Kelly Dunn has lived in Markham since 2003 and is the Ontario Liberals’ candidate for Markham-Stouffville in this year’s provincial election. Dunn is focusing on health care, with a goal of ensuring every resident has a family doctor within four years. The Ontario Liberals plan to get rid of Development Charges on new housing, remove the Provincial land transfer tax for first-time homebuyers and seniors, and introduce phased-in rent control. They also aim to cut the 8% provincial HST portion from hydro and home heating bills, lower income tax rates for small businesses and the middle class, and double ODSP payments. Dunn supports increasing the number of family doctors by easing administrative tasks, promoting team-based care, and speeding up the integration of internationally trained physicians. The party intends to reverse funding cuts, tackle school repair backlogs, and build new schools to eliminate portable classrooms while boosting support for students with exceptional needs. Although the Liberal platform doesn’t officially state a position on it, Dunn criticized the Ford government’s frequent use of Minister’s Zoning Orders. So far, she and New Blue Party candidate Brendan Sorenson are the only two candidates who have participated in Bullet Point News’s Candidate Profile questionnaire. Kelly Dunn has been a resident of Markham since 2003 and is running as the Ontario Liberals’ candidate for Markham-Stouffville. An educator with over 20 years of experience, Dunn has served on boards such as the Women’s Liberal Association of York Region, the Social Planning Council of York Region, and York Communities for Public Education. This marks her second campaign as an Ontario Liberal candidate. You can find more information about Dunn on her website, while details about the Ontario Liberal platform are available online. Our complete election guide for Stouffville voters can be found here. Bullet Point News asked all five registered candidates in Markham-Stouffville a series of questions regarding priority issues under provincial jurisdiction. Each responding candidate will be featured similarly with their answers shared verbatim but edited only for clarity. What are your top priorities for the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville? “Health care is a key part of our platform, and I want every Whitchurch-Stouffville resident to have a family doctor within four years. Primary care is our on-ramp to the whole health care system. Without access to primary care, people rely on ERs and walk-in clinics which leads to long wait times and hallway medicine. Development is another key issue in Whitchurch-Stouffville. It’s a small town that is growing rapidly while housing prices are skyrocketing alongside rents. We want to work to bring down housing costs. There are also environmental concerns since much of Whitchurch-Stouffville lies within the Oak Ridges Moraine area. We need to meet housing demands while ensuring community voices are heard all while keeping environmental sustainability a priority.” How would you and your party address Ontario’s growing housing crisis? “Housing is vital for us at Ontario Liberals; we propose several measures. First off we would eliminate Development Charges on new housing-fees that can add over $100,000 onto home prices-and replace them with Better Communities Fund so municipalities get needed funding. Next up we’d get rid of Provincial land transfer taxes aimed at first-time home buyers or seniors looking to downsize. For renters we would introduce phased-in rent control policies as well as work towards resolving disputes at Landlord-Tenant Board within two months; we’d set up Rental Emergency Support Fund meant to assist vulnerable renters during financial hardships.” What will you focus on making life more affordable for your constituents? How does your party plan to handle impacts from potential U. S tariffs? “We know life has become quite expensive lately! Inflation may be decreasing but shopping feels different these days! Our approach includes eliminating that 8% provincial share from HST concerning hydro & heating bills alongside cutting income taxes impacting middle class-reducing rates from 9.17% down towards 7.17% applicable between $51k-$75k taxable incomes benefiting nearly half Ontarians paying taxes. If you own small business there’ll be cuts reducing their tax rate from 3.2% downwards towards 1.6%. Also doubling current maximum amount given through ODSP which sits around $1k per month right now should help strengthen our economy whilst ensuring folks afford daily living regardless whatever Trump throws our way!” What plans do you have along with your party concerning healthcare service provision improvements specific Stouffville residents? “We’re committed towards getting every Ontarian their own family doctor within four years-a huge task indeed but crucial if system wants survive.”
p”Right now approximately fourteen thousand people don’t have access one just here riding alone plus rising numbers indicated! We’re working toward training recruiting retaining additional family practitioners.”
“Family medicine must become attractive enough younger med students considering options ahead!”
“We’d achieve this via team-oriented approaches reducing burdens placed admin wise onto general physicians themselves utilizing virtual healthcare& streamlining referral systems whilst fast-tracking integration processes pertaining internationally-trained practitioners addressing primary-care demand effectively.”
What strategies shall you implement improving education standards’ quality supporting pupils directly affected Stofwille’s education sector?”
“As teacher firsthand witnessing current state plight facing education sectors across province.’ Educational assistance lacks behind demand levels escalating further exacerbated after pandemic hits leaving noticeable gaps needing closure.”,” More EAs social workers specialized instructors require urgently”
“In previous regime handling budgets when under last Libs’ administration saw greater investments being made-including implementing full-day kindergarten programs initiated earlier.”I’ll work restoring funds lost due Ford’s cuts targeting repairing infrastructure deficits clearing backlog fixing schools building new facilities instead relying solely upon portables-addressing significant deficiencies head-on”
What insights views hold regarding usage Strong Mayor Powers Minister’s Zoning Orders? Would things shift under liberal governance?“Currently no definitive stance appears articulated regarding said matters,’ even though they aren’t disappearing anytime soon-we’re against frequency surrounding utilization noted presently”.”At publication time Bullet Point News received replies coming strictly from two candidates Kelly Dunn representing Ontario liberals Brendan Sorenson acting through New Blue Party. Green Party spokesperson stated markham-stoufiville rep myles o’ brien wouldn’t engage media directing us back referring strictly towards parties official platforms none incumbents Paul calandra progressive conservatives nor Gregory hines new democrats gave response expressing intention reaching out either way.
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