Louis Daigle Municipal Election Candidate Profile

Name: Louis Daigle

Municipality: Smiths Falls

Position Sought: Councillor

Currently Retired or Working (where?): I am currently employed full-time at T. A. Morrison & Co. (steel/aluminum manufacturing) and part-time at Canadian Tire (warehouse).

Former Elected Positions/Terms if applicable: I am currently a union steward for SMART local 540.

Community volunteer experience (service clubs, local committees, fundraising, etc): Member of the Smiths Falls Kinsmen Club (various volunteering events), as well as volunteered for the Salvation Army and Urban Jungle.

Top 3 issues facing your municipality and its residents that council has control or major influence over: A priority issue we currently face is our tax and water rates; expenses and infrastructure, and neighboring relationships.

Your solutions/approach to those 3 issues:

Taxation – We must entice people and businesses to relocate here to expand our tax base there by lowering the burden on our reduced population. We accomplish this by offering incentives, such as a temporary tax abatement to new businesses and home owners purchasing vacant homes.

Infrastructure – A full service review of all expenses including the Smiths Falls Police Service budget is required. Savings must be found. We need to focus on living within our budget abilities, repair the failing infrastructure, and stop wasting money on the “nice-to-haves” and prioritize the need-to-have.

Neighbouring relations – Our neighbours are our greatest allies. Instead of relying on foreign businesses to bail us out, we need to work with our neighbours to share expenses and services favourable to all parties. A regular review meeting will go a long way to ensuring we all get the best bang for our buck!

Do you own (or have a stake in) or operate a commercial/industrial business in your municipality? (Including vacant development lands or rental units): I own a house which I reside in here in Smiths Falls.

Special note: I have stated as part of my platform that If I am elected I will be donating 20 per cent of my salary to various organizations throughout Smiths Falls such as the food bank and the mission, and will be challenging all other council members and the mayor to match me.