Vote Paul Davidson for Northern Bruce Peninsula — Business Experience, Peninsula Values
Paul Davidson standing on the Bruce Peninsula escarpment overlooking Georgian Bay

About Paul

Business experience, Peninsula values.

Nearly ten years ago, we built our first cottage on the Northern Bruce Peninsula — and it wasn't long before we made it home. Since then, my wife, Jill, and I have poured ourselves into this community: living and working here and putting down real roots.

Moving here was the best decision we ever made — the people, the landscape, and the way of life here are worth protecting. I'm running for Council because I believe in thoughtful, respectful governance — on our roads, our shoreline, and the services residents rely on every day. I want to bring a practical, listening-first approach to council: one that respects long-time residents and newcomers alike, and that makes decisions based on what's genuinely best for the community — not just what's easiest or loudest.

I am bringing forty-two years of experience as a Business Owner, IT Developer and Business Systems Analyst to the job, having worked on projects throughout North America. The Northern Bruce Peninsula is my chosen home, and I would be honoured to use decades of analytical decision making, reflective listening and empathetic understanding to represent you, the constituents of the Peninsula, as your Councillor.

Did you know

Your Council at Work?

A few things worth knowing before you vote.

Did you know that as a Northern Bruce constituent you will soon be in the garbage collection business?

See Trash Talk

Did you know Council rejected a cell tower that 88% of nearby property owners actually wanted?

Did you know the municipality paid $180,000 for land on Big Tub Road for a 25-car parking lot — without ever consulting the residents who live there?

See Big Tub Road

Did you know that one of the enduring anxieties of Northern Bruce residents is the stunt driving on Highway 6? What actions has Council taken to mitigate this dangerous behaviour?

Did you know Lion's Head business owners say paid parking was rolled out without real consultation?

Did you know the Lion's Head arena project has grown from a $4.9M grant to price tags as high as $31M — we know that Council has now purchased 35 acres of land for recreational facilities, but what decisions have been made?

Trash Talk

Why in-house garbage collection is the wrong call for Northern Bruce Peninsula.

At its July 27, 2026 meeting, Council moved to buy two new garbage trucks and hire two employees to bring garbage collection in-house. Do you have your safety vest yet?

I know this business. I founded a company that built software for the garbage industry, then spent almost a decade at North America's third-largest waste company as the numbers guy for its Canadian division. This decision is what made me decide to run for Council, and it's one of many Council decisions I've found alarming.

The problems

Nobody tested the market

When Council moved curbside garbage collection in-house, no tender was run to see what a contractor would charge. For a service of this size, that should never happen.

The promised savings are already gone

In July 2026, the GEI Consultants report projected savings of just $3.86 per household per year compared with contracting out. Council then changed the plan, and by its own study's figures those savings are long gone. My research shows municipal collection will cost us substantially more over time.

Two trucks, two days, twice to the curb

Waste Management will still collect our recycling. That means two different trucks coming down your street on separate days every week, and you heading to the curb twice a week, at a higher cost.

Our neighbours on the back of the truck

Garbage collection is the 5th most dangerous occupation in North America, behind logging, bush piloting, oil-well drilling and roofing. Collectors are four times more likely to be fatally injured on the job than a police officer. Now that risk falls on our own neighbours, and on the municipality.

We're now in the garbage business

The municipality now owns, staffs and maintains a collection operation. The start-up cost isn't the whole cost: trucks need repairs and eventually replacing, and routes still need covering when a driver is off or a truck is in the shop.

Stacked on top of everything else

Two new garbage trucks join a long list of big commitments: the Brock Street lot, 213 Big Tub Road, a future recreation centre in Lion's Head, and water and sewer upgrades in Tobermory and Lion's Head. Taxes have already risen more than 6% in each of the last two budgets.

How we fix it

Whether I become a Councillor or not, we need Council to put the brakes on this right now. Here's what I'll push for.

  1. Put the brakes on and publish a full, updated cost report

    Before anything more is committed, Council should publish the lifetime numbers, not just the start-up cost: trucks, replacement, maintenance, staffing, insurance, and the impact on a typical household's tax bill.

  2. Go out for a real tender

    Test the market and compare the bids fairly against the in-house numbers. I'll support in-house collection only if the lifetime numbers beat the contract. If they don't, we switch to the better-value option.

    What residents getProof that we're paying the lowest fair price for the service, not a guess.

  3. Carts that work for everyone

    Any carts or container rules must work for seniors, for seasonal residents, and in bear country.

  4. Report the results in public

    Regular public reports to Council on injuries, near-misses, missed pickups and the real cost per household, compared against what the contract would have cost, with a set date for Council to review whether in-house collection is delivering.

    What residents getA clear, honest picture of what garbage collection costs, so problems are caught and fixed early.

If we can't put the brakes on: keeping our workers safe

The proper thing to do is to put the brakes on, get a full cost report and go out for a real tender. But the trucks have been bought and two full-time operators have been hired, so that may no longer be possible. If it isn't, my job as your Councillor is to make this work well for residents and, above all, to look out for the safety of the people doing the work. The way this decision was made, with no tender to test the market and a cost comparison that was very close, is a lesson for future decisions. It doesn't stop us from keeping our workers safe now.

Reduce manual lifting

Set a clear weight limit for bags and containers, and enforce it. Where the trucks allow it, add lifting equipment so operators aren't hand-loading every stop.

Plan routes to cut down on reversing

Backing up is one of the biggest dangers in waste collection, so routes should be designed around it. Trucks should have backup cameras and sensors, and anywhere reversing can't be avoided should have a set procedure.

Proper training and equipment

Full training before operators work alone, high-visibility gear, and rules for handling sharps, ashes and hazardous items, with clear public notice of what won't be picked up.

Lone-worker and wildlife protocols

Many of our roads are remote, and this is bear country. Operators need a reliable way to check in, plus a clear plan for weather and wildlife.

Plan for the summer peak

Tourist season greatly increases volumes. Instead of overworking two operators, we should plan for seasonal help and use the backup truck.

Involve the workers

The operators and their union should have a real voice through the health and safety committee. The people doing the job know the hazards best.

Voters deserve solutions as well as critical thinking on Council.

213 Big Tub Road

A $180,000 parking lot that nobody who lives there asked for.

Council bought land in the middle of a residential neighbourhood for a 25-car parking lot and parkette, and an appliciation for rezoning intitiated, before asking the people who live there.

The municipality bought half of a pie-shaped lot at 213 Big Tub Road, on the northern shore of the peninsula, for $180,000. An appliciation for rezoning has been intitiated so a parking lot and parkette for about 25 vehicles could be built at the water's edge. 213 Big Tub Road is an example of what should never happen again.

What went wrong

Bought first, asked later

The land was bought and an appliciation for rezoning intitiated before any public consultation. Residents learned about it through a parking report, after the land had been bought and the plan was largely set.

Over 100 taxpayers ignored

In August 2025, residents sent Council a letter signed by more than 100 local taxpayers setting out their concerns. The project went ahead without the consultation they asked for.

More cars on a road that's already full

Big Tub Road is already congested every summer. Two pedestrians were struck there over a single Canada Day weekend. Twenty-five more parking spaces won't meet tourist demand. They'll just draw more cars onto the road, and make it harder for fire, ambulance and police to get through.

A sensitive shoreline

The site is part of a natural corridor linking the mainland to Fathom Five National Marine Park. It has only about 100 feet of shoreline, on the exposed Cape Hurd channel, with boat traffic and no no-wake zone.

No studies, no consultation with the Saugeen Ojibway Nation

There was no traffic study, environmental study or archaeological assessment before the money was spent, and no confirmed consultation with the Saugeen Ojibway Nation. That is basic due diligence, and it was missing.

The real bill is much bigger

Roughly $200,000 is already committed. A parkette would also need washrooms, a sidewalk to the lighthouse, supervision and maintenance. That's likely several hundred thousand dollars more, to serve perhaps 25 or 30 carloads of visitors a day for about three months a year.

Nothing is final yet. The municipality has put further action on hold until after the October 2026 election, so the next Council will decide what happens to this property.

My recommendation

  1. Don't build the parking lot or the parkette

    Drawing more visitors into the middle of a residential neighbourhood would take away from neighbours' enjoyment of their own properties, and more cars on a congested road won't solve the problem. It's a discretionary project with no outside funding, and it should be cancelled.

  2. Solve parking where it belongs

    • Remote parking at 3 Centennial Drive (the former daycare lot), with a costed plan.
    • A seasonal shuttle linking the remote lot, the harbour and the Big Tub Lighthouse, with ridership reported publicly.
    • Reservations backed by real enforcement, including after staff leave at 5 p.m.
    • Safe walking routes on Big Tub Road and into the harbour.

  3. Sell the land, and protect it for good

    Offer the property for sale to the neighbouring owners, including the residents' group that has worked on this issue, at fair market value through an open and transparent process. Attach a covenant keeping the land and shoreline undeveloped, as the original seller intended, and put the proceeds toward active transportation. If the purchase terms rule out a sale, keep the property in its present, natural condition.

    What residents getTaxpayers' money recovered, a protected shoreline, and a neighbourhood left intact.

  4. Make sure it never happens again

    Adopt a Municipal Transparency Policy for significant land purchases and projects:

    • Public notice at least 30 days before Council decides, with signage on the site.
    • Mailed notice to owners within at least 120 metres.
    • Public consultation before a project enters the budget or any major money is committed.
    • Neighbourhood impact assessments, and early consultation with the Saugeen Ojibway Nation.
    • All costs, studies and staff recommendations made public, and a report back on what residents said.

Priorities

What is important to you?

For a fiscally sound, community-focused Peninsula.

Roads & Infrastructure

As your Councillor, I'll push for a clear, long-term roads plan so residents know what's being fixed and when — not just reactive patching. I'll also make sure infrastructure investment is spread fairly across the whole municipality, not concentrated only where tourism traffic is heaviest, and that we're pursuing every available provincial and county funding partnership to keep the burden off local taxpayers.

Short-Term Accommodations

STA regulation has divided this community for years, with property owners, year-round residents, and local businesses all pulling in different directions. I'll push for clear, consistently enforced rules that balance a fair path for responsible operators with real protection for neighbourhoods from noise, overcrowding, and safety concerns.

Water & Wastewater

Reliable water and wastewater systems are essential infrastructure, not a "nice to have" — and small problems left unaddressed become expensive emergencies. I'll support proactive investment and maintenance planning so these systems keep pace with our growing seasonal population.

Property Taxes & Fiscal Responsibility

Residents deserve a council that spends carefully and explains its decisions clearly — especially in a municipality where a small year-round tax base supports significant seasonal infrastructure. I'll push for transparent budgeting, cost-conscious decision-making, and pursuing outside funding sources before turning to taxpayers.

Tourism & Visitor Management

The Peninsula's natural beauty draws visitors from around the world, and that's a gift — but growth needs to be managed so residents aren't overwhelmed by traffic, parking, and crowding at peak times. I'll support smart visitor management that protects both the resident experience and the local economy that tourism supports.

Environmental Protection & Waste Management

Our wetlands, shoreline, and natural habitats are what make this Peninsula special, and protecting them has to be a council priority, not an afterthought. I'll support responsible waste management practices and development decisions that safeguard the environment residents and visitors come here for.

Farming & Agricultural Land

Council raised the right concern in 2024 when it pushed back on County plans that would shrink our prime agricultural land designations — I'll keep pressing to make sure the new Official Plan reflects that, and make sure programs like the tile drainage loan stay easy for local farmers to access.

Highway 6 Traffic & Safety

Speeding and safety on Highway 6 is one of the most common concerns. I'll keep pushing the Ministry of Transportation for the traffic enforcement and abatement our seasonal traffic volumes need, so residents and visitors alike can reach their destination safely.

Cell & Internet Reliability

Dead zones aren't just inconvenient here — they're a public safety risk when a 911 call can't get through. I'll support getting new cell and broadband infrastructure sited responsibly and built quickly, so every part of the Peninsula has the reliable service emergencies demand.

First 90 Days

Prepared leadership. Clear questions. Practical action.

If elected, Paul will use his first 90 days to get fully briefed on the municipality's major files, ask informed questions, and bring practical proposals to Council where joint action is needed. That window runs straight into the 2027 budget, so the work starts on day one.

Paul's priorities for Northern Bruce Peninsula are transparency, growth that our services can support, value for taxpayers, sound long-term infrastructure planning, and cooperation that serves both year-round and seasonal residents. That applies from Tobermory to Hope Bay and Pike Bay and all points between.

  1. Get fully briefed on the major files

    Paul will seek briefings through the proper municipal channels (the Mayor, the CAO and department heads) on:

    • The Tobermory and Lion's Head Water and Wastewater Master Plans: the preferred options, estimated costs, timelines and how they'll be funded.
    • The 2027 budget, current capital projects, debt, reserves, and how much of the tax burden year-round and seasonal ratepayers each carry.
    • Major planning applications, appeals, legal matters and key deadlines.
    • Summer visitor pressure: parking, traffic, by-law enforcement, and short-term accommodation licensing.
    • Roads, drainage, waste collection, fire and emergency services, and service levels in the rural areas outside the two larger villages.

    What residents getA councillor who shows up to budget talks already knowing where the risks are, what decisions are coming, and what commitments have already been made.

  2. Clearer reporting from Council

    Paul will ask Council to consider a regular, plain-language public update covering:

    • Major projects and their status, including the water and wastewater work.
    • Key decisions expected in the next 60 to 90 days.
    • Budget changes, cost pressures and project risks.
    • Servicing and infrastructure limits that affect development.

    It would be posted online and scheduled so that seasonal residents can follow along too.

    What residents getA simple way to see what Council is working on, what's changing, and when to speak up, before decisions are final.

  3. Plan growth and infrastructure together

    The draft master plans say Tobermory and Lion's Head need major water and wastewater investment in the tens of millions of dollars. Paul will ask Council for a clear review of whether water, wastewater, roads, drainage and other services can keep up with planned growth, including housing for year-round residents and local workers.

    What residents getGrowth decisions tied to real servicing capacity, realistic costs, provincial and federal funding, and a long-term plan. No approvals that get ahead of the pipes, and no infrastructure bills that land on taxpayers without warning.

  4. Protect taxpayers in purchasing and spending

    Paul will review the municipality's purchasing policy, tender thresholds, exceptions, and how large purchases are reported to Council. Where it's warranted, he'll ask Council to consider stronger oversight. That matters most for big-ticket items like the water and wastewater projects and changes to waste collection.

    What residents getA proposal for stronger oversight of major spending, including a written reason and public reporting whenever a contract isn't competitively tendered.

  5. Resolve disputes sensibly

    Paul will seek an early briefing, through the proper channels, on active municipal disputes, lawsuits, and issues with neighbouring governments, including their costs, risks, and lawful ways to resolve them. Where possible, he'll encourage cooperation and fair settlements that protect the public interest and avoid unnecessary legal bills. That includes respectful, constructive relationships with Bruce County, Parks Canada, and the Saugeen Ojibway Nation.

    What residents getFewer dollars spent on avoidable legal fights and more for community priorities.

How to Vote

Municipal and School Board Election, October 26, 2026.

Vote online or by telephone, October 19–26. Here's what you need.

  1. Watch your mail for your Voter Information Letter

    Voter Information Letters are mailed out in early October and should arrive by October 15, 2026. Each letter includes:

    • Your date of birth
    • Your personal identification number (PIN)
    • The telephone number for telephone voting
    • The website for internet voting

  2. Vote online or by telephone

    Use the PIN and instructions in your letter to vote online or by phone, any time from October 19 to October 26.

  3. No letter by October 15? Visit the Municipal Office

    Bring government-issued ID and proof of residency or ownership. Staff will add you to the Voters' List if needed and print your Voter Information Letter.

    • Business hours, Monday to Friday
    • Saturday, October 24: 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
    • Monday, October 26 (Election Day): 8:30 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Not sure you're on the Voters' List? Many property owners aren't. Check your registration or call 1-833-793-3537 ext. 236.

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Bluff overlooking the water on the Bruce Peninsula

Municipality of Northern Bruce Peninsula

2026 Municipal Election

Paul Davidson
for Council

Business experience, Peninsula values.

For a fiscally sound, community-focused Peninsula.

Get Involved Read the Priorities