Skip to content

Keffer launches campaign in mayoral race for Bradford West Gwillimbury

The other mayoral candidate in this year's municipal election is Pat Roberge

Rob Keffer launched his campaign for re-election as mayor of Bradford West Gwillimbury at the Bradford branch of the Royal Canadian Legion on Friday night. The event was typical of both the man, and his approach to the mayoralty.

Keffer was surrounded by supporters, campaign workers and well-wishers, at an event where homemade treats prepared by local church women were served. The launch was as much a social as a political event.

Campaign manager Jonathan Scott introduced the incumbent, referring to the collaborative approach in council under the mayor’s tenure.

“Bradford is my hometown. I’m a local farmer,” said Keffer, noting he made 25 promises at the start of his first term of office. “I kept or made significant progress on over 85 per cent of those promises.”

His slogan in 2014 was to “build a better town, not a bigger town,” and among his accomplishments he cited new seniors’ accommodation, progress on the Highway 400-404 Connecting Link and a new timeline identified by the province, construction of the Line 5 interchange at Highway 400 opening this fall, and the Community Improvement Program (CIP) that has spurred “property owners and businesses alike to improve the downtown.”

The past term of council has seen the development of Henderson Memorial Park and other new community parks, revitalization of older recreational spaces, and investment in the reconstruction and repaving of roads in both the urban and rural areas.

Keffer also noted his council “really works hard to be able to save the taxpayers significant dollars,” going over each budget to identify hundreds of thousands of dollars in savings.

He is running again “because there’s more to do” to deal with traffic congestion, and to keep taxes in the municipality low. Encouraging residents to contact him via Facebook and his website, Keffer promised to be, if re-elected, “transparent, accountable” and approachable.

Keffer took the opportunity to thank his supporters and campaign team for their assistance “and for their passion for building a better town.” He also thanked the councillors and candidates who came out to the Sept. 14 event.

Among those attending the event were current BWG councillors Gary Baynes, Gary Lamb, Peter Dykie Jr. and Raj Sandhu, and candidates Munawar Chudary, Lisa Hawkins and Marion Fischer.

For more information on the campaign to re-elect Rob Keffer see robkeffer.ca.

The other mayoral candidate in this year's municipal election is Pat Roberge. 


Miriam King

About the Author: Miriam King

Miriam King is a journalist and photographer with Bradford Today, covering news and events in Bradford West Gwillimbury and Innisfil.
Read more

Reader Feedback