Mayor and Deputy Mayor Candidates at the recent Perth and District Chamber of Commerce All Candidates evening in Perth (Photo yourTV)
Audio courtesy of Your TV Smiths Falls
Growing Perth’s economy while protecting what makes the town special is a shared concern for its three deputy mayor candidates, but each brings a different approach.
Catherine Schouler, Richard Schooley and Jamie Dyer discussed housing, workers, transportation and the environment during the Perth and District Chamber of Commerce’s all-candidates meeting.
Their answers connected decisions about development to everyday questions: where people will live, how they will get to work and whether families can find child care.
Schouler said attracting investment requires the right conditions for businesses and employees. Housing and child care, she argued, need to grow together so workers can establish themselves in the community.
In her closing remarks, she explained the perspective she wants to bring to council.
Schouler supported a wider variety of housing and more creative use of secondary units. She also called for identifying how many child care spaces Perth needs before determining staffing requirements and potential locations.
On development, she emphasized protecting wetlands, green space and tree canopy, while giving consideration to recommendations from the town’s climate change committee.
Schooley focused on the relationship between Perth and the surrounding communities that rely on its businesses and services.
He said a seat on county council would provide an opportunity to press that point.
Schooley connected an aging population to workforce shortages and the need to attract younger residents. He suggested exploring whether local trades businesses could collaborate on apprenticeship opportunities.
He also described the loss of the Algonquin College campus as a setback for training and attracting workers.
On the environment, Schooley said the town could do more to act on climate advice. He raised the possibility of waiving building permits for green energy projects.
Dyer questioned whether the golf course development would provide homes local residents could afford and whether its location represented the right approach to growth.
His closing remarks outlined the principle behind his position.
Dyer supported housing at a pace local services can accommodate. He also proposed exploring additional parking locations for downtown employees and a possible park-and-ride service.
On child care, he called for a search for potential spaces, support for expansion and a meeting with MPP John Jordan.
Together, the candidates offered different routes toward a shared goal: a Perth where businesses, families and community services can grow alongside one another.
You can view the entire All Candidates event here: YourTV yourVOTE Brings Perth Councillor Candidates Night to Local Viewers
