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Incumbent Ward 5 Coun. Nicole Cox shares reasons why she should be re-elected

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 affordability and responsible financial management will be among the most pressing concerns. One of the first major responsibilities of the newly elected council will be the 2027 budget, and residents need to know their council is looking for every opportunity to keep costs under control.

Fiscal responsibility isn’t simply about saying no to spending. It’s about getting the best value from every tax dollar while maintaining the services residents rely on. 

That means setting clear priorities, questioning costs, finding efficiencies, pursuing grants and other funding sources, and looking for better and more cost-effective ways of doing business.

Throughout this term, I have taken that approach, including initiating a review of the town’s service models to identify potential savings and advocating for a Green Municipal Fund opportunity that ultimately brought nearly $1.15 million to New Tecumseth.

Going into the 2027 budget, I will continue looking for savings and efficiencies, challenging expenditures, pursuing outside funding and asking whether residents are receiving real value for the taxes they pay.

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

The province has established the growth New Tecumseth must plan for, and with OPA 5 now approved through Strong Mayor Powers, council’s focus must be on ensuring that growth is implemented responsibly and does not place an unfair burden on existing residents.

The Master Servicing Plan will be critical. It should provide a clear roadmap for what infrastructure is required, when it is required and how growth should be staged. 

Council must ensure residents have a voice, development pays its appropriate share of growth-related infrastructure costs, and it uses careful phasing to manage financial and community impacts.

I have consistently advocated for directing the majority of growth to areas best positioned with infrastructure, employment and services. While OPA 5 ultimately distributed growth across all three communities, those same principles should guide its implementation.

We should also prioritize appropriate intensification and a range of housing options, including opportunities for residents to age in place, while respecting the character of our established communities.

Provincial growth requirements may determine how much we must accommodate, but council still has an important responsibility to determine how responsibly we accommodate it.

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

I bring four years of council experience, built on many years of involvement in our community and municipal affairs before I was elected. I came into this role prepared, and over the past four years I have strengthened that experience through some of the most complex financial, planning, infrastructure and growth decisions facing our municipality.

I have served on the BTBIA, the Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority Board, the Environmental Advisory Committee, and I was selected as council’s alternate member at Simcoe County council. Each has broadened my knowledge and strengthened my ability to represent residents effectively.

But experience is only valuable if you put it to work. I read the reports, research the issues, question costs and recommendations, follow up, and come prepared to make informed decisions. I am not afraid to ask tough questions or take a position when I believe it is in our community’s best interest.

I am accessible and responsive. I bring experience, reliability and a proven work ethic, and I remain committed to providing residents with strong, informed and accountable representation.

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