Marius Kerkhoff

2026 Oxford County Municipal Election
Norwich Township — Councillor, Ward 1

We asked. Marius Kerkhoff 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 moved to Norwich Township from the Fraser Valley in BC in the summer of 2002. Shortly after arriving, I married Jessica who is local to Norwich Township, and we have since been blessed with six children. After working on a dairy farm in BC for four years, I moved into construction after arriving in Ontario, working as a lead hand for four years building dairy and poultry facilities. In 2006, I began working as a Police Constable with the Oxford Community Police Service and Woodstock Police Service. During my time in policing, I gained experience in General Patrol, the Criminal Investigations Branch, the Drugs & Intelligence Office, and in an acting supervisor role in General Patrol. In 2019, I pursued my business endeavours full-time in real estate, which I continue today. I am now running for Ward 1 Councillor in the Township of Norwich. One of the most important issues facing municipalities today is the ever-increasing cost of infrastructure, policing, and other services, with these costs ultimately being placed on hardworking families through property taxes. I believe we need responsible spending, accountability, and decisions that keep the needs of our residents at the forefront.

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 municipalities should have a certain amount of flexibility when provincial policies affect local decisions. The province has an important role in setting overall rules and standards, but municipalities understand their communities and local needs best. Not every community is the same, so a one-size-fits-all approach does not always work. Municipalities should be able to make decisions that reflect their local circumstances while still following the province’s overall direction. I believe a municipality should challenge provincial decisions when they have a significant negative impact on the community, create unnecessary costs for taxpayers, or do not make sense for local conditions. Any opposition should be respectful and based on facts and evidence. Overall, I believe the province and municipalities should work together, with municipalities having a strong voice when decisions directly affect their residents.

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 would like to keep an open line of communication with residents through email or phone call, as well as local communication portals such as The Noteworthy in Norwich. Residents should always feel welcome to reach out to me with questions, concerns, or ideas. I believe it is important to listen, be accessible, and keep residents informed. When there are disagreements, I would be willing to explain the reasons behind my decisions and be accountable to the people I represent.

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 the staff here in Norwich are good at what they do, and council should respect their knowledge and expertise. At the same time, council has a responsibility to take a “second look” at decisions and recommendations to make sure they are in line with the needs and wishes of the citizens who elected them. Staff should provide the information and recommendations, while council is responsible for making the final decisions and being accountable for them.

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?

I spend very little time on social media and very rarely comment on issues online. In my real estate business, I have an assistant who manages the social media that is specific to the business. I believe social media has a positive place, but it can also become a distraction and take away from time, energy, and focus on what is important. I have not deleted, hidden, or substantially altered any social media posts or online content because of my candidacy, and there are no deleted social media accounts associated with me.

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 believe annual property-tax increases should generally stay in line with inflation. If an increase above inflation is needed, there should be a clear explanation of why it is necessary and a plan to return to a more reasonable level when that circumstance has passed. It is also important to remember that property taxes include both the Township and County portions. Over the last few years, the Township’s increases have generally been closely aligned with inflation, while the County portion has increased more significantly and quickly. I believe we need to look carefully at spending, efficiencies, and priorities before asking taxpayers to accept increases beyond inflation.

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 County is the heartbeat of agriculture in Ontario. Its central location in Southwestern Ontario, with direct access to the 401 and 403, makes it a great place for both agriculture and responsible growth. I believe Oxford should accommodate growth, but growth into farmland, beyond existing city and town boundaries, should be considered a last resort and never at the expense of viable farmland. Once productive farmland is lost, it is very difficult to replace. Growth should be directed toward areas where infrastructure and services can support it, while protecting our agricultural land and the rural character of our communities. We need to make decisions with a long-term view, ensuring that Oxford remains a strong agricultural community and continues to produce food for future generations.

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.

There are already wind turbines in the Oxford Centre area, and from what I have seen and casually researched, I would not encourage further industrial wind turbine development in Oxford County. I would want to consider the actual benefit to our electricity needs, along with the impact on neighbouring properties and the rural landscape. When it comes to utility-scale solar, I do not believe viable farmland should be taken out of production for large solar projects. Solar on barn roofs, commercial buildings, or parking structures in our towns would be a different consideration. If Oxford is going to be a leader in agriculture, we need to protect our productive farmland and look for ways to generate energy without sacrificing the land we depend on for food production.

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 am not in favour of actively pursuing data centres in Oxford County, but I recognize that they have a place and can provide economic benefits in the right location but I don’t see it here in Oxford County. My preference would be to focus Oxford’s growth on industries that complement our agricultural community and make the best use of our existing infrastructure.

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.

There are already many regulations in place through organizations such as the Long Point Region Conservation Authority and the Grand River Conservation Authority. I believe private farmland should primarily be available for farming, while still respecting the need to protect wetlands, rivers, creeks, and flood-prone areas. Environmental protection is important, but regulations should be reasonable, clear, and balanced with the rights of property owners. Farmers should be able to make productive use of their land without unnecessary restrictions, while ensuring that environmentally sensitive areas are properly protected for future generations.

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.

Municipal governments should focus on responsible management of resources such as water, air, waste, and energy, while avoiding policies that create unnecessary costs for families and taxpayers. There are many climate-related initiatives that can add significant costs without a clear local benefit. I believe taxpayers should not be asked to fund programs simply because they are part of a broader climate agenda. Any municipal spending should have a clear purpose, reasonable cost, and measurable benefit to our community. I also believe individuals, businesses, and government all have a responsibility to be good stewards of our environment without placing unnecessary burdens on families.

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 support mandatory DEI programs or training being funded by municipal taxpayers. I believe municipal hiring and public services should be based on fairness, qualifications, ability, and treating everyone with respect, regardless of race, ethnicity, sex, disability, or background. I believe in fairness and equity for all, but I do not believe excluding or giving preference to any particular group is the right approach. Creating divisions between groups is counterproductive. Our goal should be to treat everyone equally, provide equal opportunity, and hire the best person for the job. If a private business chooses to participate in DEI programs, that is their choice, but I do not believe municipal taxpayers should be required to fund these programs.

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 don’t see a significant benefit to Oxford County adopting international policy frameworks such as the United Nations Agenda 2030. Oxford County farmers, business owners, and residents already take pride in being responsible stewards of the land, water, and environment, and many already use sustainable practices. I believe decisions that affect our municipality should be made locally, based on the needs and priorities of the people who live here. I would not support an international organization developing policies that are then adopted and enforced by our municipality without clear local benefit or public discussion. If council does consider policies influenced by international frameworks, residents should be clearly informed about where those policies come from, what they will cost, and how they will affect our community.

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 public safety is important, but it needs to be balanced with the privacy of our residents. ALPR cameras are already used on many police vehicles, where officers can use them to identify vehicles connected to offences and act when appropriate. I have concerns about expanding this type of surveillance through permanently placed Flock cameras throughout our communities. I believe this creates unnecessary privacy concerns and could lead us down a path where constant monitoring becomes normal. If these systems are considered, there should be clear limits on their use, strict rules around data collection and retention, and strong accountability for how the information is accessed. Public safety should not come at the expense of reasonable privacy.

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.

Often, municipal governments have little to no say when public-health restrictions are handed down by the provincial or federal government. I believe elected municipal officials should have an opportunity to review and provide input on these measures, especially to make sure they make sense for the specific community they serve. A measure that may be appropriate in a large city may not make sense in a rural community like ours. Council should also have a role in reviewing how restrictions are implemented locally and ensuring that municipal authority is not extended beyond what is necessary during an emergency.

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Questionnaire sent: September 8, 2026
Response received: September 16, 2026

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