Bob Stone

Motion: each Town department briefs council on what a 5% budget cut would look like — to reveal efficiencies and cut spending.

• Motion directing each Town department to show what a 5% budget cut would look like.
• Reveal efficiency opportunities and non-essential services; ultimately reduce spending.
• Make Muskoka Heritage Place self-sustaining; address District planning duplication and staffing.

“It is my intention to introduce a motion that directs each Town Department to bring back to Council a brief on what their department would look like if their budget was cut by 5%. This simple exercise will undoubtedly reveal opportunities for greater efficiency, potentially show non-essential services we may wish to cut and ultimately reduce spending. I also believe that Muskoka Heritage Place us underutilized and can, with minimal effort, be self-sustaining. At the District I see duplication in the Planning Department that needs to be addressed.”

(several paragraphs)

Source: Huntsville District and Town candidates weigh in — Doppler candidate Q&A (candidate's own answers) · September 28, 2026

Voted against the District Council salary increase; "Reduce the size and influence of District Planning"; "Reduce Future Tax Levy" — "Listen to the people and never forget it's their money."

• Voted against the District Council salary increase.
• Reduce the size and influence of District Planning.
• Reduce Future Tax Levy.
• Listen to the people and never forget it's their money.

“Listen to the people and never forget it's their money.”

(one sentence)

Source: Bob Stone campaign website · October 1, 2026

Says he voted against a District Council salary increase.

• Frames fiscal responsibility as respect for taxpayers’ money.
• Lists reducing the future tax levy as a priority.

“Listen to the people and never forget it’s their money.”

(a few sentences)

Source: Bob Stone campaign website — Future Priorities · September 13, 2026

Says the Town cannot stop growth but can shape it, and explains what Council can and cannot legally refuse.

• Says the developments people object to most — Forbes Hill, the Brunel Rd. building, the Hwy 60 condos — were approved years ago and would not be permitted today.
• Says the Province dictates planning rules through the Provincial Policy Statement, and that Planning Council exists to adjudicate applications falling outside existing bylaws, not to stop building.
• Points to the completed Height and Density Study, which sets out where taller buildings of four to six storeys may be appropriate and which hilltops and vistas must be protected.
• Says the Ontario Land Tribunal has almost always sided with developers on housing in recent years, which is why staff seek compromises rather than outright refusals.
• Wrote this in direct response to criticism posted on Doppler and social media, quoting the objections back before answering them.

“We do have the ability to mold that change through good planning practices and protecting those things that we love about this place we call home.”

(a page or more)

Source: Bob Stone campaign website — Statements · September 13, 2026

Wants to find every opportunity to add rental housing.

• Support development that serves local housing needs.
• Work with developers on affordable options.

“Find every opportunity to create more rental housing.”

(a few sentences)

Source: Bob Stone campaign website — Future Priorities · September 13, 2026

Argues the shortage is specifically in rentals, and that supply is the lever.

• Says someone with a million dollars can buy a home today, but young people starting out often cannot afford even to rent.
• Argues that increasing rental supply will bring costs down, and that developers will not build unless it is profitable.
• Points to 176 rental units planned with the Muskoka Community Land Trust on Town-owned land at Florance St. W, 40 under construction at Taite and Main St. W, and 100 approved beside the new Festing Toyota.
• Notes short-term rentals have taken units off the market and that Council has licensed them and capped the number at 250.
• Notes the District will hire about 130 people for the new Fairvern, all of whom will need housing.

“In my opinion there is NOT a housing crisis, there is only a rental housing crisis.”

(a page or more)

Source: Bob Stone campaign website — Statements · September 13, 2026

On the taller-denser housing bylaw (June 2026 council vote): "We're growing, like it or not" — it sets forth a plan for the future the town can live with.

• Supported the bylaw update allowing taller, denser housing.
• "We're growing, like it or not."

“We're growing, like it or not. I think this sets forth for the future a plan that we can live with.”

(reported remarks)

Source: Huntsville council approves bylaw update allowing taller, denser housing (BayToday/Huntsville Forester) · June 10, 2026

As Planning Council chair, created a plan showing where taller building is appropriate — and more importantly where development cannot go, to protect what Huntsville loves.

• As Chair of Planning Council, created the height/density plan.
• Plan shows where taller building is appropriate — and where development cannot go to protect Huntsville.

“As Chair of Planning Council we created a plan that not only shows where it's appropriate to build taller, BUT more importantly lays out where development cannot go to protect what we love about Huntsville.”

(one sentence)

Source: Bob Stone campaign website · October 1, 2026

Move the new hospital forward quickly; keep fighting for more doctors and NPs — co-created a program that attracted 8 doctors.

• Ensure the new hospital moves forward quickly.
• Continue to fight for more doctors and nurse practitioners.
• Co-created a doctor recruitment program that attracted 8 new doctors, with more on the way.

“Ensure the new hospital moves forward quickly. Together with Scott Morrison, I created a doctor recruitment program that has attracted 8 new doctors to Town with more on the way. Continue to fight for more Doctors & Nurse Practitioners.”

(a few sentences)

Source: Re-Elect Bob Stone — Huntsville Town & District Councillor · October 3, 2026

Build on the success of the Dark Sky bylaw and earnestly protect the environment as Huntsville grows.

• Build on the success of the Dark Sky bylaw.
• Earnestly protect the environment as Huntsville grows.

“Build on the success of our Dark Sky bylaw. Earnestly protect our environment as Huntsville grows.”

(one sentence)

Source: Re-Elect Bob Stone — Huntsville Town & District Councillor · October 3, 2026

Review all plans and by-laws through a climate lens; EV chargers, flood measures, shoreline protection.

• First action: review all current plans and by-laws under a climate lens.
• Level 2 EV chargers in new residential buildings; new Level 3 chargers.
• Flood measures: back stops, green roofs, permeable paving.
• Protect the shoreline Ribbon of Life (2m either side) and wetlands.

“My first action would be to have all current plans and By-laws reviewed under a 'Climate Lens'. We are constantly protecting the 'Ribbon of Life' (2m either side of the shoreline) to keep our fish healthy and waterways clean.”

(a few sentences)

Source: Climate Action Muskoka — Candidate Survey (Bob Stone's responses)

Wants a real solution for Brendale Square and support for downtown.

• Support local businesses and downtown vitality.
• Smart, measured development that fits Huntsville.

“Find a real solution for Brendale Square.”

(a few sentences)

Source: Bob Stone campaign website — Future Priorities · September 13, 2026

Wants more active transportation trails connecting neighbourhoods.

• Chairs the Active Transportation and Transit Committee.
• Connect neighbourhoods with safe routes.

“Create more active transportation trails.”

(a few sentences)

Source: Bob Stone campaign website — Future Priorities · September 13, 2026