Community Questions Answered
During my 23 years as a Milton councillor, I have helped several thousand Miltonians with their municipal problems. My financial, people and government management experience, as well as my deep commitment to and understanding of our community is now needed more than ever.
If you have questions for me regarding my platform or political issues involving the Town of Milton, please submit a message with your contact information and I will get back to you shortly.
Sincerely, John Challinor II
FAQ’s SUBMITTED BY OUR LOCAL WARD 2 VOTERS
Scroll THE FAQ’s or Jump to a category
COMMUNITY SERVICES & RECREATION
Q: If elected, what steps or actions will you take to improve the lives of seniors in your constituency?
A: Given that the vast majority of seniors live on fixed incomes, the most significant action I can take is to attempt to limit property tax increases to the rate of inflation. During my first tour of duty on Milton Council between 1991 and 2006, with the support of Council, I successfully led the effort to keep tax increases at 0% for 10 years. During my second tour of duty between 2018 and today, I have attempted to limit tax increases to the rate of inflation — without much success because of a lack of support from a majority of members of Council. However, I have successfully encouraged Council and Town staff to establish two investment funds (one operating budget oriented, the other capital reserves oriented), that will decrease the size of the annual property tax increase by 2%, moving forward, while helping to fund capital reserves. A motion I brought forward in 2025 to limit the size of the operating budget to the annual rate of inflation plus the annual rate of growth, was defeated. I will also continue to work with Council and Town staff on delivering affordable programs and services to seniors as well as continuing to provide financial relief from those same programs and services for those seniors who can’t afford to participate in them, under normal circumstances.
Q: Healthcare and schools are not municipal responsibilities, but residents feel the gaps locally. What is your advocacy plan, and how will residents measure whether it worked?
A: While health care and education are provincial responsibilities, the Town of Milton has historically played an active role in advocating for timely construction of new schools, hospitals and other health care facilities. The Town drifted away from this practice at times over the last 25 years. Led by the Mayor, the CAO and selected members of Council and senior staff, the Town needs to visit Queen’s Park on a regular basis and meet the Premier, the Treasurer and the Ministers responsible to share its growth plans and obtain their timely commitment, as was done in the 1990s when this latest growth plan was originally developed. Future school and healthcare facility construction that follows residential construction in a timely fashion will be the proof in this particular pudding.
Q: What is your position on the Milton Education Village’s priorities and timeline?
A: I am fully supportive of the Milton Education Village. It was originally identified in the Destiny Milton planning document in the mid-1990s. It was originally envisioned by former Local Councillor Wally Hunter. That document, which I had a hand in writing, identified the need for a post-secondary educational institution in Milton — and we now have two: Conestoga College and Wilfrid Laurier University. Given the required investment by both institutions and the Government of Ontario, the timeline was realistic and has been met. These schools are amongst the Town’s greatest assets, specifically in terms of providing advanced education locally, complementing the Town’s economic development regimen and helping Ontario and Canada to further develop that knowledge-based economy they desire.
Q: What recreation or community facility gap would you prioritise next, and where?
A: The next Community Services Master Plan (est. 2027) will identify the timing, locale and prioritization of future community centre facilities in the Boyne Secondary Plan, Britannia Secondary Plan, Agerton Secondary Plan and Trafalgar Secondary Plan areas, as these communities are now approved for development.
Q: How would you strengthen daycare, public libraries, recreation services, emergency services, and community programs?
A: Local governments like Milton have responsibility for libraries, recreational services and community programs. Regional governments like Halton have responsibility for emergency services, social programs and daycare programs. By requiring related master plans to prepare for the future and, further, by establishing dedicated capital and operating reserves to fund their development, implementation and maintenance, local governments like Milton and regional governments like Halton can establish, where appropriate, and strengthen, where needed, these programs — and others.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & JOBS
Q: What is your strategy for attracting new employers and investment to the region?
A: The Region of Halton eliminated its economic development department in January 2025. It is now the responsibility of the four municipalities that make up Halton Region. If we want to make Milton the best place in Canada to live, work and play, Milton Council has a responsibility to create a positive environment for the business community to create jobs. As Chairman of the Destiny Milton Economic Development Task Force and the Founding Chairman of the Milton Economic Development Advisory Committee in the early and mid-1990s, I led the creation of a successful strategy to encourage commercial / industrial investment and jobs to Milton through an effective marketing plan to promote our Highway 401 Industrial Park, an outreach program to industries that would realistically consider Milton as their new headquarters and the hiring of a full-time economic development officer. In 2022, Milton Council approved a new Economic Development Strategy which now promotes, amongst other things, the Town’s Derry Green Industrial Park. Ward 2 is the ward of business in Milton. If elected Regional Councillor, Ward 2, Town of Milton, I will continue to advocate for residential and commercial property taxpayers in Milton in a way that creates an affordable environment for both, which includes controlling spending and, thus tax increases.
Q: How will you support existing businesses so they can grow and create jobs?
A: Fundamentally, the Town of Milton must have a high-functioning Economic Development department to properly support existing businesses so they can grow and create jobs. Milton Council also has to create the right environment, principally by keeping tax rates and tax increases at a reasonable level — inflation plus growth and no more. Supported by an Economic Development Strategy that is reviewed every five years, the department must schedule regular visits with the business community to understand its challenges and opportunities; be an advocate within the Town of Milton for the business community; identify grants and programs to help the local business community transform to meet future challenges; ensure that local post-secondary institutions are developing educational programs and offerings that support local workforce requirements; and network with local business organizations to understand their future needs. If elected Regional Councillor, Ward 2, Town of Milton, I will continue to advocate for residential and commercial property taxpayers in Milton in a way that creates an affordable environment for both, which includes controlling spending and, thus tax increases.
Q: What industries do you think our region should be targeting?
A: With what Milton has to offer in terms of its workforce, available lands, property tax structure and quality of community living, advanced manufacturing, communications/information systems, life sciences and transportation/logistics probably make the most sense to target.
Q: How will you ensure municipal jobs remain good, stable, unionized jobs with fair wages and benefits?
A: Under the Ontario Labour Relations Act, both employers and unions have a legal obligation to bargain in good faith and make every reasonable effort to reach a collective agreement. It is my duty and obligation as a member of Milton Council to ensure that the municipality bargains in good faith with its unionized employees.
Q: What role do you believe unions play in building stronger communities?
A: Union leaders advocate for safe working conditions, union members raise money for local charities and sports groups and many union organizations run apprenticeship programs that give local people valuable skills and stable careers.
Q: What measures would you support to improve health and safety for municipal workers?
A: According to Ontario Occupational Health and Safety legislation, the Town of Milton is legally obligated to protect its employees and maintain a healthy and safe workplace. It is my duty and obligation as a member of Milton Council to ensure that the municipality protects its employees and maintains a safe and healthy workplace.
LABOUR
Q: What decision do you believe a municipal council can make that would have the greatest positive impact on working people over the next four years, and how would you help make that happen?
A: The working people of Ward 2 need a municipal Council that is clearly in their corner, one that balances the financial challenges faced by the Town and the Region with their ability to pay, one that knows the importance of long-term planning and helps make convincing arguments to the other levels of government in a way that benefits working people, and one that understands that, fundamentally, the Town of Milton and the Region of Halton exist to deliver broadly-based, core services to them efficiently, effectively and in a high-quality fashion. Affordability must be a cornerstone of that overall direction.
Q: What steps would you take to combat racism, antisemitism, Islamophobia, anti-Indigenous racism, anti-2SLGBTQI+ hate, and other forms of discrimination within municipal government?
A: To the best of my knowledge, these issues do not exist today in the municipal government in Milton because, to the best of my knowledge, Milton is conforming to all federal and provincial laws designed to eliminate racism, prejudice and systemic discrimination. The municipality is legally bound by both constitutional law and provincial human rights statutes across all of its functions to do so. It is my duty and obligation as a member of Milton Council to ensure that the municipality conforms to all related federal and provincial statutes.
Q: How will you ensure equity-deserving communities have meaningful input into municipal decision-making?
A: To ensure equity-deserving communities have meaningful input into municipal decision-making requires equal access to the decision-making process as well as the decision makers. To the best of my knowledge, that is the case today in the Town of Milton. It is my duty and obligation as a member of Milton Council to ensure that equity-deserving communities are involved in the decision-making process.
GOVERNANCE, LEADERSHIP & ACCOUNTABILITY
Q: How will you deal with the fact that the Regional Chair will be appointed by the province, instead of elected?
A: This is simply not an issue as, historically, the Government of Ontario appointed the Chair of Halton Region from 1974 until 1978. To this day, the Province continues to have that legal authority. What I am focused on is working with the new Chair to ensure that the citizens of Milton receive their fair share of regional programs, services and road, sewer and water infrastructure, commensurate with the fact that Milton is the fastest growing community in Halton and will be the largest municipality in Halton by 2051.
Q: Does the Town of Milton or the Region of Halton have responsibility for elementary or secondary education in Milton?
A: No. The Government of Ontario has primary responsibility for elementary and secondary school education in Milton. This authority is managed centrally by the Ontario Ministry of Education under the direction of the Minister of Education, while local operations and daily administration are delegated to regional school boards like Halton District School Board and Halton Catholic District School Board.
Q: Does the Town of Milton or the Region of Halton have responsibility for health care in Milton?
A: No. The primary responsibility for health care in Milton is split between the Government of Ontario, which manages funding and regulations, and local agencies, which handle day-to-day care. For example, Milton District Hospital is managed by Halton Healthcare, an independent local organization that runs MDH under the Public Hospitals Act. Halton Public Health Unit, which focuses on disease prevention and community health needs, is run by a Medical Officer of Health and overseen by a local Board of Health. It is jointly funded and regulated through a shared responsibility between Halton Region and the Ontario Ministry of Health.
Q: Would you use, or support the use of, strong mayor powers? Under what circumstances?
A: I don’t support the use of strong mayor powers at Milton Council under any circumstance.
Q: What is one specific change you would make to how council engages residents between elections?
A: The Town of Milton needs to make better use of its facilities and its various communications assets in its engagement with Miltonians at all times, specifically through deployment of TV screen technologies in all of its facilities, advertising signage space in all of its facilities, much more proactive social media postings, much more push/pull website engagement, much more traditional advertising in print, electronic and online media, and twice-annual community update meetings in its major community centres hosted by senior staff. Other than creative development costs, the expense associated with implementing most of these initiatives would be minimal because the Town owns most of the assets in question.
Q: What does Milton need more right now — continuity or change — and why are you the answer?
A: Milton needs constructive, thoughtful and well-planned change. The next four years are critical to Milton’s future housing and transportation/recreation/cultural infrastructure growth as well as to laying the groundwork for its general quality of life over the next 25 years. Milton needs — and I will bring — proven experience, proven leadership and proven fiscal responsibility around the tables at Milton Council and Halton Regional Council. The residents of Ward 2 need a Regional Councillor who is clearly in their corner, one who balances the financial challenges faced by the Town and the Region with their ability to pay, one who knows the importance of long-term planning and helps Council and staff make convincing arguments to the other levels of government in a way that benefits Miltonians, and one who understands that, fundamentally, the Town of Milton and the Region of Halton exist to deliver broadly-based, core services to taxpayers efficiently, effectively and in a high-quality fashion.
Q: What Halton Region decision from this past term would you have voted differently on?
A: The new Halton Regional Police Services 1 District police station should have been built on Regional Road 25 between Milton and Oakville, rather than in an industrial park in Halton Hills, because most of the growth in North Halton and, in fact, in Halton over the next 25 years will take place in Milton between Derry Road and Highway 407.
Q: Regional priorities — water and wastewater capacity, policing costs, waste — pick the one you would champion.
A: In a Milton context, they are all priorities and, if elected as the Regional Councillor, Ward 2, I will be championing all of them. I have three priorities if elected on October 26th when it comes to the Region of Halton: One, the need to ensure that its services, specifically housing, policing and public health/social services, are delivered fairly, relative to the other municipalities in Halton; Two, the necessity that it widen existing and/or construct new regional arterial roads in a timely fashion that effectively supports Milton’s growing transportation requirements; and Three, the requirement that it allocate water and sewer capacity, including pumping station support and water quality, in a timely way that corresponds with Milton’s growth plans out to 2051.
GROWTH, HOUSING & DEVELOPMENT
Q: Do you support the Official Plan as adopted? If not, what specifically would you seek to change?
A: I voted in favour of the Town of Milton’s new Official Plan on June 22, 2026. I had advocated for such a plan when I ran for election in 2018 as Local Councillor, Ward 2, and actively participated in its development over the past six years. For example, I successfully requested that it be reviewed every five years to ensure it remains consistent with the will of Milton residents and businesses, senior Town staff and Milton Council. As background, it is a legal requirement in Ontario for municipalities to have an Official Plan. Under the Ontario Planning Act, local governments must maintain an Official Plan to guide future growth, land use and community development. Following its approval by Council, I wrote to Ontario Municipal Affairs & Housing Minister Rob Flack, asking him to fast-track his review and approval of the document because of important commercial/industrial and retail proposals now awaiting its approval before they can proceed.
Q: Where in your ward do you believe higher density belongs — and where doesn’t it?
A: Over the next 25 years, much of Milton’s higher density construction will take place in Ward 2, principally along Main Street East between Ontario Street and Thompson Road, but also along the Trafalgar Road corridor between Highway 401 and Derry Road. In my view, higher density buildings should only be built along major arterial roads, rather than along local neighbourhood streets. Why? Properly constructed, arterial roads have the ability to support complementary public transit, higher traffic volumes and large-scale retail/commercial employment and shopping entities.
Q: When a development application conflicts with community opposition but complies with the Official Plan, how do you decide?
A: Over my years of service as a municipal councillor, I have been mostly successful in helping local residents and the development community find common ground with which to proceed with development. On those occasions where I could not achieve compromise, I voted against the development. I prefer to find a solution that works for everyone because, when a development proposal is rejected by Milton Council and the developer takes the Town of Milton before the Ontario Land Tribunal, the proposal is typically approved by the hearing officer and the community loses financially, structurally and planning-wise.
Q: Milton is hitting its housing targets. Is that the right target, too low, or too fast?
A: The housing targets are established by the Town of Milton based on anticipated building permit approvals or anticipated development industry activity so, ultimately, they are based on housing market conditions. The Town does not and cannot control the pace of development activity, to any great extent. As we have seen over the last few years, that pace is based on interest rates, general employment conditions, housing demand, general economic health, construction material costs, etc.
Q: What is one concrete action council can take to improve attainability for first-time buyers and renters, not just supply volume?
A: Milton Council and municipal governments, in general, do not have access to those key levers that greatly assist first-time home buyers, like setting interest rate policy. However, by keeping development charges and property taxes low, Milton Council can positively impact the cost of purchasing a new home as well as positively impact the cost of maintaining that new home. The Town’s current development charges are the lowest in the Greater Toronto Area, as are its residential property taxes — although local property taxes have been drifting higher much faster than is prudent, in recent years. I have introduced initiatives to control taxation levels — some of which were adopted by Council. Others simply weren’t.
Q: Should Milton use tools like inclusionary zoning, pre-zoning around transit, or reduced parking minimums? Which, and where?
A: The Town of Milton has used inclusionary zoning in some condominium developments in recent years and pre-zoning around transit in the Mobility Hub area on Main Street East near the GO Train station. Given the nature and volume of vehicle usage in Milton, reduced parking minimums have not been deployed and, based on what the community is experiencing today, I would not advocate that it be considered, at this writing.
Q: Should Milton’s urban boundary expand further within this term? Under what conditions?
A: Milton’s urban boundaries for the next 25 years were established on June 22, 2026, with the passing of the new Official Plan. By 2051, when the community is built out, 30% of Milton’s lands will be developed for residential/commercial/industrial purposes and 70% will remain undeveloped for the foreseeable future, as they are protected by the Niagara Escarpment Commission.
Q: What role should municipalities play in increasing the supply of affordable and non-market housing?
A: Under Canada’s Constitution, property rights fall under provincial control. Provinces design and deliver social housing programs, fund housing non-profits and legislate landlord-tenant relationships. Local governments like Milton implement provincial policies through official plans, zoning bylaws and local development approvals. Milton must continue to work with the Federal and Provincial governments to continue to identify lands and public and private funding opportunities that permit affordable housing to be constructed in a timely fashion.
PUBLIC SAFETY
Q: How will you ensure police funding keeps pace with population growth while maintaining accountability?
A: Funding for Halton Regional Police Services has increased 35.7% over the last four years, while the population across the Regional Municipality of Halton has grown just 7%. The HRPS budget was 22% of Halton Region’s total operating budget in 2026. The seven-member Halton Regional Police Services Board includes three members of Halton Regional Council, which makes it less accountable to Halton taxpayers than it should be, given that they are funding its $252.4 million budget. If elected as the Regional Councillor, Ward 2, Town of Milton, I will be requesting that four members of Halton Regional Council be appointed to the seven-member Police Board, giving Halton taxpayers the accountability they should have on that Board.
Q: What are your priorities for improving community safety across the region?
A: According to Halton Regional Police Services, the overall crime rate in Halton dropped 4.8% in 2025. Auto thefts dropped 22%. Property crime dropped 7.2%. The rate of violent crime dropped. However, in my view, the roads, sidewalks and pathways across Halton Region all became more dangerous because of speeding vehicles, illegal use of motorcycles, e-bikes and scooters and too many poorly-trained drivers. In Milton, Council and staff have supported my recommendations to introduce urban shoulders (white lines) on neighbourhood streets, which slows traffic; upgrade all school crossings to pedestrian cross-overs, many of them lighted; make u-turns at most arterial road intersections illegal; introduce proper left-turn and right-turn lanes on those streets that don’t currently have them, where possible; introduce a public safety communications/education program; request the federal and provincial governments to reduce the legal decibel maximum for vehicle exhaust systems; request the province to participate with the Town of Milton in a noise camera pilot program; and reduce neighbourhood speed limits to 40 km/h. If elected as the Regional Councillor, Ward 2, Town of Milton, I will be encouraging Halton Regional Council to implement these safety measures on all regional roads across Halton.
Q: How will you support bylaw and police coordination on issues like illegal motorized scooters, e-bikes, and dirt bikes?
A: In November 2025, Town of Milton Ward 4 Local Councillor Sarah Marshall brought forward a motion to Council, which I helped to author and fully supported when it came forward, which called for a coordinated effort across Halton Region in dealing with illegal e-scooters. Unless a municipality opts into the Government of Ontario’s e-scooter pilot program, they are illegal on its roads, sidewalks and paths. They are currently illegal in Milton, for that reason. However, until the Government completes its pilot program and passes legislation dealing with e-scooters, all Ontario municipalities and all Ontario police forces, are hard-pressed to restrict them because the authority to legislate them rests solely with the Province. If elected as the Regional Councillor, Ward 2, Town of Milton, I will be encouraging Halton Regional Council to advocate to the Government of Ontario for legislation immediately that deals with e-scooters, e-bikes as well as motorized bikes, scooters and smaller motorcycles. In the meantime, whenever your neighbourhood has an issue with these smaller motorized vehicles, simply call me or text me and I will respond immediately. I have had modest success over the last 18 months in dealing with this issue, specifically by engaging with concerned homeowners, bylaw and the police directly.
RURAL MILTON & ENVIRONMENT
Q: How should council balance aggregate and quarry operations against groundwater and community concerns?
A: Such a decision simply does not rest with any municipal level of government in Ontario. Decisions related to quarry development and operations and groundwater quantity and quality are the sole purview of the Government of Ontario and, specifically, the Ministry of Environment, Conservation & Parks and the Ministry of Natural Resources. A municipality may zone lands for consideration of the establishment of a quarry, but the siting of that quarry rests with the Government of Ontario.
Q: What is your commitment to rural Milton on roads, internet, and service equity?
A: It is important that no-one is left behind as Milton grows. That means that Miltonians living in established urban and rural parts of the community must continue to have access to the most up-to-date amenities, Ideally, the only way a visitor to our community should be able to differentiate old from the new would be by the size of the trees and the design of the homes. The roads, parks and other common municipal infrastructure and services should be of the same quality and of similar vintage. If re-elected, I will continue to advocate for this level of fairness between urban and rural property taxpayers.
TAXES & FISCAL MANAGEMENT
Q: What services do you think deserve increased investment?
A: The Regional Municipality of Halton is responsible for emergency medical response (paramedics), policing, public health, regional road infrastructure, social services, subsidized housing, waste management and water and sewer infrastructure and services, Fundamentally, it needs to undertake a core services review to understand where it is under-invested, over-invested and where it should divest some of the programs and services it currently offers. In my view, I think Halton Region is under-invested in regional road infrastructure and water and sewer infrastructure. If elected as Regional Councillor, Ward 2, Town of Milton, I will be requesting that Halton Region undertake a core services review to better understand the effectiveness of its core programs and services and where it needs to invest more — or less.
Q: Where do you think spending can be reduced or made more efficient?
A: In my view, Halton Regional Police Services could be more efficient. I also believe that Halton Community Housing Corporation could be more efficient. I further believe that consideration should be given to establishing a water and sewer services utility that operates independently of Halton Region. It would also fund the maintenance of current water and sewer infrastructure in Halton Region as well as fund future related infrastructure construction. Such a utility would be of greater benefit to residential and commercial property taxpayers, the development community and Halton Region itself. If elected as Regional Councillor, Ward 2, Town of Milton, I will be requesting that Halton Region undertake a core services review to better understand the effectiveness of its core programs and services and where it needs to invest more — or less.
Q: How will you balance keeping taxes reasonable while maintaining service levels?
A: The Regional Municipality of Halton, with direction from Halton Regional Council, needs to adopt a fiscal model that limits annual budget increases to the rate of inflation plus the annual region-wide growth rate. For example, the 2025 budget increase would have been limited to 4% — a 2.1% rate of inflation plus a 1.9% population growth rate. I unsuccessfully proposed this model to Milton Council in 2025. If elected as Regional Councillor, Ward 2, Town of Milton, I will be requesting that Halton Regional Council consider an annual operating budget fiscal parameter that limits budget increases to the rate of inflation plus growth.
Q: Growth-related revenue is shrinking. Rank your preference: higher property taxes, more debt, deferred projects, or reduced service levels — and defend it.
A: The Town of Milton’s operating revenues and budget have grown significantly over the last eight years, increasing from roughly $137 million in 2019 to $236.1 million in 2026. Growth-related revenue is not shrinking much, if at all, at the Town of Milton. Rather, operating expenses are growing faster than operating revenues are. Higher property taxes, increased debt loads, deferred projects and reduced service levels are not the solutions required. When I ran as a Local Councillor in 2018, I advocated for a core services review if I was elected. It took place in 2020, saved the organization about $750,000 and triggered automated and improved service delivery to all Miltonians, through investments in training, technology and work processes. If re-elected, I will call for another Core Services Review, as they should be conducted every eight years, in my view. Further, I successfully brought forward an investment fund idea that would reduce the operating budget impact on property taxpayers by $1 million or 1% every budget year, from 2026 forward. I also brought forward a second investment fund notion that would reduce the capital budget impact on property taxpayers by another $1 million or an additional 1% every budget year. I hope Council permits the second fund to be implemented permanently, beginning in 2027. Moving forward, we need to identify non-tax, non-debt new revenue streams, control and better prioritize spending and provide core services more efficiently and effectively. What I have proposed will do just that.
Q: What tax increase range do you consider acceptable for 2027, and what would justify exceeding it?
A: Tax increases should be no more than the annual rate of inflation, plus the annual rate of development growth. I brought forward a motion in 2025 that would limit property tax increases to the rate of inflation plus the percentage increase in growth activity. It was narrowly rejected by Council. If approved, it would have limited annual operating budget increases to about 5% to 5.5% or 2.5% to 3%, when Regional Municipality of Halton and school board property tax increases are included. Council approved a tax increase of 6.94% in December 2025, which I did not support. If re-elected, I will continue to advocate for fiscal responsibility at the Town and the Region.
Q: Name one Town expenditure you would cut, or one you would add.
A: I would not add an additional expenditure to the current operating budget as I strongly believe that the Town of Milton is meeting its obligations to all Miltonians under the Ontario Municipal Act. And, in a recent survey of Milton property taxpayers, about 75% of them agree. Through the core services review that I will call for if I am re-elected, I will await the findings of that review because it will clearly identify millions of dollars in expenditure reductions and productivity savings and improvements, just as it did when it was last conducted at my request in 2020. There are still savings to be had from the last core services review because the Council of the day chose not to implement them.
Q: Rising costs continue to affect working families. What concrete municipal actions would you prioritize to improve affordability?
A: The most significant action I can take is to attempt to limit property tax increases to the rate of inflation. During my first tour of duty on Milton Council between 1991 and 2006, with the support of Council, I successfully led the effort to keep tax increases at 0% for 10 years. During my second tour of duty between 2018 and today, I have attempted to limit tax increases to the rate of inflation — without much success because of a lack of support from a majority of members of Council. However, I have successfully encouraged Council and Town staff to establish two investment funds (one operating budget oriented, the other capital reserves oriented), that will decrease the size of the annual property tax increase by 2%, moving forward, while helping to fund capital reserves. A motion I brought forward in 2025 to limit the size of the operating budget to the annual rate of inflation plus the annual rate of growth, was defeated.
TRANSPORTATION & TRANSIT
Q: What is your plan to improve regional transit for commuters and families?
A: The responsibility for regional transit in Ontario rests solely with Metrolinx. Historically, while Halton Regional Council has supported improvements to GO Transit, it has not supported the establishment of a transit system that serves commuting requirements between municipalities within Halton. If elected as the Regional Councillor, Ward 2, Town of Milton, I will be encouraging Halton Regional Council to review that decision, set a time-table for regular reviews (every five years) and begin discussions with the primary funder for such a system in Halton — the Government of Ontario and its regional transit agency — Metrolinx.
Q: How will you reduce commute times and improve connections between communities?
A: Until Halton Regional Council agrees that a regional transit system within Halton is a priority and the Government of Ontario commits to funding it, improved commute times and connections between communities can only come about through optimally designed and functioning major arterial regional road systems. The regional road network in Halton can be greatly improved, so there is a viable way to reduce commute times and improve community interconnectivity by investing in this area. If elected as the Regional Councillor, Ward 2, Town of Milton, I will be advocating for the fast-tracking of the construction of major arterial roadways across the width and breadth of Halton, particularly those that are north-south in their orientation.
Q: What transportation projects should be prioritized over the next four years?
A: There are a number of transportation initiatives that need to be considered concurrently over the next 25 years, including a major north-south regional road that connects Burlington, Halton Hills, Milton and Oakville; widening of a number of current major arterial roads in Halton, complemented by the introduction of additional major arterial roads where most of the significant growth in Halton will occur; at least one north-south corridor connected to at least one east-west corridor that are public transit priority routes; connection of the current and developing active transportation networks in Burlington, Halton Hills, Milton and Oakville for cyclists and hikers that also connects them to the Bruce Trail and some Conservation Halton parks and amenities; a regional airport; a regional harbour; and an ongoing public safety program that includes communications, education, site-specific speed camera enforcement and site-specific noise camera enforcement.
Q: What, specifically, can a Milton council member do to advance all-day two-way GO service beyond passing motions?
A: The Province and Federal governments have promised all-day, two-way GO transit service for more than 25 years. Until they widen one particular piece of bridge infrastructure in western Toronto to accommodate more lines, at a cost that is estimated to be between $7 and $8 billion, that won’t happen. It’s time that fact was acknowledged publicly and the work begun in earnest by the senior levels of government. All Milton Council can do is to continue to advocate with the senior levels of government for appropriate action, which it has done consistently over that time, in my experience.
Q: Would you support increasing Milton Transit’s budget and service hours, and how would you pay for it?
A: Milton Transit’s operating budget has grown from about $5.5 million to over $11 million over the past eight years, driven by system expansion and a rise in ridership that is now past the one million mark. Its budget and service hours have both increased based on demonstrated need, which is a responsible course of action. Milton Council approved a broader five-year service and master plan in 2024 involving nearly $50 million in capital and operating investments running through 2029. Mllton Transit’s capital budget is funded from the Town’s capital reserves as well as from provincial and federal grants. Its operating budget is funded by transit fees and property taxes. The Town is not borrowing money to help fund its transit operations. That would be irresponsible.
Q: What is the single worst traffic pinch point in your ward, and what is your fix?
A: The single worst traffic pinch in Ward 2 can be found on Thompson Road, between Main Street East and McCuaig Drive. There are five intersections in a less than one kilometre span. The challenge typically occurs when an emergency vehicle enters the area and changes the traffic light sequence to get through it as quickly as possible. Once the software technology that manages the five interchanges is tripped, it takes six full interchange sequences to properly re-calibrate it. Town of Milton Engineering staff are working with the software service provider to find a solution that re-caiibrates the intersections after one interchange sequence. And, yes, the interchange sequencing can also be tripped by a power failure or weather event like lightning.
ABOUT JOHN CHALLINOR
Q: If you could only accomplish one thing during the next term, what would that be and how would you achieve it?
A: I am not running for Regional Councillor, Ward 2, Town of Milton, to accomplish just one thing. I have identified some of the initiatives I plan to achieve over the next four years, but there are more — and there will be more. Thank-you for your questions and for the opportunity to share my perspective on them.
Q: Did John Challinor attend the meetings where the Town of Milton’s Official Plan was approved and the Town of Milton’s 2026 Budget was approved?
A: Yes. John Challinor was the only candidate for Regional Councillor, Ward 2, to attend the meetings where the Town of Milton Official Plan was approved and the Town of Milton’s 2026 Budget was approved, although he did not vote in favour of the budget on December 1, 2025, because of its sizable tax increase. Mr. Challinor had advocated for a new Official Plan when he ran as a Local Councillor candidate in 2018. Significant work on it began after he was elected. He voted in favour of the new Official Plan on June 22, 2026, but he successfully required that it be reviewed every five years to ensure it continues to reflect the will of Miltonians, Milton Council and senior Town staff. While two of the three other candidates for Regional Councillor, Ward 2, registered their candidacy before the Official Plan was approved, they did not attend any related Council meetings, nor did they offer their thoughts about future planning in Milton when the opportunity arose to do so. None of them participated in any of the Town’s pre-budget consultations or later budget meetings.
Q: Are elements of John Challinor‘s election platform being plagiarized by other candidates?
A: Yes. John‘s website has been in place since 2018 and was updated in May after he announced that he was running for Regional Councillor, Ward 2. His election introduction card was dropped off at every home in Ward 2 in late July, He has been knocking on doors with his very detailed walkaround election brochure since early August. All have been plagiarized by other candidates, including his identification of the key issues facing Milton and Halton; recommendation for a core services review at the Town of Milton and the Region of Halton in 2027; and where the focus should be in creating the right environment for job creation locally and regionally. While it is said that “imitation is the sincerest form of flattery,” the residents of Ward 2 should know that John is the only candidate who has not only identified what the key issues are in the community, but how they can be effectively resolved.
Q: Does John Challinor offer solutions to the challenges he has identified locally and regionally?
A: Yes. On this website and in his extensive walk-around brochure, which he is personally delivering to every home in Ward 2, John is the only candidate who not only identifies the major challenges we face in a growing community like Milton and a growing region like Halton, but he also offers up realistic solutions based on proven experience. John looks well beyond the woolly-headed and/or negative statements proposed as solutions by other candidates (none of whom is a property taxpayer living in Ward 2) to actually identify what has been done, what still needs to be done and which other governments must partner with the Town of Milton and the Region of Halton to get it done. Further, John only focuses on those issues that Milton Council and Halton Regional Council have the authority and responsibility to resolve. As has been demonstrated by John through the thousands of Miltonians he has helped over the years and the positive change he continues to bring about at the Town of Milton, he continues to put forward workable solutions that respond to the ever-changing needs of a growing community.
Q: Does John Challinor live in Ward 2?
A: Yes. John Challinor has lived in Ward 2 for 40 years and has also been a property taxpayer in the ward for that same length of time. He is the only candidate for Regional Councillor, Ward 2, Town of Milton, who is a property taxpayer living in the ward.
Q: Why are you running?
A: The residents of Ward 2 need a Regional Councillor who is clearly in their corner, one who balances the financial challenges faced by the Town and the Region with their ability to pay; one who knows the importance of long-term planning and helps Council and staff make convincing arguments to the other levels of government in a way that benefits Miltonians; and one who understands that, fundamentally, the Town of Milton and the Region of Halton exist to deliver broadly-based, core services to taxpayers efficiently, effectively and in a high-quality fashion. The next four years are critical to Milton’s future housing and transportation/recreation/cultural infrastructure growth as well as to laying the groundwork for its general quality of life over the next 25 years.
Milton needs — and I will bring — proven experience, proven leadership and proven fiscal responsibility around the tables at Milton Council and Halton Regional Council.
Q: What are your top three priorities for your ward at the Regional Council?
A: My top three priorities are, as follows — One: The need to ensure that Regional services, specifically housing, policing and public health/social services, are delivered fairly, relative to the other municipalities in Halton; Two: The necessity that the Region widen existing and/or construct new regional arterial roads in a timely fashion that effectively supports Milton’s growing transportation requirements; and Three: The requirement that the Region allocate water and sewer capacity, including pumping station support and water quality, in a timely way that corresponds with Milton’s growth plans out to 2051.
Q: Why should people vote for you?
A: I am the only candidate for Regional Councillor, Ward 2 who is a property taxpayer living in Ward 2. The others either don’t live in the ward or don’t pay property taxes. If you don’t live in the ward or pay property taxes in the ward, you simply don’t have skin in the game. I understand the challenges faced by my fellow Miltonians because I live here. I was also born and raised here — and raised my family here. The residents of Ward 2 need a Regional Councillor who is clearly in their corner, one who balances the financial challenges faced by the Town and the Region with their ability to pay, one who knows the importance of long-term planning and helps Council and staff make convincing arguments to the other levels of government in a way that benefits Miltonians, and one who understands that, fundamentally, the Town of Milton and the Region of Halton exist to deliver broadly-based, core services to taxpayers efficiently, effectively and in a high-quality fashion. I have focused on these key matters over the last eight years and have assisted almost 1,000 Miltonians with matters of concern to them. As always, I will continue to regularly propose innovative ideas that become workable solutions for improving municipal services, make local government more accountable and reduce the financial burden on hard-working property taxpayers and, in particular, young families and seniors. The next four years are critical to Milton’s future housing and transportation/recreation/cultural infrastructure growth as well as to laying the groundwork for its general quality of life over the next 25 years. Milton needs — and I will bring — proven experience, proven leadership and proven fiscal responsibility around the tables at Milton Council and Halton Regional Council.
Q: What is something about you that would surprise people (eg: a hobby, or a fun fact)
A: I am one of Milton’s three published historians, having co-authored three books of local history and edited several more. I have co-hosted a weekly segment about the history of Milton streets with FM101 personality Cameron Wilkinson for more than five years. I served as the President of Milton Historical Society for eight years and am the founder of the Town of Milton Walk of Fame program. I also co-developed the model deployed by the Town of Milton to name its streets and still provide research assistance, in that regard.
Ask John A Question
During my 23 years as a Milton councillor, I have helped several thousand Miltonians with their municipal problems. My financial, people and government management experience, as well as my deep commitment to and understanding of our community is now needed more than ever.
If you have questions for me regarding my platform or political issues involving the Town of Milton, please submit a message with your contact information and I will get back to you shortly.
Sincerely, John Challinor II
Info
Address
405 Gowland Crescent
Milton, ON
L9T 4B9
Ask John A Question
If you have questions for me regarding my platform or political issues involving the Town of Milton, please submit a message with your contact information and I will get back to you shortly.