Get to know Fort Erie’s Ward 5 candidates: What is their vision?

As Fort Erie residents prepare for the October 26 municipal election, Niagara This Week asked Ward 5 council candidates to share their priorities and vision for the community.

Divided by ward and arranged in alphabetical order, the following responses are in the candidates’ own words.

As a reminder, Wards 1 and 6 councillors have been acclaimed.

Ward 5 candidates Scott Boumeester and Kassandra Ryerson did not respond by deadline.

Who is running for Fort Erie Ward 5 council?

Tom Lewis

Occupation Executive director, Poultry Industry Council and Fort Erie councillor Ward 5.

Previous political experience Municipal councillor, Town of Fort Erie Ward 5 (Crystal Beach/Ridgeway), 2003-2006 and 2022-present. Five years of experience at Queen’s Park, serving in several ministers’ offices and as executive assistant to the chief government whip in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.

Community work My commitment to Crystal Beach, Ridgeway and Fort Erie began by advocating for Ridgeway QEW signage, helping Keep Bay Beach Public and protecting Marcy’s Woods. I was first elected in 2003. Since returning to Council in 2022, I have brought new investment into Crystal Beach: our parks, recreation, fire services and community improvement. In 25 years, my approach has remained: get involved, do the work and deliver results.

Why are you running? Fort Erie is at a defining moment where experience matters. There is important work to do in regional reform, protecting urgent care, rising taxes, housing and development pressures (which) will require strong, experienced representation. Knowing how government works, advocating effectively and getting results are why I am asking Fort Erie and Ward 5 for a refreshed mandate.

What is your top issue or issues for the ward? Crystal Beach and Ridgeway need to build on success and progress by continued investment in infrastructure and modern recreational facilities, protecting urgent care and improving access to physicians, while supporting local businesses and a stronger year-round economy. This also means responsible growth and fair taxation.

What is your top issue or issues for the city at large? New opportunities mean continued growth in Fort Erie and increased pressure on infrastructure and municipal services. What residents want is responsible and managed growth and infrastructure investment as well as traffic and pedestrian safety. Progress must respect the character of Crystal Beach and Ridgeway.

Why should voters choose you? Ward 5 residents want to see pragmatic, thoughtful and responsible choices made for them by town council. I understand how the government works, how decisions are made and how to effectively advocate for our community. There is more work to do, and I’m asking for a renewed mandate to continue delivering the results Ward 5 and Fort Erie need and want.

Was there a decision council made this term you think they got right and a decision that missed the mark, in your opinion? Council got it right with the short-term rental and noise and nuisance bylaws. The data shows these measures are working and helping address community concerns. Where we may have inadvertently missed was the tree bylaw. The intent was to address development-related clear-cutting, but the proposal went too far by affecting individual homeowners.

Where can people find out more information about you? TomLewis.ca, ElectTomLewis.ca, Campaign page on Facebook or Facebook profile.

Thomas Mete

Occupation Economic consultant.

Previous political experience Chair of the Fort Erie Mayor’s Youth Advisory Committee.

Community work Constituency volunteer in the Fort Erie office of MP Tony Baldinelli and MP Rob Nicholson. Ball hockey instructor and referee at Ridgeway Hockey.

Why are you running? Fort Erie needs a younger generation of leadership that is unafraid to take bold action on the housing crisis, climate change and the challenges presented by AI and data centres. With our mayor being 75 and the acclaimed Ward 1 councillor at 74, we have experienced leaders, but Fort Erie cannot meet tomorrow’s challenges with yesterday’s solutions. That is why I am running in Ward 5 to bring a forward-looking perspective to town hall, so we can build a Fort Erie that adapts to an evolving world.

What is your top issue or issues for the ward? I would limit the number of short-term rentals (STRs) and Airbnb-style properties in our community. Since town council scrapped the 250-property cap in 2024, we have seen over 1,000 Airbnbs listed in Fort Erie, adding to the housing shortage and pushing prices further out of reach. It’s time we treat housing as a home first and an investment second by restoring STR rules that complement beach tourism.

What is your top issue or issues for the city at large? I would fight to freeze property taxes and audit the town’s $38.95 million operating budget to find long-term savings. After property tax hikes of 5.5 per cent in 2024 and 4.95 per cent in 2025, residents cannot afford another term of a town council that treats higher taxes as a foregone conclusion. We must explore new ways to fund our local priorities, including a vacant home tax on investor-owned properties.

Why should voters choose you? I grew up working at my parents’ small business, Ridgeway Hockey, and have served as chair of the Mayor’s Youth Advisory Committee. I have seen firsthand how town council has neglected the needs of young people and families, from failing to renovate the Crystal Ridge Arena to closing the Kinsmen Pool. After graduating from Harvard this May, I am running for town council to give these unheard voices a say in the decisions that shape Fort Erie’s future.

Was there a decision council made this term you think they got right and a decision that missed the mark, in your opinion? I strongly support the current town council’s firm opposition to any forced municipal amalgamation pushed by Premier Doug Ford. As a town councillor, I would work with municipal leaders across Niagara’s 12 municipalities to stand strongly against further provincial interference in our local representation.

Where can people find out more information about you? mete.thomas@gmail.com and Facebook.

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EDITOR’S NOTE: Candidate profiles were edited by Niagara This Week for what they describe as “length, clarity and style.”

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