Local politicians share views at forum focused on future of Norfolk

Local politicians provided insight into some of the most important issues facing Haldimand and Norfolk in a wide-ranging talk on Thursday.

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The first Innovation Frontier Forum, hosted by the Simcoe & District Chamber of Commerce, culminated with a discussion about affordable living, infrastructure funding, healthcare and tourism, with Haldimand-Norfolk MP Leslyn Lewis, Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Bobbi Ann Brady and Norfolk Mayor Amy Martin sharing their perspectives with an audience gathered in the Homecraft Building at the Norfolk County Fairgrounds.

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“What a powerhouse group of women,” said Chamber president Catherine Akins.

Moderator Sue Downs posed a series of questions to the politicians, telling the audience it wasn’t a debate but a conversation. The speakers were united when asked about their passions related to the community.

“Making life more affordable,” said Brady, who was elected the province’s lone independent MPP in 2022. “I’ve talked to so many people who have to choose between eating and heating.”

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Brady said she’s committed to protecting productive farmland in the province as Ontario’s population grows.

“I know we need land for development, but we have to think long and hard about the land we’re using.”

Lewis said there is an “affordability crisis” in Ontario, citing the two million residents relying on food banks each month. Martin said debt-burdened Norfolk needs federal and provincial funding for housing and the water systems and other infrastructure that support it.

“We’re seeing an influx of development,” said Martin, adding that the municipality needs to attract all types of housing and differentiate itself from the GTA.

Norfolk “must grow at a reasonable rate,” Brady told the audience, with a combination of new industry and housing so that residents can “get out of bed and drive to a good-paying job here.”

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Lewis, elected to the House of Commons in 2021, noted a provincial infrastructure gap “in the billions.”

“We need to have water infrastructure in place,” said Lewis, adding she’s committed to doing what she can to cut governmental red tape to get funds to the community.

Martin, a former Ward 6 councilor who was elected mayor in 2022, said Norfolk is facing a $1 billion cost over the next 10 years just to sustain its current infrastructure.

When asked specifically about affordable housing, Brady said a “lack of planning” has resulted in development that isn’t meeting people’s needs.

Lewis said there are building permits being issued to developers that “can’t be acted on” because infrastructure, including water, isn’t in place.

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“We need to listen more to municipalities’ needs,” she said.

Brady called for a “push for more predictable funding” so municipalities can plan for the long term.

Martin said, “we need to change the way we’re building homes in Norfolk County,” citing the Villages of Waterford development, which includes accessory housing units in the lower level of some of its homes suited to multi-generational families or rental opportunities .

Akins said the forum stemmed from “a great need for our community to come together to share information and learn about how we can best move forward together in developing Norfolk through business and tourism.”

Other speakers at the event included Daniel Tisch, president and CEO of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce; Brock Dickinson, adjunct professor from the University of Waterloo; and Caroline Polgrabia from the Ontario Ministry of Tourism.

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