Elect Lou Laventure
Mayor McNab/Braeside
A Healthy, Efficient Community
My Vision
I am running for Mayor to give residents a home grown choice with a track record to back up my commitment to you. I have exhibited community building skills, a good volunteer work ethic and excellent land stewardship.
I offer skillsets inherited from over 6 generations of family experience building the Townships of McNab and McNab/Braeside. I have mastered and applied these skillsets in operating a custom home building business, along with a family farming operation.
This experience and dedication is needed now more than ever to lead the township. I have stood up for residents rights on several occasions:
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Delegation to Council presenting petition to reinstate paper ballots for elections, allowing scrutineers
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Delegation to Council to allow resident input into zoning classification of property
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Delegation to Council identifying provincial laws not being upheld in municipal rulings resulting in discriminatory treatment to residents.
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Delegation to Council to achieve better return on investment with regards to proposed spending $130,000.00 to replace rink surface of asphalt with concrete
Building Community
Lou has been instrumental in community betterment
Dochart Creek Bridge on the Algonquin Trail
In 2018, the County of Renfrew approached the Calabogie and District Snowmobile Club. My company provided equipment, expertise, and labour, and were pleased to work with many other volunteers from the CDSC. Together, we refurbished the top deck and added guard rails and chain link fence for safety.
White Lake Spawning Beds 2015
Sullivan's provided the barge and dumpbox and Laventure Construction provided a telehandler, labour and oversight. We transferred river stone to the important spawning beds for the benefit of many anglers.
Glasgow United Church
Since the 1990's, I have provided most of the labour along with some of the materials to refurbish the Glasgow United Church building. Along with other volunteers, it is an ongoing project to preserve this precious gem in our heritage. Major items have included exterior siding, a new roof, interior insulation, drywall and trim.
Junior Farmers Association of Ontario
The JFAO' Mission is "To build rural leaders through personal growth, travel, experiences and community betterment." and their Vision is "For rural youth to connect, build and develop leaders for strong communities".
I have been honoured to have held executive positions for the majority of the 15 years I have been a member of JFAO, including several years as Provincial Director for Renfrew County.
Linda and I have played key roles in 15 community betterment projects while members of JFAO.
Building Homes
Laventure Construction, rooted in a tradition of excellence since 1984, stands as a testament to durable, energy-efficient home building in the Ottawa Valley. Founded by Lou, an early adopter of Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF), we’ve evolved from a residential home builder to a leader in ICF construction, taking projects from foundation to roof line.
It is important to me to minimize environmental impact. This 6,000 square foot project required only one dumpster to the landfill along with the two bag a week limit. The balance was recycled.
"I have built a successful business by listening to people's dreams. My experience allows me to engineer practical solutions for their family, bringing their dreams to reality" Lou Laventure
Deep Roots
The Laventure family literally helped carve this area out of the wilderness along the southern shore of the Ottawa River.
Born and raised in the heart of our community, Lou Laventure has spent decades advocating for the families and businesses that make McNab/Braeside unique. With a background in farming and a track record of excellent land stewardship, he brings a wealth of experience and a deep-seated passion for responsible development.
My father Bill donated the land for the Flat Rapids Cemetery expansion. I was present when Dale Gillan was discussing the expansion with my dad.
In order to meet the burial requirements for the expansion, I suggested bringing in fill to provide the required cover over the rock.
Fill was obtained from other township projects that had surplus material.
My son Lance is holding the plaque with his cousin, showing the 2021 Grand Champion Steer at County Fair. They are carrying on a tradition of hard work and dedication that has seen three generations of Laventures having placed steers at County Grand Champion level or higher.
My Platform
Accountability - Ensure all residents are treated equally, fairly and respectfully
Promote use of Committees of Council that have ratepayers as members. Committees are an important means of gathering information from all corners of the Township. Council is elected by the residents to take action on issues concerning the Township but five members of Council cannot see everything that is going on everywhere in real time. Committees can gather information and ensure all concerns reach Council. There is a wealth of expertise and experience available within Township residents. Committees give Council access to this knowledge to aid in making decisions that better serve ratepayers. In the past, I have sat on and contributed to Committees and given the opportunity, I will maximize use of Committees in the upcoming term.
Transparency - Limit closed in-camera sessions to the minimum required. Keep all public business open and accessible to residents.
Development through responsible land stewardship
People choose to live in McNab/Braeside because they desire the rural lifestyle that is offered. I will work to maintain development consistent with the farming/rural mix we currently enjoy. Farmers are the best stewards of the land. I respect property owners right to choose how their holdings are developed. I will promote the best farmland to remain productive while allowing non-tillable, low farming potential land development. I will work with property owners to review and understand land designations to ensure accuracy and give owners a voice for future designations. I can offer 40 years experience working with designations to help guide property owners. I look back at what my family has done to make this Township a desirable place to live and vow to maintain that vision for future generations.
Efficient use of Township Real Estate
Pursue all options to find alternatives to divert commercial traffic away from residential areas and improve traffic flow around Campbell Drive.
As a student myself in one of the first McNab Public School classes when it opened, I can see how parking capacity has not kept up with the growth of the school. During school functions, Stewartville Road is lined with parked cars on both sides, making it impossible to safely navigate with larger vehicles and farm equipment. To efficiently use available real estate and to benefit both those parking and traveling the road, I would approach the County as County Councillor to install storm sewer pipe in the North side ditch. This would allow herringbone parking on the North side of the road at a capacity increase of up to four times. In order to maintain safe passage of through traffic, no parking would be allowed on the South shoulder.
A covered arena behind the Township Office could be realized in no small part through donations of cash, materials and labour from the community. The model of success for this is Calabogie where only about 10% of the bill was on the taxpayer for their covered rink, but with lasting benefit for all. To be environmentally responsible, I would not recommend removing the asphalt surface from the White Lake rink prior to it reaching its end of life. The $130,000.00 allocated to be spent on changing the surface of the White Lake rink to concrete would be better spent on a covered rink on the southwest corner of the Township property behind McNab Public School. I would supplement this investment by lobbying for grants and promoting fundraisers until sufficient funds were available to make this project a reality. This would also give school access to the covered ice surface which extends the skating season. This ties into the above plan to increase parking capacity by allowing the school to repurpose the existing rink for additional onsite parking. Further, a covered rink could be used all year round for a multitude of other recreational activities and community events.
Waste management
Promote waste diversion while researching affordable options for sustainable waste management.
I appreciate the work and efforts of the current Waste Diversion Sub-Committee and intend to re-strike the Sub-Committee for the upcoming term. The report that is being submitted by the Sub-Committee will provide important background for continued work on maximizing efficient use of our landfill. My vision aligns with the Sub-Committee objectives and is rooted in my personal commitment to reduce, reuse and recycling building materials in my day to day home building business.
Lou's commitment is simple:
"I will lead with integrity and ensure that every voice is heard. I am dedicated to creating a future where our community thrives through sustainable development, efficient municipal services, and a shared vision for a healthier environment for generations to come."
Information for Voters
Voting begins Tuesday, October 13th at 10AM and can be completed online or by telephone.
From this time, the election portal will be open. Electors can verify their information or check their status directly at that link.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE?
Anyone can vote in a municipal election who, on the day of the election, is:
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18 years of age or older
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a Canadian citizen; and
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a resident of the municipality or a property owner or tenant or the spouse of an owner or tenant in the municipality during a specified time just before the election.
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Your name must be on the voters' list in order for you to cast a ballot.
DIDN'T RECEIVE A VOTER INFORMATION LETTER?
If you did not receive a Voter Information Letter or if your information needs to be updated, please visit mcnabbraeside.elections.vote or contact the Township.
mcannon@mcnabbraeside.com | (613) 613-5756 x234
NOT ON THE ELECTORS LIST OR NEED TO CHANGE SOME INFORMATION?
Electors can request to:
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Be added to the Voter's List
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Update or correct their information
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Have their name removed from the Voter's List
To make a change, an EL15 Application to Amend the Voter's List must be completed and submitted with the required proof of identification.
-Forms may be submitted by email (digital signatures will not be accepted).
-Forms and identification may also be submitted in person at the Township Office.
All requests to amend the Voter's List are subject to review and approval by the Clerk or designate.
Sample Ballot
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Together, we can build a healthier, more efficient, and environmentally responsible community. Your voice is vital to our shared future.