Mike Britton
City Council
My Plan for
St. George's Ward
A practical plan to lower the tax burden, make our neighbourhoods safer, and make sure St. George’s gets the representation and investment it deserves.
01
LOWER TAXES
Families and seniors are struggling with rising costs, from groceries and housing to utilities and property taxes. For some, paying one bill means putting off another. I will fight to lower taxes.
CUT WASTE, NOT SERVICES
City Hall has a spending problem, but cutting essential services isn't the answer. When I was on Council, I championed converting our streetlights to LEDs, saving approximately $1 million a year without reducing service. I'll bring cost-saving proposals to every City budget, use technology to cut administrative costs, challenge unnecessary spending, and demand clear reasons before vacant City positions are filled.
GROW THE TAX BASE,
NOT THE TAX BILL
We can bring in more tax revenue by growing our city, not just raising taxes on the people already here. I'll propose clear deadlines for City Hall to process development applications and champion the redevelopment of vacant properties like the former GM lands. I'll also pursue more income from City-owned facilities through additional events, rentals, and sponsorships to reduce the burden on taxpayers.
STOP NICKEL-AND-DIMING RESIDENTS
Residents already pay enough in property taxes. City Hall shouldn't keep adding to the cost of everyday life with unnecessary fees. I'll fight to eliminate City-run paid parking throughout St. Catharines, especially at our beaches, and bring forward proposals to lower fees for home renovation permits, recreation programs, and other everyday activities.
02
SAFER
NEIGHBOURHOODS
From shootings to break-ins and vehicle thefts, residents deserve to feel safe in their homes and neighbourhoods. As Executive Director of Crime Stoppers of Niagara, I work with residents, police, and community partners to help prevent crime. I'll bring that experience to City Hall.
BUILD COMMUNITY WATCH
I'll help establish Community Watch groups across St. George's, connecting neighbours with police and community partners to prevent crime, look out for one another, and keep our streets safe.
TAKE ACTION ON PUBLIC SAFETY CONCERNS
I'll push for clear, published deadlines for City crews to remove reported needles and other hazards from parks and playgrounds. I believe laws against illegal drug use in public spaces must be enforced. I'll bring persistent problems directly to police and bylaw officers, press for action, and follow up on their response.
IMPROVE TRAFFIC SAFETY
I'll fight for St. George's fair share of traffic-calming improvements in residential neighbourhoods, including safer crossings and measures to address speeding. I'll also bring recurring speeding, stop-sign violations, and dangerous-driving complaints directly to police, pushing for targeted enforcement in problem areas.
03
STANDING UP FOR ST. GEORGE'S
Good representation is about more than answering phone calls – that’s the bare minimum. I want a community where your voice matters, our infrastructure is reliable, and the traditions that bring us together are thriving again.
A COUNCILLOR WHO ANSWERS TO YOU
I promise to respond to resident inquiries within 48 hours. I’ll also bring back the monthly ward meetings I held when I was on Council, giving you a regular opportunity to speak directly with me, raise concerns, and hold me accountable.
FIX OUR INFRASTRUCTURE AND FIGHT FLOODING
I'll fight to change how City Hall decides what gets fixed first, giving greater priority to streets that keep flooding and pipes that are failing. I'll personally follow up with residents on flood-affected streets in St. George's and create an online tracker so residents can see what's being fixed and when.
BRING BACK THE FACER FESTIVAL AND REVITALIZE THE FACER DISTRICT
I'll work to revive the Facer European Festival that I helped launch and champion community-led plans to transform Facer Street into a vibrant "Little Europe" cultural destination.
HOLD ME ACCOUNTABLE
Real accountability means being clear about what you are promising and showing up to answer for it.
That is why I have put forward 21 specific commitments for St. George’s Ward. I cannot promise every one will be approved by Council, but I can promise I will bring every one of them forward and work to make them happen.
Because those commitments are specific, residents will be able to judge whether I followed through.
I will also hold regular monthly ward meetings so accountability does not end on Election Day. If someone brings me a concern one month, they will know I will be back the next month in a public forum where they can ask what I have done about it.
That means open communication, public follow-through, and representation people can actually measure.
