Mayoral candidate Jennifer Innis has a vision for Caledon’s future

By Zachary Roman

Jennifer Innis' grandfather always told her if something doesn't work one way, try it another.

It's a lesson she hasn't forgotten and it's one she said she's applied to her political career whenever possible.

Innis registered as a candidate for mayor in Caledon's October 2022 election the first day possible, May 2, for a multitude of reasons.

“My children are the sixth generation to be raised on our family farm,” said Innis. “Caledon has grown and changed a lot in that time, and I wanted to make sure that the parts that make Caledon unique and special remain for my children so that one day they can grow their families here and raise their families here.”

Innis said public service has always been important in her family. Her grandmother was a volunteer with Caledon Meals on Wheels for 25 years and her grandfather was a school board trustee. The joy of helping neighbours, friends and community — making a difference in someone's life — is a reward in itself, said Innis.

Caledon is growing and Innis said the Town needs a solid vision and plan for that growth. “I believe that I have a track record of getting things done, and can have a vision and guide… it in that direction with my community, to make sure that it is the community that we all know and love,” she said.

But what is the community we know and love to Innis? The parts of Caledon that are unique and special? She said Caledon is a connected community where people know their neighbours, support each other and help one another.

Caledon is known for its beautiful green spaces, said Innis, and protecting them is important for people's physical and mental well-being. Innis wants to keep Caledon as a connected community where people have access to green spaces and the natural environment around them.

Innis said as 80 per cent of Caledon is protected, it's important to use the other 20 per cent intelligently so the Town can afford to keep the 80 per cent “green and pristine” without putting a burden on the tax base. 

Innis' plan for Caledon's economic future draws inspiration from former Mississauga Mayor Hazel McCallion, who she said placed a strong emphasis on business parks that contained health science and pharmaceutical companies. Innis would like to see the same thing happen in Caledon, except with the food sciences sector. She said Caledon is in an amazing place geographically to take the lead in that sector as it's within an hour's drive of Ontario's biggest population. 

The plan would pay respect to Caledon's agricultural heritage, said Innis, something she's incredibly proud of as her family has farmed in the area for over 150 years. Further, she said it would help tackle food security issues laid bare by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Right now our tax ratio is industrial-commercial 20 per cent, roughly, to residential 80 per cent. That's not healthy, for a community to be sustainable into the future,” said Innis, adding that her food sciences plan would increase the industrial-commercial tax base.

“There are some really amazing technologies… especially in the agricultural industry… and food processing,” said Innis. “There's all kinds of jobs, all kinds of skill levels that are required in order to be in that industry.”

Innis said in order to keep Caledon connected, planning for active transportation and public transportation is necessary. She said she's proud to have advocated for a GO Train to come to Caledon.

“Are we getting the GO Train today? No. Are we getting it tomorrow? No. But it's on the plan, so that when the community is being developed, it's being planned and designated around that public transit,” said Innis. 

While admitting it's a bit cliche to say, Innis said people really do want communities where they can live, work and play. Innis said if elected she'll plan to ensure Caledon is a community where people can do just that.

Schools, community centres and libraries are at the heart of communities according to Innis.

“It's where families get connected,” she said, adding that Caledon is a “community of communities.”

Protecting the communities in Caledon that already exist is important to Innis as they can't be replaced.

Innis said she registered as a candidate for mayor on the first day possible since many people were asking her if she was going to run, especially since current mayor, Allan Thompson, announced he wouldn't be running in this year's election.

“I think it's good just to quash all those rumour mills and just put it out there. I'm not planning on doing much campaigning during the provincial election, I think people, they have to get through one election (first),” said Innis.

However, she did hold a campaign kickoff at her family's farm as it's such a special place to her.

Innis said something she really liked about her time on Caledon's current Council is that Councillors came together to support initiatives in each other's wards, especially when it came to pandemic projects.

“The thing that I liked the most about this term of Council is we often took what was happening negatively around us and tried to make it positive together,” said Innis.

If elected as mayor, one of Innis' goals would be to inspire teamwork.

She said she (Regional Councillor, Wards 3 and 4) and Nick deBoer (Area Councillor, Wards 3 and 4) are an amazing team and it's because of that teamwork that they've been so successful in getting things done in their area.

“I include him on all my regional stuff and he helps out on a lot of the area stuff. At the beginning of the term, we set our goals together, and we work on achieving those goals together,” said Innis. “I want to bring that teamwork mentality to all of council.”

Innis used to work for former Caledon Mayor Marolyn Morrison and said she was a great mentor who taught her about creating a vision and creating a plan to get to that vision.

“I don't think you could ask for a person who worked harder or cared more about the community,” said Innis.

Innis said government is complex and takes patience and diligence.

“You have to be persistent and take the time to get through it,” she said. 

And if it doesn't work one way, Innis will try it another.