2026 Oxford County Municipal Election
Tillsonburg — Councillor
We asked. Felix Nonso Nzemeka 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?
I am a healthcare and community service professional who has called Tillsonburg home for six years. My work with seniors, families, individuals experiencing homelessness and addiction, and people needing housing and community support has taught me that good public service begins with listening, compassion, accountability, and responsible decision-making. I am running because I want to serve residents and help build a healthy community, a safe and caring community, and a strong local economy.
One of our greatest challenges is managing growth while maintaining affordability and the services and infrastructure residents depend on. Growth should strengthen Tillsonburg, not simply increase pressure on taxpayers.
I would examine spending carefully, support infrastructure planning, protect green space, encourage responsible development, strengthen local businesses and agriculture, and advocate for healthcare, seniors, and families. My commitment is to listen before I speak, ask difficult questions, explain my decisions, and represent residents fairly.
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.
Municipalities are created under provincial law, so Council must respect legislation and decisions that are legally within provincial authority. However, local government is closest to residents and should have meaningful discretion over matters within municipal responsibility.
When provincial policies affect Tillsonburg, I believe Council should examine the local financial, social, environmental, and infrastructure impacts and communicate those impacts clearly to the Province.
I would support challenging or seeking changes to provincial direction when there is strong evidence that it unfairly harms our community, creates unreasonable costs, threatens local interests, or fails to consider local circumstances. That challenge should be lawful, evidence-based, and constructive, and not political confrontation for its own sake. Council should work with Oxford County, neighbouring municipalities, municipal associations, residents, and provincial representatives to advocate for change when necessary.
My principle is simple: respect provincial law while strongly representing Tillsonburg’s legitimate local interests.
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?
Being elected does not end accountability; it increases it. Residents should have reasonable and consistent access to their councillors through email, telephone, public meetings, and community events.
I would continue meeting residents, listening to concerns, and encouraging people to participate in Council decisions. I would also support clear communication about major issues before important decisions are made.
I will not promise to agree with every resident, because councillors sometimes must balance competing interests. However, residents deserve to know why I voted the way I did.
When I disagree with constituents, I should be able to explain the evidence, financial implications, legal responsibilities and community interests that influenced my decision.
I will listen before I speak, remain respectful when people disagree with me, and accept responsibility for my votes.
Public office belongs to the people. Transparency, accessibility and accountability should therefore be part of everyday municipal leadership, not simply election promises.
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?
Council and municipal staff have different but complementary responsibilities.
Council represents the public, establishes policy, determines services, approves budgets and major priorities, and holds the administration accountable. Staff provide professional advice, research options, administer programs and implement Council’s lawful decisions.
Councillors should not attempt to personally manage employees or interfere with day-to-day administration. At the same time, Council should not simply approve every staff recommendation without examination. A staff report is professional advice; the final policy decision remains Council’s responsibility when the matter is within Council’s authority.
As a councillor, I would read reports carefully, ask questions about costs, risks, alternatives, and long-term consequences, and make decisions based on evidence and residents’ interests. Once Council makes a lawful decision, staff should be allowed to implement it professionally. Good municipal government requires mutual respect between Council and staff, while maintaining clear democratic accountability to residents.
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?
To the best of my recollection, I have not deliberately removed or substantially altered past social-media content for the purpose of misleading voters about my beliefs, background, or candidacy.
Like many people who use social media, I may correct errors, spelling, outdated information, or wording that does not communicate my intended message clearly. I believe there is an important difference between correcting communication and attempting to hide one’s record.
As a candidate, I accept that residents have a legitimate interest in what I say publicly. I therefore believe candidates should take responsibility for their public statements and, where necessary, explain or correct them openly. If I make a mistake, my responsibility is to acknowledge it and provide accurate information rather than pretend it never happened. Transparency builds trust, and I would apply that same principle to my work on Council.
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.
My goal would be to work toward a 0% municipal tax-rate increase where financially responsible, particularly as families, seniors and businesses face affordability pressures. However, I would not promise a fixed tax rate before reviewing the complete budget, infrastructure obligations, reserves and service requirements.
A zero increase cannot responsibly be achieved by allowing roads, emergency services or critical infrastructure to deteriorate.
Before supporting a tax increase, I would ask Council to examine discretionary spending, administrative efficiencies, procurement, duplication, underused municipal assets, available grants and whether projects can responsibly be phased. I would protect essential services first: public safety, infrastructure and core municipal operations.
If an increase ultimately became necessary, residents deserve a clear explanation of why, what alternatives were considered and where every additional dollar is going.
My objective is not simply “zero tax.” It is disciplined spending, affordability, transparency and measurable value for taxpayers.
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.
Oxford should prepare responsibly for growth, but growth should be directed rather than allowed to consume productive farmland unnecessarily. Agriculture is not vacant land waiting for development. It supports food production, employment, businesses and Oxford County’s identity and economy.
I support directing housing and employment growth toward existing settlement areas, appropriate intensification and locations where roads, water, wastewater and other infrastructure can realistically support it. Prime agricultural land should receive strong protection. Where development and agriculture compete, Council should first determine whether reasonable alternatives exist before removing productive farmland.
At the same time, we need sufficient housing, employment land and infrastructure for a growing population.
The principles guiding me would be food security, responsible land use, infrastructure capacity, environmental protection, housing needs and economic opportunity.
Our goal should be to accommodate growth intelligently and not to choose between having a growing community and having a strong agricultural sector.
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 am not automatically for or against every wind or utility-scale solar project. I would evaluate each proposal on its merits and would not support declaring Tillsonburg a willing host without understanding the specific project. I would examine location, agricultural impacts, neighbouring properties, noise and safety considerations, environmental effects, grid capacity, decommissioning responsibilities, municipal costs and benefits, and community input.
I would be particularly cautious about converting productive prime agricultural land to large-scale energy projects when suitable alternatives are available. Renewable energy can contribute to Ontario’s energy supply, but a project should provide a clear public benefit and be appropriately located. Before voting to support a project, I would expect transparent information from the developer, technical review, meaningful consultation and clarity about who bears long-term costs.
Energy development should respect residents, farmers, property rights, our environment and the long-term interests of the community.
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.
I would consider a data centre, but approval should depend on its overall benefit to Tillsonburg and whether our infrastructure can support it without unfairly transferring costs to residents and existing businesses. Data centres can bring investment, construction activity and employment, but some facilities can also require substantial electricity, water, land and infrastructure. Before supporting one, I would want independent information on electricity and water demand, wastewater and storm water impacts, emergency-service requirements, land use, noise, employment created, tax revenue and infrastructure costs.
The developer should pay its appropriate share of infrastructure required specifically for the project. I would also ask whether the proposed site could provide greater long-term economic value through another industrial or employment use. My position would therefore be conditional support: welcome investment, but negotiate from Tillsonburg interests. A major development should strengthen our tax base, create economic value and leave the community better off.
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.
Private property rights deserve strong respect. At the same time, activities on one property can affect neighbouring properties, water, drainage, agricultural operations and the broader community. Municipal environmental regulations should therefore address a clearly demonstrated local problem, fall within municipal legal authority and be reasonable and proportionate.
I would be cautious about restrictions that unnecessarily prevent farmers and rural property owners from making productive use of their land. Before imposing significant restrictions, Council should identify the evidence, consult affected property owners, consider economic impacts and determine whether a less restrictive approach could achieve the same objective.
Environmental protection should focus on legitimate local concerns such as water quality, drainage, flooding, natural hazards and protection of important natural features and not regulation simply for the sake of regulation. Good policy should seek balance. I would defend responsible property use while recognizing that property ownership also exists within laws designed to protect neighbours and the wider community.
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 accept the scientific evidence that increasing atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases contribute to climate change. Municipal government’s role, however, should concentrate on practical responsibilities within municipal jurisdiction rather than trying to duplicate federal or provincial climate policy. For Tillsonburg, that means considering flood and stormwater management, resilient infrastructure, energy efficiency, tree cover, green spaces, land-use planning and cost-effective improvements to municipal operations.
I support environmental initiatives when there is a clear local benefit, measurable results and reasonable value for taxpayers. I would not support imposing unnecessary financial burdens on families, farmers or businesses simply to demonstrate that Council is taking action. Every proposal involving taxpayer money should identify the local problem, expected results, cost and alternatives. Environmental responsibility and economic responsibility should work together. We can protect Tillsonburg’s environment and prepare infrastructure for future conditions while remaining accountable for how public money is spent.
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.
Municipal employment should be based on qualifications, competence, experience and the ability to perform the job, while complying fully with the Ontario Human Rights Code. Race, ethnicity, sex, disability or newcomer status should not be used to unfairly exclude someone from employment or municipal services. Where accommodation is legally required, the municipality should meet that responsibility.
I want every resident to be treated with dignity and receive fair access to municipal services.
Regarding mandatory DEI training, I would judge programs by their purpose, legal necessity, effectiveness and cost rather than automatically supporting or rejecting them because of a label.
Training that helps employees understand human-rights obligations, accessibility, workplace conduct, and how to serve a diverse public professionally can have legitimate value. However, taxpayers should expect measurable benefits from any mandatory program. My standard would be straightforward: equal opportunity, non-discrimination, competence, respect, and responsible use of public funds.
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.
International frameworks such as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals can provide ideas, research and useful benchmarks, but Tillsonburg Council is accountable first to residents and must operate under Canadian and Ontario law.
I would not support adopting a municipal policy simply because an international organization recommends it. If an idea concerning clean water, infrastructure, economic development, poverty reduction, or environmental sustainability makes practical sense for Tillsonburg, Council can consider it on its local merits.
Any policy influenced by an international framework should be identified openly. Residents should understand what is being proposed, why Council is considering it, what it will cost, what legal authority supports it and what local outcomes are expected. International frameworks should never replace local democratic decision-making.
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.
Technology should protect people and not unnecessarily monitor them. I support public-safety technology when there is clear evidence that it is needed and effective, but public safety should not require residents to surrender reasonable expectations of privacy. Before Tillsonburg supports Flock cameras, ALPR or similar surveillance, I would want Council to identify the problem being addressed, examine evidence, costs and alternatives, and ensure compliance with Ontario privacy law.
Any system should have strict limits: defined purposes, limited data retention, secure storage, controlled access, documented searches, appropriate auditing and clear rules governing disclosure.
Technology intended to investigate serious crime should not become a system for indiscriminately tracking law-abiding residents. Council should also require regular public reporting on effectiveness, costs and privacy compliance without compromising active investigations. My principle is straightforward: use technology where it demonstrably improves public safety, but establish safeguards before deployment.
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.
During a genuine public-health emergency, municipalities must be capable of acting quickly to protect residents, employees and essential services. However, emergency authority should be lawful, necessary, evidence-based, proportionate and temporary.
I would support temporary restrictions on municipal facilities or programs when authorized by law and supported by credible public-health evidence demonstrating a significant safety need.
Where practical, less restrictive alternatives should be considered, and reasonable access to essential municipal services should be maintained. The Elected Council has an important oversight responsibility. Significant or prolonged municipal restrictions should be reviewed regularly, explained publicly and ended when they are no longer necessary.
Emergency measures should not quietly become permanent municipal policy without normal Council consideration. I would also distinguish between decisions legally imposed by provincial authorities and discretionary decisions made by the municipality. I Will protect public health while also protecting individual rights, transparency, democratic oversight and accountability.
Questionnaire sent: September 9, 2026
Response received: September 11, 2026
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