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MEET SANDRA 

 
WORKING FOR OUR FUTURE
WHILE HONOURING OUR PAST

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MY BACKGROUND

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I was born and raised in Niagara, where my grandparents farmed in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

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I attended Brock University, specializing in geography and urban planning. After graduation, I moved away from Niagara to work in management for scientific organizations in various fields. I worked in government departments such as Natural Resources Canada and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council, in the University of Victoria's Faculty of Science, and for the Canadian Institute of Surveying and Mapping/Geomatics. Then, I started by own company advising on geomatics, experiencing the challenges of developing, growing and maintaining my own private sector business.

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I am blessed with being a mother and recently a grandmother.
 

COUNCIL ACHIEVEMENTS DURING MY TWO TERMS

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MY TRACK RECORD: 

Some the issues that I have spearheaded and/or advocated for are:

 

  • Planning: Highlighted issues of community character sustainability and infrastructure capacities.  Ie. against commercialization of Parliament Oak in residential area, uphold Ontario Land Tribunal decisions on Rand Estate developments, creation of new community benefits charge for 5 stories or greater, respecting the St. Davids design guidelines to re-establish the Village Centre as the Commercial which means no roundabout, arranged to post site-plan documents for the public, updating telecommunications facilities protocols.

 

  • Heritage: Advocated to prioritize the designation of the properties currently pending on the municipal heritage register, increase the Queen St. heritage area, and protect Rand Estate.

 

  • Environment: Helped spearhead the Climate Change Action Plan.  Involved in the review of flood and storm criteria for flood mitigation, advocated for a Forestry management plan, protection of trees during construction regulations, the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative, promoted planning for parks in new subdivision vs cash-in-lieu, and opposed amalgamation of Conservation Authorities.

 

  • Agriculture: Bill 21 Protect Our Food Act 2025, objected to commercialization of agricultural lands, advocated for agriculture friendly clauses in Official Plan and opposed inspection fees for migrant workers housing on farmers.

 

  • Healthcare/Social: Successfully procuring a Nurse Practitioner from the Niagara Health System for a walk-in clinic for those who do not have a local family doctor and for visitors.  Advocated for seniors being represented in the strategic plan, seniors housing.

 

  • Tourism: Advocated to balance tourism with residential, agricultural and business communities. MAT Chair for criteria development. Promoted more inclusion of residents on tourism initiatives and advocated for fees for patios on town property.

 

  • Budget: Proposed the creation of an audit committee, advocated for planning fees to be at 75 percentile of Niagara - not 50 percentile, proposed many motions to reduce expenditures and increase revenues

 

  • Governance: Advocated for not accepting strong Mayor’s powers, delegated to legislature on Regional governance model being undemocratic and lacking voters consultation.

 

Area Specific Activities

 

​Old Town:

  • Opposed the Parliament Oak development because of commercialization of a residential area

  • Opposed the 200 John St. (Rand) development on heritage and stormwater grounds

  • Pushed to develop effective solution to flooding, parking and vehicle flow

  • Opposed the selling of municipal property

 

St. Davids:

  • Opposed the traffic roundabout at York Rd and Four Mile Creek Road

  • Focussed on storm water and wastewater infrastructure needs during subdivision approval process

 

 Queenston:

  • Advocated for the creation of traffic safety features.

 

Glendale:

  • Opposed enhanced building heights (eg 24 stories)

  • Ensured environment considered in hotel development

  • Advocated for ecopark

 

Virgil:

  • Advocated for parks and keeping trees in new subdivision proposals.

  • Opposed the selling or use of municipal property for developments.

  • Opposed advocating for Minister’s Zoning Order for a development.

 

 

Serving the Town:

Town Committees – member:

  • Agricultural Committee

  • Audit and Finance Committee

  • Community Wellness

  • Environmental Advisory Committee

  • Parking Committee

  • Municipal Accommodation Tax Committee (Chair)

  • Amalgamation Committee

  • CAO Selection Committee

  • Town Representative for  Music Niagara and the Niagara Pumphouse Arts Centre.

 

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COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENTS PRIOR TO BECOMING COUNCILLOR

  • Fought to maintain our health infrastructure, specifically, to save the Niagara-on-the-Lake hospital;

  • Awarded the Niagara-on-the-Lake volunteer recognition award for contributing to the protection of the environment,

  • Advocated for an urban tree by-law on behalf of the Niagara Region Conservancy

  • Advocated to preserve agricultural lands and help our local farmers;

  • Fought the proposed reduction of polling stations for St. David and Queenston, which I considered anti-democratic

  • Member of Niagara Region’s Smarter Niagara Steering Committee, which advised on enhancing and protecting  the built and natural environment in the Region.

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