Margaret Mead’s famous words:
"𝐍𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐝𝐨𝐮𝐛𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐚 𝐬𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐩 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐟𝐮𝐥, 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐧𝐬 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝. 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐞𝐝, 𝐢𝐭'𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐡𝐚𝐬."
The political machine protects its own, but the people who actually keep this community safe are demanding change.
Those who put their lives on the line for East Gwillimbury every single day want a leader they can trust to prioritize the residents' safety.
That is why the East Gwillimbury Professional Fire Fighters Association has proudly endorsed Brian Johns for Mayor.
They recognize that Brian is committed to genuine collaboration, real accountability, and putting an end to politics as usual.
It is time for new leadership that works for everyone and leaves the entrenched establishment behind.
The 2010 Election – The Sullivans' Petition: A Fight for Clear Accountability from Sharon Residents
For 40 years, East Gwillimbury operated under an at-large voting system mandated by the province, where the entire town elected four general councillors and a mayor. As our community grew, this caused severe geographic imbalances—at one point, four of the five council members lived in a single community (Holland Landing), leaving other areas underrepresented.
The push for reform was led by grassroots advocacy, spearheaded in December 2009 by Sharon residents Jim and Lynne Sullivan. They launched a citizen petition demanding a ward system to ensure fair representation for communities facing massive growth. Their core focus was accountability and ownership. As Lynne Sullivan famously stated:
"There's no need for all four councillors to be taking these calls. There's no ownership for these issues."
When Town Council refused to implement the petition, residents took their fight to the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) in 2011. While the OMB ultimately dismissed the appeal because the Town lacked a formal, comprehensive boundary review, the root issue was Town Council's sudden backtracking: Council had initially agreed to conduct the review, only to reverse their own motion hours later without explanation.
The 2018 Transition and Stalled Expansion
Following a delayed electoral review in 2016, the Town finally introduced a three-ward system for the 2018 election:
However, instead of creating single-member wards, the Town created a dual-councillor system where each ward elects two councillors, expanding Council to seven members.
Crucially, the Town’s own electoral consultants recommended a phased rollout: start with three dual wards in 2018, and then expand to a five single-member ward system by the 2022 election by splitting the rapidly growing Holland Landing and Queensville-Sharon wards.
Council shelved that recommendation. Today, in 2026, East Gwillimbury remains locked in the same interim 2018 model.
The Dual-Member Accountability Dilemma
Because Council kept two councillors per ward instead of establishing dedicated, single-member wards, the Sullivans' original warning remains unresolved today: diffused accountability.
When two councillors share identical geographic boundaries:
The 2026 Election – Aryan’s Commitment: One Ward, One Councillor for True Accountability
Today, correcting this accountability gap is one of my top priorities, and a commitment I will champion through continued community advocacy regardless of the outcome of this election term. Just as Lynne Sullivan pointed out years ago: there is no reason for two councillors to be duplicating calls while avoiding direct ownership.
It is time to transition East Gwillimbury to a true "one ward, one councillor" model. This change will finally establish clear, undiluted local accountability, ensuring every neighbourhood has a single, dedicated representative acting solely in the public interest. Furthermore, under our current system with two councillors per ward, politicians can easily defer their accountability to the other councillor. This is a systemic accountability risk that we need to fix.
Why a True "One Ward, One Councillor" System Works:
My Action Plan for Town Council
If elected as your Ward 2 Councillor, I will bring forward a motion for an immediate, independent Ward Boundary Review with comprehensive public consultation to accurately reflect current populations, future growth, and the distinct identities of our communities.
When the OMB dismissed the citizens' appeal in 2011, the Vice-Chair closed with Margaret Mead’s famous words:
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."
My objective is to finish the work those committed residents started in 2009. By initiating this overdue review early in the term, we can ensure a modernized, fair, single-member ward system is fully in place for the 2030 municipal election—regardless of who runs or sits in those seats, because this is about serving the public interest, not preserving political careers.
I will be sharing further details on my proposed boundary review after the election.
If you believe in true accountability for your neighbourhood, I want to hear from you.
Action matters: Please share this post with your community and discuss it with your neighbours to help build strong community advocacy.
In East Gwillimbury, you elect two ward councillors, giving you the power to shape our community's future. Make Shahab Aryan your absolute first choice to bring independent, engineered leadership to Town Council.
My full platform and detailed plans are available on my website at www.ShahabAryan.ca . I encourage you to read them, and you can always reach me directly at Shahab@ShahabAryan.ca with any questions, concerns, or ideas.
Shahab Aryan, P.Eng.
Independent Ward 2 Candidate
Neighbours of Sharon and Queensville,
As a husband, father, and Professional Engineer with over 15 years in public service, I am committed to building a safe, vibrant, and fiscally responsible community for all of us. As your candidate for Ward 2 Councillor, I want to share my vision for East Gwillimbury.
My campaign is 100% self-funded and completely independent of any interests except the public interest. My only commitment is to you and our community.
Here are my core priorities for our town:
Action matters: Please share this post with your community and discuss it with your neighbours to help build strong community advocacy.
In East Gwillimbury, you elect two ward councillors, giving you the power to shape our community's future. Make Shahab Aryan your absolute first choice to bring independent, engineered leadership to Town Council.
My full platform and detailed plans are available on my website at www.ShahabAryan.ca . I encourage you to read them, and you can always reach me directly at Shahab@ShahabAryan.ca with any questions, concerns, or ideas.
Shahab Aryan, P.Eng.
Independent Ward 2 Candidate
When Confrontation Replaces Leadership: The Real Cost of Scott Crone's Litigation-First Approach in East Gwillimbury
In local government, leadership is measured by your ability to bring people together, solve complex problems, and deliver results. When a candidate lacks the engineering and planning tools to do that, they resort to confrontation and costly legal threats.
As a Ward 2 Councillor candidate and Professional Engineer, I believe East Gwillimbury needs leaders who understand that shouting doesn't build complete communities—smart engineering and firm negotiation do.
Take a look at the campaign post below from mayoral candidate Scott Crone. He doubles down on an adversarial approach, shouting in capital letters that he will "DEFEND" our Official Plan at the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT), declaring planning guidelines are "Rights," and stating in his platform that he will not negotiate "project by project". He even places the OLT courthouse front and centre on his campaign graphic.
Notice also the restriction at the very bottom of his post: "Only people who follow this Page for more than 24 hours can comment". Restricting open dialogue and filtering out residents who want to ask tough questions is not leadership.
If a leader cannot handle unscripted resident feedback online, how will they handle high-stakes negotiations across the table from developers, regional partners, and provincial ministries?
The Dangerous Reality of Planning by Tribunal
A provincial tribunal hearing is not a victory—it is an admission that dialogue, leadership, and local planning have completely failed. East Gwillimbury taxpayers need to understand the real cost of this mindset:
What Real "Collaboration" Means
East Gwillimbury does not need leadership that rules through legal threats, manufactures enemies, and leaves taxpayers to pay for the legal fees.
Collaboration does not mean rolling over for developers or acting as a "head waiter". It means governing as an equal partner and a firm negotiator. True Complete Communities are built when you bring developers, investors, and community partners to the table to reach binding agreements before a shovel hits the ground.
How We Avoid Legal Battles and Solve Problems Locally
We do not need to go to court to hold developers accountable. We simply need to enforce the statutory tools already available under the Ontario Planning Act:
We can protect our neighbourhoods, grow our commercial tax base, and secure our amenities without dragging taxpayers through the OLT.
Action matters: Please share this post with your community and discuss it with your neighbours to help build strong community advocacy.
In East Gwillimbury, you elect two ward councillors, giving you the power to shape our community's future. Make Shahab Aryan your absolute first choice to bring independent, engineered leadership to Town Council.
My full platform and detailed plans are available on my website at www.ShahabAryan.ca . I encourage you to read them, and you can always reach me directly at Shahab@ShahabAryan.ca with any questions, concerns, or ideas.
Shahab Aryan, P.Eng.
Independent Ward 2 Candidate
🚨 CANDIDATE ALERT: Real Estate Broker Candidate Raka Paul Claims "Leadership Begins With Listening" — So Why Block Transparency? 🚨
I recently submitted four fundamental accountability questions to all candidates running in East Gwillimbury. The goal was to better understand each candidate’s position on public interest, council accountability, and transparency before the municipal election on October 26, 2026.
Instead of addressing these basic questions, Ward 2 Candidate Raka Paul’s response was to block me on social media (Facebook).
The Stated Platform vs. The Action: On his official campaign website, Candidate Paul notes that his professional background has taught him "the importance of accountability, fairness, listening, and responsible decision-making," adding that he looks forward to "hearing ideas and concerns." His campaign materials also feature the prominent slogan: "Leadership begins with listening."
Yet, when presented with standard questions regarding the public interest, transparency, and accountability, the resulting action was not an open discussion, but a block on his social media platform.
Why Municipal Transparency Matters for Ward 2: East Gwillimbury is navigating significant development pressures, zoning amendments, and infrastructure planning. For any candidate—particularly one whose professional background involves overseeing real estate offices and trading in "exclusive off-market and presale properties"—a commitment to transparent, open dialogue regarding land use, planning, and council decisions is critical.
If a candidate is unwilling to engage with inquiries regarding transparency during a campaign, it raises valid questions about how they will handle constituent concerns and public scrutiny when making major decisions involving municipal tax dollars.
I recognize and respect the candidates across the political spectrum who have kept the door open to public dialogue, even when there is strong disagreement.
On my own campaign platforms, I have committed to leaving comments visible—even critical ones—without resorting to blocking users. True transparency means remaining fully accessible to the public.
When residents elect a councillor on October 26, 2026, that individual is chosen to represent the entire community. It is vital that our representatives are prepared to listen to all constituents.
Have you had a similar experience when asking local candidates direct questions?
I encourage all candidates to review and respond to my questions by the October 10th deadline to help ensure East Gwillimbury residents have access to fully informed perspectives.
Action matters: Please share this post with your community and discuss it with your neighbours to help build strong community advocacy.
In East Gwillimbury, you elect two ward councillors, giving you the power to shape our community's future. Make Shahab Aryan your absolute first choice to bring independent, engineered leadership to Town Council.
My full platform and detailed plans are available on my website at www.ShahabAryan.ca . I encourage you to read them, and you can always reach me directly at Shahab@ShahabAryan.ca with any questions, concerns, or ideas.
Shahab Aryan, P.Eng.
Independent Ward 2 Candidate
Why Our Official Plan Isn’t Enough—And How We Fix It Before the New Southlake Hospital Arrives
Ever wonder why new subdivisions pop up overnight, but grocery stores, neighbourhood amenities, medical clinics, and commercial plazas take decades to arrive here in East Gwillimbury?
As your Ward 2 Councillor candidate, a Professional Engineer, and an experienced municipal development professional, I am running because our communities must grow wisely. I will work collaboratively with the development industry, community partners, and all stakeholders to build true, functional **"Complete Communities"—**but we cannot afford to wait anymore.
By 2051, East Gwillimbury's population is projected to reach 128,600 residents. While our newly adopted Official Plan dictates where land uses should go, a vision without aggressive enforcement simply leads to a sea of rooftops without basic amenities.
Furthermore, the introduction of the new Southlake Hospital in Queensville changes our municipal timeline entirely. All town and regional plans must be immediately revisited to ensure supporting civil infrastructure, transit networks, and commercial services are fully operational before the hospital opens its doors. Our current infrastructure cannot absorb this scale of development, and your property taxes should not be forced to subsidize it.
To secure East Gwillimbury's future, my platform focuses on four immediate actions:
1. Institute the East Gwillimbury Development Accountability and Smart Growth Guideline
Land use planning and engineering cannot operate in silos. I will introduce a strict East Gwillimbury Development Accountability and Smart Growth Guideline. This guideline will serve as a binding, informative tool for town council and staff, developers, investors, and the general public to lead our town's vision for residential and commercial growth. It will clearly outline our priorities, integrate the recent legislative realities of the More Homes Built Faster Act (Bill 23) and the Protect Ontario by Building Faster and Smarter Act, 2025 (Bill 17), and mandate exactly how many residential units can be sustained before community amenities must be delivered—aggressively targeting the expansion of our municipal tax base.
2. Protect Our Commercial Servicing Allocation to Drive Local Jobs
We cannot allocate our remaining water and wastewater capacity exclusively to low-density residential subdivisions. The Town's November 2023 Servicing Allocation Policy prioritizes 40% of the remaining Municipal Allocation Reserve for Employment-Related Uses. I will fiercely defend this 40% allocation for commercial and industrial growth, and ensure remaining residential capacity goes toward housing forms that fulfill attainability targets.
3. Modernize the Comprehensive Zoning By-law Immediately
The Town is currently updating our outdated 2018 Comprehensive Zoning By-law. We must leverage this to resolve immediate neighbourhood-level design failures:
4. Leverage the Ontario Planning Act to Hold Developers Accountable
We possess powerful statutory tools to prevent developers from treating commercial land as an afterthought. We must actively deploy:
We must govern responsibly and demand smart, evidence-based growth. We will bring developers and investors to the table to achieve mutual agreements that prioritize our residents' demands, ensuring East Gwillimbury gets these engineering and planning fundamentals right today.
In East Gwillimbury, you elect two ward councillors, giving you the power to shape our community's future. Make Shahab Aryan your absolute first choice to bring independent, engineered leadership to Town Council.
All of my full platform and detailed plans are available on my website at www.shahabaryan.ca . Please read them, and you can always reach me directly at Shahab@ShahabAryan.ca for any questions, concerns, and ideas.
Four Accountability Questions for All New Councillor Candidates in East Gwillimbury
In January, a surprise motion (Resolution C2026-006) was introduced to restrict public deputations, placing new limitations and procedural hurdles on residents seeking to address their elected council. When defending this motion to silence the public, Councillor Scott Crone went on the record stating: "These are council meetings, not public forums. They are our meetings..."
Fortunately, the establishment was challenged. As Councillor Susan Lahey stated in her dissent during that same meeting: "This is not our meeting. This is the meeting of the people. This is the meeting of the taxpayers."
The Record on Resolution C2026-006 (January 13, 2026):
With Councillor Crone now officially launching his campaign for Mayor of East Gwillimbury, this voting record demonstrates how politicians from any ward can directly impact the democratic rights of residents across the entire town. Because every council decision affects all of us, I have asked all new councillor candidates across every ward to go on the record.
As a taxpayer, a resident of East Gwillimbury, and someone who—just like you—casts two votes for Ward Councillor and one vote for Mayor, I have asked them to answer the following four questions:
Candidates have been requested to provide their written responses by Saturday, October 10, 2026, at 12:00 PM.
Following that deadline, I will publish all unedited responses. In mid-October, I will also release an "Accountability Risk Assessment"—an objective evaluation of all candidates based strictly on public records, transparency, and conduct in defense of the public interest. Naturally, this assessment will also evaluate incumbents based on their past voting records.
Shahab Aryan, P.Eng. Independent Ward 2 Candidate East Gwillimbury Resident and Taxpayer
Read the full platform and records at www.ShahabAryan.ca
Professionalism, Public Trust, and Independence
I am running to offer our community a clear, thoughtful choice—putting my municipal engineering experience to work for you. I want to bring my expertise and earned trust back to Sharon, Queensville, and East Gwillimbury to secure a prosperous future for all our families.
I am running with complete independence and am entirely self-funding my campaign, accepting zero political donations and conducting no fundraising. I am not a political insider—I am entirely free of any conflicts of interest. With no competing business interests, development land, shareholders, or agency affiliations, my only focus is serving you and the public interest.
I am running because I believe public service is a profound privilege and a true calling. We need professionals who understand how your tax dollars are spent, how the municipality operates, and how to strengthen our community through pragmatic leadership.
Accountability, Transparency, and Integrity
I am running because we need an active Council that does not hibernate. I will advocate for an immediate, independent Ward Boundary Review to remap our electoral wards based on population density, community identity, and future growth areas, introducing a "One Ward, One Councillor" format so you know exactly who is directly accountable to you.
I am running because our community asked me to step up to make a tangible difference in our neighborhoods. As a professional and a father raising four children here, I want to bridge the generations by honoring our parents' legacy, representing the everyday realities of our peers, and building a secure future for the next generation.
I am running as your neighbor, combining a resident's passion with an engineer's precision. I will be your voice at the decision-making table, working as your representative to Make It Right, Make It Happen, and Make It Last. I am completely accessible to our neighborhoods—you can always reach me online, or simply say hello when you see me out with my family at local parks, the community centre, or picking up my kids from school.
Community Safety, Smart Growth, and Sustainability
I am running because no major infrastructure should be delayed while our town expands. We must advance critical public works like the Doane Road improvements, the Highway 404 and Doane Road interchange, and the widening of Leslie Street. We must also actively revive the stalled university campus plan and ensure the new Southlake Hospital project and North York Durham Sewage System Expansion move forward without delay.
I am running because our communities must grow wisely while protecting our town's natural biodiversity. We need a strong housing strategy for families, alongside institutional, commercial, and industrial (ICI) development to create local jobs and support small businesses. We must hold developers accountable and ensure we build a community that works for residents, protecting the charm of our town while thoughtfully building East Gwillimbury's future.
I am running to prioritize the safety and well-being of your family. Public safety is paramount, and securing reliable emergency services is the first step—including sufficient fire stations, firefighter staffing, and effective traffic safety and calming measures for safe, family-oriented neighborhoods.
Fairness, Fiscal Responsibility, and Local Services
I am running because 42% of our property taxes go directly to York Region, yet we are not seeing our fair share returned. Council must hold the region accountable and advocate for regional road network improvements, increased police presence, enhanced paramedic services, and expanded public transit seamlessly connecting us locally and to the broader GTA via the East Gwillimbury GO Station.
I am running because 19% of our property taxes go to local School Boards. It is time our Council formally demands a high school in East Gwillimbury to ensure this educational gap in our community is finally addressed.
I am running because our town’s services should lead York Region. I will introduce a service match policy to ensure top-tier municipal services while keeping your taxes competitive. I will also ensure our policies are comprehensive and up to date, and that our bylaws are updated, enforceable, and grounded in common sense.
Please visit my website for more details: www.ShahabAryan.ca
r/eastgwillimbury just hit 1K weekly visitors! Wow!
If it's not because of me, then who?
As a transportation engineer, I’m usually trying to calm local traffic — but I’ll gladly make an exception for this subreddit. Keep the community discussions coming as we head toward October 26th!
More to come!
[EAST GWILLIMBURY: TOWN-WIDE ELECTION WARNING]
It is your turn to turn off their microphones and protect the public interest in East Gwillimbury.
They tried to silence your Councillor yesterday.
They are trying to silence your candidate today.
They will silence you tomorrow again!
This has gone far beyond ordinary election politics and a fair race. It is now glaringly obvious how organized this entrenched political bloc is when it comes to suppressing public records, silencing a self-funded, independent candidate demanding scrutiny and defending the public interest, and protecting their status quo.
This entrenched majority and their supporters constantly criticize me, claiming I am "not collaborative." But let's look at what their version of collaboration actually means.
I have not limited a single comment on my pages. I have not removed any dissenting opinions. I have not blocked anyone and I will not. I welcome the debate on my campaign materials, platform, and priorities because my campaign is built on verifiable data and evidence-based governance.
But what did they do? When I published my Direct Letter—documenting publicly available Town of East Gwillimbury records—they couldn't debate the facts. Instead, they coordinated an immediate purge. Within 48 hours, group admins removed and banned me from seven different local community groups. Check the names of the admins.
This is the fundamental difference in this election: the courage to stand with the public, provide verifiable data, and issue warnings to protect the public interest, versus their complete unwillingness to face accountability, provide transparency, or stand before voters to answer for the truth. They are right about one thing: I will never "collaborate" with a political machine that relies on bullying to hide the facts.
If you think this systemic failure of transparency is confined to Facebook groups, watch the Town Council video. Look closely at the screen for a masterclass in political coordination and an unbelievably sad moment for local democracy:
If an elected official challenging the room is interrupted procedurally and muted on an official broadcast while her colleagues smile, what chance does an everyday taxpayer have when they walk up to the podium? They call it teamwork and collaboration. I call it exactly what it is: a disrespectful, bullying political machine.
Come back later and read the establishment's comments below and judge for yourself.
Residents of East Gwillimbury: You hold the ultimate leverage at the ballot box. They are terrified because they know their control is slipping. It is time to make their worst nightmare happen on October 26, 2026.
If we do not break this cycle now, accountability at Town Hall will disappear behind closed doors for another four years.
It is your turn to officially turn off their microphones and protect the best interests of the public in East Gwillimbury.
All of my detailed plans are available on my website. Please read them and reach out directly if you have questions.
𝐏𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐮𝐬𝐬 𝐢𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐧𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩 𝐛𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐜𝐲.
In East Gwillimbury, 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐭𝐰𝐨 𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝟐 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐬, giving you the power to shape our community's future. Make 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐡𝐚𝐛 𝐀𝐫𝐲𝐚𝐧 your absolute first choice to bring independent, engineered leadership to Town Council. Read the full, uncensored record and platform at www.shahabaryan.ca.
A neighbour's passion. An engineer's precision.
Thank you for your interest in supporting my campaign for Ward 2 Councillor! Our growing community in Sharon and Queensville needs strong, experienced leadership focused on safe roads, reliable infrastructure, better neighbourhood amenities, and real accountability at Town Hall.
By displaying a lawn sign, you are helping build momentum ahead of the October 26 election. Every sign sends a strong message to the establishment that our community is ready for real change and engineered leadership.
Please note: As a truly independent, self-funded campaign, sign quantities are strictly limited. Reserve yours today!
What This Campaign Stands For:
How to Get Your Sign:
Order Here: https://www.shahabaryan.ca/lawn-sign
Thank you for your trust and support.
Let’s get to work for East Gwillimbury!
Silence Speaks Volumes: Who is Answering to East Gwillimbury’s Residents? The Ward 2 Candidate Accountability Tracker
Last week, I issued a simple, straightforward Candidate Accountability Questionnaire to every Ward 2 candidate. The goal? To give East Gwillimbury taxpayers absolute clarity on where every candidate stands on the critical issues facing Sharon, Queensville, and our broader community.
I requested their responses by Saturday, September 26, at noon. The deadline has passed, and the results are in: the political establishment has chosen to ignore the public entirely.
Ward 2 is one of the most crowded races in Ontario right now. With the establishment facing a real challenge, the ballot is crowded. But Town Hall is not a private club, and residents deserve representatives who actively answer to them. This collective silence is exactly the lack of accountability I am running to fix.
Here is the reality of our municipal election: Every voter has two votes to elect two Ward Councillors.
I know where my first vote is going: to an independent, professional engineer candidate—myself, Shahab Aryan. My second vote? It has to be earned. I didn't just ask these questions as a candidate; I asked them as a taxpayer demanding accountability. I will decide where my second vote goes based on who actually has the courage to answer these questions.
Some candidates may hesitate to respond out of fear of rocking the boat with the political establishment, rather than demonstrating real independence to the public. In the spirit of fairness and thoroughness, I am keeping the response window open until October 10, 2026. A candidate’s willingness to communicate will be a core metric in my upcoming Accountability Risk Assessment, which I will release in mid-October.
The central question remains: Who is running to champion our community, and who is running to protect the status quo?
When challenged with facts—like the financial records and closed-door meeting minutes I recently published—their primary tactic is to shut down the conversation and hide. Instead of answering to the public, they and their supporters have attacked my campaign—a tactic they have relied on since day one.
I am not here to play the role of a typical politician. I am running a fully independent and self-funded campaign with a neighbour's passion and an engineer's precision. Whether it is securing the commitment for new traffic signals at the Leslie Street and Doane Road intersection or demanding transparent municipal budgets, I believe in data-driven action over empty promises.
Demand Answers Directly: I strongly encourage all residents to contact the other candidates directly. Ask them your own questions, or use my questionnaire as a guide. True accountability means being accessible through direct, clear communication—not hiding behind campaign silence. We need a transparent public record, and a willingness to answer to taxpayers is the absolute minimum standard we should expect.
My full platform, detailed plans, and my own questionnaire answers are completely public. Please review them directly at https://www.shahabaryan.ca/must-read-updates-insights/Open-Letter/shahab-aryans-answers or visit my main website at www.shahabaryan.ca .
Action matters: Please share this post with your community and discuss it with your neighbours to help build strong community advocacy.
In East Gwillimbury, you have the power to shape our community's future with your two votes. Make Shahab Aryan your absolute first choice to bring independent, engineered leadership to Town Council. It is time to stop rewarding silence.
You can always reach me directly at Shahab@ShahabAryan.ca for any questions, concerns, and ideas.
This week, I issued the Ward 2 Candidate Accountability Questionnaire and sent it to every Ward 2 candidate’s email (except Jim Kiely, as I couldn't find his public email—if you have it, please send it to me). I expect to receive their responses by today, Saturday, September 26, at noon. This is one of the most crowded wards in Ontario. Why? Because the establishment has no assurance of winning the Ward 2 seat, so they are crowding the race with more insiders.
Here is the reality: Every voter in East Gwillimbury gets two votes for electing two Ward Councillors. I have two votes. My first vote goes to my first choice, an independent engineer candidate, Shahab Aryan, absolutely. My second vote? It has to be earned. I didn't just ask these questions as a candidate—I asked them as a taxpayer demanding accountability. I will decide where my second vote goes based on who actually has the courage to answer these questions.
Real leadership means going on the record. Below are my straight answers to the Accountability Questionnaire. I am posting them here and on my website. If any other candidate steps up and responds, I will gladly publish theirs too.
Let's see who is actually ready!
1. Public Deputations & Democratic Rights Do you support restricting public deputations at Town Council? If a councillor introduces a similar motion this upcoming term, will you commit to voting against it to protect taxpayers' democratic right to be heard?
My Answer: No. I absolutely oppose restricting public deputations. Town Hall belongs to the taxpayers, not the politicians. The idea that council meetings are "their meetings" and not public forums is completely backwards. If a councillor introduces a motion to restrict your democratic right to speak, I will vote it down immediately. We need more public oversight in East Gwillimbury, not less. I will champion a strict town-wide policy requiring broad, transparent community consultation and clear, accessible public notices for all municipal decisions that impact your day-to-day life.
2. Respect and Accountability at Town Hall Do you commit to enforcing a strict standard of accountability for how Council and municipal staff interact with taxpayers, ensuring every resident is treated with dignity and respect?
My Answer: YES. I commit to a zero-tolerance policy for dismissing or demeaning residents. Taxpayers are the employers of Town Council and municipal staff. When residents bring forward legitimate grievances—whether it is about a dangerous intersection or a zoning issue—they must be met with transparency and respect, not arrogance. I will enforce a strict standard of professional accountability across the board. Furthermore, respect must be mutual. This standard of dignity and fairness applies not only to residents, but also to how Council members and municipal staff treat one another. A healthy Town Hall requires a collaborative, professional environment for everyone. I will remain constantly available to neighbours and will publish a formal Semi-Annual Ward Accountability Report detailing my voting record, key project milestones, budget allocations, and how effectively constituent issues are being resolved.
3. The East Gwillimbury Public High School Will you commit to using the full weight of Town Council to demand that the York Region District School Board (YRDSB) immediately fund, approve, and build East Gwillimbury’s first public high school?
My Answer: YES. I will aggressively champion a new high school. The current establishment uses the excuse that "schools are a school board decision or provincial issue" to justify doing nothing. As we have seen in Bradford, when a municipal council actively advocates, uses land-use tools like Ministerial Zoning Orders (MZOs), and pushes the Ministry of Education, their second high school gets built. I will not accept the status quo of our teenagers commuting out of town while our municipality rapidly expands. School boards rely on municipal growth data. If a municipal council simply throws its hands in the air and says "not my jurisdiction," the Ministry of Education will gladly divert capital funding to municipalities whose councils are actively fighting for them. Our residents should not fill the capacity demands of neighboring towns' high schools. They deserve to study in their hometown.
4. Road Safety & Regional Advocacy Will you commit to holding York Region accountable to this 2027 timeline? Furthermore, will you champion regional upgrades for Sharon and Queensville, including reliable public transit, regional road network improvements, and increased police presence?
My Answer: YES. I will hold York Region to the 2027 timeline because I am the one who secured it. When the establishment was silent following the crash at Leslie and Doane, I organized the community petition, gathered over 400 signatures, and forced the Region to commit to traffic signals in writing. I will ensure that timeline is met, and I will demand reliable east-west transit connecting Mount Albert to our communities, alongside regional road network upgrades.
Leveraging my professional background in transportation engineering and project management, I will work aggressively with all levels of government to advance vital road networks. We must urgently expedite Doane Road improvements, secure the Highway 404/Doane Road interchange, and widen Leslie Street to prevent gridlock and keep our community moving safely as it grows before the new Southlake hospital is built. Beyond regional corridors, I will prioritize local neighborhood traffic calming and safe school zones with enhanced pedestrian crossings, sidewalks, and automated speed enforcement where our children walk and play.
42% of our local property taxes go directly to York Region. I will work relentlessly with Council to hold the Region accountable, ensuring our tax dollars are fairly prorated and reinvested directly back into our community for essential regional infrastructure, visible police presence, enhanced paramedic services, upgraded utilities, and better public transit.
5. Core Services Review & The "Service Match" Standard Do you support initiating a formal Core Services Review to audit municipal procurement and drive operational efficiencies? Furthermore, will you commit to a "Service Match Policy" ensuring our core services—especially Fire and Emergency response—match the highest standards in York Region with zero resulting impact on property taxes?
My Answer: YES. I fully commit to the Service Match Policy. We cannot keep raising property taxes while delivering subpar core services. I support a rigorous Core Services Review to audit municipal procurement and eliminate waste. As a Professional Engineer accustomed to managing complex infrastructure budgets, I know we can find the operational efficiencies needed to elevate our Fire and Emergency response times to match the highest standards in York Region—without putting the burden on the taxpayer.
A core initiative of my platform is a “Service Match Policy.” Our town services should set the standard in York Region. Simply put: if a neighbouring municipality delivers a service better and more efficiently—whether that is a 3-bag residential garbage limit or fully-staffed fire and emergency services—we will match it, all while maintaining our competitive tax rates. Through this strategic review process, we will uncover the necessary efficiencies and utilize available municipal tools and options to ensure your current tax dollars fully fund these improvements, with zero impact on your tax bill.
6. Electoral Ward Boundary Review Do you support initiating a comprehensive ward boundary review to transition East Gwillimbury to a "One Ward, One Councillor" system—for example, dividing Sharon and Queensville into separate wards so that each community has its own dedicated councillor?
My Answer: YES. We need a "One Ward, One Councillor" system. Our current ward boundaries are outdated. Lumping distinct, growing communities together dilutes representation. Under the current two-member system, responsibility is easily deflected between councillors. A 'One Ward, One Councillor' model establishes clear, direct accountability: when a resident calls, there is one person whose job it is to answer and deliver results. I support initiating a comprehensive ward boundary review so that Sharon, Queensville, and other EG communities have their own dedicated, single-member representation that accurately reflects current populations, future growth, and the distinct identities of our communities. Even if I am not elected, I will lead this change to bring accountability, transparency, and better representation of the public to our Town Hall to ensure the public interest is heard, not the establishment.
7. Public Safety & The Public Interest Do you commit to prioritizing public safety and the public interest above all else, ensuring that neither is ever compromised for private or political gain?
My Answer: YES. Public safety is non-negotiable. As a licensed Professional Engineer (P.Eng.), prioritizing public safety is not just a political talking point for me; it is a strict ethical and legal obligation. I will never compromise the safety or long-term viability of East Gwillimbury's infrastructure for private gain or political convenience. I will protect the public interest. My only special interest is the public interest.
8. Residency, Campaign Funding & True Independence
All of my full platform and detailed plans are available on my website at www.ShahabAryan.ca . Please read them and reach out directly if you have questions.
𝐏𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐮𝐬𝐬 𝐢𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐧𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩 𝐛𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐜𝐲. In East Gwillimbury, 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐭𝐰𝐨 𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝟐 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐬, giving you the power to shape our community's future. Make 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐡𝐚𝐛 𝐀𝐫𝐲𝐚𝐧 your absolute first choice to bring independent, engineered leadership to Town Council.
Please read this carefully, because it will shape the future of our town and your everyday life.
Why is my campaign not like the others? Why is the political establishment pushing back so aggressively against a fully independent candidate?
Because I refuse to operate like a typical politician.
Typical politicians hide the facts, sell you empty promises, and silence anyone who questions them. I am not here to offer empty promises. I have spent 15 years as a professional engineer working based on truth and hard facts. I’m not just here to knock on your door—I am here to knock on your mind.
I know exactly how our town's public systems break down, but more importantly, I know how to fix them. I am bringing out-of-the-box thinking to repair this system and restore the community vision this current council has lost. This is exactly what the establishment does not want. They just want to hand out regular campaign flyers and take your votes to protect their own interests.
Last week, I asked you: Who do you want leading this Town? I shared facts about how the establishment works against the public interest whenever they feel their grip on power is challenged. They call their closed-loop coordination "teamwork," but the facts show it is an entrenched political machine.
The response from residents has been overwhelmingly positive. But the political establishment? Instead of embracing transparency, they are actively trying to shut down the conversation and hide the facts.
This week, I issued the Ward 2 Candidate Accountability Questionnaire and sent it to every Ward 2 candidate’s email. I expect to receive their responses by tomorrow, Saturday, September 26, at noon. This is one of the most crowded wards in Ontario. Why? Because the establishment has no assurance of winning the Ward 2 seat, so they are crowding the race with more insiders.
When you challenge their system, they coordinate to protect it. You would not believe how much time and effort is being spent just to silence my 100% self-funded and independent campaign. People ask me why I don't just share my platform, ignore the establishment, and settle with them.
I will not do that because I am worried about our town and the damage they will continue to do to it. They act like East Gwillimbury is their personal family farm, and the taxpayers are just sharecroppers. They want to hide the facts, pass the election period, and go right back to their control room.
I need to go one step further today and show you exactly who they are and how this establishment works. You have Scott Crone and Loralea Carruthers, who are running for their own interests, backed by Tara Roy-DiClemente. They call it "teamwork," but it is nothing except a Political Cartel operating for kingmaking and upholding their personal interests.
If you don't believe me, watch the video from the January 13 Council Meeting. When Scott Crone pushed a surprise motion to restrict residents from speaking, Councillor Susan Lahey stood up and correctly called it "a very sad day for democracy in East Gwillimbury," calling out the establishment for playing "games" to infringe on residents' rights. She even warned on the public record that they were attempting to "silence any other resident who may in the future be considering the election."
That is exactly what they are doing to my campaign right now. It is just another game for the election. But we need to show them that we learned from that sad day.
Now, they are bringing in candidates from their closed circle—people like Christine Glenn, Joel Kearney, and Danny Mladjenovic—and trying to package them to the public as "public-friendly faces." And behind the scenes, you have strategic planners like Diana Robichaud quietly pulling the strings, who hosted the kick-off for Tara Roy-DiClemente’s re-election campaign in Holland Landing in 2014.
The town's public records tell the real story. Christine Glenn and Joel Kearney have been prepared by them for today. Official records show Christine Glenn financially backed the campaign of Scott Crone in 2018, while Joel Kearney financially backed Tara Roy-DiClemente in 2022, and now the establishment is circling the wagons to return the favour and back them.
If you want to know how deep this coordination goes, look at the March 23, 2026, Library Board Minutes. Tara, Loralea, Diana, Christine, and Scott Crone’s family member Kayla all sit on that board together. The minutes show that during this meeting, they went into a closed-door 'In Camera' session. When they returned to the open meeting, the public record shows the item they discussed behind closed doors was officially titled: 'Municipal Elections: Board Member Nominations Report'. Why are political insiders holding closed-door sessions regarding municipal elections on a town-funded library board?
They did not expect an engineer to decode their engineered election plan. The real question every resident should be asking is: What personal benefits are they securing by weaving this web around the council doors?
We are dealing with a closed-loop machine stacking town-funded boards and trading political endorsements. It is cronyism. It is nepotism. I am proud to break this cycle and finally bring the public interest to the table.
I may not be able to unmask every member of their club, but my campaign is a symbol to remind you that there is more to see. There are still real men and women who care about this community independently, and this is your last call for real change**. It is time to take control of Town Hall back from the insiders.** We do not need political parties on our municipal council when we are dealing directly with the public interest.
It is your turn to change the status quo. I stepped up for this challenge to advocate for all of you, standing right here in East Gwillimbury.
I value open dialogue. I will read every community question left below and provide direct answers in my next update.
All of my detailed plans are available on my website. Please read them and reach out directly if you have questions.
Please share this post with your community and discuss it with your neighbours to help build strong community advocacy. In East Gwillimbury, you elect two Ward 2 Councillors, giving you the power to shape our community's future. Make Shahab Aryan your absolute first choice to bring independent, engineered leadership to Town Council.
As a resident of Ward 2, I have to ask: why are there nine candidates on the ballot?
This is one of the most crowded municipal races in Ontario. With so many names running for two seats, finding the right voice will not be easy this term. Voters face a serious challenge in distinguishing who is genuinely prepared to champion our community and who is simply running interference for the political establishment.
With that many names on the ballot, questioning every candidate is necessary. The residents of Sharon and Queensville deserve direct answers on where every candidate stands regarding democratic rights, municipal accountability, and critical infrastructure.
I am emailing the following questions to all Ward 2 candidates and asking them to respond by Saturday, September 26, 2026, at 12:00 PM. I will publish everyone’s responses unedited—including my own—so voters can see clearly where everyone stands.
Ward 2 Candidate Accountability Questionnaire:
1. Public Deputations & Democratic Rights In January, a surprise motion (Resolution C2026-006) was introduced to restrict public deputations, placing new limitations and procedural hurdles on residents seeking to address their elected council. When defending this motion to silence the public, Councillor Scott Crone went on the record stating: "These are council meetings, not public forums. They are our meetings..."
- Spearheaded and Moved by: Councillor Scott Crone
- Actively Backed and Seconded by: Councillor Tara Roy-DiClemente
Recorded Vote:
Voted to Restrict Residents (Yes): Councillor Scott Crone, Councillor Roy-DiClemente, Councillor Loralea Carruthers, Councillor Foster, Mayor Hackson
Stood with Residents (No): Councillor Brian Johns, Councillor Susan Lahey
2. Respect and Accountability at Town Hall Residents must be able to engage with Town Hall without fear of being dismissed, demeaned, or mistreated when voicing legitimate grievances.
3. The East Gwillimbury Public High School Our community has waited years for local secondary education infrastructure, forcing our children to commute outside our municipality.
4. Road Safety & Regional Advocacy Following a serious collision at Leslie Street and Doane Road, over 400 residents signed a petition demanding action, securing a written commitment from York Region for 2027 traffic signals and expedited intersection improvement design.
5. Core Services Review & The "Service Match" Standard In the 2026 Business Plan and Budget Survey, residents expressed widespread concern over property tax increases, while identifying Fire and Emergency Services as the highest priority for service-level improvements.
6. Electoral Ward Boundary Review To ensure fair and equal representation as our municipality grows, our governance model needs to be modernized.
7. Public Safety & The Public Interest Decisions made at Council must place the long-term well-being of the community ahead of narrow political convenience.
8. Residency, Campaign Funding & True Independence Voters deserve to know who their candidates represent and whether private interests will influence public votes.
True independence matters. The residents of Ward 2 deserve to know who is running to serve the community and who is running to protect the status quo.
Below is the contact information for all registered candidates across East Gwillimbury. I encourage every resident to reach out directly, ask tough questions, and demand the answers needed to make an informed decision on election day.
Ward 1 Candidates
Ward 2 Candidates
Ward 3 Candidates
Sincerely,
Shahab Aryan, P.Eng.
Queensville Resident
Ward 2 Candidate – Sharon & Queensville
Service Match Policy: Zero Tax Impact for Better Town Services, Prioritizing Fire & Emergency Services
A core initiative of my platform is a “Service Match Policy.” Our town services should set the standard in York Region. Simply put: if a neighbouring municipality delivers a service better and more efficiently—whether that is a 3-bag residential garbage limit or fully-staffed fire and emergency services—we will match it, all while maintaining our competitive tax rates.
To achieve this, I will bring a formal Core Services Review to our town focused strictly on accountability, efficiency, and continuous improvement. This review will encompass:
Beyond just managing budgets, my Service Match Policy brings this high standard directly to the community. In the recent 2026 Business Plan and Budget Survey , residents expressed widespread concern over property tax increases and cost-of-living pressures. Over a quarter of respondents explicitly stated they want taxes reduced , and there was a strong demand to refocus on core municipal services. Furthermore, fire and emergency services was the single highest category where residents demanded an increase in service levels.
Ultimately, this policy will deliver practical, tangible improvements for our families—prioritizing exactly what the data shows you are asking for: modernizing our fire and emergency services, guaranteeing reliable winter road and sidewalk clearing, and addressing local water quality. Through this strategic review process, we will uncover the necessary efficiencies to ensure your current tax dollars fully fund these improvements, with zero impact on your tax bill.
Have Your Say:
Which of our town's core services—from Fire and Emergency Services to Waste Collection and Water Quality—needs the most improvement?
What service upgrade would make the biggest difference for your family to proudly call our town home?
Please share this post and discuss it with your neighbours to help build strong community advocacy. In East Gwillimbury, you elect two Ward 2 Councillors, giving you the power to shape our community's future. Make Shahab Aryan your absolute first choice to bring independent, engineered leadership to Town Council.
TL;DR: Mayoral candidate Scott Crone claims to want "consensus," but video evidence shows him ramming through a surprise motion to mute public microphones because he wanted "control." This top-down arrogance is the same reason the Town disabled Facebook comments during the Animal Services crisis. It’s time for accountability.
To the voters of East Gwillimbury: Who do you want leading this Town? I hope it’s not the ones silencing you.
Over the past few days, defenders of the current establishment have been working overtime in comment sections. They are desperately trying to justify why this Council muted public microphones, making the absurd claim that Council was just "enforcing standards," and why the town administration disabled the Town's Facebook comments to supposedly "protect town staff."
Since they refuse to deal in reality, I am laying the facts out publicly for every taxpayer to see.
Their Claim: The Council is just trying to maintain efficiency and standards.
The Fact: Mayoral candidate Scott Crone just announced his campaign by claiming he outright rejects "Strong Mayor Powers." He told the public: "I believe the strongest mayors are the ones who work with their councils to reach consensus... Consensus is not weakness."
But his actual voting record tells a completely different story. He didn't even try to build "consensus" with his own colleagues. He forced this restriction as a complete surprise motion, bypassing standard agenda procedures. When then-Councillor (now MPP) Susan Lahey rightfully called the ambush "a very sad day for democracy," Scott and his voting bloc rammed it through anyway.
Watch the video linked at the bottom of this post. He didn't demand consensus. He explicitly demanded control, complaining that the taxpayers' right to speak was a loophole being "weaponized" against politicians.
Listen to him in the first part:
"These are council meetings, not public forums. They are our meetings..."
And then, the ultimate confession:
“I’m trying to do something to bring control back to our meetings because we’re becoming a joke.”
He actually thinks Town Hall belongs to him. He claims to reject Strong Mayor Powers, but he already acts like an authoritarian when the public asks tough questions. And every single incumbent who voted in favour of his motion is equally guilty of that exact same arrogance.
That exact same need for control is why the Town disabled its Facebook comments on the recent Animal Services crisis. Make no mistake—the town administration does not operate in a vacuum. The tone of avoiding accountability is set directly from the top. When the politicians in charge demand to shut down microphones in chambers, it is absolutely no surprise that the administration simply follows suit and gags the public online. It was never about efficiency or protecting staff from harassment. It was about politicians silencing taxpayers so they didn't have to face the public outcry over a failed municipal contract.
You don't build "consensus" by turning off the microphones.
To Scott Crone and Loralea Carruthers: I am challenging you directly as the very thing you are trying to silence: a taxpayer. You don't need defenders justifying your wrongdoing and making a joke out of taxpayers.
Scott, you campaign on "consensus" and claim it isn't weakness, but your own words on video prove otherwise. If you cannot handle a few minutes of public criticism as a Councillor without rewriting bylaws to protect your own ego, you have already proven you are entirely unfit for the pressure of being Mayor.
Loralea, you voted for this. Whether you are proud of silencing your own constituents, or you were just rubber-stamping Scott's demand for control, you have shown that you prioritize Council's comfort over the people who elected you.
I don't even need your excuses, because your voting record—and the video evidence—already speak for themselves. The taxpayers are watching. If you choose to stay silent and let your defenders continue covering for you, it just confirms exactly who you are.
To the voters of East Gwillimbury: Look at these actions and ask yourselves—what does "sound judgment" actually mean to you? Does it mean electing a Mayor and Council who demand "control" and agree behind closed doors just to avoid frustration? Or does it mean choosing representatives who do the hard, challenging work of actually listening to the taxpayers?
When elected officials view public input as an inconvenience, rewrite bylaws to silence criticism, and hide behind closed doors rather than facing the public, they prove unequivocally that they are unfit to lead.
October 26th is Election Day. If they demand "control" instead of accountability, we need to take control of Town Hall and not let them back in.
Shahab Aryan
East Gwillimbury Taxpayer
Independent Candidate for Ward 2 Council
Summary:
Currently, 42% of East Gwillimbury’s local property taxes go directly to York Region, yet our community is consistently treated as an afterthought. Every municipality across York Region deserves the exact same standard of service, whether they are in the south or the north. I will hold the Region accountable, fight to bring your tax dollars home, and demand that our tax dollars are fairly reinvested into our neighborhoods—from upgrading regional roads and utilities to ensuring a visible police presence, enhanced paramedic services, and modern public transit. As your Councillor, I will champion initiatives such as:
Public Transit Improvements: Bringing Modern Transit Up to Demand
A major pillar of regional equity is a public transit network that actually serves our daily commuters, especially with the imminent need for transit integration at the future hospital site. Currently, East Gwillimbury's transit network falls significantly behind the demands of our growing community. For example, York Region Transit (YRT) routes are currently designed to bypass the East Gwillimbury GO Station. To access the station by bus, residents are forced to travel south to Newmarket, transfer to another bus, and head back north. This unacceptable and discouraging routing turns a simple 30-minute trip into an exhausting 90- to 120-minute commute.
Furthermore, while limited on-request transit may suit rural areas, it cannot bridge the gap for the rapidly growing communities in East Gwillimbury. We cannot rely indefinitely on on-demand ride-sharing to get to school, work, or our GO Station. We require permanent, scheduled transit infrastructure. We deserve enhanced public transit that is accessible, affordable, and reliable for all our residents to ensure access to work, education, healthcare, shopping, and social and recreational opportunities.
I believe it is Council's duty to advocate for residents and explore every option to improve public services. I have advocated for these changes over the past two years with York Region Transit as a resident, and I will continue to fight to bring the following minimum YRT service standards to our Town:
I will take this challenge to the Regional level to ensure our infrastructure truly supports and encourages both our residential and commercial growth while finally keeping pace with our expanding Town.
What are your expectations for York Region services—such as roads, police, paramedics, and public transit—in our community? Let me know your priorities.
Please share this post and discuss it with your neighbors to help build strong community advocacy. In East Gwillimbury, you elect two Ward 2 Councillors, giving you the power to shape our community's future. Make Shahab Aryan your absolute first choice to bring independent, engineered leadership to Town Council.
