Steve McGuinness says he’s running for Niagara-on-the-Lake council to stand up for “Jill and Joe average NOTLers” and push for what he calls better decision-making at town hall.
The Virgil resident officially registered his nomination earlier this week, pitching himself as a financially experienced candidate focused on affordability, growth and protecting the town’s character.
“If elected to serve, Steve is committed to leveraging his professional Bay Street experience, as a financial executive, to bring better decision-making discipline to town hall,” his campaign announcement said.
McGuinness, founder of the community group Residents 4 A Better NOTL, said he has spent years advocating for “good local governance to put the interests of the many above the interests of the influential wealthy powerful few, that are conspiring to destroy the unique character of our town.”
A retired member of the Chartered Professional Accountants of Ontario, McGuinness holds a MBA from McMaster University and retired from full-time work in 2018.
“As a councillor he will stand up to defend Jill and Joe Average NOTLers’ interests by re-setting the relationship with senior levels of government (and) demanding respect for our municipality, as a co-equal partner, to restore fiscal balance and rein in unaffordable and unsustainable hikes in property tax bills,” the announcement said.
McGuinness also said he supports “responsible land use planning decisions” that respect the town’s official plan and zoning bylaws.
“We need new developments appropriate to the scale, heritage and agricultural traditions that make NOTL unique among Ontario municipalities,” the release said. “We need controlled growth that enhances services for permanent residents, sustaining the local tourism sector while guarding against the excesses of over-tourism.”
McGuinness identifies as a member of the LGBTQ+ community and said he strongly believes in including women and diverse minority communities in public policy decisions.
He and his spouse of 21 years, Gary, co-parent two grown children and have two school-aged grandchildren.
“If you see him out walking in NOTL, an eight-year-old yellow lab named Lucy will likely be trotting beside him,” the announcement said.
