Bobbi Ann Brady, 2026

Q: What do you think the biggest concerns are for the constituents of Haldimand Norfolk?

The biggest concern is affordability. Many constituents do not have an income problem, they have an outcome problem of things they cannot control. People are busting their humps but they’re asking what they are actually getting for the money they earn. As it relates to housing, not only has the cost of homes skyrocketed but so have property taxes, home insurance, utilities, groceries.

Q: As parliament heads back into session, what are the main things you think needs to be addressed by this provincial government?

The government must make affordability a priority. The purchasing power of families isn’t keeping pace with what they are earning.

Recent flooding should prompt review of how we permit development, particularly in flood-prone areas. Growth shouldn’t risk people and infrastructure. 

The province should be helping smaller, local builders compete while ensuring large-scale development pays a fair share of infrastructure costs.

Classroom safety and achievement is a concern for constituents with children. Chaos in the classroom is real, and throwing money at it without making systemic change will never solve that chaos.

Further, if we want to tariff-proof Ontario, let’s invest in local food processing facilities. This would also make us less susceptible to supply disruptions and rising food prices.

The last one is government spending. The current government is not testing for positive outcomes on the money it spends. I have actually had ministers tell me they do not care what happens with the money once it leaves the Ministry – this is why we see problems like homelessness and addiction persist.

Q: What do you think the provincial government is getting right for Haldimand–Norfolk, and where is it falling short?

The province is getting a few fundamentals right while falling short in other areas. The province has invested in our two counties respectfully when it comes to infrastructure funds. Monies are flowing to our municipal partners. Norfolk County received a historic investment of $16.5 million from the province to upgrade the Port Dover Wastewater Treatment Plant – this was the largest single provincial transfer payment in the County’s history. These were meaningful dollars for a very real infrastructure need, and it definitely took pressure off Norfolk ratepayers.

The Ford government got that one right but now we need to see the same approach applied to roads like Highway 6 and Haldibrook Road, the Argyle Street Bridge in Caledonia and aging infrastructure in our hospitals all of which are necessary to support responsible growth.

Q: How important is the relationship between the MPP and the Mayor?

A positive, professional relationship between an MPP and a mayor is vital. We do not have to agree on everything, but we have to be able to talk about the problems facing our communities and work toward solutions.

I want to be very honest about my experience over the past four years. I’ve had a productive and professional working relationship with Mayor Bentley. Sadly, I have not had the same relationship with Mayor Martin.

I believe in working with anyone who is willing to work with me.

Being able to have a conversation about what is happening in our communities, exchange ideas and solutions is important. That kind of communication hasn’t happened in Norfolk to the degree it should have…

I am grateful to the councillors who have tried to keep me informed. Ultimately, this is not about personalities but rather making sure that the people we represent have every level of government working on their behalf.

My door is always open to our mayors and councillors. At times we might disagree, but those disagreements should never get in the way of serving the people who elected us.

Q: Looking at the mayoral race, what do you hope changes as things are shaken up in municipal leadership?

I hope what we see is a renewed focus on basics. I hear residents asking some legitimate questions about how their tax dollars are being spent and whether their respective county is focused on the things that matter to them.

 I’d also like to see changes in the degree of political gamesmanship at the municipal level. While municipal elections are non-partisan, we know that political affiliations exist. In several cases over the past four years, those affiliations have influenced how people approach issues. 

Municipal government should be about getting things done for the people who pay the bills. There is nothing wrong with disagreement, but decisions should always be based on what is best for the community, not on who gets credit, who gets blamed, or what political camp is pulling the strings.

I would love to see councils that are prepared to put politics aside, work together, and focus on the fundamentals like responsible spending, infrastructure, planning, drainage, and roads.

Q: Is there a piece of legislation coming up in the next session of parliament that you think Norfolk residents should be paying more attention to?

I’d suggest watching the government’s Bill 109, Protecting Ontario’s Food Independence Act (POFIA), which targets foreign ownership of farmland.

 I was the first to begin talking about this at the Finance Committee in early 2023. The private members bill (Bill 21 – the Foodbelt Act) first took aim at this through legislation. I am certain the government has brought forward POFIA because they were receiving the heat to pass Bill 21, introduced jointly by MPP Mike Schreiner and myself.

I guess imitation is the best form of flattery, and I’ve always said I don’t care who gets the job done, as long as the job gets done.