By KATHRYN FRASER

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Harpreet Grewal has decided to run for Regional Councillor of Wards 1,2, and 3 in the October 26 Municipal Election.  

Grewal says wants to take use her extensive experience to help advocate for the members of the community. 

“I'm very passionate, and I'm very vocal. I have been involved within the community advocating [on] issues just within our Town, where I live, in my own neighbourhood.”

Grewal says she lives on the same street as a senior living residence and has spent years talking to residents, hearing their issues, and throwing her hat in a ring is an extension of her advocacy.

“[There] is so much is happening in Caledon right now. We are part of the Peel Region and specifically in Caledon, we are getting targeted constantly. We are talking about Swan Lake, we're talking about the quarry, we are talking about the 413, we are talking about development and buildings, houses, houses and houses.  So, I think we are at a crossroads. I think this is the perfect time for somebody like me to be part of this and raise the vote, raise the concerns. and ask the right questions.” 

Grewal says she believes that Wards 1,2, and 3 need a Regional Councillor who is not only present but also there to listen to concerns. 

“They want to see their Regional Councillor. They want to listen, they want to hear, and they want to they want their Regional Councillor to listen to them [and] the issues they are having,” says Grewal. “So, accessibility, that's what they want. They want accountability of their Regional Councillor, the decisions they are making, the voting they are doing, why they are doing it and standing behind the decisions that they are making over there. I will be accessible. They want accessibility, the want visibility and they want accountability.” 

Grewal's career has been in hiring PSWs, SSWs, RPNs, and RNs for senior living and old age homes and was responsible through the whole process from screening to training. Her work as the President of the Peel Multicultural Council where she makes decisions on programs for families, seniors and children have all given her strong decision-making skills that she believes makes her a strong candidate for Regional Councillor. 

Making sure that all members feel heard is very important and her top priority is being available for members of the community. 

“Communication needs to be proactive, not something that's already done in closed doors and these closed-door meetings.  We need to get rid of this. We are in a democratic world. What kind of decisions are we making behind those closed doors that we are claiming are in favour of residents?” says Grewal. “Are they actually in favour of the residents? So then why do we need to hide? I want to make sure that public have access to those meetings, public meetings. I understand [there are] some things you cannot openly discuss, but those meetings should not be hundreds.  Transparency needs to be here. accountability, needs to be here.” 

Focusing on issues that she wants to highlight, her main priority is proper growth and making sure communities are not just house after house. 

“Those 10,000 people living without a park, we have to make sure that those people have parks, to make sure those people have amenities, recreation areas and schools.  We need to stop or pause from the housing building. I think we needed to reconsider the plan – is it the right plan? Are we doing it correctly?  We need to make sure that when it comes to our water table, when it comes to that we do not lose our farmlands. I'm not against a development. It's in inevitable, but it needs to be something. There should be infrastructure to support their development.”

Another one of Grewal's priorities is making roads safer and getting involved with not only the Town but the province as well. 

“Enforcement is very much important. It may be from MTO, it may be from OPP, we definitely need the Province's help in this. We cannot do everything on our own because if we are on local roads, we have control over there,” says Grewal. “After we hit the Regional and highway, it's a different story, so we need to have all levels of government [at] the table, communicate and find solutions. We know the solutions. We just need to put in the work for them to agree”. 

Looking towards the election, Grewal says she hopes to be able to have chance to be the voice for Wards 1,2, and 3 and fight not just for them but with them. 

“Trust and respect, these are the two things that you earn. You cannot buy them, and I know it's very responsible thing, and I take it very seriously. 

“I'm not somebody who just asks the tough questions. I believe in delivering the deals, because in my line of work, we can talk about the problems all day, but the problems do not go away unless we work something, unless we find a solution. In my line of work, we cannot survive an hour without solution because every day, every time, it's a different problem. Sometimes the solution is right there. It's easy. Sometimes it takes time, but in every situation, we make sure that things are moving and not just standing, not just waiting, moving.

“If voters, are putting their trust in me, I wouldn't let them down. They will definitely see things moving. They will definitely see that their voices are being heard and issues are being raised. People will be part of the process. They will be fighting; I will be fighting along with them.”