A VISION FOR THE FUTURE
Shawn's Priorities for Aurora
A vision with your needs and responsible budget management as the foundation.
Affordability
Affordability is a top concern for our federal and provincial governments — and Aurora must treat it the same way. Rising rent, fuel and food costs, higher unemployment, and persistent inflation have pushed our economy into uncertainty. A 2026 survey shows 50% of Canadians now live paycheque-to-paycheque and Ontario Food Banks now face record-high demand with an astonishing 25% of new customers being employed.
Despite this, Aurora’s budget process continues to fund non-essential projects instead of offering residents’ meaningful financial relief.
How he will address this
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Embedding cost-of-living metrics and more resident input into all major financial decisions.
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Reducing wasteful spending through new bylaws that prioritize projects and allow for their cancellation, deferral, or phased completion.
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Introducing spending caps that push non-essential projects into future years when taxpayers can better afford them.
End Strong Mayor Powers
Aurora’s Mayor accepted Strong Mayor Powers (SMP) in 2023, along with a pledge to fast-track 8,000 new homes in five years by cutting red tape. SMP also gave the Mayor control over the Annual Budget, authority to advance Provincial priorities, and the ability to veto Council decisions with only 3 of 7 votes.
Despite these extraordinary powers, Aurora has built only about 630 homes — roughly 1% of the target — while market conditions have stalled local development.
Worse, SMP have been misused to veto fair Councillor compensation, cancel the development of a men’s transitional shelter, and push through a 2026 property tax increase, all against the will of the majority of Council.
How he will address this
Rescind Strong Mayor Powers and restore democratic decision-making and place Aurora’s planning initiatives at the top.
Governance & Budget Reform
Aurora’s growing workload has outpaced the capacity of a part-time Council, limiting Councillors’ ability to provide the research, engagement, and financial oversight residents expect. In response, Council has steadily delegated major decision-making authority to Staff, to save time. As a result, Council has created a system where significant spending can now proceed without discussion or strong checks.
Additionally, Staff have other practices which require reform. They routinely overuse the commissioning of studies and consultant reports — often for purposes within their own expertise — many of which are shelved and later updated at additional expense. Also, Staff frequently return to Council seeking more money for projects — often without solid justification or consideration of the Town’s overall financial plan. These projects are approved in isolation, fueling chronic overspending and creating funding shortfalls in subsequent years.
All of these practices have cost Aurora taxpayers millions over the past eight years.
How he will address this
Dedication to improving how Council governs—by enhancing Council oversight, tightening budget approval processes, reserve management and eliminating unnecessary spending. These steps are vital to restoring fiscal discipline and rebuilding the public’s confidence, in local government.