Tyler Ellis

Candidate for Councillor — Wards 3, 4 & 5 · Wards 3, 4 & 5 (Stisted, Stephenson & Port Sydney)

In their own words

tylerwilliamellis.com — Tyler Ellis’s campaign website, opens in a new tab Facebook — Tyler Ellis on Facebook, verified, opens in a new tab X — Tyler Ellis on X, verified, opens in a new tab LinkedIn — Tyler Ellis on LinkedIn, verified, opens in a new tab

What Tyler told us

Their reply to our candidate review email, received September 28, 2026 — published in full and unedited.

Read the full response

Hi Andreas,

Thanks for putting this together and giving me a chance to review it.
Overall, I think the profile does a good job of reflecting my
priorities. I noticed a couple of small wording changes and some
sections that could be filled in.

Under roads, could “Published five-year rural roads schedule” be
changed to “Proposes publishing a five-year rural roads schedule,
prioritizing the worst roads first”? The current wording makes it
sound like the actual schedule has already been published.

Under taxes, could the $300,000 target include “subject to
verification by Town staff,” as stated on my website?

Under how council works, could rotating rural office hours also be
included in the supporting points since they are mentioned in the
summary?

For the sections marked “Not reviewed yet,” here are my positions:

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Growth, development and community character

I support responsible growth that respects the rural character of
Huntsville and ensures our infrastructure and services can keep pace.
New development should contribute fairly toward the roads, services
and infrastructure it requires. Growth should not come at the expense
of existing taxpayers or the character of our rural communities.

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Healthcare and the new hospital

I support protecting strong local hospital services and advocating for
reliable access to healthcare in Huntsville. Any municipal
contribution toward hospital redevelopment must be transparent,
financially responsible and structured so property taxpayers are not
carrying an unfair burden.

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Environment, lakes and dark skies

Protecting our lakes, natural environment and dark skies is important
to Muskoka’s identity and economy. I support practical measures
addressing shoreline protection, drainage, runoff and responsible
development. Environmental policies should have measurable local
benefits while also considering the impact on residents, farmers and
property owners.

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Local economy, jobs and downtown

I support reducing unnecessary barriers for local businesses,
encouraging responsible development and attracting jobs that allow
people to live and work in Huntsville. A successful downtown is
important, but economic development must also include rural
businesses, home-based businesses, tourism operators and communities
outside the urban centre.

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Transit and getting around without a car

Transportation options should reflect Huntsville’s geography and
actual community needs. Rather than committing to an expensive
one-size-fits-all transit expansion, I would look at practical options
such as partnerships with community organizations, accessible
transportation providers and targeted services for seniors and
residents with disabilities.

Otherwise, everything looks good and lines up well with my campaign.
Thanks again for the opportunity to review it before the launch.

Tyler Ellis

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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?

Targets $300,000 in recurring savings (subject to verification by Town staff); review contracts, consultants, software and vacancies; steer assessment growth to rate stabilization; reject borrowing that hides operating costs.

Line-by-line budget and service review before any tax increase.
Publish the tax impact of every proposed program or position.
Says relief must come from permanent efficiencies, not depleted reserves.
Review contracts, consultants, software and vacant positions.
Direct a portion of assessment growth toward rate stabilization.
Reject borrowing that merely hides routine operating costs.

Show their words & source (a page or more)

“My goal will be to identify at least $300,000 in recurring efficiencies—approximately the amount required for a 1% reduction in Huntsville’s municipal tax rate—subject to verification by Town staff. Review contracts, consultants, software and vacant positions Direct a portion of assessment growth toward rate stabilization Reject borrowing that merely hides routine operating costs”

Source: Tyler Ellis campaign website — A Plan That Can Be Measured · September 13, 2026

Roads, infrastructure and the basics

Will the things I use every day actually get fixed?

Proposes publishing a five-year rural roads schedule, worst first; bundle nearby projects for better tender pricing; report work, costs and delays annually.

Publish road rankings and planned construction years.
Address drainage and culverts before resurfacing.
Keep road-project savings inside the roads program.
Says funding should come from existing allocations and senior-government grants, not a new road tax.
Bundle nearby projects to improve tender pricing.
Report completed work, costs and delays annually.

Show their words & source (a page or more)

“I will work for a publicly available five-year rural roads schedule based on road condition, safety, drainage, emergency access and the cost of delaying repairs. Bundle nearby projects to improve tender pricing Report completed work, costs and delays annually”

Source: Tyler Ellis campaign website — A Plan That Can Be Measured · September 13, 2026

How council works

How would this person actually govern?

Wants rotating rural office hours and an annual ward service report; equal consideration does not mean identical services.

Publish an annual Wards 3, 4 & 5 service and investment report.
Clearly identify whether a concern belongs to the Town or the District.
Provide telephone and in-person options, not online-only communication.
Argues equal consideration does not always mean identical services.
Decisions should reflect safety, accessibility, demonstrated need and value for taxpayers.
Hold rotating rural office hours.

Show their words & source (a page or more)

“I will make representation more accessible by holding regular community office hours and public meetings throughout Stisted, Stephenson and Port Sydney. Equal consideration does not always mean identical services. Decisions should reflect safety, accessibility, demonstrated need and value for taxpayers.”

Source: Tyler Ellis campaign website — A Plan That Can Be Measured · September 13, 2026

Growth, development and community character

How much should Huntsville grow, and where?

Supports responsible growth that respects Huntsville's rural character; new development should pay its fair share of infrastructure.

Growth must not come at the expense of existing taxpayers or rural community character.
Infrastructure and services must keep pace with new development.

Show their words & source (a few sentences)

“I support responsible growth that respects the rural character of Huntsville and ensures our infrastructure and services can keep pace.”

Source: Email to SmarterVote — September 28, 2026 · September 28, 2026

Read their full response on growth, development and community character →

Housing and affordability

Can people who work here afford to live here?

Founding board member and treasurer of the Muskoka Community Land Trust, working on local affordability solutions.

Founding board member and treasurer of the Muskoka Community Land Trust.
Says he has helped advance practical local solutions to housing affordability.

Show their words & source (one sentence)

“I am also a founding board member and treasurer of the Muskoka Community Land Trust, where I have helped advance practical local solutions to housing affordability.”

Source: Tyler Ellis campaign website — Meet Tyler

Healthcare and the new hospital

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

Supports strong local hospital services; any municipal hospital contribution must be transparent and not burden property taxpayers.

Advocates for reliable access to healthcare in Huntsville.
Municipal contribution must be financially responsible and fairly structured.

Show their words & source (a few sentences)

“Any municipal contribution toward hospital redevelopment must be transparent, financially responsible and structured so property taxpayers are not carrying an unfair burden.”

Source: Email to SmarterVote — September 28, 2026 · September 28, 2026

Read their full response on healthcare and the new hospital →

Environment, lakes and dark skies

Who is protecting the lakes and the night sky?

Supports practical measures for shoreline protection, drainage and runoff; policies need measurable local benefits.

Protecting lakes, natural environment and dark skies matters to Muskoka's identity and economy.
Environmental policies should weigh impacts on residents, farmers and property owners.

Show their words & source (a few sentences)

“I support practical measures addressing shoreline protection, drainage, runoff and responsible development.”

Source: Email to SmarterVote — September 28, 2026 · September 28, 2026

Read their full response on environment, lakes and dark skies →

Huntsville's place at the District table

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

Wants residents told plainly whether an issue is Town or District.

Frames it as part of making representation accessible.

Show their words & source (one sentence)

“Clearly identify whether concerns belong to the Town or District.”

Source: Tyler Ellis campaign website — A Plan That Can Be Measured · September 13, 2026

Local economy, jobs and downtown

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

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

Supports cutting red tape for local businesses and attracting jobs; economic development must include rural and home-based businesses.

Reduce unnecessary barriers for local businesses.
A successful downtown matters, but development must also reach rural communities, tourism operators and home-based businesses.

“I support reducing unnecessary barriers for local businesses, encouraging responsible development and attracting jobs that allow people to live and work in Huntsville.”

(a few sentences)

Source: Email to SmarterVote — September 28, 2026 · September 28, 2026

Read their full response on local economy, jobs and downtown →

Council doesn't set provincial employment policy but should make sure the rural impact of those decisions is heard.

Municipal council doesn't set provincial employment policies.
Council has a role in making sure the rural impact of those decisions is heard.

“Municipal council obviously doesn't set provincial employment policies, but I do think we have a role in making sure the rural impact of those decisions is heard.”

(one sentence)

Source: Rural Employment Access Ontario 2026 municipal questionnaire — candidate's own answers · September 30, 2026

Read their full response on local economy, jobs and downtown →

Think we’ve got this wrong?

Parks, trails and active transportation

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

Would build a business case for a rural recreation hub before committing money.

Notes the Community Services Master Plan found an additional arena was not needed immediately.
Would update participation data and compare arena, multi-use hub and covered rink options.
Would not support construction without outside capital and a sustainable operating plan.

Show their words & source (a page or more)

“I will not ignore that evidence or promise an unaffordable building simply for political appeal.”

Source: Tyler Ellis campaign website — A Plan That Can Be Measured · September 13, 2026

Police, fire, emergency services and community safety

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

Advocate for reliable emergency coverage and volunteer recruitment.

Platform point: reliable emergency coverage.
Platform point: volunteer recruitment.

Show their words & source (one sentence)

“Advocate for reliable emergency coverage and volunteer recruitment”

Source: Tyler Ellis campaign website — A Plan That Can Be Measured

Transit and getting around without a car

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

Favours practical, targeted transportation options over a one-size-fits-all transit expansion; look at community partnerships.

Options should reflect Huntsville's geography and actual community needs.
Consider partnerships with community organizations and accessible transportation providers; targeted services for seniors and residents with disabilities.

Show their words & source (a few sentences)

“Rather than committing to an expensive one-size-fits-all transit expansion, I would look at practical options such as partnerships with community organizations, accessible transportation providers and targeted services for seniors and residents with disabilities.”

Source: Email to SmarterVote — September 28, 2026 · September 28, 2026

Read their full response on transit and getting around without a car →

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