.

FINANICIAL/MUNICIPAL ACCOUNTABILITY

The municipal budget for 2026 was $472 million (approx.). While many projects in the newest budget are necessary maintenance (ex. total replacement of Colborne St. Bridge; $21 million) some are extremely wasteful. The Emily Omemee Rec. Centre required $2.9 million to replace/repair the ice pad of which the provincial government provided $1 million. The facility is currently undergoing an additional $6.8 million renovation to modernize due to a “dated interior”. To add perspective; the municipality allocated only $125,000 in 2026 to recruiting new doctors. That’s 1.4% of our budget towards a singular recreation center, and 0.03% on doctors for the entirety of the Kawartha lakes. The arena deserved a new ice pad, but $6.8 million dollars to change the aesthetics is wasteful at a time when the city needs more pressing services.

JOB DIVERSITY

The Kawartha Lakes needs to attract more diverse and skilled job opportunities. With the rising cost of living, rent and mortgages both families and individuals need better employment. A living wage for one person in the Kawartha Lakes requires a $22.20/hr job. That becomes $47,008 yearly from a 40 hour work week, with no time off or sick days for 52 weeks. This also does not allow for savings, or “luxuries” like a vacation. The average yearly income in the Kawartha Lakes is $44,190, which falls short of the required basics for living, let alone building towards a better life. If we can’t offer the basics necessities, let alone the chance of saving for a future we are not going to keep our current population, let alone expand upon it.

DEVELOPMENT/GROWTH STRATEGIES

Development has largely been pushed in Lindsay, Omemee, Bobcaygeon and Fenelon Falls partially because of the Provincial government, but mainly due to the council. The Kawartha Lakes is the second largest, single tier municipality in Ontario covering over 3,000sq/km. Currently we’re focused on developing in only 29sq/km of what we have. This is causing our infrastructure to undergo extreme duress in addition to causing issues at the Ross Memorial and overcrowding at local schools. We need to diversify our residential builds to take the pressure off at all levels.

BE THE CHANGE

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WHAT CAN WE DO?

HIGHER STANDARDS FOR FINANCIAL/MUNICIPAL ACOUNTABILITY

  • Impartial Citizen review board for non essential builds, updates and expansions
  • focus on projects that benefit the CKLs long term goals
  • more studies into retrofits for projects over new builds
  • audits to account for expenditures
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BUILD AND MAINTAIN STRONGER INFRASTRUCTURE

  • more preventative maintenance
  • easier ways for citizens to report damage
  • alternative routes around residential areas by expanding roadways and adding bridges
  • stronger public transportation
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PUSH FOR BETTER JOB DIVERSITY

  • offer property tax incentives for companies to develop in the CKL for a set amount of time
  • grants for new builds
  • fast track approval process for builds that create new, or expand on existing jobs in the CKL
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IMPLEMENT AND RESEARCH BETTER DEVELOPMENT/GROWTH STRATEGIES

  • push for stronger protection from future MZOs to protect farmland and greenspaces
  • develop council strategies to delay MZOs to prevent forced implementation
  • rotate future development between communities to allow for infrastructure to catch up, and continue to grow at the projected rate

WHAT ELSE CAN WE DO?

  • pressure the Ontario Government and our representative about the PPS 2026 which prevents farmers from severing off land for families
  • mobile walk-in clinic to ease pressure on the Ross Memorial
  • “Beautification Initiative”; bylaw to set standards for property maintenance/appearance along major roadways and routes into towns
  • develop joint Emergency Response plans with neighboring municipalities for both environmental disasters and for healthcare response
  • study into rezoning school districts to account for increased population, and ease of accessible education
  • bus to GO station near the 115 to show feasibility of direct GO stops here
  • finalize decisions for proposed Concession Rd 3 bridge; either build of find new location
  • organize a city wide program for High School students to help with volunteer hours and increase community involvement
  • develop social programs to ease the pressure on law enforcement
  • more community events to draw tourism, help local businesses and build stronger bonds

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

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