An Advocacy Policy for Oakville
Protecting Local Decisions. Defending Our Taxpayers. Putting Oakville First.
What This Means for You
1
Protecting Oakville’s Right to Decide
Oakville residents deserve a meaningful say in decisions affecting their neighbourhoods, infrastructure and tax dollars. Jeff will challenge provincial decisions that override local planning, including the four Midtown Minister’s Zoning Orders, and continue pressing for approval of Oakville’s own Official Plan Amendment 70 (OPA 70).
2
Defending Oakville Taxpayers
When Queen’s Park changes the rules or makes infrastructure commitments, Oakville taxpayers should not be left paying the bill. Jeff will press for outstanding provincial funding, defend the Town’s financial interests and demand accountability for major projects like the Kerr Street grade separation.
3
Stronger Advocacy and Real Results
Standing up for Oakville requires more than letters and meetings. Jeff will give Council a stronger role in setting advocacy priorities, work with residents and community organizations, and publicly report on what senior governments have promised and what they have actually delivered.
Key Actions
Defend Local Planning Authority
Demand withdrawal of the four Midtown MZOs and approval of OPA 70, while opposing future provincial planning overrides that disregard local infrastructure capacity.
Make Growth Pay for Growth
Hold the Province accountable for outstanding funding commitments and advocate for municipal tools that ensure development pays its fair share of infrastructure costs.
Deliver Promised Infrastructure
Press the Province and Metrolinx for firm timelines and funding commitments, including the Kerr Street grade separation, without increasing Oakville’s previously approved $65 million contribution.
Strengthen Council’s Voice
Involve all members of Council in setting Oakville’s advocacy priorities and advancing our interests with senior governments.
Mobilize Our Community
Work with residents’ associations, community organizations, businesses and neighbouring municipalities to build support for Oakville’s priorities.
Publish a Quarterly Advocacy Scorecard
Track provincial and federal funding requests, commitments, outstanding decisions and actual results using existing Town government relations resources.
Want to Go Deeper?
Standing Up to Queen’s Park on Midtown
The Province’s decision to impose four Minister’s Zoning Orders on Midtown Oakville demonstrates why local decision making matters.
Oakville Council unanimously approved Official Plan Amendment 70 after years of planning and public consultation. That plan accommodates substantial growth around Oakville GO while establishing a framework for responsible development and the infrastructure needed to support it.
Jeff supports growth, but believes it must respect the capacity of local roads, transit, water and wastewater systems, parks, schools and emergency services.
His position is to seek withdrawal of the four MZOs and approval of OPA 70 as adopted by Council. He will not support negotiations to implement the Province’s current Midtown framework while the MZOs remain in place.
Jeff will work with Council, We Love Oakville, residents’ associations and other community organizations to coordinate advocacy, mobilize public support and press the Province to change course.
He will also consider appropriate political, administrative and legal avenues where there is a reasonable prospect of success and the costs can be justified.
This is not about stopping growth. It’s about ensuring Oakville has a meaningful say in how its future is planned.
Making the Province Pay Its Fair Share
Infrastructure: Promises Must Become Projects
Working Together Through Open Oakville
A Stronger, More Accountable Voice for Oakville
Leadership That Puts Oakville First
I’ve spent 26 years serving Oakville, leading major public institutions, chairing the Halton Police Board, building a local business and working alongside community organizations.
I’ve learned that good relationships matter. Respect matters. Experience matters.
But those relationships are a means to an end, not the end itself.
I’m not interested in picking fights with Queen’s Park for the sake of picking fights. I’m interested in getting results for Oakville.
That means working together when we can, standing our ground when we must, and never losing sight of whose interests we’re there to represent.
I am not running to tear anything down. I’m running to bring new ideas, greater openness, renewed energy and a different approach to the challenges facing our Town.
I’ll work with anyone who wants to help Oakville. And I won’t hesitate to challenge decisions that put our community’s future, our local authority or our taxpayers at risk.
Because at the end of the day, the Mayor of Oakville has one community to answer to.
Oakville.
Let’s Protect Our Town.
— Jeff Knoll
Sources & Background
Town of Oakville — Official Plan Amendment 70 (Midtown Oakville Growth Area Review)
Province of Ontario — Four Minister’s Zoning Orders for Midtown Oakville (ERO 025-1368)
Town of Oakville — Kerr Street Grade Separation
Province of Ontario — More Homes Built Faster Act, 2022 (development charge changes)
Province of Ontario — Strong Mayor Powers and Duties
Town of Oakville — Annual Budget
Related policy — Midtown Development
Related policy — Open Oakville
Related policy — Protecting Your Tax Dollars
