Certified candidate

James Blair

Candidate in City Councillor, Ward 1.

Electorate
Electors in Ward 1 in the City of Pickering
Seats
1
Race status
Competitive

Eligible information by issue

Community services/public realm

Candidate-provided statement

James Blair’s campaign says the City should collaborate with public and separate school boards to improve shared use of facilities for youth and seniors.

James Blair

Source category
Candidate-provided source
Retrieved
2026-10-09
Locator
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Pickering’s youth and seniors should not have to leave Pickering to engage in sports or social activities. The City should collaborate with public and separate school boards to improve shared use of facilities such as gymnasiums, playing fields, and instructional spaces. Maximising the use of existing publicly funded infrastructure will reduce taxpayers' future costs for unnecessary capital infrastructure while expanding opportunities for youth.
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Environment

Independent reporting

The AjaxPickering.ca profile for James Blair presents a priority of protecting agricultural lands and promoting agriculture rather than continued sprawl.

AjaxPickering.ca

Source category
Independent reporting
Retrieved
2026-10-16
Locator
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Attracting Industry, Expanding & Reducing the Tax Burden In 2025, Ontario’s agri-food sector contributed nearly $51 billion to the province’s GDP. Pickering Council should prioritise agri-business, food security, and sustainability over continued sprawl. We must adopt a “use it or lose it” approach to protecting our agricultural lands because every step toward strengthening agriculture is two steps away from unnecessary development. Pickering does not need to follow the path of other GTA municipalities — it needs leadership with long-term vision.
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Finance & taxes

Candidate-provided statement

Blair's campaign says development should contribute fairly toward required infrastructure and services so existing taxpayers are not expected to subsidize long-term growth-related costs.

James Blair

Source category
Candidate-provided source
Retrieved
2026-10-13
Locator
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Development should contribute fairly toward the infrastructure and services it requires, ensuring that existing taxpayers are not expected to subsidize growth-related costs over the long term.
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Governance/service delivery

Candidate-provided statement

James Blair's campaign says City Council meetings must be scheduled to maximize public participation, both in person and virtually, and that important meetings should not occur during standard working hours.

James Blair

Source category
Candidate-provided source
Retrieved
2026-10-09
Locator
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To promote accountability, transparency, and openness, Pickering City Council meetings must be scheduled to maximize public participation, both in person and virtually. Important meetings should not be held during standard working hours, when many residents are unable to attend. Council meetings must be accessible and convenient for taxpayers — not just elected officials and city staff.
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Housing/growth

Candidate-provided statement

James Blair's campaign says development in greenfield areas should not proceed until existing serviced areas have been fully built out.

James Blair

Source category
Candidate-provided source
Retrieved
2026-10-09
Locator
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Existing property owners and taxpayers must not be used to subsidise developers or land speculators investment portfolios. Development in greenfield areas should not proceed until existing serviced areas have been fully built out.
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Local transportation/infrastructure

Candidate-provided statement

James Blair’s campaign says traffic calming measures and enhanced road-safety initiatives must be implemented in residential areas and near schools.

James Blair

Source category
Candidate-provided source
Retrieved
2026-10-09
Locator
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Traffic calming measures and enhanced road safety initiatives must be implemented in residential areas and near schools.
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