More than 70 municipal candidates from across Simcoe County have signed a pledge created by the Simcoe County Greenbelt Coalition to be leaders in sustainability and "class."
Dubbed the Community Leaders for a Sustainable Simcoe (CLASS), the pledge signed by candidates covers topics such as a commitment to transition to renewables, making communities more affordable with more housing types and limited sprawl, making sure public spaces are safe and vibrant, protecting water and farmland, and increasing food security.
The public can find out which candidates in their community signed the pledge at https://bit.ly/SimcoeCLASS.
You will have to submit your email to receive a list of the signatories, as the group is being cautious about the rules surrounding municipal elections.
Margaret Prophet, executive director of the Simcoe County Greenbelt Coalition (SCGC), said the initiative is meant to be the first step.
“We are all getting tired of petty politics. People want to know that their governments are focused on improving their well-being — current and future — and not constantly distracted by the politics of divisiveness," said Prophet in a news release. "They want to know that their representatives are using reason and evidence to make decisions rather than bias or influence from bad actors who only care about personal profit. A pledge like this is attractive to candidates who put people and community first. For voters it helps them see who is willing to put their money where their mouth is and publicly commit to a positive, community-centred set of values. Down the road, it helps citizens keep leaders accountable to a positive vision for what our communities can be.”
As part of the CLASS initiative, the coalition also hosted three webinars for municipal candidates on food insecurity, protecting local water, and addressing the housing affordability crisis. According to the coalition, more than 100 municipal leaders attended the webinars, which are available on the coalition's YouTube channel.
The coalition is committing to ongoing support and networking with municipal leaders as part of the CLASS program.
"The problems we face are too serious to expect our municipal leaders to go it alone," said Prophet in the news release. "All of us need to pitch in. It starts with supporting hopeful leaders and then connecting as a community to move towards a better future together.”
