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← Councillor — Wards 1 & 2

Stephen Hernen

Candidate for Councillor — Wards 1 & 2 · Wards 1 & 2 (Huntsville & Chaffey)

In their own words

This candidate hasn’t listed a campaign website or social account with the Town. That says nothing about them as a candidate — it just means less of their material is published online for us to summarise.

Where they stand

Every candidate in this race is shown against the same 12 issues, in the same order, whether or not we’ve found something for each one. Why we do it this way.

Taxes, spending and value for money

What happens to my tax bill, and where does the money go?

This candidate has spoken about this issue more than once. Each statement is shown with its own source.

Balance residents' needs with responsible financial management and available resources.

  • Wants decisions that balance residents' needs with responsible financial management.
  • Factors in available resources.
“That means listening carefully, understanding the needs and priorities of residents, and making thoughtful decisions that balance those needs with responsible financial management and available resources.”

(one sentence)

Source: Doppler: Stephen Hernen announces bid for Town/Chaffey Ward council seat (Aug 4, 2026) — candidate's direct quotes · August 4, 2026

Move tourism/marketing off the tax base onto the accommodation tax; the capital asset plan is underfunded.

  • Tourism and marketing should find non-tax revenue so it does not rely on tax-based funding.
  • The capital asset plan is underfunded.
“Tourism and Marketing, although extremely important to the Huntsville economy, is an area, I feel, needs to be reviewed to find other methods of revenue so it does not rely on tax-based funding.”

(one sentence)

Source: Lake of Bays Association 2022 mayoral questionnaire — candidate's own answers · September 1, 2022

Think we’ve got this wrong?

Roads, infrastructure and the basics

Will the things I use every day actually get fixed?

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

How council works

How would this person actually govern?

Says local government is a service organisation as much as a regulatory one.

  • Says good government begins by putting people first.
  • Argues regulation matters for protecting communities and the environment, but should be applied with common sense and practical solutions.
  • Brings 37 years of municipal experience, including as Huntsville Fire Chief and Director of Protective Services, and has also worked as a private developer.
  • Ran for Mayor of Huntsville in 2022.
  • Says good government begins by putting people first.
  • Frames local government as a service organization as much as a regulatory body.
Show their words & source (reported remarks)
“That [good government] means listening carefully, understanding the needs and priorities of residents, and making thoughtful decisions that balance those needs with responsible financial management and available resources. Good government begins by putting people first, I believe local government should serve its residents first and foremost, acting as a service organization as much as a regulatory body,”

Source: Huntsville Doppler — Stephen Hernen announces bid for Town/Chaffey Ward council seat · August 4, 2026

Growth, development and community character

How much should Huntsville grow, and where?

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Housing and affordability

Can people who work here afford to live here?

Zero-tolerance STR enforcement against occupants and owners; 24/7 by-law staffing funded by higher STR licensing fees, not the tax base.

  • Zero-tolerance approach to STR units breaking licensing bylaws, for occupants and owners.
  • 24/7 by-law staffing; costs covered by higher STR yearly licensing fees.
Show their words & source (a few sentences)
“The Town of Huntsville take a zero-tolerance approach to these STR units for both the occupants and the property owners when breaking any of the current licensing ByLaws. All costs associated with the increased enforcement would be covered by an increase in the STR yearly licensing fee so that the cost does not affect the tax base.”

Source: Lake of Bays Association 2022 mayoral questionnaire — candidate's own answers · September 1, 2022

Healthcare and the new hospital

Can I see a doctor, and how will we pay for the new hospital?

Huntsville and the District should start saving now for the hospital redevelopment's local share, a roughly 10-year expenditure.

  • Huntsville, the District and catchment communities should start saving now.
  • The hospital redevelopment local share is a future (10 year) expenditure.
Show their words & source (one sentence)
“Huntsville, the District of Muskoka and every community within the catchment area of these hospitals, needs to recognize this fact and start to save for this future (10 year) expenditure.”

Source: Lake of Bays Association 2022 mayoral questionnaire — candidate's own answers · September 1, 2022

Environment, lakes and dark skies

Who is protecting the lakes and the night sky?

Cut the Town's carbon footprint via building efficiencies and less gas/diesel; back the watershed plan and shoreline protection.

  • Reduce the Town's carbon footprint via building efficiencies and less gas/diesel reliance.
  • Supports the Muskoka Watershed Council's Integrated Watershed Plan; protect shorelines.
  • Proper monitoring and maintenance plan for all Huntsville stormwater systems.
Show their words & source (a few sentences)
“For the Town of Huntsville to reduce its carbon footprint it will need to focus on building efficiencies and reducing its reliance on gasoline/diesel for its equipment. I support the Muskoka Watershed Council's proposal for an Integrated Watershed Plan... we will need to protect our shorelines. A proper monitoring and maintenance plan needs to be implemented for all storm water management systems within Huntsville today.”

Source: Lake of Bays Association 2022 mayoral questionnaire — candidate's own answers · September 1, 2022

Huntsville's place at the District table

Is the two-tier system working for Huntsville, or costing us?

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Local economy, jobs and downtown

Will there be decent work here, and a downtown worth walking to?

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Parks, trails and active transportation

Can you get around safely without a car, and are the parks and trails looked after?

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Police, fire, emergency services and community safety

Who shows up when you call 911, and do they have what they need?

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Transit and getting around without a car

Can you get where you need to go if you do not drive?

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Think we got something wrong?

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