A candidate’s promises reveal their intentions. Their record reveals what they’ve actually done, and what they’ve been willing to put forward, stand behind, and collaborate on to make it happen.
During this Council term, I moved 15 motions and seconded seven others, ranging from community safety, transparency, and taxation to road safety, rural services, agriculture, heritage, environmental protection, recreation, and neighbourhood parking.
Halton Hills Council adopted all 22 motions.
Formally moving a motion brings an idea before Council. Seconding a motion supports another councillor’s proposal so Council can debate and decide it. My role differed in each case, but the purpose stayed the same: to help turn worthwhile ideas into action.
Some motions made an immediate decision. Others directed staff to investigate an issue, consult the community, or develop a plan. Several urged provincial or federal governments to act.
Together, they tell a consistent story about the leadership I believe Halton Hills deserves: practical, transparent, community-focused, collaborative, and committed to follow-through.
Making Accountability More Than a Promise
I led the way for a review of the provincial-municipal fiscal framework. Municipalities are increasingly expected to fund services that overlap with provincial responsibilities. My motion called for greater clarity and fairness and made it clear that controlling local spending remains Council’s responsibility.
When technical analysis indicated that a district energy system in Vision Georgetown would require substantial public investment and pose financial risk, I chose to pursue practical, site-specific environmental solutions instead. The motion also asked staff to explore whether remaining funds could support future community-serving facilities for this technology.
Most recently, I introduced a motion to establish a formal whistleblower reporting framework. It calls for an independent, confidential process, protection against reprisal, and appropriate reporting to Council.
Strong organizations do not wait for a crisis to put safeguards in place. They create systems that protect employees and taxpayers while earning public trust.
Turning Community Concerns Into Action
Many of these motions were inspired by residents who raised concerns that required a stronger municipal response.
In Norval, families were concerned about traffic along Highway 7. I moved to request that the province designate the area as a Community Safety Zone.
When residents raised concerns about vehicles illegally passing stopped school buses, I called for stronger provincial action on stop-arm camera systems. Protecting children should never depend on whether a nearby officer catches a dangerous driver.
For rural families, I introduced Farm 911, The Emily Project. Fields and woodlots without civic addresses can be difficult for emergency responders to locate. The motion directs staff to investigate how emergency address signs could help first responders reach the correct rural entrance more quickly.
I also moved to defend continued access to free private drinking-water testing and to oppose the proposed closure of the Hamilton Public Health Ontario Laboratory. Rural residents who rely on private wells deserve accessible testing and confidence in their water’s safety.
I seconded Councillor Somerville’s motion for Halton Region to examine options to expand waste collection services in rural Halton Hills, including potential user-pay solutions. Rural residents deserve a clear understanding of the available options, associated costs, and service implications.
I also seconded Councillor Albano’s motion addressing the potential traffic and safety impacts of the Hidden Quarry. It called for cooperation among provincial ministries, neighbouring municipalities, police services, and other agencies to examine haul routes, road safety, commercial-vehicle enforcement, traffic monitoring, and ongoing communication with affected residents.
These motions differ, but the principle remains the same: listen carefully, understand the problem, and pursue a practical response.
Supporting the People Who Protect Us
Community safety also means supporting the first responders who serve Halton Hills.
I worked hard to fund specialized equipment to help the Halton Hills Fire Department clean and decontaminate breathing apparatus. This investment will help reduce firefighters’ exposure to harmful chemicals and combustion by-products.
When governments make funding available to protect the health and safety of our first responders, the Town should be prepared to act and ensure those resources are used effectively.
Protecting the Places That Define Us
Halton Hills is more than a collection of properties and roads. Our identity is also found in our hamlets, farms, natural landscapes, historic places, and community institutions.
That is why I moved to establish a Hamlet Character Preservation Structure. Glen Williams, Norval, Limehouse, Ballinafad, Stewarttown, Terra Cotta, and our other rural settlements should not gradually lose their character to one-size-fits-all road standards, infrastructure projects, or development decisions.
The adopted motion calls for community engagement and consideration of streetscapes, road profiles, heritage features, landscaping, trees, signage, lighting, and natural attributes when planning Town projects.
Heritage is about recognizing the people who built our community. My motion to name the Inglis and Forster bridges in Glen Williams honoured the Inglis family of stonemasons and Reverend Forster’s historic ties to the hamlet.
When a provincial transmission-corridor study created uncertainty for landowners and the Croatian Centre, I advocated for detailed mapping, meaningful municipal consultation, fair compensation, and the protection of important community assets.
My invasive-plants motion addressed another growing threat to our farms, parks, trails, woodlots, and natural areas. It called for modernized provincial rules that restrict the sale and distribution of invasive plants, along with stronger labelling, education, and import controls. Taxpayers should not continually bear the cost of controlling invasive species that remain legally available for sale.
I also seconded Councillor Somerville’s motion urging the province to provide the Niagara Escarpment Commission with the staffing and resources needed to investigate violations more effectively. Environmental rules protect our community only when sufficient people and resources enforce them.
Protecting our future and honouring our past must be reflected in Council decisions, not merely in campaign language.
Supporting Farms and Local Enterprise
Agriculture is both an essential industry and a defining feature of Halton Hills.
I successfully moved motions supporting by-the-glass endorsements for Wheelbarrow Orchards and Andrews Winery at Andrews Scenic Acres. These approvals helped local farm businesses expand their visitor experiences, promote their locally produced products, and strengthen agricultural tourism.
I also seconded Councillor Fogal’s motion, which supported the intent of Bill 21 and the creation of a farmer-led Foodbelt Protection Plan Advisory Committee. The motion emphasized that farmers and agricultural landowners must lead the discussion and that participation in any proposed Foodbelt should remain voluntary.
Protecting farmland and strengthening food security must go hand in hand with respecting farmers, supporting farm viability, and recognizing the importance of property rights.
Supporting local businesses does not always require a large government program. Sometimes it means recognizing a sensible opportunity, removing an unnecessary obstacle, and helping a promising local idea move forward.
Modernizing Town Rules Around Real Life
Our community is changing, and municipal rules must occasionally adapt.
My motion to review and modernize parking regulations recognizes the realities of multigenerational households, limited driveway space, caregivers and visitors, downtown businesses, accessibility needs, and the lack of transportation alternatives in certain areas.
It does not predetermine the outcome. It requires research, comparisons with other municipalities, and meaningful consultation with residents, businesses, BIAs, hamlet associations, and accessibility stakeholders.
I also seconded Councillor Norris’s motion for staff to consider a seasonal exemption permitting basketball nets, hockey nets, and other recreational equipment on appropriate Town roads during designated months. The goal was to strike a reasonable balance among neighbourhood recreation, safety, accessibility, risk, and liability.
That is how responsible change should happen: openly, carefully, and with the people affected at the table.
Standing Up for Canada
Local government should remain focused on local responsibilities, but sometimes municipal leaders should speak clearly about the values shared by their community.
I seconded Councillor Keene’s motion affirming Canada’s sovereignty and rejecting efforts to undermine our independence. Halton Hills has long been known as Canada’s Most Patriotic
Town, and the motion reflected our community’s pride in a strong, free, and independent Canada.
Adoption Requires Collaboration
I am proud to have moved 15 motions and seconded seven more, but no individual councillor can adopt a motion alone.
Each motion required discussion at the Council table and Council’s support. Residents, community organizations, local businesses, farmers, Town staff, and fellow councillors all helped inform or advance this work.
I moved fifteen motions and seconded seven more. Council adopted twenty-two motions.
If elected Mayor, I will bring the same approach to the Council table: listen to people, learn the issues, propose practical solutions, support good ideas, build consensus, and follow through.
That’s how ideas turn into action, and how local government earns the community’s trust.
Jason Brass
Candidate for Mayor of Halton Hills
Protecting Our Future, Honouring Our Past