Caledon Votes 2026: Council candidates outline what Day 1 on the job will look like

October 23, 2026 · 0 Comments

By KATHRYN FRASER

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

As we are a few days away from Election Day, we have asked Caledon’s Council candidates one final question ahead of Monday’s vote.

This week’s question is: f elected/re-elected on October 26, what is your priority/very first order of business for Day One of the new Council term?

Here are their responses.

Ward 1

Kate Hepworth: “There are so many things to learn when newly elected, policies, procedures, essentially the do’s and don’ts. I would like to meet with staff to create a successful work environment, then I would like the budget, followed by a request to start getting the committees going again, they are truly important. However, I would also like to see the new Council attend workshops on how to successfully work together because Caledon Council has a knack of dividing and I do not want that to happen again. Our future is far too important. I would also be busy reaching out to community groups and businesses to start learning more about what we need in Ward 1.”

Keri Parfitt: “My first priority would be to listen and learn while building collaborative relationships with my fellow Councillors. It would be imperative to fully understand the matters currently before Council, upcoming decisions, and ongoing initiatives. My first question to staff would be the status of the Site Alteration By-law—where it stands in the draft process and when it is expected to come before Council. I have developed a list of actionable priorities for Ward 1 based on residents’ input. By learning as much as possible about all Council matters and issues at hand, I will be better able to determine how these priorities can fit into manageable timelines and deliver meaningful results for Caledon residents.”

Aanya Shahi: “If elected, my first priority will be to ensure Ward 1 residents have a Councillor who is accessible, prepared, and ready to act. On Day One, I will request a detailed briefing from Town staff on outstanding Ward 1 concerns, including road safety, speeding, infrastructure pressures, and proposed quarry developments. I want to understand which issues need immediate attention, what decisions are approaching Council, and where residents have been waiting for answers. I will also establish a clear system for communication, committing to respond to residents within two business days and provide regular updates on important Council decisions. Throughout my campaign, residents have trusted me with their concerns at their doorsteps. I do not want those conversations to end after election day. My goal is simple: turn those conversations into action, protect what makes Ward 1 special, and ensure residents have a meaningful voice in every decision affecting their community.”

Tom Sweeney: “My very first order of business in the new term would be to reach out to all local community groups from each village and hamlet in order to establish a working group for Ward 1. The working group would be intended to verify each area’s main wants and needs. Then identify the common issues (or low-hanging fruit) and begin work on rectifying those situations to the best of my ability.”

(Jeffrey Halsall did not respond by deadline)

Ward 2

Hunar Kahlon: “My very first order of business will be to introduce a Notice of Motion calling for a two-year residential property tax freeze and a comprehensive audit of the Town’s finances to identify efficiencies and savings for taxpayers without compromising essential services. Residents are already struggling with the rising cost of living, and I believe the Town must lead by example through responsible spending, greater transparency, and accountability. My priority will be to ensure taxpayers receive better value for their hard-earned money while maintaining the quality of services our growing community needs.”

Rakesh Madhok: “If elected on October 26, my Day One priority will be to start with the residents’ most requested needs. I will check the status of the need in the process and where we stand. I will establish a clear plan so that the results can be shown in a timely manner and as committed. My focus will be on responsible spending, transparent decision-making, public safety and affordability. As committed, I want to be a strong voice of the residents and the residents deserve a Council that listens and delivers results in a timely manner.”

Jagraj Sekhon: “My first priority will be to listen, assess where things stand, and get to work on the issues Ward 2 residents have raised with me. Throughout this campaign, I’ve heard consistent concerns about traffic congestion, road safety, responsible development, property taxes, community safety, and the need for better infrastructure and services. On Day One, I will begin working with Town staff to review the status of key projects and outstanding concerns in Ward 2, identify what needs immediate attention, and establish clear timelines for action. I also want to establish regular communication with residents, including community meetings and updates on Council decisions and local projects. My background in civil engineering and years of community involvement have taught me that good results require planning, accountability, and follow-through. Residents deserve a Councillor who is accessible, listens, and gets things done. That’s the approach I’ll bring to Council from Day One.”

(Yogi Chahal did not respond by deadline)

Ward 3

Stan Cameron: “Years ago, while studying in a graduate degree program in education, I had a professor who continually reminded us to ‘run to the green light.’ By that he meant to find the staff members who were open to hearing new ideas, would consider all possibilities, and collaborate while problem solving. The red lights, he said, say the word ‘no’ more often than not. Once elected I will immediately ask for a one-on-one meeting with every Commissioner and Manager at Town Hall. I’ll need to learn their roles and responsibilities, and I will want to know where the green lights are so together we can best serve all of our Caledon residents.”

Doug Maskell: “I will ask the Mayor to convene a Special Council Meeting at which I will table a motion on the Province’s plan to download, in July 2027, the Region of Peel roads to the Town of Caledon. The annual capital/operation cost of these roads is between $80 and $100 million. For comparison, the entire budget for the Town of Caledon, capital and operating, in 2026, is $255 million. Where is the money for the downloaded roads coming from? The Province? The Region? With only nine months to prepare for this download, Council must demand that the Province or Region clearly state that the taxpayers of Caledon will not be burdened with this cost, which could lead to a 73% tax increase. Council requires this information prior to the 2027 Budget deliberations. Neither this Council, nor the people of Caledon, were consulted on the Province’s decisions regarding the Region of Peel. We need answers now.”

Ward 4

Heather French: “If elected on October 26, my Day One priority is to build a transparent, accountable local government that works for you. While door knocking across our community, I kept a detailed list of your neighborhood concerns. I am committed to working hard to find real answers for our residents. To do this, I will collaborate with the Mayor, Council, and staff to launch an open communication platform. This will bridge the gap between Town Hall and our neighborhood, ensuring your trust is honored and your voices are always heard.”

(Cheryl Connors, Pat Fortini and Paul Parete did not respond by deadline)

Ward 5

Diana Mollicone: “First order of business – ban election signs. In all seriousness, I’ve taken a lot of notes throughout this campaign from conversations with residents about concerns, ideas, and issues impacting their neighbourhoods. My first priority would be to go through those notes, and connect with more experienced Council members and Town staff to better understand what can realistically be done, what’s already in progress, and where I can help move things forward in a practical manner. I’ve spent months listening to residents, and I don’t intend for those conversations to end on October 26 if elected.”

John Muir: “My first priority on Day One will be building strong working relationships across Council, with Town staff, and most importantly with the residents of Ward 5. Effective leadership starts with listening, collaboration, and trust. Throughout this campaign, residents have shared concerns about growth, traffic, road safety, recreation, and ensuring our community’s services keep pace with the needs of families, seniors, and youth. To move these priorities forward, I will work to establish open lines of communication and foster productive partnerships that focus on solutions rather than division. No one person can solve every challenge alone, and meaningful progress happens when people come together around a common goal. As a 26-year Bolton resident, community volunteer, and advocate, I am committed to being an accessible and accountable voice for Ward 5. By building relationships first, we can achieve practical results that keep Bolton safe, vibrant, and thriving for generations to come.”

(Anthony Caputo did not respond by deadline)

Ward 6

Cosimo Napoli: “My first priority on Day One would be to get to work on the issues residents have been raising with me at the doors over the past several months: traffic calming measures, road safety, illegal trucking and land use, responsible growth, and keeping property tax increases manageable. I will work with the new Council and Town staff to identify immediate priorities, review what can be acted on right away, and establish clear steps to move these issues forward. We also need to make sure growth is properly planned, that infrastructure keeps pace, and that residents have a meaningful voice in decisions affecting their communities. Over the past four years, I’ve focused on listening, working with colleagues and staff, and delivering results for Ward 6 and Caledon. I would bring that same approach to the new term. Residents deserve action, accountability and a Council that puts their concerns first.”

Carmela Palkowski: “As a Councillor, my first priority will be obtaining a comprehensive list of outstanding projects, commitments, and infrastructure plans affecting Ward 6 and reviewing them with Town staff. We need to understand timelines, identify delays, and establish clear next steps that are already underway. Then identify the priorities that are not on the plan and address them accordingly. I will connect with residents and community organizations, organizing open houses to hear concerns, identify priorities, and develop strategies that reflect what matters most to our community. As a former project manager, I understand that successful projects require clear objectives, defined timelines, measurable milestones, and accountability. That is the approach I will bring to the Council table. Through newsletters, regular updates, and accessible communication platforms, residents will know what is happening, where projects stand, and what comes next. I am running to bring strong advocacy, transparency, and accountability to Council and deliver meaningful results for our community. This will be a full-time position for me. As a Councillor, you will see me with the residents every day: in their homes, in our local businesses and walking their streets.”

Regional Council Candidates

Harpreet Grewal: “If elected on October 26, I will be ready for business on Day One. My first order of business will be to request a comprehensive status report from Town and Regional staff on outstanding infrastructure projects and community priorities across Wards 1, 2 and 3. I will seek clear timelines, funding requirements, outstanding decisions, and explanations for delays affecting road safety, development, and community facilities. With the 2027 budget approaching, my immediate priority will be iden