Caledon voters heard differing positions on data centres but unanimous opposition to using strong mayor powers when five mayoral candidates met for a Sept. 24 debate ahead of the Oct. 26 municipal election.
Christina Early, Alan Hart, Mario Russo, Jagdeep Sacha and Manjit Bhondhi Saini attended the meeting at Caledon East Community Centre, according to the Caledon Citizen. Hundreds of residents gathered to hear their positions on truck traffic, development, policing and other local issues.
The Caledon Public Library, Caledon Chamber of Commerce and Metamorphosis Network hosted the event, the first of three planned candidate debates. It focused on the mayoral race and ran from 7 to 9 p.m.
Asked whether Caledon should build, reject or pause data centres, Hart, Sacha and Saini supported building them. Early favoured rejecting them, while Russo supported a pause.
On strong mayor powers, all five candidates said they opposed their use. They instead emphasized working with councillors and residents.
Truck traffic and road safety
Road safety and truck traffic featured prominently when candidates were asked to identify Caledon’s top issue and explain what they had done to address it.
Russo pointed to a motion he brought forward to begin work on Mayfield Road and Highway 50. Hart cited signatures he had presented to the Town concerning trucks and heavy traffic, along with his report of an illegally dumped tractor-trailer in his area.
Early said she had worked with Peel Region on truck time restrictions in Bolton and Caledon East. She also described working with Ward 1 and Ward 2 councillors on traffic-calming measures for Forks of the Credit Road.
Sacha identified several priorities, including access to doctors for seniors, schools for children, safer roads and appropriate technology and development. Saini focused on illegal zoning and construction, saying he wanted to stop those activities.
Infrastructure tied to development
An audience question asked whether candidates would work with developers to secure land, infrastructure contributions and community benefits for facilities such as parks, libraries and emergency services.
Sacha supported doing so, while stressing the need for basic infrastructure, balanced development and protection of green spaces. Russo also supported working with developers, emphasizing legislative requirements and co-operation across the community.
Hart said developers should honour their contracts and contribute to infrastructure costs, while also discussing farmland protection. Early gave an affirmative response.
Saini said necessary services, including schools and care for seniors, should be in place before development plans are approved.
Moderator Sean Meagher led the discussion, which included questions submitted by residents before the meeting, a rapid-fire round and audience questions. Candidates generally had 90 seconds for prepared answers and 60 seconds to respond to questions from the audience.
