Susan Chapelle
I would work with them on the responsibility we share to residents. Ward 14 still needs transit, housing and reliable services when elected representatives disagree about politics. Refusing to speak to someone would not make those needs disappear. I would establish the specific result we are trying to achieve, identify each government's responsibility and put the evidence and costs on the table. I would be clear about where I disagree, while looking for areas where cooperation can produce a useful outcome. A provincial government and I might approach housing differently but still agree that residents need a functioning sewer system or safe access during construction. I would challenge decisions that harm the ward, explain my reasons publicly and pursue changes through the appropriate channels. I would keep criticism focused on the decision and its consequences rather than personal attacks. My background includes municipal government, healthcare and business. Those settings require working with people whose priorities and perspectives differ. Residents should judge whether I secured progress and protected their interests. They should also be able to see when cooperation required a compromise, what that compromise was and why I accepted it.