Stay up to date with the latest from the campaign trail.
Stacey shares why she's running, what Pickering means to her family, and how she hopes to serve Ward 2 with visible, approachable, prepared and accountable leadership. The letter invites neighbours to share their perspectives and explains why her official platform will be released in September after a summer of listening and learning.
READ THE FULL LETTERCity employees deliver essential services. Responsible governance also requires residents and Council to see whether staffing investments, service levels and actual expenses remain aligned throughout the year. This report looks at what Pickering approved for 2026, how permanent staffing has grown during this Council term, and the public reporting gap that makes it hard for residents to track year-to-date results. Stacey proposes a public quarterly workforce dashboard so Ward 2 neighbours can see how their tax dollars are being used.
After sitting with Ward 2 residents who shared serious concerns about a suspected rooming home near their property, Stacey reviewed Pickering's current zoning by-law and compared it with licensing systems in Ajax, Oshawa, Kitchener and Toronto. The findings reveal a significant accountability gap: Pickering does not appear to require rooming-home operators to register, submit plans, pass coordinated inspections or obtain a licence before renting rooms. This policy note calls for a comprehensive rooming-home approval, licensing and enforcement framework that protects tenants with safe, dignified housing while giving neighbours transparency, notice and a clear complaints process.
Real leadership begins by listening and responding when communities identify a need. From co-creating the Durham District School Board's Poverty Strategy to building partnerships that continue supporting children and families, Stacey has seen how thoughtful planning, collaboration, and community partnerships turn ideas into action. Great communities aren't built by reacting to problems — they're built by listening early, acting thoughtfully, and creating solutions with lasting impact.
Trust isn't built through campaign promises. It's built through everyday actions — listening before making decisions, communicating openly, explaining the "why" behind decisions, and being accountable to the people we serve.
Pickering is growing, and growth is part of our future. The question isn't whether we grow — it's whether we grow well. Strong communities are built through thoughtful planning, meaningful public engagement, and decisions grounded in evidence.
One of the things Stacey is most proud of is helping create partnerships that continue making a difference long after the meetings have ended. She was instrumental in co-founding AAARD alongside a former municipal recreation director. Together, they brought municipal recreation leaders and non-profit organizations from across Durham Region to one table with a shared purpose: ensuring that financial barriers don't prevent families from participating in recreation.
A quick-reference guide to which level of government handles what in Pickering — from federal services like immigration and income tax, to provincial services like health care and education, regional services like police and transit, and local City of Pickering services like by-law enforcement, roads, and parks.
Read the first campaign newsletter from Stacey Lepine-Fisher — sharing her story, values, and vision for Ward 2.
