https://www.commonsensecollective.ca/blog daily 0.75 2026-06-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6a14d83fbc0c9f62612b0e36/7e534d82-9cf0-472b-a369-db3b1d6de8ea/Screenshot+2026-06-01+at+12.58.37+PM.png https://www.commonsensecollective.ca/blog/financial-pressures monthly 0.5 2026-06-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6a14d83fbc0c9f62612b0e36/1780348449491-07E4F9KHBX92FD3SFINB/unsplash-image-ZVprbBmT8QA.jpg The Issues - Financial Pressures - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6a14d83fbc0c9f62612b0e36/f85fdbcf-2b8a-40bd-9446-24f0c34e409b/Screenshot+2026-06-03+at+6.23.41+PM.png The Issues - Financial Pressures - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.commonsensecollective.ca/blog/water-and-wastewater-governance monthly 0.5 2026-06-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6a14d83fbc0c9f62612b0e36/1780062425137-KXDHQDSU6GU0N0ACM52B/Screenshot+2026-05-29+at+9.46.56+AM.png The Issues - Water & Wastewater Governance - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.commonsensecollective.ca/blog/housing-affordability monthly 0.5 2026-06-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6a14d83fbc0c9f62612b0e36/1780061884739-GWXC6L10N864Y3XJB4SH/image.png The Issues - Housing Affordability - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.commonsensecollective.ca/blog/long-term-care-access monthly 0.5 2026-06-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6a14d83fbc0c9f62612b0e36/ddfa4d5a-3cc3-4525-9d3d-b254353393f3/unsplash-image-yRmmm3t1oX8.jpg The Issues - Long-Term Care Access - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6a14d83fbc0c9f62612b0e36/e6132fc4-19e8-416b-8883-ecbe1133dbd9/Screenshot+2026-05-28+at+6.50.43+PM.png The Issues - Long-Term Care Access - Errinrung in Thornbury is expected to close soon, and 887 people are on the waiting list for long-term care homes in Collingwood. When there are no local long-term care beds, people may have to move to Meaford, Collingwood, Owen Sound, or even farther away. That can make visits harder for spouses, children, and friends. https://www.commonsensecollective.ca/blog/growth-management monthly 0.5 2026-06-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6a14d83fbc0c9f62612b0e36/1780348930817-5KA9D178I5E5U3KWTVY9/unsplash-image-ShZ5PSGVglM.jpg The Issues - Growth Management - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.commonsensecollective.ca/newsletters daily 0.75 2026-07-03 https://www.commonsensecollective.ca/newsletters/Blog Post Title One-3zaa9-zlxng-6ajpl-a8wr8 monthly 0.5 2026-07-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6a14d83fbc0c9f62612b0e36/2327bba1-b744-4090-8e64-bb69fec787ed/Screenshot%2B2026-07-01%2Bat%2B10.23.14%2BAM.png Newsletters - Town of The Blue Mountains – 2026 Municipal Election - Make it stand out 1. Governance Mindset vs. Operational Mindset A common campaign weakness is confusing council’s governance role with staff’s operational role. Roads, development applications, service complaints, water and wastewater capacity and seasonal pressures all matter, but credible candidates explain how council can address them through policy direction, budget approval, service standards and oversight. The Test: Does the candidate understand that council governs by setting policy, approving budgets, establishing service levels and holding administration accountable rather than managing staff’s day-to-day work? Look For: Candidates who connect resident concerns to policy tools, measurable outcomes and public reporting, rather than promising to bypass process or treat individual complaints as a substitute for governing well. Red Flags: Promises to personally fix service complaints, direct staff, override process or ignore governance rules when administrative frustration arises. 2. Fiscal Literacy and Long-Term Stewardship The Blue Mountains face major financial pressures from aging infrastructure, growth-related capital needs, service expectations from residents and visitors, and long-term asset management. The approved 2026 budget included a 4.34% municipal levy increase and a $345,000 contribution to the Asset Management Reserve, making fiscal literacy a practical test of candidate readiness. The Test: Can the candidate explain how they would pay for campaign promises, including trade-offs among taxes, fees, service levels, reserves, debt, development charges and capital timing? Look For: A practical grasp of municipal finance, including asset management plans, operating and capital budgets, infrastructure reserves and lifecycle costs. Be cautious of slogans such as “freeze taxes” or “cut waste” unless the candidate identifies which services, projects or reserves would change. Red Flags: Promises major tax relief or new spending without naming affected services, capital projects, reserves, debt levels or future operating costs. 3. Collaboration and Decision-Making Style A councillor has one vote at the table, so results depend on persuasion, preparation and constructive relationships. The Mayor and Deputy Mayor also represent The Blue Mountains at Grey County, making collaboration with council colleagues, staff, neighbouring municipalities, community groups and rights-holders essential. The Test: How does the candidate handle disagreement, competing neighbourhood priorities and complex files such as growth, housing, transportation, tourism, environmental protection and infrastructure phasing? Look For: Evidence of collaborative skills in business, non-profits, community committees or public service. In debates and conversations, listen for objective data, active listening and respect for differing views rather than defensive or divisive language. Red Flags: Frames council as a battlefield, dismisses compromise, relies on grievance language or treats one group’s demands as automatically overriding the municipality-wide interest. 4. Communication and Accessibility A representative’s job does not end when the council meeting adjourns. In a municipality with full-time residents, seasonal property owners, business operators, farmers, volunteers and visitors, candidates should show how they will explain complex decisions before they become flashpoints. The Test: Will the candidate translate complex municipal reports, budgets and planning decisions into plain, transparent language before major votes occur? Look For: Candidates who prioritize accessibility, seniors, housing, public scrutiny and respectful engagement across the whole municipality, including Thornbury, Clarksburg, Craigleith, Ravenna, rural areas and waterfront communities. Red Flags: Communicates only after controversy arises, avoids difficult trade-offs, or uses vague statements where plain-language explanations are needed. Local Issues to Listen For in 2026 Use these local issues as practical test cases for the four pillars above. They reveal whether candidates can connect campaign positions to governance, budgets, collaboration and clear communication. Infrastructure and asset management: Can they explain how roads, bridges, water, wastewater, stormwater, sidewalks and recreation assets will be maintained and funded over time? Growth and housing: Can they balance housing choice, affordability, rural character, intensification, servicing capacity and neighbourhood fit? Tourism and local economy: Do they understand the benefits and pressures of being a destination community, including parking, traffic, short-term accommodations, events, seasonal demand and support for local businesses? Environment and climate resilience: Can they speak concretely about protecting the escarpment, waterfront, agricultural lands, natural heritage, tree canopy and climate-ready infrastructure? Public trust: Will they strengthen transparent decision-making, proactive consultation and progress reporting aligned with the Town’s 2026–2027 Corporate Strategic Plan? Questions to Ask Candidates What should the council decide directly, and what should remain the responsibility of professional staff? Which campaign promises would require the largest budget trade-off, and how would you pay for them? How would you balance growth, housing choice, servicing capacity and neighbourhood character? What infrastructure risks should the next council address first, and why? How would you communicate a difficult or unpopular council decision before the vote? How would you work with Grey County, neighbouring municipalities, community groups and rights-holders to get results? What would success look like at the end of the next council term, and how should residents measure it? Final Thought The strongest candidates will not simply promise action; they will show that they understand governance, municipal finance, collaboration, communication and the long-term interests of the whole Town of The Blue Mountains. A strong vote is not only a vote for familiar priorities; it is a vote for candidates who can make clear, accountable decisions when priorities compete. https://www.commonsensecollective.ca/newsletters/Blog Post Title One-3zaa9-zlxng-6ajpl monthly 0.5 2026-07-03 https://www.commonsensecollective.ca/home daily 1.0 2026-06-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6a14d83fbc0c9f62612b0e36/f78bdfd3-8102-4891-b57f-c0072c1d48c8/unsplash-image-LITgDoGQza0.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6a14d83fbc0c9f62612b0e36/1779836460918-72TWCXIL48WQ3YYVHWEG/unsplash-image-5-Hsw8OnpBE.jpg https://www.commonsensecollective.ca/ourteam daily 0.75 2026-06-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6a14d83fbc0c9f62612b0e36/67aece77-9842-4193-8e8d-ca7a7c4f60d6/IMG_5160.jpeg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6a14d83fbc0c9f62612b0e36/2ccd1502-36c0-4a3b-9f99-e80fba975973/JLLPortrait2.JPEG https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6a14d83fbc0c9f62612b0e36/f9a13eb9-d16f-44e2-b511-b6a9dffa6f99/Pickering+profile+picture.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6a14d83fbc0c9f62612b0e36/b03d7acf-9372-4cbf-baad-529dc265257b/Screenshot+2026-05-26+at+7.55.56+PM.png https://www.commonsensecollective.ca/donate daily 0.75 2026-06-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6a14d83fbc0c9f62612b0e36/73924a90-4e52-47af-8f1b-3cb25bfba70f/Screenshot+2026-04-20+at+6.01.19+PM.png https://www.commonsensecollective.ca/voter-resources daily 0.75 2026-06-16 https://www.commonsensecollective.ca/the-candidates daily 0.75 2026-07-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6a14d83fbc0c9f62612b0e36/dcd5e6f3-8a97-42df-951f-c833e86f057d/Marni%27s+Head+Shot.jpeg The Candidates https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6a14d83fbc0c9f62612b0e36/75fc2280-0e04-4176-ab6f-6a3416a00bf4/CSC_Peter.jpg The Candidates https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6a14d83fbc0c9f62612b0e36/78444392-d79d-4124-8c2c-69b5c759e12f/Brayden+DeWitt+Municipal+Headshot.png The Candidates https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6a14d83fbc0c9f62612b0e36/5a47af88-9278-4fbd-b4ce-2e76a1b03b1f/s1-1.jpg The Candidates https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6a14d83fbc0c9f62612b0e36/004c754d-067b-4b89-bcb1-32f64487fdf2/Screenshot+2026-06-15+at+5.05.56+PM.png The Candidates https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6a14d83fbc0c9f62612b0e36/e5f41901-64b3-40df-a47b-a03264729301/DSC_1206+%281%29.jpg The Candidates https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6a14d83fbc0c9f62612b0e36/e6238123-c81c-4a04-b1cd-44219cd73fd0/TEMPO+Photography+-+TOBM-1201B+Head+Shot.jpg The Candidates https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6a14d83fbc0c9f62612b0e36/73924a90-4e52-47af-8f1b-3cb25bfba70f/Screenshot+2026-04-20+at+6.01.19+PM.png The Candidates https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6a14d83fbc0c9f62612b0e36/1784069073430-4JQF8PYYI3ZWDKCHCY1F/unsplash-image-xWDWkkTkxwU.jpg The Candidates https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6a14d83fbc0c9f62612b0e36/1784069114414-Y65C9IE0NNCFP44Y0JST/unsplash-image-5QMoxl65qBw.jpg The Candidates https://www.commonsensecollective.ca/marni-moreau daily 0.75 2026-06-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6a14d83fbc0c9f62612b0e36/dcd5e6f3-8a97-42df-951f-c833e86f057d/Marni%27s+Head+Shot.jpeg https://www.commonsensecollective.ca/peter-bordigon daily 0.75 2026-06-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6a14d83fbc0c9f62612b0e36/75fc2280-0e04-4176-ab6f-6a3416a00bf4/CSC_Peter.jpg https://www.commonsensecollective.ca/brayden-dewitt daily 0.75 2026-06-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6a14d83fbc0c9f62612b0e36/78444392-d79d-4124-8c2c-69b5c759e12f/Brayden+DeWitt+Municipal+Headshot.png https://www.commonsensecollective.ca/shawn-mckinlay daily 0.75 2026-06-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6a14d83fbc0c9f62612b0e36/5a47af88-9278-4fbd-b4ce-2e76a1b03b1f/s1-1.jpg https://www.commonsensecollective.ca/rachel-gilliland daily 0.75 2026-06-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6a14d83fbc0c9f62612b0e36/004c754d-067b-4b89-bcb1-32f64487fdf2/Screenshot+2026-06-15+at+5.05.56+PM.png https://www.commonsensecollective.ca/george-mcleod daily 0.75 2026-06-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6a14d83fbc0c9f62612b0e36/e5f41901-64b3-40df-a47b-a03264729301/DSC_1206+%281%29.jpg https://www.commonsensecollective.ca/gail-ardiel daily 0.75 2026-07-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6a14d83fbc0c9f62612b0e36/cf4cc552-5cc8-485a-8ee2-00347c42d89c/TEMPO+Photography+-+TOBM-1201B+Head+Shot.jpg