VOTE COMPASS SURVEY (Part 2)

The team at Vox Pop Labs has asked all municipal candidates in Ontario to participate in their Vote Compass survey to ensure that voters have access to a comprehensive view of the candidates seeking to represent them.

Their site will be launched in late September, but here is a view of the survey and how David Guerin responded to each question. Candidates are asked if they Strongly Agree,  Agree, Somewhat Agree, Somewhat Disagree, Disagree, or Strongly Disagree with each of the following statements and to briefly explain why.

​This is the second in a series. You can see Part 1 here.

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Vox Pop Labs statement 6:

Municipal buildings should fly the Pride flag during Pride month.

David's position: Strongly agree
Supporting Statement: Flying the Pride flag during Pride Month is a visible statement that LGBTQ+ residents are welcomed, respected and included in our community. Municipal buildings should reflect Cambridge’s commitment to dignity and belonging for all residents.

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Vox Pop Labs statement 7:

Every municipal council meeting should begin with an acknowledgement of Indigenous peoples' ties to the land.

David's position: Agree
Supporting Statement: A land acknowledgement is a respectful way to recognize that Cambridge is located on lands with deep and ongoing significance to Indigenous peoples. It should be delivered thoughtfully and consistently, reflecting mutual respect and a commitment to a shared future. It should also be accompanied by genuine efforts to strengthen relationships, support reconciliation, and ensure Indigenous perspectives are meaningfully included in municipal decision-making.

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Vox Pop Labs statement 8:

Cambridge should keep historic street names and statues, even if they commemorate people who some would consider racist by today's standards.

David's position: Somewhat Agree
Supporting Statement: Historic names and monuments should be handled carefully, balancing preservation with thoughtful review. Cambridge should not erase its history, but preserve it while adding context that reflects how values have evolved. Decisions should follow meaningful community consultation and consider options like interpretation, signage, or relocation. In some cases, where a name or monument conflicts with an inclusive city’s values, change may be appropriate after a transparent, case-by-case process weighing history, community impact, and public input.

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Vox Pop Labs statement 9:

Cambridge should try to keep property taxes low, even if it means fewer services for residents.

David's position: Somewhat Disagree
Supporting Statement: Cambridge should keep property-tax increases as low as reasonably possible, but cutting essential services simply to achieve a lower rate can create larger costs later. Council should focus on efficient spending, clear priorities and measurable value while maintaining the services and infrastructure residents depend on.

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Vox Pop Labs statement 10:

Cambridge should apply an additional tax to vacant houses.

David's position: Disagree
Supporting Statement: Although housing availability is an issue I take extremely seriously, I do not support a vacant-home tax or a system to monitor and penalize owners for leaving homes unoccupied. Vacancy often reflects broader housing supply and stability challenges. The better solution is to increase housing supply, improve predictability, and reduce barriers to renting rather than creating a new bureaucracy to micromanage vacancy.
Fairness matters: bad-faith tenants and unethical landlords should both be held accountable. A balanced system depends on responsibility, stability, and more homes being brought into use.

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Vox Pop Labs statement 11:

Cambridge should encourage more multi-unit housing in neighbourhoods that are currently made up mostly of single-family homes.

David's position: Agree
Supporting Statement: Cambridge should support more housing options, including duplexes, townhouses, small multi-unit buildings, and tiny homes in backyards, in appropriate areas within established neighbourhoods. My experience with the Leadership Waterloo Region program  highlighted the benefits of gentle densification near amenities. I do not support indiscriminate demolition, but preserving the status quo solely for character is not enough. We should add housing for young people and enable seniors to age in place, with growth that respects neighbourhood character and is supported by transit, services, parking, and good design.

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Vox Pop Labs statement 12:

Cambridge should protect existing green space, even if doing so limits new housing developments.

David's position: Somewhat Agree
Supporting Statement: Cambridge should protect significant natural areas, parks and environmentally sensitive lands as the city grows. At the same time, not every undeveloped parcel has equal environmental value. Housing growth should be directed toward appropriate locations through thoughtful intensification and responsible development, rather than treating all green space as either untouchable or available for construction.

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Vox Pop Labs statement 13:

Cambridge should build new housing in existing neighbourhoods rather than create new subdivisions.

David's position: Somewhat Disagree
Supporting Statement: Cambridge needs both thoughtful intensification in existing neighbourhoods and well-planned new subdivisions. Adding housing near existing services and transit can make good use of infrastructure, but a growing city will also require new communities. The priority should be complete neighbourhoods with appropriate housing choices, transportation, parks, schools and public services rather than an either-or approach.

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Vox Pop Labs statement 14:

Cambridge should protect historic buildings, even if this prevents owners from making renovations.

David's position: Somewhat Disagree
Supporting Statement: Cambridge should be cautious about strict heritage restrictions on privately owned buildings, as they can limit redevelopment, raise costs, and slow housing and economic growth. While some buildings have historical value, preservation should not override safety, accessibility, energy efficiency, or modern use. Heritage protections should be applied selectively to truly significant sites, with flexibility for practical renovation and redevelopment.

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Thank you for taking the time to read David's position on a number of topics. There were a total of 30 statements/questions. We will share some more over the next few days.

Want to learn more about David's vision and priorities for Ward 7 and Cambridge?
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