East Gwillimbury, ON, June 22, 2026 — Brian Johns, candidate for Mayor of East Gwillimbury, today announced a commitment to actively explore Public-Private Partnerships (P3s) as a way to deliver community infrastructure, attract investment, and reduce pressure on the municipal tax base.
As East Gwillimbury continues to grow, Johns believes the Town must look beyond traditional funding models and explore innovative partnerships that leverage private sector expertise, capital, and operational experience to help deliver facilities and services residents need.
"Growth creates opportunities, but it also creates financial decision-points," said Johns. "If we continue relying solely on taxpayers to fund every major community project, we risk falling behind or placing unnecessary pressure on residents. Public-Private Partnerships deserve consideration as a tool to help us deliver more while protecting taxpayers."
Johns said the P3 model could be explored for a wide range of community infrastructure projects, including arts and cultural facilities, recreation and sports facilities such as arenas and ice-pads, training centres, sports domes, sports fields, specialized athletic venues, multi-use community spaces, and other projects that enhance quality of life while supporting economic development.
"Communities across North America are increasingly partnering with private organizations to build facilities that serve residents while creating regional destinations and centres of excellence," Johns said. "East Gwillimbury should be open to those opportunities where they make sense."
Under Johns' approach, potential partnerships would be evaluated on their ability to:
- Respect taxpayers
- Leverage private sector investment
- Deliver facilities more efficiently
- Improve long-term operational sustainability
- Expand recreational, cultural, and community opportunities for residents
- Support economic development and tourism opportunities
Johns emphasized that exploring P3 opportunities does not mean relinquishing public oversight. The Town would continue to establish community priorities, negotiate partnership agreements, and ensure facilities remain aligned with public interests.
"Whether it's arenas and ice-pads, arts and culture, sports training or community gathering spaces, we need to be willing to think differently about how we deliver major infrastructure," said Johns. "My goal is simple: bring more opportunities to East Gwillimbury while making every taxpayer dollar go further."
Andrew O'Brien, Founder and CEO of Obie & Ax United and TED Speaker, supports municipalities examining partnership opportunities as part of long-term infrastructure planning.
"As someone who has spent two decades building and scaling businesses, I know the smartest organizations partner where it creates leverage," said O'Brien. "Municipalities are no different. Public-Private Partnerships bring private capital, expertise, and accountability to community infrastructure while helping protect taxpayers. Done right, they can improve service levels and create opportunities that might otherwise be out of reach."
Johns said that as Mayor, he would work with staff, industry experts, community organizations, and potential partners to identify opportunities where P3 models could help deliver infrastructure that benefits residents today while positioning East Gwillimbury for future success.
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