Don't Blindly Accept All Claims

Owen Sound is at a crossroads—and this election may be one of the most important in years.

We have more people struggling with homelessness and addiction on our streets. Taxes continue to rise. Our population has barely changed. Municipal costs continue to grow. And residents are asking increasingly difficult questions about how our city is being managed.

Against that backdrop, candidates are asking us to trust them with Owen Sound’s future.

But trust should never mean accepting everything a candidate says at face value.

Critically Analyze Candidates’ Statements

During this campaign, we have heard some extraordinary claims. Consider these statements from a mayoral candidate:

“The size of the population has nothing to do with the cost of running a city.”

And:

“Tax increases are not determined by population or consumer inflation.”

Really?

Ask yourself: If Owen Sound’s population doubled, would the cost of providing roads, water, sewers, recreation, fire protection, policing, waste collection and other services remain unchanged?

And if inflation drove up the cost of wages, construction, fuel, materials, insurance and contracted services, would that have no effect on the municipal budget?

Of course, population and inflation are not the only factors affecting municipal taxes. But to suggest they have no bearing on municipal costs requires voters to take a very hard look at the evidence.

That is precisely why voters need to question and verify what they hear during an election campaign.

We heard candidates defend the size of the city workforce by saying Owen Sound employs only 150 people, but they fail to tell you how they arrived at this figure. The city has never been fully transparent about the size of the workforce. In their 2024 Financial Information Report they reported 233 FT 68 PT and 25 seasonal which tell us that the workforce could be as high as 326 at times. Yet, they failed to include 21 FTE working in the Water Department.

Challenge Candidates’ Claims

When a candidate makes a claim or promise, ask:

Where is the evidence? Can the candidate provide a credible source?

What’s missing? Are we being given the whole picture—or only the part that supports an argument?

Is the promise realistic? Does the municipality have the authority and financial resources to deliver it?

And ultimately, what will it cost taxpayers?

Most importantly, don’t confuse confidence with credibility. A candidate can speak passionately, sound authoritative and express absolute certainty—and still be wrong.

Nor should we judge candidates simply by how personable, friendly or convincing they appear.

This election isn’t about choosing the person we like best. It is about choosing the people we trust to make decisions that will affect every taxpayer in Owen Sound.

So, before you vote, do your homework. Examine each candidate’s platform. Check their claims. Question their numbers. Find out where their information comes from. And challenge statements that don’t make sense.

If a candidate makes a promise, ask the question that matters most:

“How are you going to pay for it?”

Don’t surrender your vote to the loudest voice, the biggest promise or the most confident candidate.

You have one vote. Use it wisely.

Owen Sound’s future belongs to its voters—but only if we take the time to make informed choices.

Think critically.    Ask better questions.    Demand evidence.

And then vote for the candidate you believe has the facts, judgment and leadership to move Owen Sound in the right direction.

Election information: The City of Owen Sound confirms that the 2026 municipal election voting period runs from October 16 at 10:00 a.m. to October 26 at 8:00 p.m. The City's certified candidate list is available on its election website. COST's reference to “20 new voices” refers to COST's own identification of candidates who have never served on Owen Sound Council; it should not be confused with the City's total number of certified candidates.
City of Owen Sound — Certified Candidates   |   City of Owen Sound — Voter Information