Phil St-Jean

Picton Ward One

Picton-born Phil St-Jean has spent his entire life in the County. The self-employed renovator, who has been married for 37 years, has been involved with numerous community organizations over the years, including serving as chair of the Regent Theatre Foundation, past president and current treasurer of the Kinsmen Club of Picton, co-chair of the Picton Splash Pad Fundraising/Building Committee, the 2013 Citizens’ Assembly on the size of council, four years on the County’s property standards committee, and six years as a volunteer with the CAS Christmas Angel gift and food program. St-Jean, who has served two terms on council (2001-03 and 2018-22), was a public member assisting the development of municipal canine control and commercial sign bylaws.

During the present term of council, he served as chair of the committee of adjustment and vice-chair of the audit committee, while also involved with the Picton Business Improvement Association, Picton Town Hall board, the Picton farmers’ market working group, the destination management and marketing organization, pandemic recovery task team for business and the economy, and the nominating committee for public appointments.

“I look forward to having the opportunity to continue serving the community I call home,” he said. “I believe lived, local knowledge is key to a better understanding of the needs and wants of all who call the County home, what they see for the future of the County and how best to achieve our common goals. We must be progressive and open to change yet remain respectful of our shared histories and community values.”

On the issue of affordable housing, St-Jean said developers should be held to more stringent requirements for lower-cost housing, but pointed out that “Council does not control private property valuations or the cost of land and building materials. which is the largest factor in determining the cost of rental and new housing.” But he said increasing densities in serviced areas would be a more efficient use of land and infrastructure that would reduce housing costs.

“Changing the reporting structure of the Affordable Housing Corporation has expedited the process of building more affordable rental units … which will in turn provide greater opportunities for younger families.”

St-Jean said the current tourism management plan is working, although it needs to be reviewed and amended annually to maintain “a more livable community by mitigating the undesirable effects of over-tourism.”

With waterworks users facing rising water bills, the incumbent councillor called for a comprehensive operational review of the multiple small site systems. But he added, “The most cost-effective way to control future rate increases is to have more homes connected to the system, which can only realistically be done through population and housing growth, more customers sharing the base rate costs.”

When asked if adequate attention is being given to heritage, environmental sustainability, stewardship and protection in the County, St-Jean replied: “I believe we must continuously find ways to strike a balance between private property rights, economic growth, planning our community’s long-term future while at the same time reasonably protecting the environment, our heritage, culture and the land.”

St-Jean believes council should be smaller and suggests 10 councillors plus a mayor would be appropriate. “I am open to exploring a further reduction to eight or nine plus the mayor. I do believe a size of council review is both timely and appropriate given the changes and challenges our community has before it.”