The Plan

A Plan for Bradford

Nickolas Harper's full platform for Bradford West Gwillimbury — where he stands, and what he'll deliver for the families who call it home.

Simcoe County Regional Governance
01

Simcoe County Regional Governance

Explore Independence

I will push for a clear public choice so residents decide whether Bradford West Gwillimbury should seek greater independence from Simcoe County and keep more of our own tax dollars under local control.

Waste Management

I will demand better value and lower costs on waste services by exploring contracts that save millions while maintaining reliable collection and protecting residents from rising County levies.

Yard Waste Collection

I will fight for practical year-round yard waste collection that meets the needs of our growing community instead of limited seasonal service controlled by the County.

Social Services

I will ensure County social services funding matches the real capacity of the organizations already serving our town and make Senior Housing a top priority so our seniors can stay in Bradford without being forced into costly retirement homes they cannot afford and can continue enjoying their lives here.

Police Services

I will ensure we receive enough officers to match the actual demand of our town and that full protections are in place to address crime and driving safety at all times. This will be done through a real plan focused on budget and fiscal responsibility that does not gouge the taxpayer while holding the province accountable for growth so they pay their fair share.

Family & Community Events
02

Family & Community Events

Family Impact Standard

Every decision measured by its impact on children's schools, parks, and daily family life. I will measure success by safer streets, better schools, including how we transport our children there and for before and after school services and more places for families to enjoy life together. As Mayor I will keep family needs at the centre of every decision, so parents and children feel the town is working for them every day.

Leadership for our Youth

I will continue mentoring young people and create more opportunities for them to lead and participate in community life by continuing the youth committee and coaching/leadership opportunities and employment for our youth.

Strategic Planning That Prioritizes Families Already Living Here Now

I will deliver the right kind of progress by building smarter not faster so we move our town through the next generation while protecting our small-town charm and community feel.

New Events, Food and Music Festivals

I will bring new festivals and community events throughout the year including downtown gatherings that fill Holland Street with energy and customers. Building on the street parties I started and hosted while on Council I will expand these into regular neighbourhood events and create food music and fun gatherings at Unity Square and Henderson Park that raise funds for local causes while giving residents free places to enjoy time together.

Transparency & Accountability
03

Transparency & Accountability

Fresh Direction for Bradford West Gwillimbury

I will replace the current style of leadership with open collaborative decision making that puts residents first.

Committed to Meaningful Consultation That Puts Residents First

Residents are the primary stakeholder. The way the Asylum Center was forced onto Bradford West Gwillimbury residents and the way it was hidden from every resident and even council from having any vote or comment on this and then using Federal tax paying money to fund this without consent is not acceptable. This level of governance cannot happen again and will never be acceptable as part of my commitment to honesty and transparency.

Hand Back the Strong Mayor Powers and Return Full Authority to Council

I will return decision making power to the full Council table so no single person can override the democratic process and will rebuild public trust through open collaborative decisions instead of concentrated power.

New Communications with Real Transparency

Improve transparency so residents always know how decisions are made and money is spent through new and improved Communications Policies.

Hire New CAO and Integrity Commissioner

Hire a strong Chief Administrative Officer and Integrity Commissioner to enforce real standards - Appointing professionals who will uphold integrity, enforce rules, policies, processes and deliver results without political interference.

Safety & Protection
04

Safety & Protection

Safer Streets, School Zones and Neighbourhoods

I will bring back the Traffic and Safety Committee and continue making Bradford safer for everyone. I will make all School zones a priority that must come with Speed hump mitigations which will keep children and pedestrians at the top of the safety list with clear enforcement and better crossings.

Getting Rid of Any Asylum or Refugee Center from Bradford

Strong Support for Police, Fire and Local Healthcare Capacity

I will ensure these essential services have the people equipment and facilities they need to protect our community. I will work with Police, Fire and community partners so response times stay fast and safety stays strong as we grow.

Update Traffic Lights, Road Infrastructure

I will prioritize smart signal upgrades, road improvements and proven tools that keep traffic moving and reduce delays.

Deliver the Line 8 Design Protections That Minimize Family Impacts

I will re-design the Line 8 portion for the thousands of families that will be impacted by not making this a 5 lane roadway from Barrie st to Noble.

Sidewalks, Trails, Activity Lanes, Walking Paths

Along with the Family first impact approach, I will ensure all builds and existing builds get reviewed to ensure they have the appropriate sidewalks, trails and walking paths for everyone to use safely.

E-scooters, Bikes, Shared Road Use

As the progress of electronic travelling devices increase, so must our laws, bylaws and infrastructure keep pace with them. I will ensure we have the right protections, and infrastructure being put in place to ensure safety as progress of electronic traveling devices increase.

Financial Responsibility
05

Financial Responsibility

Property Taxes

We need to ensure we are forcing County to reduce their spending which keeps driving higher property taxes for Bradford. If they cannot cap their spending then it may be time to find our own way and split from County.

Review Taxes, Staffing Levels, and Mayoral Compensation

I will examine every dollar spent on taxes staff and the mayor role itself and I will cut or modify what does not deliver value for you the taxpayer.

Increase Commercial and Industrial Parks to Reverse Tax Increase

I will build Commercial and Industrial Parks to help bring new opportunities, jobs, and tax revenue to start moving the needle backwards on our property taxes right away.

Balance the Cost of the Annual Town Hall Fee

Maximize revenue from Town Hall as a substantial yearly cost so the facility generates as much return as possible and helps offset the financial decisions already made by Council — and using smarter booking partnerships and use so the building helps pay for itself.

Recreation & Leisure
06

Recreation & Leisure

Turf Fields in Soccer

I will build turf fields increase soccer development opportunities and help Bradford procure a League one soccer team to start new career trajectories for Athletes in our town now.

Baseball, Hockey and More

I will add shade structures for baseball, source an NTR hockey rink and a new sports plex indoor space so sports and activity continue in every season.

Parks, Heritage & Natural Spaces

I will expand by building new parks and continue enhancing our parks, protect our heritage sites and natural spaces so families can enjoy clean outdoor places while we safeguard the character of Bradford West Gwillimbury for the next generation.

Add More Dog Parks with Practical Shade and Amenities

I will build additional dog parks that include shade seating and simple features residents have asked for throughout our community. This is a commodity that we can enjoy with our furry loved ones bringing community together.

Support Youth Programs, Summer Camps and Facilities That Serve All Ages

I will expand programs and facilities that give children youth adults and seniors places to stay active and connected. Yes, that includes researching the cost of a new or existing site for an Outdoor pool for our community.

Environmental Protections

I will ensure a new councillor with the experience and passion to help our Lake Simcoe and Conservation areas get the protection and leadership they need to help reduce phosphorus and watershed keeping our water and natural spaces healthy for years to come.

Growth & Infrastructure
07

Growth & Infrastructure

Protect Farmland & Agriculture

I will put in proper buffers, adding Bylaws, and adopted planning and zoning requirements to protect our farmlands and holland marsh for the next century.

Housing Growth

Direct growth so roads, water services, electricity and emergency response keep pace. I will only support development that arrives with the infrastructure needed so existing residents are not left behind and the proper Safety that comes with it.

New Life with a Parking Garage into the Downtown

Deliver a downtown parking garage through developer contributions with no new tax cost. I will secure a parking garage funded by developers and community benefits so downtown businesses gain parking without a tax increase.

Downtown Revitalization Review and Changes

Keep two lanes on Holland Street during revitalization so local businesses stay viable. I will protect the current two-lane design on Holland Street, so traffic continues to support the shops and restaurants that rely on it.

Transit

I will build a practical transit system that combines fixed routes with on demand service so residents can reach work school and the GO train without unrealistic costs.

Election 2026

Advance voting opens October 16 · Election Day October 26, 2026

This is our home. This is our Bradford.

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