Beaconsfield heads toward a pivotal municipal election on Sunday, November 2. This episode digs into housing options, transparency at city hall, fiscal responsibility, and how decisions actually move from idea to action. The goal is simple: give residents clear context before they vote.

A Beaconsfield resident since 2009, Martin is a lawyer focused on municipal law, ethics, and governance. He previously served in senior legal roles for Montréal and Westmount, including work connected to the Charbonneau Commission. Elected to Beaconsfield council in 2021, he argues that council experience equips him to “hit the ground running” on day one.

Martin supports “gentle” density in targeted nodes without changing Beaconsfield’s single-family character. He highlights opportunities near Beaurepaire Village and around the shopping mall and train station, where mixed-use and transit-adjacent homes could create options for downsizers and young families. He stresses pacing, location, and fit with neighborhood context over blanket up-zoning.

Residents want to know how decisions are made, not just how votes are counted. Martin proposes publishing succinct caucus topic summaries, next steps, and mandates given to administration. He points to Westmount’s practice as proof that clearer communication is workable and helps reduce confusion and division.

Major contract approvals often feel abstract. Martin wants the city to explain scope, cost versus estimates, market conditions, timelines, and the specific streets or sectors affected. He believes residents accept costs more readily when they understand what they’re paying for and when the work will happen.

The Atomas project near the mall illustrates both the promise and pitfalls of private development. Martin notes new bylaw tools that push promoters to build within stated timelines. The Elm Plaza experience underscored the need for early engagement. His takeaway is direct: communicate early, listen actively, and adapt projects to the community rather than asking the community to adjust to a fixed plan.

Architectural integration decisions are inherently subjective. A citizen committee evaluates fit with the streetscape, and projects may need multiple iterations. Martin supports keeping this resident-driven review while clarifying expectations to cut repeat submissions and speed decisions, even when the answer is no.

Beaconsfield’s legal challenge over the agglomeration cost-sharing remains active and, in Martin’s view, strong. He favors staying the course while building a united front with demerged municipalities to seek fairer governance and taxation. He frames the current agglomeration voting structure as imbalanced and calls for reforms that give residents a meaningful voice.

City projects take time. Between budgeting, social acceptability, and design, progress is incremental by design. Martin argues that steady evolution—not upheaval—delivers durable results, provided the city communicates each step clearly and invites residents into the process earlier.

Turnout is historically low in municipal elections. Martin urges residents to learn about each candidate, engage with the ideas, and vote. With a new mayor guaranteed and several council seats turning over, the choices made now will shape Beaconsfield’s next chapter.

Phone: (514) 791-6674

Email: martin@mst-jean.ca

Website: https://mst-jean.ca/en/contact-me/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Beaconsfield.Mayor.2025/

Scott sits down with Beaconsfield resident and mayoral candidate Frank Merhar to talk growth, transparency, and the practical steps needed to fund and deliver city projects. The conversation focuses on how to modernize services without losing the city’s character, and how clearer rules can reduce friction for residents and small businesses.

Frank traces his long ties to Beaconsfield and shares a story about finding a four-leaf clover on the day he filed his candidacy—an encouraging nudge from his late mother. He frames the campaign around service, collaboration, and problem-solving at street level.

Beaconsfield needs growth that matches its scale. Frank supports mixed-use, village-style development, with moderate height and neighborhood-friendly design. He points to examples like Pointe-Claire’s village as models for revitalizing local commerce while keeping a small-town feel.

Residents and entrepreneurs should face clear, consistent rules. Frank calls for a predictable permitting process, an end to moving goalposts, and design guidelines that are transparent and easy to follow. The goal is to encourage investment instead of scaring it away.

The city needs more options for seniors, downsizers, and young families. Frank supports modest townhomes and low-rise, mixed-use buildings near services—walkable, human-scale, and aligned with Beaconsfield’s character.

Growth depends on reliable infrastructure. Frank outlines upgrades to water supply, sewer capacity, stormwater management, and selective undergrounding of utilities near the tracks. He links these projects to long-term resilience and day-to-day quality of life.

New revenue should not fall only on homeowners. Frank proposes sponsorships for civic facilities, user fees for non-resident amenities, targeted grants, and donor partnerships—structured with strict oversight and public reporting.

City Hall must share more than vote tallies. Frank backs detailed summaries of committee work, timely release of meeting minutes, and accessible reporting on big files. Legal and privacy limits apply, but the default should be open.

Safer crossings, better signage, and smarter traffic calming can protect walkers and cyclists. Frank supports modern crosswalk tech, stronger enforcement near schools, and upgrades on key corridors like Lakeshore.

Frank supports strong community assets but wants hard numbers before shovels hit the ground. He calls for tighter cost controls, clearer tenders, and diversified funding so major builds don’t strain residents.

Frank supports resolving the agglomeration dispute with fresh eyes and a collaborative tone. He questions the volume of resident-targeted legal actions and favors case-by-case review to reduce waste and rebuild trust.

Beaconsfield can grow while staying Beaconsfield. With clear rules, transparent decisions, and reliable infrastructure, the city can welcome new homes and businesses, protect its neighborhoods, and keep costs in check.

Learn more and reach out to Frank on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cfmerhar/?hl=en

Nicole moved to Beaconsfield in 2023 seeking a quieter, community-focused life after Toronto. She’s running for mayor to ensure voters have a real choice and to push for a city that’s accessible, inclusive, and transparent. Her platform is shaped by lived experience, including navigating the city without a car and advocating for residents who are often overlooked.

Nicole highlights safety concerns on key arteries and the need for more frequent, connected public transit. She proposes new bus routes along Elm Street and Beaconsfield’s north–south corridors to better link neighborhoods and services. She also calls for practical accessibility upgrades at train stations, from simple ramps where feasible to larger infrastructure projects funded with provincial support.

City decision-making should be visible and accessible. Nicole would open currently closed committee meetings to the public and offer hybrid Zoom access using webinar controls to enable safe, interactive participation. She points to Halifax as a proven model and argues that transparency helps residents understand budgets, priorities, and outcomes.

Beaconsfield’s small pound is underused and invisible to residents. Nicole proposes transforming it into a public-facing hub: a pet food and supply bank, microchip and vaccine clinics supported by donations, and an education room in partnership with the library. She would collaborate with regional and national organizations to promote humane education and coexistence with wildlife.

Affordability is a growing concern across the city. Nicole supports ending “no-pet” clauses locally where possible, encouraging accessible design in any new builds, and creating a registry of accessible and pet-friendly rentals. Rather than large luxury projects, she favors gentle density: legalizing more basement, garage, and attic apartments, and adding mixed-use zoning so upper floors of commercial buildings can become homes.

Many police calls relate to mental health, not crime. Nicole proposes a civilian, health-led crisis response modeled on Toronto’s Community Crisis Service, operated through health agencies and social workers rather than police. She would also restore volunteer search-and-rescue capacity to complement first responders and reduce policing costs tied to non-criminal calls.

Inclusion means more than services—it includes who gets hired. Nicole supports paid roles for neurodivergent residents across city departments and applauds steps toward a neuro-affirming new library. Her goal is a municipal workforce that reflects the full diversity of Beaconsfield.

Angel Woods and other natural areas are essential for well-being and wildlife. Nicole supports preserving forests, daylighting culverted streams where feasible, and using “sponge city” strategies—wetlands, marsh and bog gardens, permeable surfaces—to reduce flooding. She encourages residents and the city to adopt nature-based water management on private and public land.

Healthy food should be accessible. Nicole proposes expanding community gardens and supporting affordable markets in both Beaurepaire and Beaconsfield North. She points to successful dignity-based models that combine donations with choice, allowing families to shop for fresh, nutritious options at subsidized prices.

Nicole wants a Beaconsfield where people of all ages, abilities, incomes, and backgrounds feel seen and supported. She imagines connected transit, open decision-making, humane animal care, gentle infill housing, responsive mental health services, and protected green space—delivered through practical steps and broad collaboration.

Residents can engage by attending council and committee meetings, participating in public consultations, and sharing local lived experiences—especially on accessibility, affordability, and inclusion. Nicole invites constructive dialogue and collaboration with community groups, schools, and regional partners.

Website: https://nicolecorradoartist.wordpress.com

Email: ntcorrado@rogers.com

Téléphone: (514) 601-0259

Host Scott Broady sits down with longtime Beaconsfield resident and mayoral candidate Greg Orleski to unpack how the city can evolve without losing what makes it special. The conversation covers growth, fiscal management, transparency at City Hall, densification around transit, and practical ways to fund infrastructure while protecting Beaconsfield’s green character and small-town feel.

Greg shares why he chose Beaconsfield 25 years ago—nature, fresh air, water access, community spirit, and quality of life—and why those pillars are non-negotiable. His goal is to preserve them while guiding thoughtful, resident-driven change.

Greg supports modernizing amenities and creating a vibrant cultural hub near Centennial Park and Lord Reading, while ensuring the park’s trees and beach stay intact. He emphasizes projects that enhance community life, keep the village feel, and attract small businesses without turning Beaconsfield into a high-rise city.

With a primarily residential tax base, Greg outlines a pragmatic approach: optimize city-owned assets like Centennial Hall and the rec center for revenue, aggressively pursue provincial and federal grants with ready-to-execute plans, and use partnerships and shared services with neighboring cities to reduce costs and stretch every dollar further.

Greg argues that communication is the foundation of good governance. He proposes a multi-platform strategy—regular town halls, open Q&As, Zoom sessions, and plain-language updates—so residents understand context before decisions are made. He favors opening caucus discussions to the public whenever legally possible, and clearly explaining any confidentiality limits.

Greg supports low-rise, human-scale housing near transit and key corridors such as St-Charles and Elm. The aim is to create options for right-sizers and young adults who want to stay local, while blending architecture with existing neighborhoods and encouraging mixed-use areas that support walkability and local shops.

Referencing stalled or problematic projects, Greg stresses early community dialogue, sensible developer conditions, practical and enforceable contracts, and ongoing monitoring. He highlights resilience standards that reflect today’s climate realities, so new builds and infrastructure can handle heavier storms and flooding.

Greg wants a permit process that is predictable and time-bound. He suggests clear visual design guides by neighborhood, pre-submission meetings to align before filing, and published review timelines—protecting Beaconsfield’s character while reducing costly back-and-forth for residents and contractors.

Drawing on his nonprofit leadership and coalition-building work in the West Island, Greg explains how shared vision, diverse partners, and grant readiness can unlock ambitious community projects. He believes these same tactics can fund Beaconsfield’s recreation upgrades and infrastructure needs sooner, not later.

With decades of complex litigation experience, Greg favors pursuing negotiated outcomes that bring money back to Beaconsfield earlier—without abandoning the city’s claims—so funds can be reinvested into community priorities while avoiding years of uncertainty.

Greg envisions ongoing conversations with residents—online and in person—so participation becomes habitual, not episodic. He wants the city to proactively invite passionate citizens into meaningful roles, turning engagement into momentum for projects that reflect Beaconsfield’s shared values.

Residents are encouraged to learn the platforms, ask questions, and vote. A stronger community begins with informed participation when you head to the polls on Sunday, November 2.

Contact Greg Orleski | (514) 825-3280, info@gregorleski.com

Website: https://gregorleski.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gregoryorleski/

This episode explores why families must start planning for incapacity before a crisis hits. Scott and Nada walk through the legal consequences of waiting too long — especially when it comes to selling a home, managing finances, or accessing medical records for an incapacitated loved one.

Legal inaction can lead to delays, stress, and costly consequences during already emotional moments.

Nada explains the major distinctions between the three documents:

• Will: Comes into effect after death. Outlines asset distribution and guardianship for minors.
• Power of Attorney: Grants someone the authority to manage your finances while you're still of sound mind.
• Mandate of Protection: Activates only after incapacity and includes authority over both financial and medical decisions.

Pro Tip: Having a will doesn't protect you during incapacity. You need a separate mandate.

Nada breaks down the definition of incapacity, which often involves cognitive decline (e.g., Alzheimer’s or dementia).

To officially declare someone incapacitated, two assessments are required:

• A medical evaluation from a doctor
• A psychosocial report from a licensed social worker

Only after these can a mandate of protection be homologated and put into effect.

Homologation is the legal process of activating a mandate. Without it, even a valid mandate won't be accepted for selling a home or managing bank accounts.

Real estate impact:

If a parent is incapacitated and the mandate isn’t homologated, notaries will not sign off on a property sale — causing long delays.

If no mandate is in place, the court must intervene and assign a legal representative through a tutorship. This is a more complex, time-consuming process and requires:

• Formation of a tutorship council (3 members + 2 substitutes)
• Court approval for any financial transactions over $40,000
• Additional reporting and verification steps

Result: More red tape, more stress, and longer delays.

Nada recommends building a trusted support network early. This may include:

• A notary who specializes in mandates and homologations
• A family doctor or geriatric physician
• A social worker for assessments
• A financial advisor or wealth manager
• Your real estate broker
• An accountant or estate lawyer

Best practice: Get everyone on the same page before a crisis occurs.

Scott shares personal and professional stories where lack of preparation led to:

• Frozen bank accounts
• Property sales blocked for over a year
• Family members scrambling to establish tutorship
• Loss of healthcare benefits due to inability to file taxes

Nada shares how even a simple mandate could have prevented these outcomes.

• Have open conversations with parents and loved ones while they are still of sound mind
• Draft a will and mandate of protection
• Homologate the mandate as soon as incapacity begins
• Build a support team of professionals to help guide the process

• An adult child caring for aging parents
• A senior homeowner considering your next steps
• A homeowner who wants to plan for the future
• Involved in a family estate or property sale

• Nada Chalaby’s Website: nadachalaby.com
• Contact Nada: 514-952-6339
• Broady Windsor Group: broadywindsor.com