In 2006, Mark Contois ran for council because he wanted to help create positive change in Bradford West Gwillimbury. Contois was then elected as Ward 6’s new councillor.
After serving one term, he took a step back before running and winning once again in 2014. As Contois prepares to seek re-election with his fourth term as Ward 6 councillor, he’s looking to the future of the town.
“I’m looking at the revitalization of the downtown core,” he says. “We’re at the point where it’s looking feasible in the future. Everything stems from the 404/400 bypass, and we need that outlet to allow us to redesign the downtown. I think that’s going to happen, and I think it’s going to happen within a shorter time frame than most people think. We’ve already started work on the downtown and with the Holland Haus, that’s the first step to bringing foot traffic down there. If you look at the OP (Official Plan) for 2051 for the community that Simcoe County has basically downloaded to us, we’re going to be over 83,000 people. If you look at the growth plan, it shows we’re probably going to need 47 of those buildings to meet the high density needs.”
Contois also says ensuring the right development as Bradford grows will also provide more jobs in the community
“The statement has always been out there, work, live, and play,” he said. “Well, we have to create the work in the community so you can live and play in the community. It’s starting to come; you can see it evolving before our eyes. That’s part of the growth plan.”
With the expected population boom in Bradford and the emphasis on smart growth to handle the needs of the community, Contois believes it’s crucial to have experience on the new town council.
“This is a really important time for the community, that OP is looking to the future for 25 years,” he explained. “This is very crucial, and I already know the background on it, and I think my experience will be valuable at this time. I understand people want to run against me and are interested in politics. That’s perfect for the residents because it gives our people another voice and another choice, and that’s what it’s about, but at the end of the day I think I’m a stronger candidate at this time.”
Another big piece to the puzzle in Contois' eyes is a potential fire department merge between Bradford and Innisfil.
“That’s so beneficial in the future for cost savings,” he said. “We just have to figure out how to make it palatable so it’s not hitting the tax base all at once. Once they do that, it’s going to be a really good plan.”
One of Contois' proudest accomplishments during his time on council was the reason he initially ran.
“We were lacking a library and leisure centre, so at that time, we’d done what you call ‘shovel ready.’ You get the plans in place and everything ready so if a grant comes available, you’re ready to move on it,” he said. “We ended up getting about $17 million from the feds and $17 million from the province and we got two building envelopes for the price of one. That was the reason I got involved, because we were lacking these types of things for the younger generation. It was too late for my son, but it wasn’t too late for future generations.”
With signs that say, “thinking about today, planning for tomorrow,” Contois points to proactive long-term planning as a big reason the town is ready to address short-term issues.
“You have to address what’s in front of you, but you need to look to the future,” he said. “After development, you need to create reserves. Those types of things are what are going to re-do your roads and your sidewalks. If you don’t have them, you’re in trouble. It’s things like that, we’re always enhancing parks and we’re always asking developers for more. They’re going to develop anyways, there’s lots going on. Look at our budgeting, we’ve been so fiscally responsible. You look at our line from 2014 and our line from 2022—the town and libraries portion—you’re actually paying less in 2022. That’s unheard of, we are very fiscally responsible.”
Having spent years in the community volunteering both with baseball and hockey, Contois has built strong relationships in Bradford and loves it for its welcoming feel.
“I love this community,” he said. “I know a lot of the community and they’re all my friends. You meet a lot of good people, and everyone is so social. That’s the kind of town I want to see us be in the future. And as long as we continue to learn about each other’s cultures, you’ll find out your neighbour is just like you. Myself, being an Indigenous person, being elected to council, that’s your populous looking and seeing we’re diverse, and I really like that.”
