2026 Oxford County Municipal Election
Zorra Township — Councillor, Ward 4
We asked. Nicole Barnett 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?
As a lifelong resident of Zorra, growing up on my parents’ dairy farm, and now a swine nursery farm and cash crop operation with my husband Chris and our four children who will be the fourth generation raised here. I have a strong sense of community involvement through 4-H, sports, school, Embro Zorra Agricultural Society, Oxford Tractor Skill Games Charity, working with Farm Credit Canada and the OCFA. I’ve been raised to do more than just exist in your community, but become a part of it. I’ve always been very open-minded, detail-oriented, and an excellent listener. Through various Board experiences, I have great knowledge of governance, making difficult decisions, acting responsibly transparent with membership funds, and creating initiatives that benefit our community. My decision to run for Council stems from a desire to extend my contributions to make a positive difference in my community. I feel the toughest decision will be balancing the cost of essential municipal services with the financial pressures families, farmers, and businesses are facing.
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.
I believe our local municipality should have as much discretion as possible, in order to serve the community, their interests, and their needs.The province has a responsibility to set legislation, standards, and broader policy, but our local municipality must put the needs of our residents at the forefront — as we are the sounding board for resident concerns, and must advocate for them as best we can. However, if there is a decision made above municipal level that continues to negatively impact our residents, our finances, our infrastructure or our ability to deliver essential services, I believe we have a responsibility to challenge it with respect, evidence-based research, and with the best interest of Zorra residents in mind. Through collaboration with staff and also organizations like Association of Municipalities of Ontario, we can work together to make sure that the right resolution is found overall.
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?
As an acclaimed Councillor, I may have a different hat on, but I’m still your neighbour and the same person I always have been. I have always been open-minded, approachable, focussed on doing the right thing and willing to listen — no matter the topic or the challenge it posed. I am someone residents can talk to, share their concerns with, and understand what matters to them. I understand municipal government involves difficult decisions, especially when talking about taxes, roads, fire services, growth and essential services, etc. I won’t pretend to have all the answers. I will promise to work hard, listen, and approach every decision with care and honesty. I welcome all discussions and the new ideas. I plan to defend and explain my views with facts, research, fairness and consultation.
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?
Municipal staff and elected council each have their separate roles and strengths, but must work together collaboratively. It is the responsibility of staff to research in their field of expertise, presenting it to Council in a comprehensive manner that is also beneficial to residents when attending meetings. They are responsible for implementing Council-approved policies, managing day-to-day operations, and providing advice around implications of decisions that will be made. When information is presented in such a way, with openness and extensive reasoning behind it, it makes it easier for residents to feel heard and for Council to make informed decisions on behalf of those residents. It is the responsibility of Council to lead, prioritize, approve policies and budgets, ask for further clarification from staff if needed, and do their own research ahead of time in order to make the best decisions possible. Decisions that will be made need careful consideration, exploration of the issues and finances, and input from residents to make sure they are made in the best interest of the community.
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?
No, I have not.
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 would not set a fixed number without first understanding what our residents are receiving for their tax dollars, reviewing the budget, and the pressures the municipality is facing. We are all feeling the strain of rising costs, and municipalities need to be mindful of that. Roads, fire services, infrastructure, and other essential services require adequate funding — there is a unique balance that needs to be found, as our residents deserve those services. Deferring necessary maintenance to those could pose much larger problems later. If maintaining services require a tax increase, I would want to carefully find the best value for our residents without asking them to spend more. I would like to look at efficiencies, timing of projects, potential grants, and whether expenditures could be delayed without causing greater costs or risks.
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.
Growth is a natural progression. The question isn’t whether we are going to grow, it’s how we grow. We have the best agricultural land right here in Zorra, and once that land is permanently developed, we cannot get it back. So I would support responsible, sustainable growth. If we can build up, rather than continually build out, make good use of settlement areas, protect our farmland and natural environment, and still allow growth, I think that’s the balance we need to work toward. We need to look at each proposal, the infrastructure, the impact on the community, and the long-term plan for Zorra. Our population is growing, as seen in the Oxford County Official Plan, and the Oxford County Growth Analysis and Land Needs Assessment. Growth decisions should consider the quality and continuity of the land, existing farm operations, capacity for infrastructure, housing needs, transportation, environmental impact and the importance of agriculture and food-production as a whole.
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.
If asked whether Zorra should be a willing host for a large-scale project of this nature, I would not make that decision based on wind or solar. No matter what the project proposal may be to Council, many important factors play a role: the impact it would have on prime agricultural land, the surrounding farm and residential areas, environmental impact, infrastructure and road impacts, decommissioning plans for structure removal after use, long-term land use, community input, health impact, and what actual benefits to the community would be seen. As someone from an agricultural background, I would be particularly cautious about these types of projects taking productive farmland out of food production. I would prefer lower-conflict locations, if at all. I feel there needs to be more research done on the long-term effects of turbines and solar panels in our land. Currently, Zorra is a non-willing host, and at this time, I agree.
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.
At this time, I feel I would need to gather more information to adequately come to a responsible decision on data centres within Oxford County. I do understand that our population is growing, we require efficiencies in many capacities, and we are looking for ways to gain data to serve our community appropriately. However, these data centres bring significant challenges through immense energy and water consumption, causing strain on local resources, affecting roads and infrastructure. They would bring economic benefits like construction jobs and information resources, yet I would require more than that in order to approve it. I would need to understand the long-term impact of a data centre being built before supporting this in our community. It would need to meet the appropriate environmental, agricultural and planning requirements, not place an existential burden on tax payers, have a clear plan for that building once it becomes obsolete.
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.
Residents and landowners should have a reasonable ability to use their private property as they so choose, but within reason as what we do can affect our neighbours, surrounding businesses, natural habitats, and the broader community as a whole. For rural properties especially, regulations should be practical in reality. Farmers still need to be able to access fields, maintain appropriate drainage, repair buildings, and as operations change adapt accordingly. When it comes to environmental concerns, municipalities should clearly explain the reason for them, consult with affected landowners, consider alternatives and avoid imposing unnecessary burdens. There should also be consistency in how regulations are applied, researched and presented. Land owners and municipalities should work together to find a balance that protects natural environments while allowing residents to work, use, live on, and farm their own land.
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.
It is well-known that carbon dioxide emissions are playing a role in our climate change, contributing to global warming and consequently, creating an increase in severe weather throughout our seasons. Municipalities will play a key role when it comes to preparing for climate-related issues and how they impact us as a whole through infrastructure planning, flooding, roads departments who must tackle this unpredictable weather throughout the year, preparation for emergencies and protecting natural areas. The priority should be practical, measurable and financially responsible action. That could include making municipal buildings and operations more efficient, planning infrastructure with changing weather conditions in mind, and pursuing provincial or federal funding where available rather than placing the entire cost on local taxpayers.
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.
I do not believe any of these should be seen as a barrier in the employment process. I believe hiring must be based on competency, experience, willingness to be fair and responsible, and genuine passion for the role they are applying for. Accommodations should be made to allow applicants in the hiring process to feel on equitable grounds. Everyone deserves a fair chance and access to opportunities for inclusion. Being part of a community builds connection, relationships, encourages personal growth and provides support systems for all. There should be mandatory diversity, equity and inclusion training in any workplace. This provides employees with the resources they need to react appropriately, respectfully, and with intention no matter the situation. This training lends itself to creating a respectful workplace, with equal opportunities to succeed for all. I would support municipal taxpayers funding, as long as the benefits are measurable, the cost is reasonable, resources are relevent, and there are no other outside resources we can access at no to low-cost as an alternative.
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.
From what I understand, these can provide useful information and suggest ideas for municipalities, but they do not set local decision-making at the municipal level. We can look to them to influence our thoughts when it comes to infrastructure, economic development, the needs of our community, and environmental needs. We need to consider existing circumstances within the municipality, the needs of our residents, our responsibility as a municipality, what the provincial legislation is at that time, and of course, the current and future financial budgets. As members of Council, we must always remain transparent and accountable. Zorra residents should be told clearly what policies are being used, why it’s relevant, what specific action and corresponding costs are being proposed before a decision is ever made, as well as the benefits and impacts rather than simply referring to a broad international plan that may not work in our rural area.
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 believe residents should not have to choose between safety and privacy. We can use technology to assist law enforcement in our large rural area, while establishing reasonable safeguards that protect the privacy and rights of law-abiding residents. Our population is growing, and with that comes an increase in crime, missing persons, and increased safety concerns that affect the public. Public safety is paramount, but I would want to ensure evidence that the benefits to the public outweigh the cost to taxpayers before implementing this. I would also want residents to have a voice in this matter, in their personal privacy: what, where, when, why, how it is collected, who it is shared with, and the retention period of that information. I know there have been Zorra policing initiatives in the past – possibly this is something to be looked at to strengthen communication between residents, police, and Council.
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 has an important role in making decisions about public-health emergencies that could occur. No one wants to relive that time, however, in living through that, it is certainly something that needs to be discussed and prepared for. Council should receive regular updates, understand the reasoning behind these restrictions, and review them periodically to gauge whether they are still necessary. Communication will be critical during that time period — residents must be regularly informed, have a space to ask their questions, and ultimately feel safe and protected. Restrictions put in place should have a clear outline for how they will be implemented, and a clear process for lifting them. Council should work collaboratively with health, emergency, and government to act in the best interest of the residents, who will be looking to us for direction. Resources should be available for families following this, as it can weigh heavily on mental and physical health.
Questionnaire sent: September 8, 2026
Response received: September 24, 2026
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