| Bio | Andrew Struthers is running for Ward 3 (Macaulay) councillor in Bracebridge. His platform pledges include keeping tax increases as close to or below inflation, full transparency on long-term budget forecasts, a full-service hospital and obstetrics unit in Bracebridge, and delivering the Memorial Arena site redevelopment on time and on budget. He also advocates for active-transportation-friendly streets and investing in prevention through the Community Safety and Well-Being Plan. | A pioneering Nurse Practitioner with a 30-year healthcare career in Muskoka. Secured public and political funding for the Rosseau Nursing Station, five rural Health Hubs and Hospice Muskoka-Andy's House. Has lived in Macaulay Ward for over 30 years and is retiring from the healthcare system. |
|---|
| HousingWill I be able to afford to live here? | Wants the Memorial Arena housing redevelopment delivered on time and on budget. - Wants delivery on housing commitments: Memorial Arena site redevelopment, on time and on budget.
- Backs the Community Safety and Well-Being Plan with real follow-through at the Town level.
Show their words & sourceHide (a few sentences)“Deliver on housing commitments - Memorial Arena site redevelopment, on time and on budget.” Source: Meet the Candidates (Certified) - Town of Bracebridge official election page · October 17, 2026 Confidence:High | |
|---|
| Taxes & spendingWhat happens to my tax bill, and where does the money go? | Wants taxes held at or below inflation, transparent long-term forecasts, and growth to pay for growth. - Wants tax increases held at or below inflation even through major capital projects, measured against the 8-year average.
- Demands full transparency on long-term multi-year forecasts, not budget-by-budget.
- Wants growth to pay for growth: development charge relief paired with real fiscal guardrails.
Show their words & sourceHide (a few sentences)“Hold the line on the 8-year average - keep tax increases as close to or below inflation as fiscally responsible, even through major capital projects.” Source: Meet the Candidates (Certified) - Town of Bracebridge official election page · October 17, 2026 Confidence:High | |
|---|
| Emergency servicesWhen I call for help, will it come fast enough? | | |
|---|
| TransitCan I get where I need to go without driving? | | |
|---|
| GovernmentWill decisions be made in the open, and will anyone answer for them? | | Pledges accessible public engagement and follow-through with Macaulay Ward residents. - Pledges public engagement opportunities in Macaulay Ward so she is easily accessible.
- Says staying connected matters because opinions and priorities change over time.
- Believes follow-through preserves trust; once trust is lost a councillor is no longer effective.
Show their words & sourceHide (a few sentences)“It will be my intention, if elected to council, to hold public engagement opportunities in Macaulay Ward so I am easily accessible.” Source: Donna Kearney - MSM Connect 2026 Municipal Election Candidate Spotlight · September 1, 2026 Confidence:High |
|---|
| Roads & infrastructureWill the things I use every day actually get fixed? | | |
|---|
| EconomyWill our main streets and local jobs thrive? | | |
|---|
| EnvironmentIs the candidate protecting the nature we live in? | | Wants a thriving year-round economy, expanded green spaces and safe active transportation. - Believes in fair and equitable access to the basics of life: food, shelter and safety.
- Supports a thriving year-round economy, expanding green spaces, and safe active transportation for all ages.
- Frames environmental, economic, social and population health as one healthy community to invest in.
Show their words & sourceHide (a few sentences)“I believe in expanding green spaces to highlight the natural beauty of the area and in creating safe spaces for active transportation to promote healthy lifestyles for all ages.” Source: Meet the Candidates (Certified) - Town of Bracebridge official election page · October 17, 2026 Confidence:High |
|---|
| HealthcareWill there be a doctor and a hospital when we need one? | Defers to South Muskoka doctors on hospital capacity, demands obstetrics locally, and ties funding to doctors' support. - Stands 100% behind South Muskoka doctors on bed numbers: if doctors support 46 beds he will not argue.
- Obstetrical care must be at every hospital; South Muskoka babies should be born in South Muskoka.
- Only supported municipal contributions after doctors supported the plan; would change his mind if doctors gave different information.
- Undecided on the model pending an updated doctors' position and an independent peer review of financials and engineering.
Show their words & sourceHide (several paragraphs)“Obstetrical care must be at every hospital. South Muskoka babies should be born in South Muskoka.” Source: SSMHC 2026 Municipal Candidate Questionnaire Results - Bracebridge · October 15, 2026 Confidence:High | Wants obstetrics restored and the hospital site re-examined, and supports 46 beds only if primary care and ALC are addressed. - Firmly believes obstetrics must be available in South Muskoka, potentially led by Muskoka midwives, to attract younger people.
- Concerned the Pine Street site on the highway would serve external populations more than locals; prefers the Fife Farm site for walkability and nearby staff housing.
- Says 46 beds may be adequate if primary care access (12,000 without providers) and ALC rates are fixed through community partnerships.
- Would bring location and obstetrics back to the table before supporting the rest of the redevelopment plan.
Show their words & sourceHide (several paragraphs)“We need to attract younger people to south Muskoka, which aligns with Town planning, so obstetrics must be available.” Source: SSMHC 2026 Municipal Candidate Questionnaire Results - Bracebridge · October 15, 2026 Confidence:High |
|---|
| Growth & developmentHow fast should we grow, and who decides what gets built where? | | |
|---|
| Social & community servicesWho looks after the most vulnerable residents? | | |
|---|
| Active transportationCan I walk and bike safely around town? | | |
|---|
| Arts & cultureDoes the candidate value what makes this place feel alive? | | |
|---|
| Data centresShould energy-hungry data centres be welcomed here? | | |
|---|
| Water & wasteIs our drinking water safe and our waste handled? | | |
|---|
| Bylaw enforcementAre the rules fair, and are they actually enforced? | | |
|---|