Christina Early Area Councillor Candidate for Ward 2 (Town of Caledon)

If elected how/what would you do to improve Active Transportation within Caledon and how would you improve existing connections between communities?

As Caledon continues to grow it will be important to develop east-west connections as well as improving north-south transportation corridors. In the past, there were attempts to develop a Caledon based transit service with limited success. I would want to understand the needs for transportation within Caledon and work with Council and the surrounding regions to find a sustainable model that is attractive to both the operators who would run it as well as the residents who would use it. The ride share model introduced by Uber is also showing promise and I would want to explore ways to expand that service.

What will you do to bring in new business that can thrive in Caledon and how will you help existing small businesses succeed?

Small business in Caledon needs the support of its Council – to help promote awareness of the richness and diversity of the goods and services that are available to its residents. There are great examples of successful businesses in Caledon. I would want to hear from small business owners about what matters to them and then work with Council to address those needs. For bringing in new business that can thrive, I would want to work with Council to develop a vision for what kind of business community we want to be, and to work to attract the right mix of companies to create a sustainable economy.

There has been a lot of discussion with respect to truck traffic in Caledon and the danger it poses on our main roads. If elected what do you plan to do to address these concerns?

We have seen a dramatic increase in traffic in general and in truck traffic in particular with the growth that has and will continue to come to Caledon. Maintaining safety for Caledon drivers will require a collaborative effort between Council at setting up the right by-laws, OPP to support the enforcement of both by-laws (eg truck restrictions through Bolton) and provincial traffic laws.

What will you do to ensure council works together in the new term?

I have spent 30 years in business, developing my skills in management and leadership, and am currently in an Executive leadership role where I must hear all stakeholder voices, balance competing interests, and find solutions that drive the business forward. That is what is in front of us at Council where we have to represent all stakeholders but are bound to disappoint some. What I truly desire for Caledon is to have a Council where the voices of residents can be heard, where the issues that face us as a result of the coming growth can be debated on the merits of the facts, and where the future vision for Caledon can be built together. I want my family and the families of all our residents to experience the wonder of Caledon and put down roots for another 4 generations and many more.

Previous Questions and Answers:

How long have you been a Caledon Resident?

Caledon resident since 1996.

What would you change and/or improve in Caledon?

Given my candidacy for Ward 2, I would immediately look to try and improve the conditions of the roads in Ward 2 ….the pot holes are problematic and have become dangerous with drivers trying to navigate around them. This is a costly fix and requires total resurfacing, as the patch work does not appear to be working.

If you were to receive a million dollar grant for the Town of Caledon, what would you do with it and why?

Given the aging population, The Health Care system weighs heavily on my mind; specifically given the overflow with our hospitals most notably Brampton. With growth planned on the west side of Caledon, the thought of some sort of a state of the art ….non-urgent healthcare facility will be required in the future. I suggest that the million could start the discussions and the development of the white papers to determine cost and feasibility for the future.

What is your favourite place in Caledon and why?

I love to walk so I spend a lot of time on the Trails, but my most favourite place is walking the farm fields with our dog … the walk and land really provides tremendous peace after a busy day.

Biography

Christina has lived in Caledon since 1996, moving from the rural Ottawa area. She and her husband Glen, have 2 daughters, both of whom grew up and went to school here in Caledon. The Early family immigrated to the Caledon area in the 1840’s, establishing Earlvale Farms in 1929 on Airport Road.

Christina attended Ryerson University and her managerial and leadership skills have been ably demonstrated in various and increasingly senior positions at some of Canada’s most notable companies: Shoppers Drug Mart, Grand and Toy, and Pharmasave, where she is the Executive Director, Operations and Brand Services for this member owned and governed retail drugstore cooperative of over 325 community-based pharmacies.

Christina is an engaged and proud member of the Caledon community and has demonstrated her commitment to her community over these past 20+ years including as the Co-chair of the Macville Parent Council, and as a member on the Herb Campbell Parent Council. She has also been involved in her children’s, Jessica and Sara’s, extracurricular activities including hockey, 4-H, and soccer.

Email: christina@christinaearly.com

Website: christinaearly.com

For a list of all the registered candidates click HERE.