Housing
Will I be able to afford to live here?
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Gordie Merton
Candidate for Councillor (Ward 1)
In their own words
gordiemerton.ca — Gordie Merton’s campaign website, opens in a new tab
Where they stand
Every candidate in this race is shown against the same 16 issues, in the same order, whether or not we’ve found something for each one. Why we do it this way.
Taxes & spending
What happens to my tax bill, and where does the money go?
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Emergency services
When I call for help, will it come fast enough?
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Transit
Can I get where I need to go without driving?
Merton would update Gravenhurst's transit strategy, with off-season service and a seasonal loop linking the Wharf and downtown.
- Would bring a council motion to update Gravenhurst's transit strategy
- Explores practical off-season public transit plus a seasonal loop linking the Wharf, Downtown Core and Kinsmen Park/Plaza
Show their words & sourceHide (several paragraphs)
“Bring forward a motion to update our transit strategy, exploring practical off season public transit and a seasonal transit loop connecting locals and visitors between the Wharf, the Downtown Core, and Kinsmen Park/Plaza.”
Source: Gordie Merton — My Action Plan for the First 100 Days in Office · September 21, 2026
Confidence:High
Government
Will decisions be made in the open, and will anyone answer for them?
Merton opposes a Cliff Bay MZO, saying it cuts local council and public appeals out, and urges the Province to drop it.
- Opposes an MZO tied to the Cliff Bay land sale because it cuts the local planning committee, Town Council and public appeals out
- Says bypassing the Official Plan strips Gravenhurst's power to protect the Lake Muskoka shoreline, fish habitat and water quality
- Urges the Province to drop the MZO and require standard municipal planning approvals, via united council diplomacy
Show their words & sourceHide (several paragraphs)
“An MZO cuts our local planning committee, Town Council, and public appeals completely out of the picture. It takes away our voice.”
Source: Gordie Merton — Where I Stand: The Muskoka Regional Centre and the MZO · August 19, 2026
Confidence:High
Roads & infrastructure
Will the things I use every day actually get fixed?
Gordie Merton wants James Street sidewalks and the Lookout Park stairs built and funded.
- Will introduce an immediate motion directing staff to investigate sidewalks and multiuse pathways along James Street for the capital budget.
- Will bring a motion to lock the Lookout Park stairs into the 2027 Town budget to end endless deferrals; public waterfront access must be protected.
- Endorsed by the Muskoka Lakes Association.
Show their words & sourceHide (a page or more)
“Our children and residents should never be forced to walk along narrow, snowy and unsafe road shoulders.”
Source: Gordie Merton for Ward 1 Councillor | Gravenhurst - campaign website · October 17, 2026
Confidence:High
Economy
Will our main streets and local jobs thrive?
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Environment
Is the candidate protecting the nature we live in?
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Healthcare
Will there be a doctor and a hospital when we need one?
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Growth & development
How fast should we grow, and who decides what gets built where?
This candidate has spoken about this issue more than once. Each statement is shown with its own source.
Gordie Merton opposes overdevelopment and wants growth that respects the Official Plan and protects lake health.
- Stands firmly for protecting shorelines and lake health by opposing overdevelopment.
- Growth must respect the Official Plan, safeguard water quality and natural ecosystems, and reflect community character.
- Decisions made transparently at the local council table using municipal oversight and community input mechanisms.
“Growth in Gravenhurst must respect our Official Plan, safeguard water quality and natural ecosystems, and reflect the character of our community.”
(a page or more)
Source: Gordie Merton for Ward 1 Councillor | Gravenhurst - campaign website · October 17, 2026
Confidence:High
Merton would modernize the Wharf Revitalization Plan with resident input, activating Lions Pavilion and Cockburn Square.
- Would partner on modernizing the Wharf Revitalization Plan with genuine resident input
- Would activate Lions Pavilion, transform Cockburn Square into a gathering space, and add lawn games and all-season recreation
“Partner on modernizing the Wharf Revitalization Plan with genuine resident input, activating the Lions Pavilion to its full potential, transforming Cockburn Square into an energetic gathering space, and adding public lawn games and all season recreation for families.”
(several paragraphs)
Source: Gordie Merton — My Action Plan for the First 100 Days in Office · September 21, 2026
Confidence:High
Social & community services
Who looks after the most vulnerable residents?
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Active transportation
Can I walk and bike safely around town?
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Arts & culture
Does the candidate value what makes this place feel alive?
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Data centres
Should energy-hungry data centres be welcomed here?
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Water & waste
Is our drinking water safe and our waste handled?
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Bylaw enforcement
Are the rules fair, and are they actually enforced?
Merton would end the urban-chicken debate by allowing backyard hens under setbacks, flock limits and feed rules.
- Would support the Official Plan and Zoning Bylaw review to finally allow urban backyard hens
- Framework would use clear coop setbacks, flock limits and predator proof feed rules
Show their words & sourceHide (several paragraphs)
“Support the Town's Official Plan and Zoning Bylaw review to finally allow urban backyard hens under a balanced, common sense framework with clear coop setbacks, flock limits, and predator proof feed rules.”
Source: Gordie Merton — My Action Plan for the First 100 Days in Office · September 21, 2026
Confidence:High
Think we got something wrong?
Candidates and members of the public can both report a correction. Every one is logged and answered, and corrections about a candidate’s own positions get priority.