Steph Goertz
for Mayor
Priorities
Wilmot Council has six members. If elected as Mayor, I will have one vote. I can bring ideas forward, advocate for policy changes, ask questions, work with other members of Council and build support—but I cannot promise how other members will vote. It is important for you to vote for people who have demonstrated their commitment to our community.
Thoughtful, Planned Growth
Where and how should we grow?
Farmland • rural character • housing/development • water availability • complete communities.
Transparent Financial Planning
How will we pay for it?
Budget • revenue • taxes • reserves • debt • 10-year planning • value for money.
Strengthening the Community Voice at the Municipal Table
Encouraging community decision-making
Residents • businesses • service clubs • sports association • community groups
Reliable Services & Infrastructure
How do we repair and build our community
Roads • community centers • recreation • fire services • water/wastewater infrastructure • parks
Work together to restore land and water
Help farmers, landowners, businesses and community organizations connect with funding, volunteers and expertise for local restoration projects.
Farmland • Water • Rural Character
Protect farmland from unnecessary loss and damage
Strengthen how farmland, drainage, fill, development and major land-use changes are considered.
Better rules for large fill operations
Complete Wilmot's Site Alteration Bylaw with clear rules for drainage, clean fill, road damage, enforcement and farmland protection.
Understand the whole landscape
Bring information about farmland, groundwater, wetlands, waterways and natural areas together so Council can see how decisions affect the larger system.
Development • Infrastructure • Taxes • Affordability
Amend Wilmot's Official Plan and bring forward amendments that better reflect our community's vision for the future.
Work with residents, businesses, farmers and experts to identify changes that should be made to our Official Plan.
Plan for growth before approving more growth
Understand the full development potential already available and whether water, wastewater, roads, emergency services and other infrastructure can support it.
Look for lower-cost infrastructure solutions
Compare construction cost, maintenance, lifespan and outside funding when considering different ways to solve infrastructure problems. Your existing page already contains this proposal.
Protect farmland when major development is consideredRequire alternatives and impacts on agriculture to be properly considered for major development and infrastructure decisions. That's also already on this page.
Make Wilmot's finances easier to understand
Clear information about spending, revenue, taxes, reserves and long-term financial commitments.
Plan beyond the next budget
Use longer-term financial and capital planning so residents and Council can understand what today's decisions could cost in the future.
Businesses • Recreation • Community Life
Reimagine Our Recreation Space
Bring sports associations, service clubs, businesses, community groups and residents together to explore what Wilmot needs and what a future recreation space could look like.
Supporting Local Childcare
Childcare isn't just about creating more spaces. We need to understand what families need while supporting both licensed and unlicensed childcare providers and the challenges they face keeping their businesses sustainable.
Grow Our Existing Employment Lands
We have land already set aside for employment and economic growth. I want to better understand what is available, what is preventing some of these lands from developing, and what we can do to attract businesses, investment and jobs that fit our community.
Pledges
2026 Pledge to Protect Public Services
If elected, I pledge to:
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Protect Public Services
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Support Fair Wages & Decent Work
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Respect Collective Bargaining and Labour Rights
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Advance Equity, Inclusion, and Reconciliation
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Promote Transparency and Community Engagement
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Champion Public Investment and Progressive Advocacy
Read more information here
Climate Action Waterloo Region
2026 Municipal ELection Climate Candidate Pledge
As a Climate Candidate, I believe our local councils have the power to deliver transformative climate action in Waterloo Region.
If elected, I promise to:
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Increase action to reach our emissions reductions targets, including an 80% reduction by 2050 and a 50% reduction by 2030, as set out in the TransformWR strategy and endorsed by all eight municipalities within the Region of Waterloo.
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Apply a holistic approach to decision-making, recognizing the interconnectedness of social, economic, and climate issues and adopting solutions that address multiple challenges, reduce inequities, create economic prosperity, and build a more resilient community.
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Advocate to senior levels of government, recognizing that the success of municipal climate action in our community depends on supportive policies and partnerships with provincial and federal levels of government.
Read more information here.
CUPE
Basic Income
Waterloo Region
