What We’ve Accomplished
Working together these past four years, we have accomplished a lot for Merritton, St. catharines and Niagara. My favourite part about being your city councillor is helping solve problems and fighting for you at city council. Here are some of the other highlights along the way from 2018 to 2022
Housing and Affordability
Championing an affordable housing component to the Community Improvement Plan and supporting the grant for Accessory Dwelling Units
Hiring new engagement team to assist those subjected to poverty and living rough in our community (https://stcatharines.civicweb.net/document/73094)
Supporting local tenant organizations to oppose damaging changes from their landlord and advocate for more rights
Working with local neighbours to understand the importance of adding housing and density; advocating on neighbours behalf when developers do not respect their right to privacy, safety, and respect
Waiving fees for the new YWCA transitional housing build on Oakdale Avenue
Called for a vacancy tax in Niagara to increase amount of rental units on the market. Supported our new vacant building registry to crack down on negligent property owners and unsightly buildings.
Supported call to license Airbnbs locally
Served on Surplus Land Task force, supported the creation of a municipal development corporation and bringing back development charges, all of which will allow the City to play a greater role in housing and affordability for decades to come
Parks and recreation
Brought a Splashpad to Merritton Ward, including bringing up the idea with City staff, attending Committee meetings and having the funding included in the budget. The proposed Splashpad is now funded and moving forward with public consultations with a suggested site of Secord Woods Park.
Supporting keeping public pools, including upgrading Merritton’s Lion Dunc Schooley pool: “But councillors supported another option from Merritton Coun. Greg Miller which would see the city replace, renew or retain the three existing outdoor pools while adding to its indoor facility and splash pad stock." (https://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/news/council/2021/08/10/st-catharines-keeping-outdoor-pools-for-the-long-term.html)
Securing funding for park upgrades at Douglas Park, Valleyview, Richard Pierpoint and Barley Drive Park
Supporting funding for new Niagara Summer Games facilities that will provide public recreation space to St. Catharines residents for generations to come, including the only public running tracks currently available
$2-million in upgrades at Merritton Arena
New grandstands and washrooms at George Taylor Field
Public Transit
I served as a member of all 3 of the St. Catharines Transit Commission, Niagara Transit Commission and Linking Niagara Transit Committee. During my time, here are some of the changes I’m proud of during a difficult time for public transit due to Covid-19:
FREE transit for veterans and children: https://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/news/niagara-region/2020/02/09/st-catharines-transit-now-offers-free-rides-to-kids-12-and-under-and-veterans.html
$40-million in Federal funding for local, St. Catharines transit: https://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/news/niagara-region/2020/06/25/niagara-transit-systems-get-78-million-funding-boost-to-pay-for-31-projects.html
Making sure St. Catharines Transit hours will not be cut during the move to a new Regional service; advocating for increased hours when that happens instead
Equity and Inclusion
Along with Councillors Porter and Townsend, suggested the idea for Equity Committees of Council to provide lived experience of racialized residents and those of the LGBTQ2S+ communities to City policies and motions. These new Committees have done tireless work making our city more inclusive, more diverse, and better.
Hiring a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion officer to support our brilliant committees and ensure our city is meetings its obligations to marginalized groups
St. Catharines’ first rainbow crosswalk: https://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/news/niagara-region/2021/05/27/st-catharines-installs-its-first-rainbow-crosswalk.html
Renaming Centennial Gardens after one of St. Catharines first, most prominent, and most famous black members: Richard Pierpoint
Free menstruation products in City facilities: https://www.stcatharines.ca/en/news/free-menstrual-products-available-at-two-city-facilities.aspx
Consistently advocating on behalf of migrant workers (https://www.facebook.com/MillerForMerritton/posts/pfbid0JfqdfuSMpR2GbR6sm7XAb7zwsRkJv2M2qB7PrTAfJx2oRPVSCA8kpsXNWuXGVaZQl?__cft__[0]=AZWHiRF3L67ULEd7Gr8Hrowavfhcg5LyAX_jxK80x630D_Exw9aj63NELGPUflEXE1EM6C8MSCtkL0tX4Syd6htSSqqVwstE_zLQ3BqrHPJ-qacSeLrAQ_8ioo1mQC4r-0I&__tn__=%2CO%2CP-R)
and demanding the Federal government do right by Migrant Workers: https://www.niagarathisweek.com/community-story/9971078-st-catharines-councillors-request-financial-support-for-migrant-workers/?fbclid=IwAR1DUiXyD9qMq5jngQfsdlOsnw46hH-QpuubBTBRFMJSf-Gve2F1qyLHs4s
Supporting Local
Moving motion to support Merritton Legion’s request for a licensed yard: https://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/news/niagara-region/2019/06/13/council-notebook-merritton-legion-gets-the-ok-to-drink-alcohol-in-yard.html
Waiving license fees, expanding patio spaces and providing funding to go online for local small businesses to help address the devastating impact of the Covid-19 pandemic
Passing a motion to ensure funding for the Merritton Labour Day Festival: https://twitter.com/GregMillerSTC/status/1471281633244459011
Co-chairing the Labour Day fireworks committee
Climate Change
Passed a motion asking for us to adopt more aggressive climate targets: https://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/news/niagara-region/2020/02/19/st-catharines-adopts-more-climate-change-targets.html
Asked for climate change impacts to be included in ALL reports to Council, just as financial implications are
Supported our Climate adaptation and mitigation plans: https://www.stcatharines.ca/en/home-property-and-environment/climate-change.aspx#:~:text=Weather%20systems%20will%20change%20leading,is%20done%20to%20cut%20emissions.
Encouraged use of sustainable transportation by supporting cheaper public transit, more bike lanes, and accessible pathways
And more!
Pictured above: achieving my passion project of making St. Catharines Ontario’s largest municipality to become a Living Wage Champion. Ensuring we are a leader in providing fair wages to not only our own employees, but the employees of companies who do business with the City of St. Catharines: https://www.insauga.com/st-catharines-now-the-largest-living-wage-employer-in-ontario/
Doing what we can to advocate for those who use drugs, including support for service providers on Queenston Street and passing a motion calling for decriminalization of drugs:
Support for the Transportation Master Plan to make transportation easier, safer, and more sustainable in St. Catharines, including supporting the connection of Chestnut Street
Funding for the Secondary Access on Moffat Street
Achieving a Heritage designation for the historic Merritton High School
Slowing down trucks and traffic throughout the ward, from one-way changes on Grantham Ave S to stop signs on the Welland Canals Parkway and more.