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Ward 5 council candidate Peter Barbati pledges fiscal discipline amid New Tecumseth growth

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 see a very bright future for New Tecumseth, but the most pressing issue for the incoming council will be managing mandated growth with absolute fiscal discipline. 

Between a volatile national economy, the threat of high interest rates, uncertainty regarding the effects of “A.I.” on our local economy, drip-down consequences of “A.I.” on the general economy, and the town taking on debt for major capital projects, council must scrutinize every dollar spent. 

It’s not necessarily about not investing, but investing in projects which mitigate future losses and possibly provide positive asset flow.

We have to properly control our growth so infrastructure keeps pace without creating an undue tax burden, while negotiating the reality of provincially mandated growth, all while ensuring we protect the core municipal services our residents in Alliston, Beeton, and Tottenham rely on every day.

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

Provincially mandated growth is one of the most pressing concerns in New Tecumseth, and council must handle it with careful diplomacy and thorough local analysis. 

First, we need an objective, evidence-based assessment of every development proposal — weighing potential economic opportunities against the real impacts on traffic, utilities, and tax rates. 

Second, our approach with the province must be strategic. Confrontation for its own sake is counterproductive, as the province holds the power to overrule local decisions and impose terms that may be far less desirable.

Council’s role is to act as strong, pragmatic advocates: making the province fully aware of the financial pressure their mandates place on our residents, and ensuring the province has a full grasp of the limits to our ability to provide adequate water and sewage services for expanding development, while working within the framework to ensure development is controlled, well-serviced, and financially sustainable.

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

I am the current president of the Tottenham and Beeton Chamber of Commerce (TBDCC), and I have participated in think tanks, meetings, committees and bursary committees, benefiting the chamber members and our community in general. 

I have been a local realtor for 30 years, proudly serving our community and neighbouring communities. 

My background is in production and sales. My current and previous occupation/career(s) required developed skills pertaining to: project management, financial management, contract structure and negotiation, communication, diplomacy and risk management and mitigation. I believe this combination of skills, experiences and the willingness and ability to collaborate with a wide range of individuals and organizations can be an asset to Ward 5. 

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