Democracy Caledon is here for You!
Caledon residents are concerned about where our municipal council is taking us – financial mismanagement, urban sprawl, loss of greenspace, increasing truck traffic, road congestion and much more.
A group of us got together to form Democracy Caledon, a volunteer non-profit group, in early 2024. Why? Because Caledon Council was becoming more and more undemocratic in its decision-making about town concerns – first with the mayor using her new “Strong Mayor Powers” and then a pattern of 5-4 votes on our 9-member Council. The 5-member majority on Council has not been serving the best interests of all residents. They have been more focused on helping private interests like urban development companies. Local democracy is in peril.
Meet some of Democracy Caledon's Team Members!
Debbe Crandall
Director
Debbe considers herself fortunate to be walking the same fields and visiting the same little creek she did as a young girl. This has no doubt been a major factor that shaped Debbe’s decades-long advocacy for protection of the Oak Ridges Moraine, regional-scale conservation and land-use planning and, now a co-founder and Director of Democracy Caledon. As a founding member of Caledon’s environmental advisory committee, she knows first-hand that a healthy Caledon requires the participation of residents and community groups and good working relationships with Council and staff.
Linda Pim
Director
Linda lives in a heritage-designated house and barn. She has worked as a conservationist and land use planner for both government agencies and environmental non-profit organizations. She was a founding member of Caledon’s environmental advisory committee in the late 1990s and in 2003, was Caledon’s Environmentalist of the Year. She is passionate about protecting the Niagara Escarpment, part of the Greenbelt, in Caledon and beyond. Linda is a keen vegetarian cook and organic gardener, cyclist, runner, cross-county skier and hiker. Originally from Montreal, she arrived in Caledon in 1994.
Dan O'Reilly
Director
A deep concern about how the democratic and land use planning process was being upended by the Town of Caledon’s decision to upzone 12 large pieces of land without the necessary studies was the catalyst for Dan O’Reilly to join Democracy Caledon when it was first formed in April 2024. Later he became a director with the volunteer-driven community group, a position he still holds. Dan is also involved in a number of other causes.
Al Axworthy
Al has proudly called Caledon home for 45 years. He spent nearly four decades in the private sector working in information systems, retiring from a senior leadership role responsible for large teams, budgets, projects, and complex business systems. Throughout his career, he was known for his analytical approach, integrity, and collaborative leadership. He brings those same qualities to community advocacy, helping residents understand municipal issues and promoting transparency, accountability, and fact-based decision-making that serves the interests of residents.
Erica McNiece
Erica has deep roots in Caledon, where her family has lived, worked, volunteered and contributed to the community for over 50 years. A strong advocate for responsible governance, Erica is passionate about protecting Caledon’s natural heritage and rural character. She believes transparent, thoughtful planning is essential to ensuring sustainable growth while safeguarding agricultural lands, food security, environmentally significant landscapes and the natural systems that support a healthy and resilient community. Through her work with Democracy Caledon, Erica is committed to helping ensure residents have a voice in shaping the future of their community.
Ruth Enns
Ruth is passionate about changing the world around her to be more inclusive. She will be pursuing her dream career in event coordination at Durham College in the fall of 2026. She is a new to Democracy Caledon, working on municipal election preparations. She has been an active member of her high school's Social Justice League, becoming the president this past year. She is known to wear her heart on her sleeve and work creatively to make change in her environment.
What's important to You is important to us All in Caledon
Quality of Life
Uncongested & Safe Roads
Jobs & Business
Livable Urban & Rural Communities
Affordable Housing
Tourism, Recreation & Trails
Farms & Farming
Nature
Transparent
Government
Honesty
Trust
Due Process
Unbiased Information
Public Consultation
Open Communication & Decision-making
Financial
Accountability
Fiscal Prudence
Clear Costing
Respect for the Taxpayer
Good Judgment
Fiduciary Responsbility
Informed Budgeting
Environmental
Responsibility
Greenbelt
Headwaters
Clean Water
Clean Air
Protected Countryside
Wildlife Habitat
What does Democracy Caledon do for You?
Keep you informed
on local concerns, with Instagram and Facebook posts and regular news sent by email.
Appear before Caledon Council
on issues that affect Caledon residents.
Host webinars
to give residents a deeper dive into particular local issues.
Connect with other community groups
for strength in numbers!
Prioritize working with town councillors
who are truly committed to serving residents' interests and concerns.
Our track record addressing Caledon issues
Took legal action against the Town of Caledon
We say that the Council approval of 12 zoning by-laws to allow massive, fast-tracked, poorly planned urban development 5,000 acres — land that is now farmland — was wrong and should be cancelled, as they go against use planning laws. Our case got to court in May and we'll hear the outcome in the coming months.
Kick-started the fight to save Swan Lake from destruction
An urban development company was set to destroy this 44-acre lake by dumping fill from construction projects. Swan Lake and its wildlife are protected for now.
Led the challenge of a proposed new site alteration by-law
that would open up Caledon to large, commercial fill dumps for the first time, with long-term impacts on both rural and urban areas of town.
Opposed several proposed large expenditures
in Council's town budget for 2026 that don't meet residents' needs. We are on the lookout for financial mismanagement by Council.
Challenged council giving more spending powers
to the unelected Chief Administrative Officer when they should stay with the elected Council.
Caledon is our home and your home - where we all live, work and play.
Join us to build a better future for our town and restore local democracy!
