Mark Groleau, Your Candidate For Mayor of St. Stephen

It’s time we build up St. Stephen. Together.

Your mayor: leading a council team you trust, who are building a home we’re proud of, sharing a clear 5-phase action plan we all understand.

That’s what I’ll do.

ABOUT ME

PRIORITIES

COUNCIL LISTENING TO YOU.

A healthy municipality is growing. That means your council plans what we build next by listening and responding to residents. From short-term needs to long-term vision, our path to prosperity is forged with smart goals and targets.

COMMITMENTS

ACCOUNTABLE MAYOR.

Priorities shift as needs evolve and as our most immediate problems get addressed and solved by your council. What never changes: your mayor leads the team, updates residents, and takes responsibility for timely answers.

THE ACTION PLAN

5-PHASE BUILD PROCESS.

From idea to completion, every one of our municipal projects moves through 5 phases. A good governance model means we hit defined milestone targets, and the mayor clearly updates residents with their input along the way.

SEE COMMUNITY PRIORITIES
Understanding how levels of government work is essential if we want St. Stephen to actually get results. Municipal government has a clear mandate. We are responsible for services like water, roads in the urban ward, recreation, fire protection, bylaws, inspections, and community infrastructure. Through the regional service commission, we also share in planning, development, tourism support, and regional services. But many of the biggest issues people are dealing with right now don’t sit fully at the municipal level. They sit with the province. That includes health care, housing supports, public safety through the RCMP, rural roads and infrastructure, and key parts of social development. It also includes things like drinking water standards, property assessments, and major funding support for infrastructure. It’s important to understand that distinction—but it cannot become an excuse to pass the buck. Strong municipal leadership means two things happening at the same time: Delivering clearly and consistently on the services we are responsible for Being relentless in advocating for the services we are not That second part is where municipalities often fall short. Right now, there are four provincial areas that need focused attention in St. Stephen: Housing and homelessness Bridge housing, supports, and proper program structure require provincial funding and coordination. The municipality’s role is to identify land, work with partners, and push to get the right model in place. Public safety RCMP services are provincially contracted, and that contract structure matters. Response times, presence, and how policing evolves need active municipal advocacy—not just local frustration. Rural infrastructure Roads outside the urban ward fall under the province. Residents are feeling gaps here, and it’s not enough to redirect complaints—we need direct, consistent pressure and communication with the department responsible. Health care Hospital services, recruitment, and the collaborative care clinic all sit within provincial jurisdiction. Delays, changes, and gaps require ongoing advocacy, not occasional updates. In each of these areas, progress doesn’t happen by identifying the problem alone. It happens by building relationships, contacting the right ministers, following up consistently, and keeping residents informed about what’s actually moving forward and what isn’t. That’s the work. Understanding the system is step one. Using it properly is what changes outcomes. 👉 Visit https://buildupststephen.ca to learn more about priorities and what comes next. 🗳️ Election Day is May 11. Let’s build up St. Stephen together. 👍 Like, comment, and follow for daily updates as each priority is released. #ststephennb #LocalGovernment #MunicipalLeadership #PublicSafety #HealthcareNB #HousingNB #BuildUpStStephen
EP 92: The Municipal District of St. Stephen Needs Provincial Support—Here’s How We Get It
This is #7 of the most important priorities we need to get right in St. Stephen—and it comes down to one thing: growing our tax base. In this video, I walk through how the municipality actually raises revenue and why that matters for every decision council makes. For 2026, St. Stephen’s total operating budget is about $14.9 million. That’s what funds everything—roads, water systems, fire protection, recreation, staff, and daily services. Here’s how that revenue is made up: Property taxes: about $9.4M (63%) Grants (provincial/federal): about $2.16M (14.5%) Transfers (including utilities like water): about $1.69M (11%) Other revenue (permits, leases, interest): about $0.7M Services (arena, programs, rentals): about $0.57M Services to other governments: about $0.38M So yes—property tax is the largest piece. But about one-third of our revenue comes from other sources. Still, the pressure is real. If our population stays the same—or shrinks—then the same group of people is carrying more and more of the cost. That’s why growing the tax base matters. More people living here. More housing. More businesses operating and succeeding. That’s how we share the load instead of increasing it. Because the alternative is limited: Raising tax rates Increasing fees Or falling behind on services and infrastructure At the same time, there are structural challenges in New Brunswick: Municipalities don’t control property assessments We can’t set flexible tax rates by zoning (like other provinces can) And we rely heavily on provincial transfers That’s why advocacy matters too—pushing for things like: HST revenue sharing Better funding models More local control But at the local level, the path forward is clear: We need to build up St. Stephen—not just physically, but economically. Because when we grow the base, we stabilize the system. 📄 You can review the full 2026 Operating Budget here: https://town.ststephen.nb.ca/sites/default/files/2026-01/MDSS%202026%20General%20Operating%20Budget.pdf 👉 Visit https://buildupststephen.ca to learn more about priorities and what comes next. 🗳️ Election Day is May 11. Let’s build up St. Stephen together. 👍 Like, comment, and follow for daily updates as each priority is released. #StStephenNB #MunicipalBudget #PropertyTaxes #LocalGovernment #CommunityGrowth #PublicFinance #BuildUpStStephen
EP 91: Where Our Tax Dollars Actually Come From (Why Growing the Tax Base Is Critical)
This is Priority #6 of 15—and it’s one of the most important to understand. It may not be flashy, but this is the foundation of everything a municipality does: roads, pipes, buildings, trucks, water systems, and all the infrastructure that keeps daily life running in St. Stephen. Here’s the reality: Everything we own as a municipality is wearing out. And everything we’ve ever built or purchased will eventually need to be replaced. That’s where the real challenge comes in. Municipal finance isn’t just about balancing a yearly budget. It’s about managing an infinite system—a municipality doesn’t shut down or sell itself to another owner. It keeps going. That means every decision to build or buy something today becomes a long-term responsibility for future councils and taxpayers. There’s a simple way to understand this: When we spend cash to build or buy infrastructure, we’re not just making a purchase—we’re creating a future liability. And right now, we’re falling behind. Based on St. Stephen’s audited financials, we are seeing roughly $2.2 million in infrastructure wear and tear every year, but we are only replacing about $1.5 million annually. That leaves a gap of roughly $700,000 to $750,000 per year. That gap doesn’t disappear. It builds. And over time, it shows up as: Roads that get worse faster than we can fix them Facilities that need major repairs all at once Pressure to borrow money or raise taxes Tough decisions about what we can afford to maintain This is also happening alongside existing financial debt and new borrowing—like the recent $5 million for road paving. So when we talk about taxes, this is why the conversation is never simple. We have a few options: Raise taxes Increase user fees Push for more provincial and federal funding Grow the population and tax base Or, realistically, some combination of all of the above But what we can’t do is ignore it. Because every time we add new infrastructure—new roads, new developments, new equipment—we’re also adding to the long-term replacement burden. That’s why municipal government has to be careful, disciplined, and forward-looking. It’s also why “breaking even” isn’t enough. A municipality needs to run a surplus in order to prepare for the inevitable costs ahead. This is the work of council: Balancing today’s needs with tomorrow’s responsibilities. If you want to dig into the numbers yourself, you can review St. Stephen’s most recent audited financial statements here: https://town.ststephen.nb.ca/sites/default/files/2025-09/Audited%202024%20Mun%20of%20St%20Stephen%20Consolidated%20FS.pdf This is one of the key issues shaping decisions around roads, services, taxes, and long-term planning—and it’s exactly why strong, informed leadership matters. 👉 Visit https://buildupststephen.ca to learn more about priorities and what comes next. 🗳️ Election Day is May 11. Let’s build up St. Stephen together. 👍 Like, comment, and follow for daily updates as each priority is released. #StStephenNB #Infrastructure #MunicipalFinance #LocalGovernment #PropertyTaxes #FiscalResponsibility #BuildUpStStephen
EP: 90: The "Most Conservative Level of Government"–The Reality of Running a Municipality
St. Stephen isn’t one-size-fits-all. After months of door knocking, listening, and conversations with residents, this next priority is about making sure we govern in a way that respects both urban and rural life—and gets it right for each. Since amalgamation, we are now one municipality made up of two very different ways of living. In town, services are close, regulations are familiar, and the tax structure reflects that. In the rural ward, people chose a different lifestyle—more independence, fewer services, and historically fewer restrictions. That balance is important because it's about fairness. Residents in the rural ward should only pay for the services they actually use. At the same time, we need to make sure infrastructure, communication, and decision-making work for everyone across the municipality. It’s also about understanding real concerns. Roads in rural areas are provincially managed, which creates gaps in accountability. Zoning bylaws are affecting what people can build and how they use their land. There are questions around small dwellings, agricultural activity, and how much regulation is appropriate. We need to get this right. That means protecting rural freedoms while maintaining reasonable standards for safety and neighbour-to-neighbour impact. It means allowing incremental growth, including smaller housing options. It means supporting agriculture, not limiting it unnecessarily. And it means improving communication—because people in both wards want to know what’s happening, how decisions are made, and how it affects their daily lives. This is one municipality. But it requires thoughtful leadership that understands the differences—and respects them. As part of these 15 priorities leading up to election day, this is one we can’t afford to overlook on our next council. 👉 Visit https://buildupststephen.ca to learn more about priorities and what comes next. 🗳️ Election Day is May 11. Let’s build up St. Stephen together. 👍 Like, comment, and follow for daily updates as each priority is released. #StStephenNB #UrbanRural #LocalGovernance #MunicipalPlanning #LocalElection #CommunityBalance #BuildUpStStephen
EP 89: St. Stephen Urban & Rural Together—One Municipality, Different Lifestyles
We are leaving money and opportunity on the table. After months of door knocking, listening, and conversations with residents, this is Priority #4: building St. Stephen into a place people actively choose to visit. We live next to one of the top tourism destinations in the province and country. Tens of thousands of people come to this region every year—and right now, very few of them have a reason to come to St. Stephen. That’s not because we lack potential. It’s because we haven’t packaged it, invested in it, or told the story well enough. We have a river that should be a destination. A pier that should be active. A downtown that should be full. A chocolate heritage we haven’t leaned into. Events, spaces, and assets that exist—but aren’t working together as a clear experience. Tourism isn’t just about visitors. It’s about what follows: more visitors mean more local spending. More viable businesses. More reasons for people to invest, build, and stay. And over time, that leads to a stronger tax base—without raising the tax rate. We need to be intentional about this as a local government. Focusing on a handful of strong experiences. Connecting with regional traffic that already exists. Partnering where it makes sense. And building something that actually gives people a reason to come—and come back. St. Stephen is worth visiting. It’s time we build a strategy like we believe that. 👉 Visit https://buildupststephen.ca to learn more about priorities and what comes next. 🗳️ Election Day is May 11. Let’s build up St. Stephen together. 👍 Like, comment, and follow for daily updates as each priority is released. #StStephenNB #Tourism #LocalEconomy #MunicipalPlanning #LocalElection #CommunityGrowth #BuildUpStStephen
EP 88: Municipal District of St. Stephen–A Place People Want to Visit
Recreation isn’t extra. It’s part of what makes a community work. After months of listening, door knocking, and conversations with residents, this is Priority #3 of my 15-part series: making St. Stephen a place where youth and families want to stay—and where others choose to move. When young people have places to go, programs to join, and spaces that feel like theirs, it shapes everything. It supports mental health, builds relationships, and creates the kind of community families are looking for. This isn’t theoretical. It’s already one of the largest areas of municipal investment—from the Garcelon Civic Center to parks, fields, and programs across town. The question now is how we strengthen it. That means continuing to support and partner with the people already running great programs. It means making sure facilities are maintained and built to a standard that serves the community well. And it means communicating better so residents actually know what’s available and can take part. Because when people stay, when families put down roots, when youth see a future here, everything else becomes more sustainable—from infrastructure to taxes to the overall health of the community. This is about building a place where people don’t feel like they ever have to leave, and want to stay. 👉 Visit https://buildupststephen.ca to learn more about priorities and what comes next. 🗳️ Election Day is May 11. Let’s build up St. Stephen together. 👍 Like, comment, and follow for daily updates as each priority is released. #StStephenNB #YouthAndFamilies #RecreationMatters #MunicipalPlanning #LocalElection #CommunityLife #BuildUpStStephen
EP 87: Municipal District of St. Stephen–A Place for Youth & Families
With less than two weeks to election day, my focus continues on what matters most. Over 15 days, I'm laying out the key priorities shaping St. Stephen’s future—based on months of listening at the doors, studying the issues, and paying close attention to what residents are actually asking for. This is Priority 2 of 15: Making St. Stephen a community where seniors can live well. St. Stephen is already a place many people choose for retirement. The demographics make that clear, and the trend is only growing. The question now is whether the community is keeping up with what seniors need—not just in theory, but in everyday life. Some of the issues are simple and practical. Year-round access to walking trails. Reliable facilities at the Garcelon Civic Centere. Safe crossings, accessible sidewalks, and small improvements that make it easier to move through town. Other issues are bigger. Housing that supports aging in place. Options across the full housing continuum. Making sure seniors are not priced out of their homes due to rising assessments and fixed incomes. And pushing for changes at the provincial level where municipalities currently don’t have the tools they need to protect affordability. There is also work already underway. The age-friendly community initiative is moving forward, with a local committee assessing where St. Stephen is doing well and where it needs to improve. That includes everything from transportation and housing to communication, social participation, and access to services. The opportunity now is to treat this as a real priority—not just a designation to achieve, but a standard to live up to. Because this affects everyone. A community that works for seniors is a community that works better for all ages. It’s more accessible, more connected, and more prepared for the future. This is the second step in a 15-part plan focused on practical improvements, long-term thinking, and building up St. Stephen in a way that supports the people who live here—now and in the years ahead. 👉 Visit https://buildupststephen.ca to learn more about priorities and what comes next. 🗳️ Election Day is May 11. Let’s build up St. Stephen together. 👍 Like, comment, and follow for daily updates as each priority is released. #ststephennb #Seniors #AgeFriendly #MunicipalPlanning #LocalElection #CommunityCare #BuildUpStStephen
EP 86: The Municipal District of St. Stephen–A Community for Seniors
With two weeks to election day, it's time to turn to the rundown of what matters most. Over the next 15 days, the key priorities shaping St. Stephen’s future will be laid out—based on months of conversations, research, council observation, and time spent at the doors listening to residents. These are the issues that keep coming up, the challenges we’re already facing, and the opportunities directly in front of us. This is Priority 1 of 15: Active Transportation. Active transportation means designing our community for more than just cars. It means making space for people who walk, bike, use mobility aids, or simply want to move through town safely without a vehicle. For years, municipalities have been built around moving cars quickly from point A to point B. That approach comes with real costs. Wider roads, more parking, and outward growth create expensive infrastructure demands—more pipes, more pavement, and higher long-term tax pressure. There’s another approach. When communities prioritize walkability and bike access alongside vehicles, they create more activity where it matters most. People spend more time downtown. They stop, browse, and support local businesses. Streets feel safer because they’re being used. And development shifts toward existing serviced areas instead of expanding outward. In a place like St. Stephen, this matters. There are already clear gaps—sidewalks that stop short, crossings that feel unsafe, and routes that don’t connect. At the same time, key corridors like King Street are due for redesign, creating a real opportunity to get this right. This is not about choosing between cars and everything else. It’s about balance. A stronger mix of transportation options supports business growth, improves safety, and reduces long-term infrastructure costs. It also makes the community more accessible for seniors, families, and anyone who doesn’t—or can’t—drive. This is the direction many forward-looking municipalities are taking. It’s practical, it’s proven, and it’s something St. Stephen can build toward. This is the first step in a 15-part plan focused on real priorities, clear direction, and building up St. Stephen in a way that works for everyone. 👉 Visit https://buildupststephen.ca to learn more about priorities and what comes next. 🗳️ Election Day is May 11. Let’s build up St. Stephen together. 👍 Like, comment, and follow for daily updates as each priority is released. #StStephenNB #ActiveTransportation #MunicipalPlanning #LocalElection #CityBuilding #Infrastructure #BuildUpStStephen
EP 85: Why Active Transportation Matters in the Municipal District of St. Stephen
After a strong turnout at Meet the Candidates yesterday, our attention turns back to the work of council and what was actually decided at last week’s meeting. Agenda: https://pub-chocolatetown.escribemeetings.com/Meeting.aspx?Id=cd8deaf0-0495-4869-a9b7-d5c19ac92f6f&Agenda=Agenda&lang=English&Item=29&Tab=attachments Several key items moved forward. The development incentives bylaw was passed, creating a clear package for housing developers. The goal is straightforward: make it easier to build in areas that already have infrastructure in place. More housing means a healthier vacancy rate, more people moving here, and a stronger tax base over time. Council also reviewed its own remuneration and training expectations but chose to leave that decision to the next council. That includes how, or if, training should be encouraged or required. Ultimately, that becomes a question for voters as much as council. Funding decisions were made as well. The Chocolate Museum received support through the council community grant fund, with council making an exception due to its ownership role. The street improvement program is now moving ahead, with approximately $4.5 million in paving work approved. Residents should begin to see roadwork starting soon, based on previously identified priority areas. Other items included approval for May Day airport events, progress toward age-friendly community designation, and changes to the downtown façade program to allow additional materials under the funding guidelines. One procurement item—new municipal trucks—was paused after concerns about costs exceeding budget. That decision will return with more information. Taken together, these decisions show how council balances infrastructure, economic development, and day-to-day operations. They also highlight where more transparency can help residents better understand what’s being decided, how funds are used, and what comes next. With the election approaching, there’s a clear opportunity to connect these decisions to a broader direction—through planning, communication, and consistent follow-through. 👉 Visit https://buildupststephen.ca to learn more about priorities, planning, and what comes next for St. Stephen. 🗳️ Election Day is May 11. Let’s build up St. Stephen together. 👍 Like, comment, and follow for daily updates on council decisions and community issues. #ststephennb #MunicipalGovernment #LocalElection #CityCouncil #CommunityUpdate #Infrastructure #BuildUpStStephen
EP 84: Council Meeting Recap: What Was Decided Last Wednesday April 22nd

A mayor and council you can trust for a home we’re proud of.

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