Centre Wellington · Municipal Election · October 2026

Centre Wellington is at a turning point.

Growth must follow our plan — not the developer's plan. After four years of deferrals and unbroken promises, it's time for a mayor who acts.

Read the Platform Meet Neil
About Neil

A crisis negotiator knows when it's time to act.

Neil Dunsmore

Neil Dunsmore has called Centre Wellington home since 1992. He and his wife Shawna raised their three sons — Jeremy, Timothy, and Graham — here. He's a former Corrections Officer and Hostage/Crisis Negotiator, a mental health author, a two-time Paul Harris Fellow, and your former Ward 4 Councillor and Deputy Mayor.

In 2022, Neil ran on these exact issues — housing, short-term rentals, growth without a plan. Four years later, the township's own consultants confirmed every one of those concerns. He's running to finish the work.

Neil's Full Story
By the numbers
605 Households in severe housing need — the township's own 2025 data
235 Active short-term rentals — homes removed from the long-term market
0 New purpose-built rental apartments built this entire council term
4 Years of deferrals on the STR bylaw — handed to the next council
Political Paralysis

Four Issues. Four Deferrals. One Pattern.

When this council faced pressure from both sides, they froze. Here is the record.

01 · Short-Term Rentals
"They waited for the perfect plan. 235 Airbnbs later, they still don't have one."
02 · Affordable Housing Strategy
"They promised a housing strategy by 2025. 605 families in severe housing need later, they still don't have one."
03 · Purpose-Built Rental Housing
"They knew renters were being priced out. Four years and not one new rental apartment later, they still have no plan to build any."
04 · Growth Framework
"They knew this community was going to double in size. Four years later, developers are still writing the rules — and they handed the problem to the next council."
Full Political Paralysis Record
The Platform

Six Pillars for Centre Wellington's Future

Every commitment is grounded in Ontario legislation currently in force. The tools exist. What has been missing is the will to use them.

1. Housing Affordability

Build what's missing — rentals, affordable units, and homes for every stage of life. STR bylaw and Affordable Housing Strategy in 90 days.

Read Pillar 1 →

2. Resident-First Growth

A Community Planning Permit System so your neighbourhood sets the rules before developers apply — not after.

Read Pillar 2 →

3. Smart Infrastructure

Growth must pay its own way. Reform development charges so sprawl pays more and infill pays less. Pursue $2.3B in provincial grants.

Read Pillar 3 →

4. Local Economy

Housing affordability is an economic emergency. When workers can't live here, employers can't hire. A Worker Housing Partnership will change that.

Read Pillar 4 →

5. Community & Environment

Protect the Grand River, the Elora Gorge, agricultural land, and the tree canopy. Complete the Multi-Use Recreation Facility with full transparency.

Read Pillar 5 →

6. Accountability

Quarterly dashboards. Annual open houses. Specific, measurable, time-bound commitments — and public reporting on whether they were kept.

Read Pillar 6 →

"In 2022, I was right about where this community was heading. Four years later, the problems are larger and better documented. The township's own consultants have now confirmed what residents have been living. I'm asking for the chance to finish the work."

— Neil Dunsmore

Join the Campaign

Centre Wellington deserves leadership that shows up.

Whether you want to knock doors, put up a sign, or simply stay informed — there's a place for you in this campaign.

Get Involved 226 820 3411