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Incumbent Ward 2 Coun. Wendy Gabrek calls for strong advocacy amid provincial growth mandates

October 8, 2026   ·   0 Comments

With the upcoming municipal election on Oct. 26, we invited each candidate to respond to the same four questions about their reason for running, priorities and vision for the municipality, qualifications, and contact information. Their responses are published below as submitted, subject only to length and standard copy editing for style, grammar and clarity.

Candidates were asked to keep their responses focused on their own qualifications, priorities and vision for the municipality.

1) What are the largest issues facing the Town of New Tecumseth?

I believe there are actually two pressing issues: managing growth responsibly while protecting the quality of life in New Tecumseth, and seeing our current infrastructure projects through to completion.

New Tecumseth is a unique place. We are comprised of three settlement areas and the surrounding rural lands, presenting unique challenges when it comes to infrastructure and hard services. It also means we have four distinct “personalities” that need to be protected.

As our community continues to grow, it will be the council’s purview to balance provincial requirements with local perspective. We need to ensure roads, schools, parks, recreation facilities, emergency services and other community services keep pace with housing density, while protecting our green spaces and making thoughtful planning decisions that reflect why families choose to call New Tecumseth home.

To me, that means maintaining the balance between the best of our rural amenities and that small-town feel.

As a hopeful member of the next council, I know we’ll need to stand up for our community, work constructively with the province and developers, and make smart decisions about where and how growth occurs. 

We also need to see the projects already underway through to thoughtful conclusion, with a clear understanding of how those decisions were made and what the logical next steps should be.

2) With development being mandated by the province and causing concern among residents, how should council approach development and growth?

The reality is that the province has increasingly taken control over how and where municipalities must accommodate growth. That means council has less ability to determine whether growth happens, and more responsibility for making sure it happens well.

I believe we need to be realistic about what is within our control and then advocate relentlessly for our community on everything that is. If we are going to accommodate significant growth, we should be looking to squeeze every possible benefit out of that growth for New Tecumseth.

That means negotiating for the best possible infrastructure, parks and open spaces, protecting green space and incorporating our local heritage and community character into new development. It also means looking for efficiencies, grants, incentives and partnerships that can reduce the financial burden on existing taxpayers.

We cannot control every provincial decision, but we can control how prepared we are, how strongly we advocate and the standards we expect.

My goal would be to ensure that the growth New Tecumseth is required to accommodate results in complete, well-planned communities that enhance — not diminish — the places we already call home.

3) What experience and leadership qualities do you have that make you the right choice for residents’ votes?

I offer experience, a genuine connection to this community and a willingness to do the work.

I was born and raised in New Tecumseth, as were my three boys. I’m a mother, a community volunteer and a proud parent of an RCMP officer. My mother was a local business owner, and my father was part of a group that helped fundraise for a new community centre in Tottenham decades ago.

I understand what it means to grow up in a small community where people know one another, look out for their neighbours and take pride in where they live. I have seen our community change significantly over the years, and I understand both the opportunities and challenges that growth brings.

I also spent more than 20 years at this newspaper, first as a reporter and then as an editor. That experience gave me a unique perspective on our community and its issues from the other side of the desk. I understand the importance of asking tough questions, listening to different perspectives and holding decision-makers accountable.

I’ve been fortunate to be recognized as an award-winning community volunteer, and during my first term on Council, I’ve brought that same commitment to serving our community, sitting on four local boards in addition to my work with council.

I care deeply about New Tecumseth, and I believe I have more work to do. I would appreciate your vote this fall as Councillor for Ward 2, Alliston.

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