While several issues are on his radar, Jay Fallis opted to try to win a seat on city council for a unique reason.
“Having grown up here, I really believe there is a special kindness that exists here,” said the 28-year-old Park Street Collegiate Institute graduate. “Many issues have caught my attention, for sure, but the reason I’m running is to bring that sentiment to the table and recognize we’re … representing the community.”
Fallis is one of five candidates running in Ward 3 for the two available positions. While it’s his first campaign, he started thinking about being a politician when he was a kid.
“It’s always kind of been a dream,” said Fallis, who remembers doing a class project in Grade 5 about what you were going to do when you grow up. “I selected running for office and drew up a campaign.”
While he is young, he believes he brings a lot of experience to City Hall. His work as a political aide, both at Queen’s Park and the House of Commons, provided hands-on, real-life experience in the political process.
As a columnist with The Packet & Times, he also cultivated his research and writing skills. “I think that inspired me to ask the right questions, to get down to the nitty gritty,” said Fallis, whose work was published in more than 30 newspapers across the country.
More recently, he’s been a contract professor at Georgian College. In the summer, he taught a social welfare course; this fall, he’s teaching about Canadian and global affairs.
“I’m unique in couple of ways,” he said. “I have a bit of political experience, I have journalism and teaching experience and I earned a Masters of Political Science from the University of Toronto. So, I am a young guy but I bring a lot of knowledge and experience in the field.”
While canvassing homes in Ward 3, Fallis said snow removal has emerged as a “surprisingly big” issue, with people recounting horror stories of roads not being plowed, in some cases, up to two days following a storm.
“That can be rectified quite simply,” said Fallis. “We just need to broaden our service a little bit and be more responsive to what people are looking for. There is certainly room for improvement.”
Fallis, a volunteer for both Helping Hands and the Lighthouse Soup Kitchen, also believes poverty reduction should be a priority with a focus on youth and seniors.
“I’d like to try finding creative solutions to that problem and doing what we can to ensure the average Orillian has a leg up,” he said, noting he’d be willing to work hard on those efforts.
If elected, Fallis said he would also work to ensure “responsible economic growth” is balanced with environmental protection.
As to the potential sale of Orillia Power Distribution Corporation to Hydro One – a ‘new’ proposal is currently before the Ontario Energy Board – Fallis said he has talked to people on both sides of the controversy and has done his homework.
“The way I see it, it’s the obligation of the new council to make sure whatever happens is as positive experience for the city as possible,” he said, noting he recognizes “some economic benefits” but also does “have some concerns.”
Fallis said he strives to hear all sides.
“I’m the type of person who tries to be respectful of everyone involved. I always try to bridge the gap between me and others, but I will be forward in the position I’m taking and back that up with evidence,” he said. “It’s better to go forward together rather than divided.”
Editor's Note: OrilliaMatters is profiling all candidates in Orillia's municipal election. They are being published daily, by ward, in alphabetical order. The mayoralty candidates will also be profiled.
