Candidate Profile – Belleville Council Candidate Ward 2 (Thurlow) – Paul Carr | InQuinte.ca
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Candidate Profile – Belleville Council Candidate Ward 2 (Thurlow) – Paul Carr

By Paul Martin Oct 19, 2026 | 11:16 AM

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 Ward Two (Thurlow) Paul Carr.

Election day is October 26.

First and Last Name
Paul Carr

What position are you seeking in the upcoming municipal election on October 26?
Councillor / City of Belleville

Question 1 – Why are you running and what are your main priorities if elected/re-elected?
I am running for Council to continue to serve my community and provide a citizen-centred approach to representation. I commit to continuing to protect your tax dollars by ensuring that city services and programs demonstrate value for money. While I have previously championed performance management through Key Performance Indicators, I will propose a complete organizational and service delivery review in order to develop comprehensive results-based budgeting and customer service enhancements for city departments. The current ward system has remained the same since amalgamation in 1998. Personally, I enjoy representing the geographical area of Ward 2. However, through the lens of democracy, I will introduce a motion for a third-party independent review of the ward system with a robust community consultation process. You will get to decide how you want your local government to be organized.

Question 2 – How do you balance budgetary restraint with continuing increases in many areas of the municipal budget?
Ensuring value for money and simply saying no to excessive increases, like I have done in previous municipal 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?
Water and wastewater infrastructure is funded through user rates and not property taxes. Addressing these costs requires significant funding investments from the provincial and federal government. This infrastructure provides long term economic growth and provides vital services to our community.

Question 4 – What measures can the municipality take to address the issues of affordability and housing security?
Each Council term I have championed the Low-Income Seniors and ODSP Homeowner Property Tax Credit, increasing it to $1200 in 2026. I have also moved motions calling on Hastings County to develop a multi-year capital plan for affordable housing as well as for staff to identify city-owned land for affordable housing options.

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?
Addressing homelessness requires advocacy to senior levels of government (provincial and federal) to meet their jurisdictional responsibilities and not place this burden on the property taxpayer to solve.

Question 6 – What message do you want the voter to know about you and your campaign and your priorities for the next four years?
“Your Community Your Priorities” has not just been a campaign slogan each election but my mission statement as a City Councillor. Residents priorities for the community is all that matters. Listening to their feedback, I commit to continuing to protect your tax dollars by ensuring that city services and programs demonstrate value for money. While I have previously championed performance management through Key Performance Indicators, I will propose a complete organizational and service delivery review in order to develop comprehensive results-based budgeting and customer service enhancements for city departments. The current ward system has remained the same since amalgamation in 1998. Personally, I enjoy representing the geographical area of Ward 2. However, through the lens of democracy, I will introduce a motion for a third-party independent review of the ward system with a robust community consultation process. You will get to decide how you want your local government to be organized.