🚨 SCENE WATCH MEDIA | CALLING ON ALL CANDIDATES, OLD AND NEW: PROVE YOUR SUPPORT FOR COLLINGWOOD’S FIREFIGHTERS

Scene Watch Media | October 1, 2026

To every candidate seeking a seat around Collingwood’s Council table this election, whether you currently hold office or you’re asking residents to put you there for the first time, Scene Watch Media has a question:

You say you support our firefighters. What are you prepared to do about the Fire Services Master Plan?

Because right now, the Town of Collingwood’s own website still shows that plan as:

ON HOLD.

And from where we sit, it feels like an important piece of Collingwood’s long-term fire service planning has been kicked to the curb.

Nearly $45,000 spent. Public consultation completed. Preliminary plan completed. Still on hold.

This isn’t a plan somebody dreamed up last week.

The Fire Services Master Plan process began in August 2023. Emergency Management Group was brought in as the consultant, and residents participated in public consultation.

According to reporting based on information supplied by the Town, $44,743.89 had been spent on the project as of August 2026, and a preliminary version of the plan had been completed.

Town staff said the project was subsequently placed on hold because of “concurrent priorities,” with no firm timeline at that point for when the work would resume.

The Town’s own project page describes the Master Plan as a roadmap intended to examine fire risks and needs, operations, prevention, training, apparatus and equipment, human resources, station suitability, budgets and large-scale emergency preparedness.

So why is something this important still sitting on hold?

Last night we heard plenty about what’s next

Candidates spoke about Collingwood’s future and the priorities they believe deserve attention.

There will always be another project.

Another study.

Another facility.

Another idea for what Collingwood should do next.

But Scene Watch Media wants fire protection and emergency preparedness to be part of that conversation too.

The Town’s finalized 2026 budget includes meaningful investments in Fire Services, including enhanced fire prevention education and two new fire trucks.

Those investments should be acknowledged.

But purchasing new apparatus is not the same thing as having an up-to-date, comprehensive, long-term Fire Services Master Plan.

We need both.

To every candidate, here’s your opportunity

Scene Watch Media isn’t going to tell Collingwood residents who deserves their vote.

Instead, we’re putting the same questions publicly to every candidate, incumbent or newcomer:

Will you support getting the Fire Services Master Plan off hold?

Will you support bringing the work already completed forward for public and Council review?

Will you support establishing a clear timeline for completing whatever work remains?

Will you make long-term fire service planning a priority during the next term of Council?

And if your answer is no, tell residents why.

This isn’t about saying the right words during an election campaign.

Show us what you will do.

Supporting firefighters means planning for their future

Collingwood Fire Department personnel respond when residents need them.

Our firefighters shouldn’t become a talking point only when there’s an emergency.

Supporting them also means making sure the municipality plans for the equipment, facilities, staffing, training and resources that may be required as Collingwood grows.

That’s exactly why a Fire Services Master Plan matters.

PROVE IT.

To every candidate telling residents that you support Collingwood’s firefighters:

Prove it.

Tell the community where you stand on getting this plan moving again.

Tell residents what you would do.

Tell Collingwood whether you’re prepared to put the Fire Services Master Plan back on the municipal agenda.

Scene Watch Media welcomes responses from all candidates so the community can hear where each one stands on this important public safety issue.

Nearly $45,000 has already been invested. Residents participated. Preliminary work was completed.

It’s time for a clear answer about what comes next.

Our Fire Services Master Plan shouldn’t be left sitting at the curb.

WE STAND WITH OUR FIRST RESPONDERS.