PRACTICAL LEADERSHIP. INFRASTRUCTURE FIRST. A STRONG VOICE FOR WARD 5.

Ward 5 is growing, but our roads, services and infrastructure need to keep pace.

I’m running to bring practical, accountable representation that protects our farmland and rural communities, demands responsible planning and makes it easier for residents to see how decisions are made and where their tax dollars go.

Ward 5 elects two councillors. I’m asking for one of your two votes on October 26, 2026.

ABOUT

About Mike

As the owner of Seventh Coffee Company, Mike knows what it means to build something from the ground up, manage budgets, make practical decisions and serve customers directly. That experience shapes how he approaches public service: listen first, be honest about the challenges and focus on solutions that actually work.

Mike also serves his community as a volunteer firefighter with Mount Pleasant Fire. That role has given him a deeper appreciation for strong local services, safe roads, reliable infrastructure and communities that look out for one another.

His community experience also includes service on Ontario’s Minister’s Advisory Council on Special Education, leadership roles with the Chamber of Commerce Brantford-Brant and Lansdowne Children’s Centre, and past service on the County of Brant Public Library Board.

Mike is running because Ward 5 needs practical, responsive and accountable representation, protecting what makes our communities special while planning responsibly for growth.

issues

Ward 5 Priorities

Show Taxpayers The Math

Before politicians ask residents for more money, they should clearly show where it is going.

I’m proposing a simple, line-by-line breakdown showing exactly how the County portion of your property taxes funds roads, fire protection, policing, libraries, recreation, administration and other local services.

Residents should be able to see which costs are increasing, why they are increasing and how councillors voted.

That’s real transparency. That’s real accountability.

Protecting Rural Lands & Agricultural Uses

Ward 5’s rural and agricultural lands are a defining part of our community and must be respected as such. I support responsible economic growth, but it must be appropriate to its location and compatible with surrounding uses. Heavy industrial development should not expand into rural or agricultural areas without clear justification, enforceable safeguards, and demonstrated community compatibility. Rural land should not be treated as a placeholder for future industrial use.  Growth has to happen in the right places, with the right services, and with clear protections for neighbouring farms and residents.
 

Infrastructure First — Not After

Growth must be planned around what our infrastructure can actually support. I believe water, wastewater, and road capacity should be in place before zoning changes or intensification are approved. Rural residents should not be asked to absorb the risks of growth through strained roads, impacts to wells, or deferred servicing. Good planning means matching development with infrastructure — not hoping it will catch up later.

Clear Protection of Natural Heritage

Natural Heritage lands exist because they are environmentally significant and worthy of protection. These designations should provide certainty and consistency, not become negotiation points on a case-by-case basis. I believe environmental protections should be upheld as clear standards that guide development decisions and safeguard the long-term health of our community and landscape.

Better Cooperation Without Losing Ward 5’s Voice

The County of Brant should work constructively with neighbouring municipalities, including the City of Brantford. Residents are not served by unnecessary conflict or political turf wars.

But cooperation cannot mean rushed decisions, closed-door deals, or Ward 5 residents being left out of conversations that affect our roads, farmland, taxes, services, and future growth.

Whether the issue is airport lands, boundary discussions, road connections, servicing, or shared infrastructure, I will support practical cooperation that benefits residents while standing firm that Ward 5’s voice must be respected.

Contact

Get In Touch

Email Address

mike@mikegatopoulos.ca

Phone Number

519-717-0874

Follow On

Election Day: October 26, 2026

This election will be conducted using online voting as the designated voting method. An in-person polling option will be available. Voters who attend in person will cast their ballot using electronic devices (online voting), with staff on site to provide assistance as needed.