On October 26, 2026:

Elect

Tony Dalimonte

Ward 4

A Ward 4 councillor can't single-handedly stop a development or fast-track an arena. But they can ask the hard questions, demand traffic studies, push for infrastructure audits, and vote with the facts — not factions. That takes relationships. Not backrooms. Professional relationships with people you may not agree with, because communication is how Haldimand County actually moves forward. Tony understands that. Always has.

moving forward together.

• Tony’s plan for Ward 4

Ward 4 · Haldimand County

For our farms

Tony knows Ontario agri-food generates $51 billion and employs 867,000 people — and Haldimand is part of that engine. He'll support local food procurement at county facilities, farmer profile campaigns, and slow-moving vehicle signage on rural roads. He'll also ensure farm equipment needs are part of any traffic study and push for agricultural impact assessments before infrastructure projects affect farmland. Tony will strengthen the Agricultural Advisory Committee and lobby senior governments to protect farming operations — because on-farm businesses are the backbone of Haldimand.

Fiscal discipline

Tony will keep property tax increases as close as possible to inflation — period. He supports mindful, strategized development that protects our rural heritage while ensuring new growth pays for itself, not existing residents. That means requiring developer contributions for infrastructure, public attendance at budget deliberations, and line-by-line voting records.

"A councillor's most basic job is showing up to budget meetings — because respect for your tax dollars starts with respect for the process."
— Tony Dalimonte

A good home for every generation

The current council has talked about housing. Tony will track outcomes — not just announcements.
Haldimand Norfolk Housing Corporation's mission is simple: safe, affordable, quality housing. Tony supports that mission. He will advocate for provincial funding to maintain and expand HNHC's 544 units — because the waitlist is too long and too many residents are rent-burdened. He'll also push for faster repairs, clear communication with tenants, and stronger resident safety measures, all of which are already goals in HNHC's 2020–2027 Strategic Plan. When developers come forward, Tony will insist on a generous balance of market rentals, truly affordable units, and supported housing — not just the minimum required. Tony believes a strong community starts with a good home for everyone.

emergency services

Tony has always ensured our first responders get what they need — from Fire Station 2 to modern equipment. He will continue that work by supporting the replacement of outdated firefighter pagers ($305,000 project), the transition to electric auto extrication tools at Hagersville Hall (2027), and the new Paramedic Master Services Plan to manage rising call volumes. He will also advocate for the full, on-time replacement of SCBA breathing apparatus and bunker gear — because a firefighter's safety is non-negotiable.
On policing, Tony will hold the OPP accountable for taxpayer dollars and service standards. He will work with AMO and other Ontario municipalities facing systemic service gaps to demand fair, transparent, and responsive policing — because our officers do their job, and systemic change is on us.

Our children, our Youth

The reality: Many of our young people leave and don't return. But healthy communities start early — with safe places to play, create, and grow.What Tony's heard: Kids need skate parks, splash pads, playgrounds, and places to just be. Not adults talking about youth — youth talking for themselves.Tony's plan:
1. Listen and work with the Youth Advisory Committee to continue and escalate fulfillment of needs for children and youth — both in our rural and urban communities.
2. Play & creative spaces: We are overdue for skate parks, splash pads, playgrounds, and multi-use rooms for art, music, and anything else.
3. Jobs for youth: Help increase opportunities for paid co-op and internship placements with local employers.
4. New arena: Supported by Hawks, Minor Hockey, and Skating Club — for all ages.
5. Trails & recreation: Low-cost outdoor investments to keep kids active year-round.


"Build for them young. Give them a reason to stay — or return." — Tony Dalimonte

Our Seniors

The reality: Over 49,000 people call Haldimand County home, with a growing number aged 65 and over. Many of us want to grow old right where we are — in the towns, villages, and farmhouses we've loved for decades.
What Tony's heard: Safe sidewalks. A ride to an appointment. A phone call to check in. Small dignities that make a big difference.Honouring our seniors: Local agencies like Haldimand Norfolk Senior Support Services do incredible work with limited resources. Tony will honour their expertise — and fight for more.Tony's plan:
Listen first: Regular consultation with the Senior Advisory Committee and local senior groups. Make "rural senior isolation" a standing agenda item at council.
Advocate for more: Support and advance lobby efforts by Haldimand Norfolk Senior Support Services and others — for increased dial-a-ride funding, staffing, and home care.
Push provincially: More funding for local home care and community support services in rural Haldimand.
Push locally: Better data sharing with Ontario Health atHome so seniors don't repeat their story to every agency.
New arena: Walking track and gathering space for seniors — not just hockey.

bypass

What it is: Provincial bypass shifting truck traffic east of downtown. Designed in the 1970s. Abandoned in 1985.
Why it matters: Safety. Noise. Bottlenecks. Hagersville wasn't built for this traffic.
Tony's plan: Request a public report on funding, land, and a realistic construction window. No more "studies."
Three phases:
Phase 1 – Update traffic data with MTO
Phase 2 – Better routes & streetscaping now
Phase 3 – Build when justified
Why Tony? Worked at Stelco, built and maintained professional relationships with Nanticoke operators and MTO. Quiet delivery. No grandstanding.

MZO

Yes, council can pass a resolution opposing the MZO. Some have demanded it. But that resolution wouldn't stop the province — it's symbolic.
Tony's focus isn't symbols. It's outcomes.Where the MZO stands now: The county's application became moot after sudden legislative changes. Since it would cost considerable time and money to redo the application, the developer applied for the MZO. The MZO application, as originally proposed, is not coming back.What comes next: The zoning on those lands could still change — for a mix of industrial, commercial, and some residential - as well as a developer-paid, regional water and wastewater plant and we can kiss goodbye older infrastructure. It means jobs into the thousands (and yes, Stelco is safe). A Tax base. Options we haven't had in 50 years.Tony's commitment: As always, listening to residents comes first. Together with the public, he will review any real proposal on its merits — traffic, environment, community fit — and vote with council for Haldimand's future, not for slogans.
The right question moving forward is: "Does this help us get better infrastructure, better jobs, better outcomes for the rest of the county?"
"Judge what's real, not what's noisy." — Tony Dalimonte

Listened. Funded. Delivered.

Accomplishment

Projects take work. Building relationships. Relying on one another. A strong council. Strong community groups. That's how things get done in Ward 4.
Hagersville Library & Active Living Centre – Tony chaired the Community Fundraising Committee. With support from council, library CEO Paul Diette, Chamber president Rob Phillips, Doug Miller, and many others, they raised over $2 million. Since its Spring 2026 opening, the facility has quickly become a true community hub: a public library with computer lab, children's and senior programming room, plus a recreation centre with full-size basketball court, pickleball, badminton, commercial kitchen, and gathering space for families and events.
Hagersville Fire Station 2 – Done.
Canfield Fire Station 5 – Done.
Splash pad – Done.
Tar-and-chip rural roads – Done.
Strong support to keep Haldimand Agricultural Centre alive – Done.
Bypass groundwork – Relationships with the MTO and Nanticoke Industry operators. Quiet. Steady. Not finished — but started.
25+ years – Member of the Hagersville and District Chamber of Commerce.
Board member – Canfield Community Centre Hall.

"None of this happened by accident. It happened because people showed up and worked together."
— Tony Dalimonte