East Gwillimbury, ON, May 19, 2026 — Brian Johns, candidate for Mayor, today released the property taxes plank of his platform, anchored by a commitment to publish a plain-language Taxpayer Impact Statement alongside every annual budget and to conduct an annual spring survey to ensure the municipal budget reflects community priorities.
"Residents need predictable and fair property taxes to plan their household budgets," said Johns. "Every dollar in the municipal budget comes from an East Gwillimbury household, and residents deserve to understand exactly what their tax dollars are doing before Council votes on the budget."
"My approach to municipal budgeting starts with the same discipline residents apply to their own household budgets," added Johns. "As Mayor, I will respect your tax dollars and ensure they are working for the people."
The Taxpayer Impact Statement would explain, in plain language, what the budget means for the average household. It would include a multi-year view, comparisons to inflation, the prior year, and neighbouring municipalities, and a summary of what residents receive in each major service area.
The annual spring survey would gather resident feedback on priorities, services, and spending to inform the next budget cycle.
"As the cost of everyday goods continues to skyrocket and families find it harder to afford the essentials, East Gwillimbury needs a mayor who will prioritize predictable and fair property taxes,” said Jonathan Gibson, a resident in Queensville. “Brian's commitment to fiscal discipline will help all families plan their household budgets and maintain financial stability.”
“As a third-generation resident, it is exciting to see the area grow; however, we must not lose sight of the importance of the surrounding farming community,” said Tina Fox, a resident in Mount Albert. “We need a leader who is transparent about master planning and its impact on the Municipality’s overall budget, including the resulting tax rates for all residents. I am hopeful that, with Brian as Mayor, my daughter will be able to remain in the community as a fourth-generation resident. Our children should not have to move farther away to grow and raise their own families.”
-30-