Lori Matthewson

Every municipality—no matter its size—runs on a simple structure: Council sets the direction, and administration carries it out. When those roles stay clear, the community gets steady, reliable service. But when the lines blur, things get messy fast. Here’s a situation that happens in almost every town. A resident walks into the municipal office feeling frustrated. Maybe a bylaw ticket felt unfair. Maybe a service took longer than expected. Maybe a conversation with a staff member didn’t go...

If you’re a builder or developer working in a small town—or thinking about it—this is your moment.   Across Canada, communities with populations under 5,000 are facing a real housing crunch. They need rental units, starter homes, and senior-friendly options. And they’re ready to work with builders who can help make it happen.   But here’s the thing: in smaller places, the usual development model doesn’t always fit. That’s why smart builders are starting to explore non-traditional partnerships...

I follow many small communities on their social media pages, and I’ve noticed a trend. If a store closes, the locals attack the Council,...