The campaign that got me elected.
Below, you can see the original homepage for my site during my campaign, with videos that offer a broad overview of my platform, principles and values.
In the last four years, things have changed dramatically in our city.
The price of gas, groceries, daycare and property taxes are hitting many of us where it hurts.
But it doesn’t have to be this way.
On October 24th, we have an opportunity to change St. Catharines for the better. Together.
Here’s how.
1. Strengthen affordability in our ward.
Ward 4 has always been a place where everyone could afford to live regardless of their income level. We can keep it this way.
In the next four years, let’s strengthen the affordability of Ward 4, making sure it continues to be a place for young families, seniors and everyone in between.
2. Protect the Green Belt with smart development.
Ward 4 includes Downtown, Martindale/Grapeview, Fitzgerald, Haig, Shipman, Woodruff Estates, Fairhaven Community, and part of Fourth Ave.
It's also home to one of the province's specialty crop areas in the Green Belt – Niagara Tender Fruit and Grape Area.
Let's preserve our ward's diverse geography with fiscally responsible development that focuses on improving what's within our urban boundary while expanding the tax base so we can pay to maintain our infrastructure over the long term.
3. Invest in alternative transportation and transit.
Every time gas prices spike, we talk about alternative transportation — ways for folks to ditch the gas pump. It's time to start investing in these projects.
Our kids need to feel safe walking or biking to school, and it needs to be convenient and safe for seniors to visit our local community centres on the bus or by foot.
We can say "yes" to streets that give us the freedom to choose more affordable ways of navigating our city and improve traffic in the process.
4. Crack down on land speculators.
What's happened at the former GM site is a travesty. We have no idea what toxic chemicals were released into our neighbourhoods.
As your counsellor, I promise to do whatever I can to crack down on land speculators who profit off all our hard work in the community.
And I promise to use all the tools at the city's disposal to move the GM site forward safely. We can't afford more delays.
I’m Caleb Ratzlaff,
and I’m running for
Ward 4 Councillor.
It’s not just about me, either.
Will you join me?
Who is Caleb?
And why should I vote for him?
If there’s a word that defines my campaign, it’s “neighbour.”
I’ve immersed myself in building neighbourhoods in Fitzgerald and Queenston with each of their neighbourhood associations. I’m a founding member of the Garden City Land Trust, an organization working to build permanently affordable housing. I’ve worked with the city, its councillors and its social services, like Start Me Up Niagara and Positive Living, to co-create neighbourhoods that everyone feels proud to call home.
And that’s what I want for all of us — a city we’re proud to live, work and play in!
I believe that together we can imagine and build stronger neighbourhoods. Ones built on relationships, not complaints.
I’m running for city council because I want my kids to be able to afford to live in the neighbourhoods they grew up in. And I want the next generation to desire to put down roots here in St. Catharines.
I’m fully invested in Ward 4. I live here. I work here. And I’ve chosen to raise my family here.
Will you join me?