Efficient Spending · Responsible Growth · Financial Transparency
Over the last 10 years, I've watched Ward 3 grow tremendously — especially Breslau. Growth isn't a bad thing. But as our communities grow, the infrastructure, services and amenities we rely on need to keep pace.
“I'm not running because I think I have all the answers. I'm running because I'm willing to do the homework, ask the questions, listen to the people affected, and work with others to find the best way forward.”
I'm a CPA, CA with 15+ years of financial experience. I spend my professional life looking at numbers, asking questions, and making sure financial decisions make sense. I think that perspective would be valuable at the Council table — because I believe we can make better decisions when we look carefully at the numbers, plan ahead, and listen to the people those decisions affect.
Efficient Spending
We need to be willing to ask harder questions about how we spend taxpayers' money.
I understand that municipalities are facing real cost pressures. Roads need to be maintained. Infrastructure needs to be replaced. Services cost more to deliver than they did a few years ago. But higher costs can't automatically mean higher taxes.
Before asking residents to pay more, I want Council to take a careful look at what we're spending, why we're spending it, and whether there is a better way to get the same result. Good financial management isn't simply about cutting costs — it's about understanding where the money is going, identifying priorities, and making choices.
As your councillor, I want to focus on:
- Taking a closer look at both operating and capital spending before approving tax increases.
- Looking for efficiencies and opportunities to do things differently — not simply carrying forward spending because “that's how we've always done it.”
- Making sure long-term costs are considered when Council approves new projects and services.
- Protecting the infrastructure and services residents rely on by planning for maintenance and replacement before they become emergencies.
- Making Township financial information easier for residents to understand.
Responsible Growth
Growth needs to come with the infrastructure and services to support it.
I'm not opposed to growth. But after 10 years in Ward 3, I've seen firsthand what happens when residential growth moves faster than the infrastructure, services and amenities around it — most visibly in Breslau, but the same pressure is starting to show up in other parts of the ward too. More homes mean more people using our roads, parks and recreation facilities. Families need places to shop and access services.
This is also an issue I cared about long before deciding to run for Council. In January 2024, when a developer proposed changing commercially designated land near my neighbourhood to accommodate more residential development, I raised concerns about what losing that commercial land could mean for a rapidly growing Breslau.
“This proposal will take away valuable commercial space that is needed to support the current and future expansion of this community.”
Eryn Koncir, reported by The Observer, January 2024The following month, I appeared before Council as part of the discussion about the revised development proposal. Read more about that record on the In the News page →
As your councillor, I want to focus on:
- Making sure infrastructure planning keeps pace with residential development.
- Protecting appropriate opportunities for commercial development and local amenities as our communities grow.
- Considering traffic, roads, recreation and other services when evaluating the impact of development.
- Making sure residents have meaningful opportunities to understand and comment on significant changes proposed for their neighbourhoods.
- Looking further ahead so we're not continually trying to catch up with growth that has already happened.
Financial Transparency
Residents should be able to understand where their tax dollars are going, how major investments are prioritized, and why.
One of the questions I keep coming back to is actually pretty simple: where is our money going? Woolwich isn't one community. It's a collection of communities, and each has different needs.
I don't think the answer is to pit one part of Woolwich against another. But I do think residents should be able to understand how major investments are being prioritized across the Township, and whether those decisions reflect population, growth, infrastructure needs and long-term planning.
As your councillor, I want to focus on:
- Greater transparency around where major capital dollars are being invested across Woolwich.
- Clearer information about how projects are prioritized and why.
- Looking at investment in the context of population, growth, infrastructure needs and community priorities.
- Making sure rapidly growing communities are accounted for in long-term capital planning.
- Advocating for Ward 3 while recognizing that Council has a responsibility to make good decisions for Woolwich as a whole.
From priorities to practical impact
Transportation
Pushing the Region for better transit connections across Ward 3 — particularly for youth, seniors and residents who don't drive.
Recreation & Amenities
Keeping planned community facilities moving forward — from Breslau to the ward's smaller communities — with a realistic financial plan behind them.
Roads & Traffic
Taking residents' safety concerns seriously and working effectively with the Region where responsibility is shared.
Commercial Amenities
Making planning decisions that preserve commercial land and create the conditions for businesses to invest here.
One Ward 3
Maryhill, Bloomingdale, Conestogo, Winterbourne, West Montrose and rural residents need a councillor who represents them just as strongly as Breslau.
I'm a numbers person. I like evidence. I ask questions.
I also know that not every decision Council makes can be reduced to a spreadsheet. There will be competing priorities. There will be decisions where reasonable people disagree. And sometimes Council will have to make choices that aren't popular.
What residents should be able to expect is that those decisions are made thoughtfully, that the numbers have been examined, that people have been heard, and that someone is willing to explain why they voted the way they did.
Financial Expertise. Accountable Leadership.
Eryn Koncir, CPA, CA — Candidate for Woolwich Ward 3 Councillor