Get to know Fort Erie’s Ward 4 candidates: What is their vision?

As Fort Erie residents prepare for the October 26 municipal election, Niagara This Week asked Ward 4 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.

Ward 4 candidates Joan Christensen and Tavis McGlashan did not respond by deadline.

Who is running for Fort Erie Ward 4 council?

Matt Paul

Occupation I am a financial services professional with more than 20 years of experience in banking, insurance, customer service and financial decision-making. I am also a community event organizer.

Previous political experience I have not previously held elected office. I served on a transit advisory committee in Rockland, Ont., where I gained experience examining transportation, accessibility and community-service issues.

Community work I organize Live Human Chess community events in Niagara and Ottawa, bringing together residents, businesses, volunteers and community organizations while supporting charitable causes. The events have supported organizations and initiatives addressing homelessness as well as Alzheimer’s and dementia awareness.

Why are you running? I am running because I believe municipal government should be practical, accessible and accountable to the people it serves. I want residents to feel that their councillor listens, asks difficult questions, explains decisions and follows through.

What is your top issue or issues for the ward? Responsible growth is my top Ward 4 issue. Ridgeway needs new housing and economic activity, but development should respect the character of established neighbourhoods and be supported by roads, water, wastewater, stormwater management and other infrastructure. The town is currently developing a community planning permit system and urban-design guidelines for growth areas including Ridgeway, making this an important time for residents to have a strong voice in how the community develops.

What is your top issue or issues for the city at large? Health care, affordability and infrastructure. I believe Fort Erie must continue advocating strongly for dependable local urgent-care services, while also addressing the pressures residents face from taxation and the cost of living.

At the same time, growth has to pay its fair share. Fort Erie needs long-term planning for roads, water, wastewater, stormwater and other infrastructure rather than allowing development to outpace municipal services.

Why should voters choose you? What I offer voters is a combination of financial-services experience, community involvement and a willingness to ask questions before spending taxpayers’ money. My approach is based on listening first, examining the numbers, considering alternatives and making decisions that can be explained clearly to residents.

I am not running because I want a title. I am running because I believe being a councillor is a job, and I want to do that job diligently, respectfully and with residents involved in the process.

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 when it continued investing in core infrastructure and community assets. The 2026 capital budget includes road resurfacing, water main replacement, bridge and culvert work and development of Ridgeway Shores Park. Those are tangible municipal investments residents can see and use.

Where I think this term has missed the mark is less about one isolated vote and more about the need for stronger long-term strategic direction. Council can do a better job connecting individual spending and development decisions to measurable outcomes.

Where can people find out more information about you? MattPaulWard4.ca, (905) 471-2828, councillor@MattPaulWard4.ca and Facebook.

Daniel Turner

Occupation Economist, manager of strategic growth services at Niagara Economic Development.

Previous political experience Fort Erie Public Library Trustee, GNCC’s Next Niagara Council Member.

Community work I am a volunteer firefighter at Ridgeway Station 4 (and a) board member of Community Living Fort Erie.

Why are you running? I’m running to protect Ridgeway–the neighbourhoods my nephews and my family call home–so this historic community grows in a way that adds value, keeps families safe on the roads and looks after the firefighters who already show up for their neighbours. I will fight for the hospital capacity Fort Erie deserves, the same kind of provincial investment Grimsby received, because the people I love here should not lose urgent care in 2028 while we pay the significant taxes.

What is your top issue or issues for the ward? My No. 1 priority is to protect Ridgeway: its neighbourhoods, its volunteer firefighters, safer roads for our kids and the tax dollars families already pay. I will also fight for the hospital capacity Fort Erie deserves, following the Grimsby playbook so a growing border community is not left to lose urgent care in 2028.

What is your top issue or issues for the city at large? Protect Fort Erie’s services and its taxpayers. First, fight for the hospital capacity we need. Second, responsible spending: review procurement, find efficiencies and grow the business tax base so we do more with what we already have instead of asking families for more.

Why should voters choose you? Voters should choose me because I bring professional economic development experience, active service as a volunteer firefighter, and hands-on community leadership, so I understand both how the town actually works and what Ridgeway families need day to day. I’ll deliver efficient, accountable and transparent government that puts residents first and focuses on practical results for Ward 4.

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 withholding the town’s $3 million hospital pledge until Fort Erie has a real urgent-care commitment. They missed the mark spending $171,800 (already over the $149,300 they approved) then asking for $118,000 more (total $267,300) to treat a hub as a replacement for walk-in urgent care we should keep, restore to 24 hours and back with a future provincial hospital ask.

Where can people find out more information about you? DansATurner.ca, (289) 407-5469, DansATurner@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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