NICOLE BEATTY
Candidate for Cobourg Mayor
INTEGRITY
EXPERIENCE
COMMUNITY
Rooted in Cobourg
Cobourg has always been home, and home is worth fighting for. As a business owner, community builder, volunteer, mother, and Deputy Mayor, I've done everything in service of the place and the people I love most.
Delivering For Cobourg
During this term as Deputy Mayor, I’ve worked to advance projects, policies, and community priorities focused on affordability, sustainable growth, recreation, arts and culture, public safety, and Cobourg's long-term vision.
Why I’m Running for Mayor
I know many Cobourg residents are frustrated. I hear it in conversations at coffee shops, on doorsteps, at community events, and in Council Chambers. Truthfully, there are moments when I feel that frustration too.
In the year I’ve spent canvassing to help inform my decision to run for Mayor, this is what I’ve heard: people want a Town Hall that listens, communicates clearly, focuses on the basics, and delivers practical results that improve residents' lives. They want a community that is both safe and vibrant, and where they can get a good job, retire and raise their kids.
I’m running because Cobourg needs stable, honest and balanced leadership to overcome division and move us forward with mutual respect and a shared purpose to get our town back on track. I want to put Town Hall back into the community.
I’m also running for my children, because when you’re raising kids in the town you grew up in, the future of that town isn’t abstract. It’s everything.
Most importantly, I’m running for you, the Cobourg taxpayer, because you deserve a Mayor who is accountable, who respects your money, and who shows up every day focused on results, not politics.
I understand how municipal government works, I’ve helped move important projects forward, and I know how to bring people together to get things done.
I’m ready to do that work for you, and with you.
Election Day is Monday, October 26, 2026.
Your vote matters. Early voting is available starting October 16 and can be done online, so there's no reason to miss out. There will also be voter help centres available for in-person support. Visit cobourgvotes.ca to check your voter registration, find out how and where to vote, and make sure you're ready when the day comes.
My Vision for Cobourg
A Cobourg where residents feel heard, safe, and proud of where they live.
A community that grows thoughtfully while protecting the small-town character, sense of connection and quality of life that make this place worth coming home to.
A Town Hall that earns back public trust by governing transparently, spending responsibly, and bringing residents to the table rather than shutting them out.
A Cobourg where young people have opportunities to stay, families can afford to put down roots, seniors are supported, and everyone has access to the services and care they need.
That is the Cobourg I am running to build.
My Priorities for Cobourg
Cobourg’s future is exciting, but it’s not lost on me that we also have challenges that need to be addressed. This is how I plan on showing up for Cobourg as Mayor.
Keep Cobourg Financially Responsible and Affordable
Families are feeling the pressure of rising costs, and Town Hall needs to do its part. As Mayor, I will focus on responsible budgeting, long-term financial planning, and making sure major projects are funded properly before costs become bigger problems down the road.
I will continue pushing for better use of grants and partnerships, clearer communication around spending decisions, and stronger accountability so residents understand where their tax dollars are going and why.
I will also initiate a service level budgeting process, building the budget around the specific services you rely on and the standard at which they're delivered. This way there is a clearer understanding of what you're paying for, what it costs, and how we can keep tax increases low, stable, and predictable over time. Periodically, I will also push for a zero-based review of specific departments and programs to ensure every dollar is still earning its place.
To make this work, I will advocate for the establishment of a permanent Resident Budget Advisory Committee, made up of residents and Council members, embedded in the annual budget process through the Council procedural by-law, and at no cost to taxpayers. This isn't a one-time task force or a consultant exercise. It's a standing commitment to keeping residents at the table every year when decisions about their money are being made.
Build Safe, Healthy Neighbourhoods
Residents deserve to feel safe in their homes, neighbourhoods, parks, and downtown. As a mother of two young children, this isn't just a policy position for me, it's personal.
As Mayor, I will continue to support our first responders, safer public spaces, and practical, prevention-focused approaches that keep costs manageable without compromising the service levels our community depends on. This includes advancing the work done in the last term of Council to explore alternative policing models, reigniting discussion about investing in regional firefighter training, and, at the County level, working with the Province to advance our community paramedicine program.
At the County, I believe we need to work towards deeper integration of responses to homelessness, addiction, and mental health. We need to be helping people before situations escalate into emergencies. This means moving beyond stopgap measures and adopting a sustainable plan of care. What does this look like? It requires us to shift towards a blueprint for health and social infrastructure focused on recovery, treatment, housing, and on-site wraparound support, using a campus-of-care model to improve service access and system coordination.
Support Local Jobs, Businesses and Opportunities
A strong local economy creates opportunity for everyone. I want Cobourg to continue growing as a place where businesses can succeed and people can build careers.
As Mayor, I will support local business, manufacturing, downtown revitalization, workforce development, and responsible job attraction that aligns with our community values and infrastructure capacity.
I will establish a Mayor’s Economic Advisory Roundtable to strengthen collaboration between local businesses, industry and training partners, investors, and community leaders while helping Cobourg respond to future economic opportunities and labour needs.
I also want to work with the Province and the County to strengthen opportunities for youth, skilled trades, entrepreneurship, innovation, and post-secondary partnerships connected to our region’s future economy.
Prepare Cobourg for Growth and the Future
Cobourg is facing growing pressures from regional development, shifting population trends, and projects such as the proposed Wesleyville nuclear expansion. We need to be ready for that growth while protecting the small-town charm residents value.
As Mayor, I will support responsible development that aligns with our infrastructure capacity and asset management priorities, ensuring growth contributes fairly to roads, water systems, parks, and community amenities.
I want to continue supporting a wider range of housing options for families, seniors, workers, and young people. From duplexes, accessory dwelling units, and mixed-use developments to workforce housing, starter homes, modular housing, and modern takes on attainable ownership models. Getting there means working closely with other levels of government and developers to turn good ideas into real homes.
I will also reprioritize Cobourg’s Integrated Community Sustainability Plan to help ensure our community grows in a way that is financially responsible, environmentally sustainable, and prepared for the future. That includes stewarding green spaces and water resources and supporting climate-resilient infrastructure.
Protect What Makes Cobourg Special
Cobourg’s waterfront, parks, trails, heritage, arts and culture, festivals, and public spaces are part of what makes this town feel like home. We have beautiful assets and spaces that make us unique, and I believe that we can build a more connected community through strong design thinking and placemaking. We need to be good stewards of what makes us special, not let it deteriorate.
As Mayor, I will move forward with implementing a Parks and Recreation Master Plan that reflects the needs of the whole community, prioritizing family-friendly amenities, youth programming, and activities and services for seniors. I will continue to pursue grants, philanthropy, and non-tax funding opportunities to help long-discussed sports and recreation projects finally move forward.
I will prioritize waterfront activation and harbour revitalization projects that improve public access, stimulate economic development and strengthen local residents’ enjoyment of the waterfront.
I will continue supporting environmental stewardship through shoreline protection, tree canopy growth, trail connectivity, and green space preservation.
I will also continue supporting festivals, arts, culture, and community events that bring people together and help keep Cobourg vibrant year-round, including introducing an Arts and Culture Ambassador Program to promote local artists, heritage, and cultural experiences.
Bring Community Voice Back to Town Hall
Residents deserve a Town Hall that listens, communicates clearly, and works alongside the community. As Mayor, I will strengthen public engagement, improve communication with residents, and create more opportunities for people to help shape local decisions.
I will activate the Mayor of Cobourg social media accounts and launch an Ask the Mayor webpage so inquiries and questions from residents can be published and shared openly.
I will deactivate the Mayor’s corporate credit card and commit to working exclusively within budget allocations approved by Council, including for conferences, seminars, and lobbying efforts.
I will bring back citizen advisory committees as a formal part of Council's governance structure, returning expert community voices to the table on issues like the environment, parks and recreation, and community development. I will also ensure each member of Council has opportunities to take on leadership roles to contribute their skills and perspectives in a meaningful way, building a more collaborative and accountable Council that reflects the full range of community priorities.
I will also introduce a Youth Councillor or Youth Advisor program, giving young people in Cobourg a formal seat at the table and a real role in shaping the decisions that will define their future.
Additional engagement initiatives include hosting regular informal Coffee with a Councillor sessions with rotating members of Council, creating a virtual Community Idea Bank, organizing a Citizen Pitch to the Mayor initiative, and hosting a Doors Open Cobourg event so residents can see their tax dollars in action.
I will delegate Strong Mayor Powers to all of Council returning decision-making to where it belongs. Because better decisions are made through collaboration, not centralized power.
FAQs: Where I Stand
The following addresses hot topics and concerns that have been challenging our community, and which we will need to respond to in the next term of Council. This is an opportunity for you, as a voter, to get to know more about me. It also provides a chance for me to clarify my position on specific issues, debunk myths, and share my suggestions for how we move forward as a community.
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Where I Stand
I have been vocal about my concerns with Strong Mayor Powers because I believe local government works best when decisions are made together, not concentrated in one office. Residents elect a full Council to represent different voices, experiences, and perspectives across the community. If one person holds too much power, it weakens collaboration and public trust. In my view, that is not how good local government should work.
What I’ll Do
The legislation allows Mayors to delegate these powers back to Council, and that is what I would do. As Mayor, I will continue working collaboratively with Council, staff, residents, and community partners because I believe better decisions are made when people are brought to the table, not shut out of the conversation.
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Where I Stand
I understand the frustration many residents feel about rising policing costs and I understand how difficult it has become for people to make ends meet.
At the same time, I also recognize the importance of maintaining a strong local police service and supporting the officers who put their lives on the line to keep our community safe.
As a member of the Cobourg Police Services Board, I have the responsibility to provide context around recent budget discussions. Some residents have referenced a "20% increase," but it's important to understand what that number actually means: it reflects the police service's gross operational budget request, not the impact on your tax bill. The 20.5% police budget increase for 2026 translated to approximately 4.89% of the portion of the levy attributable to policing, within an overall municipal levy increase of 2.74%. These figures reflect years of accumulated financial pressures, mandatory compliance requirements under the new Community Safety and Policing Act, and the need to course correct a past over-reliance on reserves and Business Centre revenue to artificially suppress policing costs.
During budget deliberations, I was one of two board members that brought forward suggestions and discussions around budget allocations and financial planning in an effort to identify responsible ways to manage costs while protecting public safety.
I have also been vocal about exploring alternative policing and community safety models that maintain service levels and protect jobs. This Police Services Board, alongside Council, initiated those conversations even when the idea was not always well received.
In addition, I have either led or supported motions, advocacy efforts, and delegations calling on the Province to provide greater support for municipal policing costs, including requests for court security funding support through the Ministry of the Attorney General and participating in call to action from other small urban municipalities regarding the financial impact of changes to provincial policing legislation.
What I’ll Do
As a member of the Cobourg Police Services Board, I will continue to lead on responsible policing that protects both public safety and taxpayers. That includes:
Working alongside other municipalities to push the Province for fairer, more equitable funding because when the Province stepped in to help OPP-policed communities manage unexpected cost increases, municipalities like Cobourg that operate their own police services received no equivalent relief, despite facing the same pressures.
Demanding that compliance obligations introduced under the new Community Safety and Policing Act be matched with meaningful provincial funding support, so the burden doesn't fall entirely on local taxpayers.
Exploring modern policing models and community safety partnerships that deliver effective, responsive service without defaulting to cost increases as the only solution.
Introducing multi-year budget planning so that costs and service levels are managed predictably and transparently. This is intended to avoid the kind of year-over-year swing that results when short-term decisions, like over-reliance on reserves or one-time revenue sources, are used to defer the true cost of policing to future years.
Finally, the hiring of a new Police Chief creates an important opportunity to look at things differently, modernize approaches where appropriate, and continue building trust between the police service and the community.
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Where I Stand
I would like to clarify concerns regarding my leadership in addressing homelessness, mental health, and addiction in Cobourg. I do not endorse unsanctioned safe injection sites or open-air use of drugs. Statements suggesting that I distribute illegal substances, fund drug dens, or volunteer at unsanctioned events are not true. Social media posts implying that I will turn Victoria Hall into an encampment is an unfair accusation. I do not believe encampments is the answer to homelessness, nor is relying predominantly on emergency responses after individuals have reached a crisis point.
Solutions cannot be built in silos. Slinging mud at each other does not help. The current system is not working, and our inability to collaborate is failing people in crisis and Cobourg residents.
We need a more coordinated approach rooted in healthcare, housing, mental health, addiction recovery, and community safety. Many parts of this issue are outside the municipal mandate. Still, local governments should lead, advocate, convene partners, and push for better solutions upstream.
What I’ll Do
It’s time we move from costly stop-gap measures to developing practical (and achievable) long-term solutions. Real progress on homelessness, addiction, and mental health starts with treating housing and healthcare as the foundation, not an afterthought.
That means shifting more focus toward prevention, treatment, recovery, and measurable outcomes so residents can see real progress in reducing homelessness, repeat crisis calls, overdoses, and long-term instability.
The path forward is an integrated campus of care model that involves working with healthcare providers, community organizations, County housing, police, paramedicine, and provincial partners to
Remove barriers to mental health and addictions treatment
Scale supportive and transitional housing throughout the County
Prioritize and invest in recovery-focused programming, mobile outreach and crisis response, local detox and stabilization pathways, and long-term recovery and reintegration planning
These are difficult issues, but Cobourg and Northumberland can lead with both compassion and accountability to build safer, healthier communities for everyone.
Join Team Nicole
Campaigns are won by people, not just candidates. If you believe Cobourg deserves strong, stable and experienced leadership filled with heart and passion to make our community the best it can be, join the team today.
Sign up now to knock on doors with me, host a neighbourhood meet-and-greet, help fundraise, or plant a lawn sign.
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