Ann Schneider
for Georgian Bluffs Councillor
Elect Ann Schneider
A strong voice for the
future of Georgian Bluffs
"I love Georgian Bluffs and would be proud to serve our community — protecting our quality of life today while building a township that works for the future."
My Priorities and Beliefs
-
I believe in the importance and impact of local government
-
Effective governance that is responsive and respectful of constituents
-
Transparency and accountability
-
Very limited use of strong mayor powers
-
Fiscal responsibility based on solid long term outcomes
-
Positive, proactive actions that will make Georgian Bluffs more resilient to the changing climate. Planned action is cheaper than reaction.
-
Sustainable development that respects residents and the natural environment
I Want to Hear From You!
I've already heard from many of you about what you love about Georgian Bluffs: It's natural beauty and peace, our great community filled with terrific people. I've also heard concerns about poor communication or lack of responsiveness from the municipality, concern about proper upkeep of ditches, and the quality of roads which are really hard on farm equipment and the farmers driving them.
I want to hear more of your ideas and concerns,
What I Bring To The Table
Highly-Skilled Leadership
It isn’t enough to just love where you live to get elected. I acknowledge that I won’t know everything (no one could) but I will ask questions and search out answers. I have, and am willing to commit, the time needed to serve my community.
I recognize the importance of working within the means available and setting priorities; I can make hard decisions, I will ensure your money buys value, not frills.
I bring years of board experience and decision making, 900 plus page agenda packages won’t intimidate me.
I value diverse opinions at the table that results in better solutions and decision making.
Education and Work Experience
I have a Masters of Social Work degree and an Advance Diploma in Social Work Administration. As an executive director and manager in Violence Against Women Services and Children’s Mental Health for 20 plus years, I developed budgets and worked within the means of funding available. This work functioned on the strength of strong teams, good listening skills and the ability to manage challenging situations and individuals.
A Strong Connection to the Community
Board Experience
-
Bruce Peninsula Hospice
-
Sheatre
-
Bluewater Refugee Education Program
Municipal Committees
-
South Bruce Peninsula Physician Recruitment Committee
-
2022 Georgian Bluffs Remuneration Committee
-
Georgian Bluffs Climate Action Committee
Other Volunteerism and Service
-
Therapy Dog program
-
Summerfolk Arts and Craft Coordinator
-
Bruce Peninsula Multi Sports Race
-
Bruce Trail land steward
-
Organized arts and craft sale for the Kemble Maple Tour
-
Part of sponsorship groups for several refugee families
-
ESL teaching
-
Welcoming Communities Committee
-
Georgian Bluffs Climate Action Team
-
Grey Bruce Climate Action Network
-
Presented to high school students, Women’s Institutes etc on various topics
In 2022 I received a Georgian Bluffs Volunteer recognition award and in 2025 I received the individual “Belong”award from Welcoming Communities Grey Bruce.
A Desire to Empower the Next Generation
Keppel-Sarawak Elementary students learned about the What to Do Climate Wheel with me during the first Youth Climate Action Conference at the Harmony Centre in Owen Sound on Thursday, March 2, 2023.
PHOTO BY ROB GOWAN THE SUN TIMES
My Areas of Focus
Economic Development and Tourism
Encouraging tourism is an important part of economic development for Georgian Bluffs. This needs to be done in a thoughtful planned way so as not to significantly impact permanent residents or damage the beauty of the natural environment.
Georgian Bluffs Draft Official Plan States:
“This Plan intends to strike a balance between protecting the Township’s natural environment features while providing for appropriate growth and development.”
This makes sense to me; Council's job will be determining how to put those good words into practice. People need jobs and healthy places to raise their children and grow old. A forward looking planned approach is the way to help Georgian Bluffs and its residents prosper.
Agriculture
Farmers feed us!
Over the years I have seen changes. Feed corn, soy beans and lavender
grow here now. You see goats, and bison now as well as cattle and sheep.
In his 2023 presentation to Grey Highlands Council, Hugh Simpson
(Grey County Federation of Agriculture Director ) said there are 448,197 acres of farmland in Grey County and a total of 2,178 farms locally that employ more than 8,000 people.
Simpson also said that, across Ontario, 319 acres of farmland are lost per day to development. According to him the issue is more acute closer to the larger urban centres, but said Grey County is not immune.
“We are a shrinking farm community,” he said.
Farmers are a really important part of the Georgian Bluffs community. With the decreasing amount of farmland it will be important to maintain and rebuild the health of the soil so it can continue to
provide food for future generations.
Our Natural Environment
Our natural environment is very important to me and to Georgian Bluffs. It is why many people come to visit the area and choose to live here. It is vitally important to care for it with intentionality. It is terrific that Georgian Bluffs is looking at 30 by 30 - conserving 30% of Georgian Bluffs land and water by 2030.
Personally, I bike and carpool whenever I can. I fully support the Township’s Green Fleet Plan: when a gas powered vehicle (GPV) needs to be replaced, replace it with an electric vehicle (EV) if there is an EV that can do the job and if the lifetime cost of the vehicle is equal to or less than the cost of an GPV.
Waste Management
Reduce, Recycle, Repair, Repurpose
Waste reduction and using “only just enough” makes sense to me. Georgian Bluffs’ new waste collection systems is good because it allows much more to be recycled and the addition of organic waste collection is terrific. On the other hand, many people, particularly seniors, are struggling with the size of the bins. Solutions and options are needed.
I am a member of the team that started the Repair Cafe in Owen Sound, a partnership between the Georgian Bluffs Climate Action Team and the Owen Sound North Grey Union Public Library. Hundreds and hundreds of items have been repaired and kept out of the landfill. I went with two other RC fixers to Owen Sound District Secondary School and got 33 sewing machines working again.
Get to Know Me a Little Better
I am a Maker
I ran a home based business for 20 years producing bentwood furniture, garden structures and hand weaving. I have been part of exhibits in Grey Bruce as well as nationally. Was an active member of the Artist Around the Sound Studio Tour and worked with Georgian Bluffs to create a brochure promoting the arts and the Township of Georgian Bluffs.
I have taught both bentwood construction and weaving.
.png)
I am also an animal lover. My pets, Quinn and Charlie never fail to make me smile.
Be Informed!
Join me at an all-candidates meeting
Island View Drive and Area Ratepayers' Assosciation Candidate Meet and Greet
Date: Saturday, October 3, 2026
Time: 3:30 - 5:30 PM
Location: Kemble - Sarawak United Church
The Owen Sound & District Chamber of Commerce invites residents and municipal election candidates to attend the Georgian Bluffs Municipal All-Candidates Meeting.
Date: Thursday, October 8, 2026
Time: Details to follow
Location: Canadian Reformed Church, Grey Rd 18