In an effort to promote discussion on key issues during the current election period, we are giving candidates the opportunity to answer a number of questions that may be of interest to local voters.
Everyone receives the same questions, and their answers are presented with minimal editing for format purposes only.
Here is the candidate profile for Belleville Council Candidate in Ward One (urban) Cathy Polan.
Election day is October 26th.
First and Last Name
Cathy Polan
What position are you seeking in the upcoming municipal election on October 26?
Councillor ward 1
Question 1 – Why are you running and what are your main priorities if elected/re-elected?
I am running for Belleville City Council because I believe our community deserves a strong voice, responsible leadership, and practical solutions I want to listen to residents, represent their concerns, and work toward a Belleville where people can afford to live, feel safe, and be proud to call home. Top Priorities 1. Affordability and Responsible Spending I will advocate for responsible management of taxpayers’ money, greater transparency in municipal spending, and careful consideration of property taxes. Residents deserve value for their tax dollars and clear explanations of how their money is being spent. 2. Housing and Community Well-Being I will support practical solutions that expand access to affordable housing, address homelessness, and improve access to community services. Belleville should be a place where young people, families, seniors, and individuals from all walks of life have the opportunity to build a stable future. 3. Roads, Infrastructure, and Public Safety I will advocate for well-maintained roads, reliable municipal services, safer neighbourhoods, and infrastructure that keeps pace with Belleville’s growth. I believe we must plan responsibly for the future while addressing the concerns residents face today.
Question 2 – How do you balance budgetary restraint with continuing increases in many areas of the municipal budget?
My goal would be to control spending wherever possible, protect essential services, and make every tax dollar count. I would also make sure residents understand why spending decisions are being made, what alternatives were considered, and how those decisions affect their household budgets. I cannot promise that taxes will never increase, but I can commit to asking tough questions, demanding accountability, and ensuring that any proposed increase is carefully justified. As a councillor, I would take a close look at every department’s budget to identify efficiencies, reduce unnecessary spending, and ensure taxpayers are getting value for their money. I would prioritize essential services such as fire protection, policing, road maintenance, and the infrastructure we depend on every day.
Question 3 – Infrastructure projects are a huge strain on local budgets, especially when it comes to water/wastewater. How can we address/reduce these costs moving forward and mitigate the impact for ratepayers/taxpayers?
Water and wastewater infrastructure is one of the biggest financial challenges facing municipalities. My approach would be to look beyond the traditional way we fund and deliver these projects and examine every opportunity to reduce costs while protecting ratepayers. First, I would focus on better long-term planning, coordinating road, water and sewer projects so we avoid digging up the same streets multiple times, improving preventative maintenance, and pursuing provincial and federal infrastructure grants. Second, I would explore the potential of a Municipal Services Corporation (MSC) for water and wastewater services. A properly structured, municipally owned corporation could provide a dedicated governance and financial framework for these services, improve long-term capital planning, and potentially create opportunities for shared services, regional partnerships and more efficient procurement. However, I would want an independent business case before making that decision. We need to understand the setup costs, financing implications, impact on water and wastewater rates, and whether an MSC would genuinely deliver savings compared with the existing municipal model. Public ownership, transparent reporting and strong municipal oversight would be essential. Third, I would ensure that growth pays its fair share of growth-related infrastructure costs, within the limits of provincial legislation, rather than placing an unreasonable burden on existing residents. Ultimately, my objective would be to find the most cost-effective way to build, maintain and operate our water and wastewater systems, while ensuring safe drinking water, environmental compliance and dependable service for future generations. Residents deserve to know what projects cost, why they are needed and how we are working to keep their bills manageable.
Question 4 – What measures can the municipality take to address the issues of affordability and housing security?
I believe housing affordability and housing security are among the most important challenges facing Belleville. We need to make it easier to build the right kinds of homes, while ensuring that people who already live here are not being left behind. My approach would focus on three things. First, we need more housing choices. That means encouraging apartments, townhouses, secondary suites, smaller homes and purpose-built rentals, while streamlining approvals and making responsible use of city-owned land. Second, we need to work with non-profit housing providers, developers, Hastings County, and provincial and federal governments to create more genuinely affordable housing. When municipal land or public incentives are used, I want clear expectations about the public benefit and the affordability delivered. Third, we must address housing insecurity by supporting homelessness prevention, improving access to appropriate housing and services, and protecting the quality of our existing housing stock. We also have to be realistic about infrastructure costs. New development must be planned alongside water, wastewater, roads and other essential services, with a clear understanding of who pays and how costs will affect residents. My goal is to help create a Belleville where young people can find a place to start, families can afford to stay, seniors can age comfortably, and vulnerable residents have a pathway to stable housing. We need measurable results, responsible spending and cooperation across all levels of government.
Question 5 – Homelessness has become a major issue for most local communities. What would you do to address this issue and what needs to happen to have a meaningful impact?
I believe homelessness must be addressed with both compassion and accountability. We need to recognize the challenges facing people without stable housing while also responding to residents’ concerns about public safety, cleanliness and the use of public spaces. As a councillor, I would work closely with Hastings County, community organizations, health providers and all levels of government to strengthen homelessness prevention, expand supportive housing and improve coordination between services. I would focus on helping people before they lose their housing, creating pathways from emergency shelter into permanent accommodation, and ensuring that people who need mental health or other supports can access appropriate services. I would also advocate for more provincial and federal funding so that the financial burden does not fall disproportionately on local taxpayers. I would want clear reporting on how public money is spent and whether our efforts are actually helping people achieve stable housing. My goal would be to move beyond managing homelessness toward reducing it, while building a community where people experiencing homelessness are treated with dignity and residents can feel confident that their concerns are being addressed.
Question 6 – What message do you want the voter to know about you and your campaign and your priorities for the next four years?
A Strong Voice. Responsible Decisions. A Better Future for Belleville. I want the people of Belleville to know that I take the responsibility of serving our community seriously. I believe being a city councillor is about listening to residents, asking the tough questions, making informed decisions, and putting the interests of our community first. Over the next four years, I will approach Council with an open mind, a willingness to work collaboratively, and a commitment to accountability and transparency. I will listen to different perspectives, carefully examine the facts, and make decisions based on what is responsible, realistic, and in the long-term interests of Belleville. I recognize that residents are facing real challenges, including rising costs, housing affordability, homelessness, infrastructure pressures, and the need to maintain reliable municipal services. These issues require practical solutions, thoughtful planning, and responsible management of taxpayer dollars. I will push for careful budget oversight, better long-term planning for water and wastewater infrastructure, more housing options, and meaningful collaboration with Hastings County and other levels of government to address homelessness and community needs. I will not pretend that every problem has an easy answer or that every decision will please everyone. What I can commit to is asking questions, examining alternatives, explaining my decisions, and treating residents with respect even when we disagree. My commitment is to be accessible, accountable, and focused on results. I want residents to know that their voices matter, their concerns deserve attention, and their tax dollars deserve careful consideration. Over these four years, I want to help build a Belleville that is financially responsible, safe, welcoming, and prepared for the future, a city where families can put down roots, seniors can remain in their community, businesses can grow, and people in need can find support. Ultimately, I believe leadership is not about making promises we cannot keep. It is about showing up, doing the work, being honest about the challenges, and being accountable for the decisions we make.
