Kim Sage

2026 Oxford County Municipal Election
Tillsonburg — Councillor

We asked. Kim Sage answered. You decide.

Answers are published as submitted.

I. Candidate & Municipal Governance

1. Candidate Introduction

Please introduce yourself to the residents of Oxford County. Briefly tell us why you are running for municipal office, what principles or values would guide you as an elected official, and what you believe is the most important issue facing the municipality you are seeking to represent. What would you do about it?

My name is Kim. I was born and raised on a tobacco farm just outside of Tillsonburg, and Oxford County has always been home. I’m running for municipal office because I care deeply about our community and want to have a voice in decisions that affect the people who live here and the generations to come. 

The values that would guide me are honesty, transparency, accountability, fairness, and responsible spending. I believe elected officials should listen to residents without prejudice or judgement, ask difficult questions, and stand up for what they believe is right.

One of the most important challenges facing our municipality is balancing the needs of a growing community with the cost to taxpayers. I would focus on responsible financial decisions, finding efficiencies, and making sure tax dollars are being spent where they provide the greatest benefit to residents. I want to help build a community where people feel heard, respected, and proud to call Oxford County home.

2. Local vs. Provincial Authority

Municipalities are increasingly affected by decisions, policies and requirements established by the provincial government. What degree of local discretion do you believe municipalities should have when provincial direction affects decisions within municipal jurisdiction? When, if ever, should a municipality challenge or oppose provincial direction? Please explain.

We are a small community. Yes, we are close to larger centres, and we are also close to smaller communities, but we are Tillsonburg. Our needs and our niche are not necessarily the same as those of other municipalities.

We all share many of the same challenges, but we can also have very different local needs. A one-size-fits-all approach from the Province is not always practical or useful. Municipalities need the ability to consider their own residents, circumstances and priorities when making local decisions.

I believe we should challenge or oppose provincial direction when we know it is not in the best interests of our community, particularly when it has negative consequences for residents, finances, services or our community, or when legitimate local concerns have not been considered.

Even when we disagree, communication should always remain respectful. We can strongly advocate for Tillsonburg while maintaining a constructive relationship with the Province.

3. Accountability & Access

Once elected, how will you maintain open communication and accountability with your constituents? What level of access should residents have to you, and what responsibility do you have to explain and defend your decisions and votes, particularly when constituents disagree with them?

I believe residents should have reasonable access to their elected representatives, and I would make myself accessible. I co-own a local business and am typically there more than I am at home, so residents are always welcome to stop in and talk to me. My phone number, email and social media would also be available. I also hope residents remember that elected officials are people too. We are moms, dads, husbands and wives. We have families, lives and jobs.

I am always willing to listen and take the time to communicate. I believe the decisions I make, votes I cast and ideas I bring forward should be open and transparent. After all, I am not doing this for myself; I am doing it for our community.

I don’t believe my responsibility is to “defend” every decision, but to explain it. People won’t always agree, and that’s okay. I will listen, explain my reasoning and respect their right to disagree.

4. Staff vs. Elected Council

What do you believe is the proper division of responsibility between municipal staff and elected council? What decisions should be made by staff, what decisions should be made by council, and what responsibility should elected officials retain for decisions recommended or implemented by staff?

I believe council and staff have different but equally important roles. Council should set direction, establish priorities, approve budgets and make the decisions that affect our community. Staff are the professionals responsible for providing advice, managing day-to-day operations and carrying out council’s decisions.

Council should listen to staff recommendations, ask questions and make informed decisions, but elected officials cannot simply say, “staff recommended it.” Council remains accountable for the decisions it makes and the votes it casts.

I believe good government comes from trusting our staff, respecting their expertise, asking the right questions and ultimately taking responsibility for our decisions.

5. Candidate Social-Media History

Have you ever deleted, hidden or substantially altered past social-media posts or other publicly available online content because you believed it might affect how voters viewed you or your candidacy? If so, what did you change and why?

Yes. I deleted one post that I had shared on my own Facebook page, but not because I wanted to hide criticism or influence how voters viewed me.

A young woman and her father had made separate Facebook posts about me. I was made aware of them through numerous calls, texts, messages and screenshots. I had seen the posts but initially chose not to respond. Although the young woman’s post was negative about me, I thought it was well written and was glad to see her becoming involved in politics and expressing her views.

I shared a screenshot of her post and acknowledged that I was aware of it. I also said I thought it was well written and was proud of her for getting involved. Some people defended me, while others began attacking her personally. That was never my intention, so I deleted my post because I did not want it to become a personal attack on her. 

II. Taxes, Growth & Development

6. Taxes & Services

What annual municipal property-tax increase do you consider reasonable over the next four years? If maintaining existing services would require an increase above that level, what principles would you use to determine which services or expenditures should be reduced, delayed or eliminated instead? Please explain.

I don’t think this question can be answered fairly without having all the numbers in front of me and a clear understanding of what is included in the budget and why.

Ideally, I would love to see no tax increase while maintaining the services residents rely on, but I also believe it would be unrealistic to make that promise without knowing the financial realities.

My focus would be on responsible spending and asking the right questions: What do we truly need? What provides the greatest benefit to our community? What can wait? What can be done more efficiently? And what may simply be a “nice to have” rather than a necessity?

If reductions, delays or eliminations were necessary, I would prioritize essential services and projects that provide the greatest benefit to residents, while carefully considering the long-term financial impact of delaying them.

I would rather be honest about the numbers than make promises that sound good but aren’t realistic.

7. Population Growth & Agricultural Land

Oxford County’s current planning projections anticipate substantial population growth over the coming decades, creating increasing pressure on agricultural land. Should Oxford plan to accommodate the projected level of growth, or should the County and its municipalities seek to influence the rate and/or location of future growth? When development competes with agricultural and food-production uses, should agricultural land and food production receive priority? What principles should guide these decisions? Please explain.

Someone said to me recently, “They stopped making land a long time ago. Once it’s gone, it’s gone.” Growing up on a farm, I appreciate the agricultural land we have and the value it brings to our community.

Land use has changed, and families are not passing farms down in the same way they did generations ago. But that does not make the land any less valuable.

We need to be thoughtful and responsible in how we manage growth, rather than simply developing where we can and when we can. Just because there is a vacant piece of land does not mean it is in the best interest of our community to build on it.

We need to consider the long-term needs of Tillsonburg and Oxford County, not just the short-term gain. Growth is important, but so is protecting what we have.

Again, once the land is gone, it’s gone.

III. Energy & Major Development

8. Wind & Utility-Scale Solar

What is your position on industrial wind turbine and utility-scale solar developments in Oxford County? If your municipality were asked to determine whether it should be a willing or unwilling host for a large-scale wind or solar project, how would you vote, and what factors would guide your decision? Please explain.

I don’t believe I have enough information or knowledge at this time to take a firm position on industrial wind turbines or utility-scale solar developments.

I would not make a decision simply based on whether I personally like or dislike these types of projects. I would want to understand the potential benefits and impacts, including effects on agricultural land, residents, the environment, infrastructure, property owners and the long-term interests of our community.

If asked to determine whether Tillsonburg should be a willing or unwilling host, I would take the time to review the information, listen to residents and experts, ask questions and understand the facts before voting.

I believe residents deserve a councillor who is willing to say, “I don’t know yet,” rather than pretend to have an answer. I would make an informed decision based on what is best for Tillsonburg and Oxford County.

9. Data Centres

What is your position on approving data centres in Oxford County? Under what circumstances, if any, would you support one? How should council weigh its potential economic benefits against demands on electricity, water, land and other municipal infrastructure? Please explain.

From the research I have done, my understanding is that data centre development is something we need to look at carefully before making any commitments. I understand that landowners, rather than the County, have been approached, but I believe we need much more information before deciding whether Oxford can support this type of development.

We would need to understand the demands on electricity, water, land, roads and other infrastructure, as well as the potential economic benefits and long-term impacts on our community.

At this point, without the planning and research needed to understand those demands, I would not support moving forward with a data centre in Oxford County.

That does not mean I would never support one. With proper planning, infrastructure assessments and community consultation, it may be something worth considering in the future. But we need to make decisions based on what Oxford can realistically support, not simply because an opportunity is presented.

IV. Property Rights, Environment & Climate

10. Property Rights & Environmental Regulation

What principles should determine the balance between private property rights and municipal environmental regulation? What limits, if any, should municipalities place on environmental restrictions affecting the use of privately owned rural land? Please explain.

Growing up on a farm, I understand the importance of private property rights and the responsibility that comes with owning rural land. I believe property owners should have the ability to use their land for legitimate purposes, but that should be balanced with protecting the environment and the interests of the broader community.

Environmental regulations should be reasonable, evidence-based and clearly communicated. They should protect important resources such as farmland, water and natural areas without unnecessarily restricting a property owner’s ability to use their land.

Before placing restrictions on privately owned rural land, municipalities should consider the actual environmental impact, the needs of the property owner, the long-term benefit to the community and whether there are practical alternatives.

I believe restrictions should have a clear purpose and should not go further than necessary to achieve that purpose. Most importantly, rural property owners should have a meaningful opportunity to be heard before decisions affecting their land are made.

11. Climate Change & CO₂

What role, if any, do you believe carbon dioxide emissions play in climate change? What responsibility, if any, should municipal government have for addressing climate-related issues, and should municipal taxpayers fund those efforts? Please explain.

I believe carbon dioxide emissions play a role in climate change, but I also believe municipalities need to focus on what they can realistically control. Climate change is a much larger issue than any one municipality can solve.

Municipal governments do have a responsibility to make responsible decisions around infrastructure, development, energy use and environmental protection, particularly where those decisions can improve community resilience and reduce unnecessary costs.

I would support reasonable, practical efforts that provide a clear benefit to our community, but I would also expect council to carefully consider the cost to taxpayers. Municipal taxpayers should not be expected to fund initiatives simply because they are labelled as climate action. There should be a clear purpose, measurable benefit and responsible use of public funds.

We should make decisions based on evidence, affordability and what makes sense for Oxford County, while planning responsibly for the future.

V. Municipal Policy & Public Institutions

12. DEI, Hiring & Public Services

When municipal government makes decisions about hiring employees or providing services, what role, if any, should a person’s race, ethnicity, sex, disability, newcomer status or other demographic characteristics play? Do you support mandatory diversity, equity and inclusion training for municipal employees, and should municipal taxpayers fund it? Please explain.

Honestly, the fact that this question is still being asked in 2026 makes my heart sad. No matter a person’s race, ethnicity, sex, disability or newcomer status, a person is a person is a person.

I believe hiring should be based on qualifications, experience and the ability to do the job. Municipal services and employment should be accessible, and no one should be excluded because of who they are. There is no room for discrimination of any kind.

I do not support mandatory diversity, equity and inclusion training for municipal employees. If we are hiring the right people, I believe they should already understand that everyone deserves to be treated fairly and respectfully. I would not support asking taxpayers to pay for training to teach someone something they should already know. Everyone deserves to be treated with dignity, and discrimination of any kind has no place in our municipality. 

13. International Policy Frameworks

What role, if any, should international policy frameworks such as the United Nations’ Agenda 2030 and Sustainable Development Goals play in municipal decision-making? If municipal policies are influenced by such frameworks, what responsibility does council have to ensure that those decisions remain transparent and accountable to local residents? Please explain.

I believe municipal decisions should be made with the needs and priorities of our local residents in mind. International frameworks such as the United Nations’ Agenda 2030 and Sustainable Development Goals may provide information or ideas, but they should not dictate how Tillsonburg or Oxford County is governed.

Council is elected by local residents and is accountable to them. If an international framework influences a municipal policy or decision, residents should be told clearly what influence it has, why the policy is being considered, what it will cost and what benefit it is expected to provide to our community.

I believe transparency is extremely important. Residents should not have to wonder where a policy came from or why council is making a particular decision.

Ultimately, our responsibility as elected officials is to make informed decisions that reflect the needs, values and priorities of the people we were elected to represent—not simply adopt something because it is part of an international framework.

VI. Public Safety, Privacy & Emergency Powers

14. Flock Cameras & Surveillance

What is your position on the use of Flock cameras and other automated licence-plate recognition (ALPR) or camera-based surveillance systems by municipalities for public safety? What limits, if any, should apply to their use, and how should council balance public safety with residents’ privacy? Please explain.

I would support camera-based surveillance systems for municipal public safety, but only with strong safeguards. I would want the systems monitored and managed within Oxford County and not outsourced to third parties. In no way should people or organizations outside the municipality have unrestricted access to the cameras or the information collected.

Access to recorded footage should be strictly limited and only provided when there is a legitimate, lawful judicial or investigative reason. There should also be clear rules around how long information is retained and when it must be deleted.

I would require a detailed access log showing who viewed footage, when they accessed it and why. Residents should be able to have confidence that these systems are being used for public safety and not for unnecessary surveillance.

Public safety and privacy both matter, and council has a responsibility to ensure one does not come at the unreasonable expense of the other.

15. Public-Health Emergency Powers

If another public-health emergency occurred, what restrictions, if any, should a municipality be able to impose on access to municipal buildings, facilities, programs or community activities? What role should elected council have in approving or overseeing such restrictions, and what limits should apply to municipal authority during an emergency? Please explain.

Council should remain involved and accountable. Any restrictions on municipal buildings, facilities, programs or community activities should have clear reasons, be communicated openly and be reviewed regularly.

If restrictions are put in place, they should be lifted as soon as the circumstances requiring them have passed. When restrictions are lifted for the general public, municipal buildings, facilities and programs should also reopen without an unnecessary waiting period.

Emergency measures should be temporary, proportionate and subject to appropriate oversight. They should never continue simply because they were put in place during an emergency.

Residents deserve both protection and transparency, and council has a responsibility to ensure restrictions remain necessary and fair.

However, restrictions should be based on clear evidence, be necessary for the situation and not go further than required.

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Questionnaire sent: September 9, 2026
Response received: September 16, 2026

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