Survey Questions – Mayor Candidates

Caledon Public Library

Inform Your Vote

Mayoral Candidates for the 2026 Municipal Election Share Their Insights

Christina Early

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Alan Hart

Mario Russo

Jagdeep Sacha

Manjit Bhondhi Saini

Q & As

1. If elected as Mayor, what would be your top priority, and how will you address it?

Christina Early: My top priority as Mayor will be managing Caledon’s growth responsibly. Growth must be supported by the roads, fire and emergency services, recreation, parks and other infrastructure our communities need, while protecting our groundwater, farmland, natural environment and the character of Caledon.

I will advocate for the infrastructure funding Caledon needs, insist on responsible planning, meaningful public consultation and ensure taxpayer dollars are carefully managed.

We have one chance to get this right. Protect what we have. Build what we need.

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Alan Hart:

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Mario Russo:

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Jagdeep Sacha:

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Manjit Bhondhi Saini:

2. How have your education, skills and experiences prepared you for the role of Mayor?

Christina Early: I know Caledon because it has been my home for 30 years. I raised my family here, have been active in our community, served in leadership roles with Caledon Community Services and Credit Valley Conservation, and spent eight years representing residents at the Town and Region of Peel.

Before public service, I spent more than 30 years building and leading successful businesses, learning financial responsibility, collaboration and good decision making.

Two terms on Council have given me a deep understanding of our communities and the challenges ahead. I know Caledon, I understand what makes our communities unique, and I have the experience to lead from day one.

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Alan Hart:

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Mario Russo:

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Jagdeep Sacha:

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Manjit Bhondhi Saini:

3. How do you plan to use Strong Mayor Powers?

Christina Early: I will not use Strong Mayor Powers.

Major decisions affecting Caledon should be made at the Council table, where every elected member and every community has a voice.

I believe the concentration of decision-making authority in one office has weakened democracy and contributed to division at Council. As Mayor, I will work with the full Council, encourage open and respectful debate, and make decisions as transparently as possible.

Democracy and accountability must be returned to Caledon.

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Alan Hart:

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Mario Russo:

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Jagdeep Sacha:

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Manjit Bhondhi Saini:

4. As the Head of Council, how will you encourage collaboration and mutual respect amongst your Council colleagues?

Christina Early: Council will not always agree, and that is healthy. What matters is how we work through those disagreements.

As Mayor, I will set a respectful and professional tone, ensure every member of Council has the opportunity to be heard, and encourage open discussion before decisions are made. Just as importantly, I will ensure residents have meaningful opportunities to be heard and that their voices are considered in the decisions we make.

My job as Mayor will be to bring people together, respect different perspectives and lead a Council that can disagree without becoming divided.

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Alan Hart:

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Mario Russo:

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Jagdeep Sacha:

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Manjit Bhondhi Saini:

5. How will you balance maintaining affordable property taxes while investing in the services and infrastructure residents rely on?

Christina Early: Keeping property taxes affordable starts with disciplined budgeting. I will review spending and service levels, look for efficiencies, prioritize essential services and infrastructure, and ensure value for every tax dollar.

I will protect reserves and use them for their intended purpose, not as a routine way to balance the budget or artificially lower taxes.

As Caledon grows, new growth must contribute its fair share toward the infrastructure and services it requires. I will pursue available development and government funding so costs are not unfairly shifted onto existing taxpayers. We must make responsible decisions today that do not leave taxpayers with a larger bill tomorrow.

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Alan Hart:

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Mario Russo:

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Jagdeep Sacha:

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Manjit Bhondhi Saini:

6. How will you manage growth while protecting Caledon’s agricultural lands, natural environment and water table?

Christina Early: Growth must be carefully planned to protect the land, water and communities that define Caledon.

I will insist planning decisions are supported by sound environmental and groundwater science, protect prime agricultural land and natural heritage, and include meaningful public consultation.

My record demonstrates this commitment. I opposed the 12 fast-tracked zoning applications and the Swan Lake proposal, pushed for stronger testing, monitoring and accountability for soil brought to Caledon to protect our groundwater and environment. As Mayor, I will continue to ask the difficult questions and stand up for responsible planning that protects what makes Caledon unique.

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Alan Hart:

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Mario Russo:

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Jagdeep Sacha:

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Manjit Bhondhi Saini:

7. How will you keep residents informed and engaged, ensuring transparency and accountability at Town Hall?

Christina Early: Transparency starts with residents knowing what Town Hall is doing before decisions are made.

As Mayor, I will communicate regularly and ensure residents are engaged early, not after decisions have already been shaped. I will encourage Town staff to meet residents in their communities, listen to concerns and bring that input into the decision-making process.

I will work to keep Council business in public wherever possible, using closed session only when necessary and permitted. Residents should see how their input was considered, how taxpayer dollars are spent and why decisions were made.

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Alan Hart:

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Mario Russo:

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Jagdeep Sacha:

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Manjit Bhondhi Saini:

8. What is one challenge facing Caledon that you believe deserves more attention? How will you move this forward?

Christina Early: One challenge that deserves more attention is the impact of traffic congestion, truck traffic and road safety; these are the concerns I hear most often across Caledon. People are frustrated with traffic and worried about safety on roads never designed for today’s volumes.

As Mayor, I will advance transportation improvements that are effective and financially responsible, while working with the OPP and Town bylaw on enforcement.

Not every expensive road proposal is the right solution. We need investments that solve real problems, provide value for taxpayers and address different transportation needs across Caledon.

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Alan Hart:

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Mario Russo:

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Jagdeep Sacha:

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Manjit Bhondhi Saini:

9. How will residents know whether you have been successful at the end of your four-year term?

Christina Early: Residents should measure my success by results. Are our roads safer and traffic moving better? Has infrastructure kept pace with growth? Are taxpayer dollars being managed responsibly? Are residents being heard and receiving the service they expect?

Early in the term, I will work with Council to establish a clear work plan with measurable targets and regular public reporting. I will restore a focus on service excellence, including resident feedback to measure how well the Town is delivering services and where we need to improve.

If we fall behind, residents should know why and what we are doing about it. Success means delivering on our commitments and being accountable for the results.

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Alan Hart:

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Mario Russo:

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Jagdeep Sacha:

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Manjit Bhondhi Saini:

10. Is there anything else that you would like voters to know about you or your priorities for Caledon?

Christina Early: Caledon has been my home for 30 years, and my family’s roots here go back generations. Glen has lived here his entire life, and our family farm has been part of Caledon for more than 100 years. This is where we raised our family and where I have had the privilege of representing residents for the past eight years.

I am running for Mayor because the decisions we make over the next four years will shape Caledon for generations.

I bring experience, deep knowledge of this community and a commitment to listen and lead with integrity. I want future generations to inherit a Caledon that is strong, welcoming and still unmistakably Caledon.

Protect what we have. Build what we need.

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Alan Hart:

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Mario Russo:

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Jagdeep Sacha:

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Manjit Bhondhi Saini: