A Thank You—and a Promise
I’m grateful to everyone who has answered the door when I’ve come knocking, and if I’m fortunate enough to receive your support, I’ll keep coming to you.
Paul Reale for Mayor · Town of The Blue Mountains
Change to keep
what we love.
I’m Paul Reale, and I’m running for Mayor to change how our Town works—bring residents in before big decisions are made, plan for growth before we build, and know the real cost before we commit public money.
Why I’m running
To keep what we love about our Town, we need to change the way our Town works.
For three years, I’ve been involved in Town issues—showing up at Council meetings, digging into staff reports and helping residents get answers to their concerns.
What I kept seeing was the same pattern: decisions getting too far down the road before residents had a real say, growth moving ahead before the planning was in place, and major project costs becoming clearer only after the Town was already committed. That is more than frustrating. It makes good decisions harder and mistakes more expensive. And with more growth coming, the stakes are only getting higher.
I’ve been asking questions and pushing for better decisions. What I’ve learned is that you can’t manage your way out of a process that isn’t working.
I’m ready to lead that change.
Hear from Paul.
Where I stand on the issues—and how I’ll work for you.
Building a Town Where Kids Belong
From planning future schools to safer crossings, we need to build neighbourhoods where kids can grow up safely.
A Place to Stay. A Way to Get Around.
Young families and longtime residents should be able to stay in our community, with housing they can afford and transportation that gives them independence.
Our Three Priorities
You can’t manage a broken system. You have to change how it works.
The way we make decisions isn’t working. Better decisions start with better information, a Council prepared to decide, and residents involved before the direction is set.
Prepare. Debate. Decide.
I will come prepared and expect the same around the Council table. Difficult decisions should be debated in public, with the facts in front of us and a clear decision at the end.
Staff Advises. Council Decides. Residents Get Results.
I will expect staff to bring Council the facts, costs, risks and viable alternatives. Council will set the direction, oversee the responsibilities it delegates and remain accountable for the result.
Residents Have a Real Say.
I will make sure residents can help shape important decisions before direction is set and are told what Council decided, why it decided it and what happens next.
Growth will change our Town, but it should not cost us the things that make the Town of The Blue Mountains special.
Preserve What We Can’t Replace.
I will make sure our water, wetlands, trees, green spaces and other natural assets are identified and built into our plans before growth moves ahead.
Keep Farmland Working.
Farmland isn’t land waiting to become something else. I will work to preserve farmland and strengthen agriculture’s place in our local economy.
Preserve What Makes Us a Destination.
I will work to preserve the villages, waterfront, trails, countryside and local businesses that our tourism economy depends on and that make people want to come here in the first place.
Growth will require major infrastructure and significant public investment. We cannot keep committing first and discovering the real costs and consequences later.
Plan First. Build Better.
I will insist that we define the need, investigate the viable alternatives—including doing nothing when that is a real option—and do enough planning and design to know what we are committing to before we build.
Respect Public Money.
Before Council says yes, I will insist that we know what it will really cost, how we will pay for it, the major risks and what other priorities may have to wait.
Deliver What We Promised.
I will require major projects to have clear costs, scope, schedules and intended outcomes, with regular reporting so Council can act when the facts change and residents can see whether we are delivering what was approved and getting the result we promised.
A Record of Experience
I didn’t wait for an election to start doing the work.
$19.7M
COSTS ROSE BY $19.7 MILLION.
INCREASE IN WASTEWATER PROJECTS
THREE MAJOR PROJECTS.COSTS ROSE BY $19.7 MILLION.
The estimated cost of three bundled wastewater projects rose by $19.7 million.
I followed the file, laid out the unanswered questions and pressed Council for independent, third-party scrutiny.
Council ordered an independent review of how the Town plans and delivers major projects—and what needs to change to strengthen oversight and prevent another costly surprise.
Read the full record of experience →
Neighbour • Small-Business Owner • Community Advocate
I know this Town, and I believe we can make it work better.
For more than 25 years, the Town of The Blue Mountains has been home.
After teaching at the University of Toronto, I founded Mindbridge Education and have spent the past 14 years building and leading the business.
I also helped create Community Matters and have served with local organizations including the Blue Mountains Historical Society, the Royal Canadian Legion and Lions Club. Those experiences have taught me to listen, do the homework and take responsibility for results.
Read more about Paul →News & Views
Ideas, Questions and Perspectives on Our Town.
In late August 2024, I created a free digital newsletter for Community Matters that went out every Sunday morning. It began with an email list of just 20 to 30 people and grew to more than 250 readers. Over the next two years, I produced approximately 100 editions focused on Town decisions and community issues. I resigned as editor before handing in my nomination papers. Here are a few of the editorials I wrote along the way.
Join to Make a Change
Every person who gets involved makes a difference.
This campaign is about our Town and the people who call it home.
KEEPING IT REALE
Have a question, an idea, or something you’d like to talk about? Give me a shout.