When I first considered running for Ward 2 Municipal Councillor for the City of Brantford, I looked closely at our current council. We have many distinct personalities and characters at City Hall, and I always try to focus on the positive. Looking across the room, I truly believe every one of them possesses one vital quality: they want to do a good job.
To me, a great municipal councillor combines uncompromising integrity, clear communication, and deep community roots to bridge the gap between residents and City Hall.
Understanding Uncompromising Integrity
Integrity means being honest and holding strong, uncompromising moral principles. It is often described as doing the right thing even when nobody is watching. It requires complete consistency in your actions and values, reflecting a whole character that rejects hypocrisy.
Integrity means being honest and holding strong, uncompromising moral principles. It is often described as doing the right thing even when nobody is watching. It requires complete consistency in your actions and values, reflecting a whole character that rejects hypocrisy.
When I look at our current city councillors and mayor, I see individuals who operate with integrity. I believe they try their best with the right intentions. None of them are there for any reason other than to make Brantford a better place.
Yet, councillors are often criticized for lacking integrity or transparency. This criticism usually stems from decisions made behind closed doors, silence on sensitive topics, or answers that seem to skirt hard questions. But does this truly mean they lack integrity?
Anyone with management experience knows that leaders are often trusted with privileged information. Sometimes details cannot be shared publicly due to privacy regulations, the greater good of the community, or the risk of harmful miscommunication.
This is why a councillor must demonstrate integrity at all times, in everything they do. By building that solid foundation of trust, residents will have faith in them when tough choices arise. Even when cards must be held close to the chest, constituents should never have to question if their representative is acting with utmost integrity and in the best interest of their neighbours, families, and friends.
A Lifetime of Integrity
Living with integrity is something I have done my entire life. At a young age, I was taught the immutable value of character, words, and actions. As a young Boy Scout, I learned a code of conduct long before that phrase became common. In Cubs, the motto was Do Your Best. In Scouts, it was Be Prepared.
The promise I made as a boy is one I took deeply to heart: “I promise to do my best, to do my duty… to help other people at all times.” Those are words I live by. Over my 38 years as a Scout Leader (Scouter), I worked hard to model the integrity I learned in my youth—especially when nobody was looking.
The Scout Law states: “A Scout is helpful and trustworthy, kind and cheerful, considerate and clean, and wise in the use of all resources.” These are not just historical words to me. They are a lifelong oath to live with honesty and trust. I believe these are the exact values every person in government should embody. When leaders live by these principles, residents will never have to doubt them when the toughest decisions must be made.
