Re-Elect
Paul Carr
Introduced the motion, approved by City Council, for a Health and Homelessness Summit which was held in the Spring of 2023. After hearing from residents during the last election campaign that there were too many siloed organizations, it was important to get all service providers in one room to set goals and measures. The Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness was an integral partner in this summit.
Eliminated Transit Route 9 (tax savings) and added city-wide mobility transit service.
Incremental Increases to ODSP and Low Income Seniors Property Tax Credit to $1200 in 2026.
Motion that Council request a 1-2% budget reduction per department for the 2023 Operating Budget.
Introduced motion to oppose Strong Mayor Power legislation which was passed by Council.
Thurlow Speed Study review and set limits as per road design.
Ashley Street sidewalk to Foxboro Public school for improved pedestrian safety.
Motion approved by Council to amend Connection By-Law (Water and Wastewater) to eliminate mandatory connections for pre-existing residence.
Called for a Value for Money review for policing due to escalating annual budget increases.
Voted against increased capital funding for The Bridge Hart Hub and the 1% tax levy in 2024.
Championed preliminary design for Old Hwy 2 reconstruction.
Championed “as-of-right” zoning for urban Intensification which led to a successful federal Housing Accelerator Fund application during the second round, after being denied during the first round.
Called on the Ontario government to reimburse lost revenue as a consequence of provincial housing legislation.
Voted against the Fire Master Plan and corresponding tax increases.
Traffic calming policy amended to include Hamlet areas like Foxboro and Plainfield.
Moved for the creation of a By-law review committee that modernized by-laws in relation to Property Standards, Land Maintenance, Clear Yards, Littering, Noise and Short-Term Accommodation.
Supported the three-year lease extension with the Belleville Senators through the 2029-2030 season. (One of the Council members that supported the original agreement to bring the BSens and the American Hockey League to the City of Belleville)
Introduced a motion requesting member municipalities that comprise the Hastings County Community and Human Services committee as well as Prince Edward County contribute to the capital funding of The Bridge Integrated Hart Hub.
Voted against the Family Physician Appreciation fund as municipal tax dollars should not be funding physicians who receive payment from the Ontario government.
Voted against the 2025 Belleville Police Service Board budget request as it was astronomically outside of the budget target set by City Council.
Voted against The Bridge Integrated Hart Hub Funding Strategy during the 2025 Operating Budget.
Voted to include paper ballots and tabulators at Voter Assistance Centres, along with Internet and Telephone voting, as part of the 2026 municipal election.
Introduced a motion, approved by Council, calling on Hastings County as the provincially designated Service Manager for social housing to develop a multi-year capital plan, subject to provincial and federal funding, for the construction of affordable and social housing in order to eliminate the current County waitlist for housing as well as the provision of adequate supportive housing for the County’s homeless population.
Voted against utilizing Tax Stabilization Fund -Automated Speed Enforcement revenue for Primary Care Recruitment.
Voted against Council budget guideline tax increase of 5% as part of the 2026 Budget process.
Introduced a motion for the implementation of electronic voting at City Council meetings so every vote Is recorded by each individual Council member. Unfortunately It failed to achieve majority support of Council.
Introduced a motion, approved by City Council, for a special roundtable meeting with local MPPs and MPs.
Championed capital funding for Bird Park upgrades Including a 3×3 multi-use court, lighting and other upgrades as well as for the construction of a small playground structure and amenities for the Heritage Park subdivision.
Introduced several motions calling on the Ontario government to reimburse municipal taxpayers for revenue losses as a result of provincial housing legislation.
Supported a motion to oppose the Alto High Speed Rail proposed southern corridor which would negatively impact many residents private property as well as the local fanning community
Introduced a motion during the 2026 Operating Budget to drastically reduce the funding allotment to the Belleville Police Service Board. Unfortunately, it failed to gain majority support of City Council. In a subsequent vote, I voted against the budget request as it was a 15% increase over the previous year and well beyond any budget guidelines set by City Council.
Introduced a motion, which was approved by Council, during the 2026 Operating Budget to remove property taxes as a revenue source to fund the City’s Primary Care Recruitment program. This is not a municipal responsibility. In addition, the Ontario Government’s Primary Care Action Plan has allotted provincial funds to support local recruitment efforts by the Hastings Prince Edward Ontario Health Team.
I voted against the Garbage Bag Tax Increase that was introduced as part of the Strong Mayor Powers budget to offset the large police budget increase.
With the elimination of the seasonal Pop-Ups as a tax relief measure in response to the significant police budget Increase, I introduced a motion, approved by Council for the creation of program to permit food trucks and other recreation vendors in parks and open spaces.
Introduced an amendment to the Fire and Emergency Services Establishing and Regulating Bylaw to ensure a numerical compliment of volunteer firefighters was included. This ensures staffing compliments are maintained and overall fire services in the rural areas remain cost effective with a rural firefighter response.
Supported the creation of the Low Income Senior and Persons with Disabilities Rebate Policy for Water and Wastewater Charges.
Championed the advancement of Phillipston Road resurfacing and improvements.
Seconded a motion to table the by-law relation to declaring South John Street city property surplus and conveying to abutting owner. When the matter returned to Council In a staff report, I supported the motion to deny the surplus and keep lands within the city’s Inventory.
Appointed by Council to chair the Community Safety and Wellbeing Plan Governance Advisory Committee.
Voted against the Fire Station Relocations as the plan Includes relocating Station 4 within the urban boundary area and creating a composite fire station of urban and rural firefighters. This has the potential of urban creep and diminished rural firefighting which can have significant budget and tax implications.
Introduced a motion, approved by Council, that staff prepare amendments to the Medical Service agreements for Council’s consideration and include the following:
1. Roster minimum of 800 patients for Nurse Practitioners and 1200 for medical physicians.
2. Primary Care provider under contract with the City shall provide quarterly reporting of patient rostering until minimum roster totals are met, after which annual reporting will be required for the duration of the medical service agreement.
3. Only roster patients with a home address in the City of Belleville.
Voted against a motion for the City, to apply to the Canada-Ontario Partnership to Build and Development Charge Reduction program. The Mayor’s motion included reductions at development charge reductions of 100% for the first year, 50% for the second year and 30% for the third year. Background studies demonstrate considerable risk to existing taxpayers to cover the difference which is counterintuitive to growth paying for growth. Additionally, the program has no safeguards which guarantees savings in development charges are passed on to new home purchasers.