Scugog mayoral candidates share plans for responsible growth

Four of the six candidates for mayor of Scugog shared their plans for housing and commercial and industrial growth in a question-and-answer feature published October 21, ahead of the October 26 municipal election. Charles Deane, Jack Doak, Ian McDougall and incumbent Wilma Wotten responded; Mike Coll and David Whitfield did not respond by deadline.

Deane, a longtime Scugog resident, said the township must go all in on housing, arguing growth always comes back to housing because industrial areas are already underutilized and a larger population base is needed to support local businesses. Doak, founder of Old Flame Brewing Co. in downtown Port Perry, said Scugog needs a vision that sets it apart as a small lakeside community that is a great place to live and to visit, leaning into tourism readiness to guide housing decisions.

McDougall, the current Scugog regional councillor and an engineer, said the township must service its employment lands and grow the industrial and commercial tax base, and as mayor he would fix the Reach Street pumping station servicing plan; on housing he favoured developments closer to the heart of the community over eight-storey buildings on Reach Street, while protecting Lake Scugog and historic neighbourhoods. Wotten said carefully planned growth will bring more shoppers and workers, and she would continue pressing the Region to expedite employment-land servicing, work with Invest Durham to attract businesses, and direct staff to update the Port Perry employment-area community improvement plan.