Innisfil is growing. The question is whether that growth makes life better for the people who already call it home.
I’m running for Ward 1 Councillor to bring a practical, business-minded approach to property taxes, economic development, infrastructure, responsible growth and accountability at Town Hall.
Homeowners cannot continue carrying more and more of the municipal burden while taxes rise and infrastructure struggles to keep pace.
I believe Innisfil needs to attract more businesses and employers, create more local jobs, manage growth properly and make sure taxpayers receive real value for the money being spent.
Growth is coming. My focus is making sure we get it right.
I’m Scott Newman, an Innisfil resident, husband, father and small business owner with nearly 20 years of experience building and operating businesses.
My background has taught me to look at problems differently. Understand the issue. Look at the numbers. Ask difficult questions. Find the best available solution. Then measure whether it actually worked.
I’m involved in local youth sports, serve on the executive committee of a local children’s camp and have helped organize fundraising supporting the Innisfil Food Bank.
I also work in real estate, which has given me firsthand exposure to housing, affordability, development and the challenges facing homeowners and small landlords.
I decided to run because I believe Ward 1 deserves a competitive election and a different approach to growth, taxes, infrastructure and accountability.
I’m not running because I believe I have every answer. I’m running because I believe residents deserve someone willing to listen, look at the evidence, ask the difficult questions and demand better value for their tax dollars.
Five things I’ll bring to the Council table for Ward 1.
Homeowners are already under enough financial pressure. Before Town Hall looks to residents for more money, Council should be asking whether existing dollars are being spent efficiently and whether we are doing enough to broaden Innisfil’s tax base.
My goal is to control spending while attracting more commercial investment so homeowners are not expected to carry an ever-growing share of the burden.
Innisfil needs more employers, businesses, restaurants, shops, offices and services. A stronger commercial tax base creates local jobs, gives residents more places to work and shop close to home and can reduce future pressure on residential taxpayers.
We should be competing for good investment, not creating unnecessary obstacles that send it somewhere else.
Roads, water, wastewater, fire protection and other core infrastructure need to keep pace with growth. Preventative maintenance and proper long-term planning can cost far less than allowing infrastructure to deteriorate until major reconstruction becomes unavoidable.
Residents do not care which level of government owns a problem. They expect their representatives to advocate for solutions.
I support growth. But simply adding more houses is not a growth strategy. Development needs to be planned alongside roads, infrastructure, businesses, parks, green space and community services.
We can grow while still protecting the farms, waterfront, natural areas and rural character that make Innisfil different. Growth should improve the community for the residents who already live here.
Council does not need to pretend to be the technical expert in every municipal department. Professional staff provide expertise. A councillor’s job is to represent residents, ask the right questions, provide oversight and make sure taxpayer dollars are producing results.
When a major project increases substantially in cost, residents deserve to know:
Accountability starts with asking questions and expecting clear answers.
Online voter registration is open August 17 to October 24, 2026 at 3:00 p.m.
Check / Register to VoteEligible voters receive a Voter Information Letter in October. It contains:
Cast your ballot using a computer, tablet or smartphone, any time during the voting period.
Use a touch-tone telephone and the toll-free number provided in your Voter Information Letter.
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Municipal elections are won one conversation at a time. Here’s how you can help.
Submissions go straight to the campaign inbox. Reply usually within a day or two.
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Send your contribution to vote@scottknewman.com and include your full name and address in the message so the contribution can be properly receipted.
Candidate for Ward 1 Councillor
Town of Innisfil