MY STORY
I was born and raised just outside of Stratford, Ontario, where our family lived on a farm. Those small-town and rural roots have stayed with me throughout my life. Growing up on a farm gave me an early appreciation for hard work, personal responsibility, integrity, and the importance of neighbours looking out for one another. It also gave me a lasting respect for the people who quietly work hard to build and sustain their families and communities.
I grew up in a hardworking family with four siblings. My father spent his career as a truck driver and was a proud Teamsters Union member. His work meant spending a great deal of time on the road, including hauling countless loads of cement during the construction of Toronto’s CN Tower; something I still take pride in when I think about his working life. While Dad was on the road, my mother took on much of the responsibility at home, caring for and raising five children. Looking back, I have a tremendous appreciation for the different sacrifices they both made for our family. Their example taught me the value of hard work, responsibility and doing what needs to be done for the people who depend on you.
Over the years, I have had the opportunity to live in both rural and major urban communities and to work with people across Canada and internationally. But despite where life and my career have taken me, I have always remained a small-town guy at heart. There is something about knowing your neighbours, feeling connected to the place you live, and understanding that community is something we all have a responsibility to contribute to that has never left me.
LIFE WITH MARTINE
For all the places my career has taken me and the experiences I have been fortunate enough to have, the most important part of my life has always been much closer to home.
Martine and I have been married for nearly 30 years, and our life together has been built on partnership, friendship, resilience and shared experiences along the way. Originally from Quebec, Martine brings her own cultural background, experiences and perspective to the way she sees the world around her. I have always valued the different lens she can bring to our conversations, community and life together. Her passion for animals and photography reflects her care, curiosity and appreciation she has for the world around her. Martine taught for 20 years as an Elementary French Immersion teacher with various School Boards (TDSB, VSB). Through her, I have gained a greater appreciation for the enormous influence teachers can have on children, families and communities.
Animals have always been a central part of our household (until the recent loss of our beloved dogs). We have shared our home with parrots, rabbits, cats, and dogs, among many other creatures. Our pets are cherished family members who enrich our daily lives, and we have found great joy in fostering dogs for Canadian rescues.
Today, Martine and I are proud to call Whitchurch-Stouffville home. After experiencing life in both large cities and smaller communities, I appreciate even more what we have here: the space, the natural surroundings and, most importantly, the people. For us, community isn’t simply about where we live; it’s about the relationships we build with the people who live there. I believe strong communities are built by people who care, get involved and lead with integrity, and I am committed to doing my part to support the people who make Whitchurch-Stouffville such a special place to call home.
Whitchurch-Stouffville isn’t simply where I am running for Council. It’s where Martine and I have chosen to make our home and build this chapter of our life together.
1996
But just as important to us are the connections we make with the people around us. We thrive on a deep sense of community and have remained friends with neighbours from many of the places we have lived over the years. That has certainly continued since moving to Whitchurch-Stouffville. Martine and I walk every day, and those walks have become about much more than exercise. They have given us the opportunity to meet so many people in our neighbourhood; stopping to say hello, having conversations and, over time, turning familiar faces into friendships. It is one of the things we love most about living here.
Martine has also been an integral part of many chapters of my career, often working quietly behind the scenes and bringing a different perspective that helps me see things in new ways. She much prefers being behind the scenes, where she can work her magic without the spotlight finding her, but she always makes an appearance when it comes to our major events. She has played an essential role in planning both our CANIFFF festival editions and shaping our New Muse TIFF events. Throughout every project, challenge and opportunity, she has consistently been my greatest supporter. Her encouragement, insight and willingness to be part of the journey have meant more to me than I can express..
2025
