These campaigns caught my eye. My notes here are not candidate promotions but rather explanations why or how these campaign materials caught my eye.
To date, material is from the campaigns of (no particular order): PRIYA VADIVEL, JOHN MELOCHE
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Every candidate promises…promises to do this, promises to do that. Too often…“pfft“….the promises whoosh out of the balloon. A lot of air.
This post airs some promises or campaign statements that really sound attractive. We are not necessarily promoting the candidate associated with the material, but the material deserves some consideration in your voting deliberations:
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Priya Vadivel — click to read more
From the campaign of Priya Vadivel, FOUR notable statements worth pondering:
An admirable and commendable commitment.
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Councilor planning ahead would benefit us all. Are they doing so ?
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This statement may be stretching ideals but motherhood and apple pie shouldn’t we reach for the ‘pie in the sky’ dreams?
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Better wording here would clarify the goal. More security and safety must be on every Council’s agenda as the rate of violence and crime seems to be growing non-stop.
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The statements made by the Vadivel campaign are admirable and attractive. Shouldn’t they be the operating norm of every City Council?
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John Meloche — click to read more
John Meloche’s campaign team creates campaign material that is COMPREHENSIVE and EXCELLENTLY PRESENTED.
The campaign material is comprehensive and detailed. It covers a lot of areas as it should. The detail and amount of material in Meloche’s campaign presentation shows a level of commitment and dedication that goes far beyond cursory words and airy promises. He explains his policies, promises and position clearly and in detail. His material is an excellent model from which other candidates can learn a lot.
Meloche_Ward2_Platform — click to view
JOHN MELOCHE — CANDIDATE FOR CITY COUNCILLOR
WARD 2 · PICKERING
“Practical leadership. Real opportunity. A city our kids can come home to.”
Election Day: Monday, October 26, 2026 · Online voting open Oct 19–26, 2026
WHO I AM
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Husband of 17 years; father of three — two young boys still at home.
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Pickering resident since 2010 (Finch & Dixie area).
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Tech entrepreneur — 18+ years bootstrapping my own business, no loans, no inheritance.
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Co-founder & president of the Lynn Heights Neighbourhood Association — Pickering’s largest ratepayer association (~275 members) and Ward 2’s only neighbourhood association.
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I support the Pickering Animal Shelter and St. Paul’s on the Hill Food Bank.
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Not a career politician — an operator, a neighbour, and a father.
THE PITCH
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Pickering is at a crossroads. We’re approving homes at a record pace, but our kids still can’t afford to live here and our neighbours still commute to Toronto for a decent wage. I want practical leadership at the council table — real careers, fair-deal development, and a councillor who actually answers your email.
WHY I’M RUNNING
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Cost of living is climbing too fast — government doesn’t get a pass from that reality.
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We’re building bedrooms and highway exits, not careers.
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Long-time small businesses are pushed out by speculative redevelopment.
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Traffic congestion is a daily theft of family time.
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Ward 2 deserves a councillor who negotiates from strength, not from need.
KEY POSITIONS
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Property taxes — One councillor can’t freeze them; I’ll be a relentless steward of every dollar — scrutinize line items, push back on waste.
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Development — Not anti-development. Rezoning must be earned — growth pays for itself: full development charges, real community benefit, no displacement.
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Top issue — Jobs. Record home approvals but no careers to match — we need a real employer-attraction strategy.
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Why me — I’m already doing the job unofficially as association president — an operator, not another talker.
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On council — Civil. I hear all sides before deciding; no single issue ever owns my vote.
EIGHT REASONS TO VOTE
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Real careers in Pickering — so kids can build a life here.
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Growth that pays for itself — not higher taxes and longer commutes.
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A councillor who answers — every week, not just at election time.
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Honest about your money — every dollar treated like my own.
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Protect the places that make it home — stand up to plaza-flipping.
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Listen first, decide second — no single issue owns my vote.
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A father’s promise — your kids deserve what Pickering gave me.
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A neighbourhood-first city — hand the brushes to the people on the block.
LINES I CLOSE WITH
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Practical. Civil. Available.
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Silence from an elected official is unacceptable — I will always respond.
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We negotiate from strength, not from need.
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Treat the cost of government as part of the cost of living.
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Let’s build a Ward 2 our kids come back to.
CORE PLATFORM POSITIONS
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Real Careers & Innovation — attract tech, medical, finance & clean-energy employers; jobs must grow with housing; future-proof City Hall.
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ALTO High-Speed Rail — support the line only if Pickering gets a station — no stop, no support.
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Rezoning Earned, Not Assumed — burden on applicants; direct density to corridors, not quiet streets; council must be willing to say no.
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Fair-Deal Development — full development charges, real community benefit, affordable units; guard against displacement.
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Protect Frenchman’s Bay — preserve the waterfront from overdevelopment; buy in only with a sound, transparent plan — no nostalgic debt.
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Transparency & Taxpayer Risk — demand consultation, real numbers & an exit plan on big regional calls like the hotel purchase.
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Safe Communities — back police & first responders (incl. the drone pilot); crack down on dangerous e-scooter/e-bike riding.
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Homelessness & Mental Health — compassion with accountability; a coordinated plan; keep parks & public spaces safe and clean.
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Everyday Value — bring back weekly garbage pickup; protect trees & greenspace; help seniors stay digitally connected; scrutinize every dollar.
FIRST 100 DAYS
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Day 1 — Publish a Ward 2 contact channel; every resident gets a response.
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Day 10 — Ward 2 listening tour across the neighbourhoods.
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Day 20 — Line-by-line scrutiny of the next budget.
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Day 35 — Motion for an employer-attraction strategy with targets.
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Day 50 — Push a fair-deal development review.
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Day 70 — Convene staff, Region of Durham & Metrolinx on congestion and transit.
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Day 80 — Framework for resident-led neighbourhood associations + grants.
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Day 100 — Plain-language report card to residents.
WARD 2 & ELECTION
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Office: City Councillor, Ward 2, City of Pickering.
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Election Day: Monday, October 26, 2026 (online voting Oct 19–26).
GOOD TO KNOW
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Non-partisan municipal race; I’m a small-c conservative focused on value for money.
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Individuals may contribute up to the legal limit per candidate (currently $1,200, subject to provincial rules).
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Corporations and trade unions cannot contribute.
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Municipal donations are not eligible for federal political tax credits.
CONTACT
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Email: john@meloche4pickering.ca
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Phone: 416-477-2658
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Web: meloche4pickering.ca
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Facebook: facebook.com/john.m.meloche
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LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/johnmeloche
Authorized by the John Meloche for Ward 2 campaign · meloche4pickering.ca · john@meloche4pickering.ca
