Leaving Legacies: Nick de Boer looks back on 23 years as Caledon Councillor

By Riley Murphy

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

“I just felt it was time,” says Councillor Nick de Boer, sitting in the office of his family's farm, noting he's looking to get back to where it all began.

Just weeks ago, Ward 4 Councillor de Boer announced on his personal Facebook page that he would not seek re-election in October's municipal election in October.

“It's probably time to come back and do this,” he says, looking around.

de Boer and his family are generational farmers in Caledon, operating De Boers Market, and serving the community for decades.

After more than two decades in office, de Boer is closing this chapter, returning full-time to the farm and the family business at its heart.

The farm is run by him and his children, but with more kids on the way, he feels it is time to step back in and away from council.

A “true family business,” de Boer remarks, as he knows the community will continue to see the fifth generation of farmers scrambling about in the store.

Focusing his time and energy back on the farm is a full circle for de Boer, as he came from the agricultural sector when he first joined Council.

“I really want to get back to those roots that got me into this,” says de Boer, referencing the various agricultural groups he hopes to soon get back to volunteering with.

Stepping away from Council, he knows he's been able to leave behind many worthwhile projects.

Part of what prompted de Boer to run for Council in the first place was the need for more ice pads in the community, and the vision for the Caledon East Community Centre was a driving force.

“The only recreation facility Caledon had built at that time was the Caledon Centre for Recreation and Wellness, everything else was inherited from the townships,” explains de Boer. “Hockey was growing, the community was growing.”

de Boer adds that his late wife, Donna de Boer, played hockey and hoped to get their own girls into hockey and grow the league.

But, with limited ice time available in Bolton, it was proving a challenge.

When de Boer first joined Council, he says he worked with other Council members to see the benefits of a facility in Caledon East and, along with it, two brand-new ice pads.

de Boer took a hands-on approach, adding that he often walked into the centre as construction was ongoing to see the project as it moved along.

For 19 years on Council, de Boer watched as the vision for the complex came to life, something he had promised in his very first campaign.

Because of this, they were able to meet the needs of the Caledon Female Hockey Association, the Caledon Coyotes, as well as the Caledon Hawks.

He adds that the league has grown immensely since then, with Caledon now seeing some of its players in the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL).

Over his two decades on Council, de Boer also led the Johnston Sports Park project, supported the Caledon East Secondary Plan during the planning of all areas of Caledon East Development, and supported the building of St. Michael's Catholic High School.

When it came to taxes, he aimed to maintain Caledon's affordable tax rate, and also advocated for various issues such as land for industrial growth, increased investment in roads and parks, and more.

Looking back on standout moments, he notes many, including the complex coming to life and putting Caledon on a strong financial footing, with a lot of credit to Town Staff.

Also, he says when the Caledon Equestrian Park hosted the equestrian events for the Toronto 2015 Pan American Games, it created a legacy in the Palgrave facility.

“We've got the two premier facilities in Ontario, and that's the Osprey Valley for golf, and the equestrian facility,” says de Boer, noting that both of these Caledon centres now act as legacy pieces in history.

“I'm happy with what we've accomplished,” says de Boer.

He adds that over the years he's been able to learn from those around him, whether it be former Mayors or Staff.

“I've enjoyed working with everybody, and maybe that's part of why it's so easy to consider not running, I really was having trouble figuring out what I would want to do,” says de Boer. “When you look at what we've accomplished, a lot of stuff's going to fall into place now.”

With master plans in place, he knows where various facilities will go and how the communities will follow.

“I've enjoyed it, all the people you meet, all the people in Caledon,” says de Boer, adding that to this day he's happy to receive calls from community members, even if he no longer serves their Ward.

“It's been enjoyable, from the people, the jobs, the stuff we've been [able to] accomplish.”

With de Boer stepping away from Council, he's not stepping away from Caledon.

The community will still see him remain active in the community as a volunteer with various organizations and farm groups, down at the farm, or even taking to the skies as he looks forward to once again getting use out of his private pilot's license.

de Boer's connection to Caledon continues on, through the farm, his volunteer work, and the community he's long called home.