It has been an honour to serve on Council since 1994 and as your Mayor since 2003.  With your support, I am eager to continue to lead our city forward, welcome any challenges, and create more exciting opportunities for Pickering to realize its full potential.

I am very proud of my record. Since I became Mayor, approximately 4,000 new jobs have been created in Pickering.   In addition, Pickering leads the Region in industrial growth, with over one million square feet of industrial space constructed in the last four years, while the City’s vacancy rate has decreased significantly from over 15% to just 4.5% at the end of 2009.  Creating more quality jobs and attracting new and dynamic businesses remain my highest priorities. 

As you can see, we have begun a dramatic downtown intensification: kick- started by a 132,000 square foot Class A office tower, a 700-car parking structure, and a fully enclosed pedestrian bridge that will connect to the GO Station.  In addition to keeping MPAC's 200 jobs in Pickering, the office tower will feature three other major tenants that will bring a new vibrancy to both our downtown and local economy.   
I helped secure this $50 million dollar commercial infrastructure project, and am proud that not a penny will be charged to our local tax base. 

Pickering continues to have the lowest taxes of all the Durham lakeshore municipalities.  I pledge to continue this record of investing wisely, budgeting conservatively, vigorously attracting new business and respecting our taxpayers.

I recognize that we need to strengthen your trust in government.  With your mandate, I will reintroduce my Council Code of Conduct and implement it in 2011.  Accountability, accessibility, transparency and trust will continue to be the hallmarks of my mayoralty.

• As your Mayor, I will continue to be a strong voice that protects our quality of life and our ability to make decisions that affect our future.

• Pickering residents deserve the very best in health care. The Mayor’s Gala has raised $400 000 for the Ajax-Pickering Hospital, including a $100 000 donation to launch its new MRI campaign.

• Pickering has a deserved reputation as being a safe, clean and welcoming community. I will continue to ensure that we provide the services and resources that make our city a great place to live, work and raise a family.

Promoting Our Community

• Pickering selected as one of the best places to start and grow a business (Profit Magazine, 2006). Pickering selected as a preferred place to do business (Canadian Business Journal, July 2010).

• Job creation - 4,000 new jobs created since I became Mayor.

• Sustainable growth through responsible development while holding the line on taxes.

• Environmental stewardship to ensure that the future generations enjoy the beauty of our community. Identified as one of Canada’s Green Mayors (Alive Magazine, January 2010).