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 Quinte West Mayoral Candidate Shelley Stedall. Election day is October 26th.
First and Last Name
Shelley Stedall
What position are you seeking in the upcoming municipal election on October 26?
Mayor – City of Quinte West
Question 1 – Why are you running and what are your main priorities if elected/re-elected?
I am running for Mayor because I care deeply about Quinte West and have a vested interest in seeing our community do well. With the experience I bring, I want to give back to my community and make a real difference as Quinte West enters a period of significant transition. With many new members coming onto Council, my first priority will be to help the new Council become oriented and trained in their roles so that we can quickly come together as an effective team. One of our first major responsibilities will be completing and passing the 2027 budget, with affordability and responsible financial management at the forefront. I bring more than 35 years of municipal experience, including senior leadership roles as a CAO and Director of Finance, as well as four years on Quinte West Council. I understand municipal government from both sides of the Council table, and I believe that experience will be especially important as a new Council begins its term. My priorities also include keeping Quinte West affordable, reviewing spending and finding efficiencies, taking another look at water rates and user fees, and making responsible long-term investments in our roads, bridges, water and sewer systems, and recreation facilities. I also want to increase housing opportunities, work with our community partners and other levels of government to address homelessness, strengthen healthcare advocacy, support local businesses and good jobs, and improve communication between City Hall and our residents. For me, this is about putting my experience to work for the community I call home and providing the leadership needed to move Quinte West forward.
Question 2 – How do you balance budgetary restraint with continuing increases in many areas of the municipal budget?
Balancing budgetary restraint with increasing costs is one of the biggest challenges municipalities face, and it is an area where my more than 35 years building municipal budgets and looking after municipal finances as well as my leadership experience will be particularly valuable. We have to start by recognizing that not every cost increase is within the City’s control. Policing, insurance, utilities, fuel, construction costs and contractual obligations can all put significant pressure on the municipal budget. But that does not mean we simply pass those increases on to taxpayers. We need to go through the budget carefully, department by department, looking for efficiencies, reviewing service levels and questioning whether spending is still delivering value to residents. We also need to make better use of grants and other funding opportunities and continue looking for ways to grow our assessment base through appropriate residential, commercial and industrial development. At the same time, we cannot achieve short-term savings by putting off necessary maintenance. Deferring work on roads, bridges, water and sewer infrastructure can end up costing taxpayers considerably more in the long run. Good long-term financial and asset management planning is essential. For me, budgetary restraint means setting priorities, making informed choices working with experts in the field, both staff and consultant as well as getthing public input. This together with understanding the long-term impact of those decisions. My goal would be to protect the core services residents rely on while keeping affordability at the centre of the 2027 budget and future budgets.
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?
Quinte West already has a strong Asset Management Plan that helps us prioritize when infrastructure needs to be repaired or replaced before it becomes unusable. We need to keep that plan current, including adding new infrastructure being built by developers that the City will ultimately be responsible for maintaining and replacing. To reduce the impact on taxpayers and water and sewer ratepayers, we also need to strongly advocate for more provincial and federal infrastructure funding, including project-specific grants and ongoing infrastructure programs. Having projects planned and ready when funding becomes available is critical. Good asset management, long-term financial planning and securing outside funding will help us manage these major costs while keeping affordability in mind.
Question 4 – What measures can the municipality take to address the issues of affordability and housing security?
Affordability is something I am very aware of. Having worked as a tax and water and sewer rate collector earlier in my municipal career, I saw firsthand how people can struggle to pay their bills. That experience has stayed with me. Residents and businesses need to be first and foremost when Council makes financial decisions. We need to look at property taxes, water and sewer rates and user fees through an affordability lens while still maintaining the services our community relies on. Housing is also a major part of affordability. We need a range of housing options for young families, first-time buyers, seniors looking to downsize and those who need affordable or supportive housing. We can help by streamlining approvals and working with developers, community agencies and other levels of government. For those experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity, we need to bring more provincial and federal funding into Quinte West for affordable, supportive and transitional housing and work with the agencies that have the expertise to deliver those services.
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?
Homelessness is a community issue that requires all of us to work together. We need to expand front-line response and community outreach, including outreach through the OPP, so that people experiencing homelessness can be connected with the appropriate services and supports. We also need community working groups that bring together the agencies and people who work directly with those experiencing homelessness. They understand the needs firsthand, and bringing them together allows us to share information, identify gaps in services and find practical solutions. This cannot be addressed by one municipality alone. Quinte West, Belleville, Hastings County and our community partners need to continue working together on a regional approach. We also need strong advocacy to the provincial and federal governments for funding and assistance for housing, mental health, addictions and other supports. Meaningful progress will require municipalities, community agencies and all levels of government working together rather than trying to address homelessness in isolation.
Question 6 – What message do you want the voter to know about you and your campaign and your priorities for the next four years?
Homelessness is a community issue that requires all of us to work together. My action plan starts with expanding front-line response and community outreach, including outreach through the OPP, so people experiencing homelessness can be connected with the services and supports they need. I would strengthen the community working groups that bring together the agencies and people working directly with our homeless population. They can identify gaps, coordinate services and help us find practical solutions based on what they are seeing firsthand. We already have a regional approach, but we need to strengthen it. With new faces coming onto councils across the region, we need to make sure everyone understands what is already being done, what is working, where the gaps are and how we can work together rather than duplicate efforts. I also want to pursue more transitional and supportive housing in Quinte West, operated by experienced community agencies, and strongly advocate to the provincial and federal governments for the funding needed for housing, mental health, addictions and other supports. This is a Quinte-wide issue, and meaningful progress will require municipalities, community agencies and all levels of government working together.
