2026 Oxford County Municipal Election
Tillsonburg — Councillor
We asked. Katherine Englander 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 running for Tillsonburg Town Council because I believe our community deserves experienced, practical and accountable leadership focused on its long-term future. My approach is grounded in listening, asking difficult questions, understanding the facts and making decisions based on the best interests of our citizens and community.
My priorities are community well-being, responsible growth, fiscal responsibility, infrastructure and a strong local economy. I want Tillsonburg to grow while maintaining the rural character, livability and sense of community we value.
The most important challenge is managing growth responsibly. Development must be supported by appropriate roads, water, wastewater and other infrastructure, while protecting quality of life. I would bring a strategic, collaborative approach to planning, prioritize long-term needs and ensure today’s decisions do not create unnecessary financial burdens for tomorrow’s taxpayers.
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 should have meaningful local discretion to address the unique needs and priorities of their communities, while recognizing that municipalities operate within provincial legislation.
I believe the starting point should always be collaboration and advocacy rather than confrontation. Council should understand the facts, assess the impact on residents and determine whether provincial direction is workable for our community.
Where provincial decisions significantly affect municipal services, finances, infrastructure or local priorities, municipalities should clearly communicate their concerns and advocate for flexibility or changes. If necessary, a municipality should respectfully challenge provincial direction when it believes the decision is contrary to the best interests of its residents or places unreasonable financial or operational burdens on the community.
Local government is closest to residents, and decisions should reflect local circumstances whenever the law allows.
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?
Residents deserve transparency, open communication and accountability from their elected representatives. I would make myself accessible to residents, listen to their concerns and provide clear information about municipal decisions.
I do not believe an elected official can agree with everyone on every issue. My commitment is to listen carefully, consider different perspectives, understand the facts and then make decisions based on the long-term interests of Tillsonburg.
I would explain my reasoning and my votes, particularly when residents disagree with me. Respectful disagreement is an important part of democracy.
I also believe accountability means being willing to ask difficult questions, acknowledge when additional information is needed and remain open to changing a position when the evidence warrants it. My goal would be to keep residents informed and maintain a respectful, two-way dialogue throughout my term.
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 should establish the municipality’s vision, priorities, policies and financial direction, while staff should provide professional expertise, implement Council’s decisions and manage day-to-day municipal operations.
I would expect staff recommendations to be based on evidence, expertise, legislation, financial analysis and the municipality’s long-term plans. Council’s responsibility is to ask questions, consider the information, listen to residents and make the policy and financial decisions entrusted to elected officials.
Elected officials must ultimately remain accountable for the decisions Council makes. We should respect staff expertise without simply accepting recommendations without proper consideration.
My approach would be collaborative and respectful: understand the facts, ask the difficult questions, consider the long-term implications and make decisions in the best interests of Tillsonburg.
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 deleted, hidden or substantially altered past social-media posts or other publicly available online content because I believed it might affect how voters viewed me or my candidacy.
I strive to be a role model in all that I do. I am a human resources professional who has taught part time at Fanshawe College for almost twenty years. I had my own human resources consulting company and my clients are part of my network in all of my social media; therefore, my social media must be accurate and reflect who I really am. Human resources is about ethics and accountability and so am I.
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 consider an annual municipal tax increase in the range of 2–3% reasonable, recognizing that circumstances, inflation and necessary infrastructure investments can change from year to year.
My priority would not be achieving an arbitrary tax target at the expense of essential services. Before increasing costs, Council should look for efficiencies, better use of existing resources and opportunities to prioritize spending.
If additional reductions were necessary, I would consider the impact on core services, public safety, infrastructure, community well-being and long-term costs. Essential infrastructure and services should not simply be deferred because doing so may create much larger costs later.
Every taxpayer dollar should be treated with respect. Major decisions should be evaluated based on priorities, evidence, benefits and long-term financial implications, while ensuring today’s decisions do not create unnecessary burdens for tomorrow’s 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 plan strategically for growth rather than simply accept projections as an automatic target. Growth is important, but the rate, location and type of development matter.
Tillsonburg should remain the rural community we value. New development should be supported by appropriate roads, water, wastewater, parks and other infrastructure, and should contribute to a community where families, seniors and future residents can live successfully.
Agricultural land is an important long-term community asset and supports food production and the rural economy. Where development competes with productive agricultural land, decisions should carefully consider the quality and significance of the land, alternative locations, infrastructure capacity and the long-term interests of the entire community.
Growth should be responsible, strategically planned and consistent with maintaining Tillsonburg’s character and livability.
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 would approach any proposed utility-scale wind or solar development on a case-by-case basis rather than automatically supporting or opposing every project.
My decision would be based on evidence and the long-term interests of Tillsonburg and its residents. Factors would include the location, impact on agricultural land and neighbouring properties, environmental considerations, infrastructure requirements, community impact, economic benefits and the costs that could ultimately fall on taxpayers.
I would also want meaningful information available to residents and an opportunity for affected communities to be heard before a major decision is made.
Renewable energy can have benefits, but major developments should not be approved simply because they are labelled as renewable. Council’s responsibility is to consider the complete picture and determine whether a proposal represents responsible development and a reasonable outcome for 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 only where the overall benefits to Tillsonburg clearly outweigh the costs and risks to the community.
Potential economic benefits, investment and employment opportunities should be considered, but so should demands on electricity, water, land, roads, wastewater and other municipal infrastructure. These impacts must be understood before Council makes a decision.
I would want a thorough assessment of infrastructure capacity, environmental implications, municipal costs, tax benefits, employment and the long-term implications for residents and future development.
My approach would be neither automatically for nor against data centres. I would ask the difficult questions, review the evidence and consider whether the proposal fits our community’s long-term strategy.
Major development should strengthen our tax base and economy without creating unnecessary financial or infrastructure burdens for future taxpayers.
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 are important, but they exist within a broader framework of laws designed to protect neighbours, public safety, the environment and the community as a whole.
Environmental regulation should be evidence-based, proportionate and clearly connected to a legitimate public interest. Municipalities should avoid unnecessary restrictions that impose significant costs or limitations on rural property owners without demonstrating a meaningful community benefit.
At the same time, property rights should not be used to justify activities that create unreasonable impacts on neighbouring properties, public infrastructure or the environment.
My approach would be to balance individual rights with responsible stewardship. Regulations should be transparent, understandable and applied fairly, with consideration given to the economic and practical consequences for rural property owners.
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.
Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas and plays a role in climate change. Municipal government should focus on practical, evidence-based actions that address local risks and improve community resilience without placing unnecessary financial burdens on taxpayers.
For Tillsonburg, this includes responsible infrastructure planning, maintaining roads, water and wastewater systems, protecting green space and ensuring that major investments consider long-term environmental and financial implications.
I would support initiatives where there is a clear municipal benefit and a reasonable relationship between the cost and the outcome. Municipal taxpayers should not be expected to fund initiatives simply because they carry a climate-related label.
My approach would be practical rather than ideological: understand the evidence, identify the local risks, evaluate the costs and benefits, and make decisions that protect both today’s residents and tomorrow’s 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.
Municipal hiring and public services should be fair, inclusive and based primarily on qualifications, ability to perform the work and the requirements of the position. People should not be advantaged or disadvantaged because of race, ethnicity, sex, disability or newcomer status, except where lawful accommodation or other legal requirements apply.
As a human resources professional, I support respectful workplaces where everyone has the opportunity to contribute and be treated fairly.
Training can be valuable when it improves communication, respectful behaviour, understanding and teamwork. However, I would expect mandatory training funded by taxpayers to have a clear purpose, measurable value and reasonable cost.
My approach is consistent with evidence-based decision-making and accountability: municipal policies should focus on providing excellent public service, treating people with respect, meeting legal obligations and ensuring taxpayer dollars are spent responsibly.
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’ Agenda 2030 and Sustainable Development Goals may provide information or ideas, but they should not replace local democratic decision-making.
Municipal policies should be developed according to the needs, priorities and circumstances of Tillsonburg and its residents, within Canadian and Ontario law.
If an international framework is referenced in developing a municipal policy, residents should be able to understand what the framework is, why it is relevant, what the municipality is proposing and what the financial and practical implications are.
Council remains accountable to local residents, not to an international organization. Transparency, open communication, evidence-based decision-making and responsible use of taxpayer dollars should guide municipal decisions regardless of the source of an idea or policy.
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.
Public safety is an important responsibility of government, and technology such as automated licence-plate recognition may provide useful tools for police and municipalities. However, surveillance must be balanced carefully with residents’ legitimate expectation of privacy.
If Tillsonburg uses Flock cameras or similar technology, Council should understand exactly what information is collected, who can access it, how long it is retained, when it can be shared and what safeguards are in place.
There should be clear policies, appropriate oversight, transparency about the program and regular review to ensure the technology is being used for legitimate public-safety purposes.
I would support tools that provide a demonstrable public-safety benefit, provided there are appropriate privacy protections, accountability and limits on use. Public safety and individual privacy should not be treated as mutually exclusive.
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 may need temporary measures to protect residents and staff, including modifying access to municipal buildings, facilities and programs.
However, emergency measures should be necessary, proportionate, evidence-based and limited to the circumstances that justify them. Restrictions should not continue longer than necessary and should be reviewed regularly as circumstances change.
Elected Council should retain appropriate oversight and accountability. Residents should receive clear information about what restrictions are being imposed, why they are necessary and how long they are expected to remain in place.
My approach would be to protect community well-being while respecting individual rights and maintaining public trust. Emergency authority should never become a substitute for normal democratic decision-making. Where time permits, Council should be involved in establishing and reviewing significant restrictions, with decisions grounded in evidence and the long-term interests of the community.
Questionnaire sent: September 9, 2026
Response received: September 10, 2026
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