top of page

My name is Norm Orviss, and I am proud to be running for Ward 1 Councillor. Having grown up in nearby Cobourg, with deep roots in this area through family and community involvement, I understand the values that matter to residents and being recently retired , I will be committed to serving Port Hope full time with dedication, accessibility and accountability.

 

With more than 30 years of corporate & operational management experience, I would bring practical leadership and sound judgment to Town Council. My background in overseeing budgets, resources and complex projects has prepared me to help navigate the important issues facing our community, including major proposals such as the Wesleyville Nuclear project and the long term PHAI /CNL(local nuclear waste cleanup program) Agreement.  Learn more at this link Home - PHAI

 

I am recognized as someone who follows through, works collaboratively and is prepared to challenge the status quo when necessary. My experience working across multiple divisions has taught me how to listen carefully, understand diverse perspectives and deliver practical solutions that reflect the needs of the community.

 

My vision is to continue strengthening Town services, foster a community where everyone feels welcome and included and work with Council to build a strong, sustainable future for Port Hope.

Putting Our
Community First 

Empowering our community through  engagement. Together, we can amplify our voices and make our community more inclusive. Let's get involved in helping with decisions that move us forward.

Fiscal
Responsibility 

  • Promote fiscal responsibility at both the Town and County levels to keep Port Hope affordable, with careful oversight of discretionary spending. (question expenses like the purchase of the school @ $3.25million)

  • Support sustainable growth for small businesses, strengthen our manufacturing base and attract complementary industries to broaden the tax base and to ease the pressure on property owners.

  • Identify why residents are shopping elsewhere and work to improve the small business environment, so more stores will establish here which will increase local shopping and create a stronger local economy

  • Advance a long-term financial strategy that prepares land and services to support future housing and business growth.

  • Consider a way to help Seniors stretch their retirement savings by using a separate Senior modest rate when increasing taxes

Campaign Highlights

Modern Apartment Complex

Affordable Housing
Solutions

  • To me, affordable housing means homes people can truly afford. 

  • Right now, very few homes in Port Hope meet that standard, but vacant buildings in Town could be turned into much-needed housing.

  • These homes could include both single-family units and apartment-style housing.​

  • I would work with partners like Habitat for Humanity and CO OP housing to help build homes people can afford.

  • The Town is working now with the help of the province to reduce development costs and I would continue in this effort.

  • Is it feasible to have low rise multi unit CO-OP housing with Fed/Prov money?

Industrial Power Plant

New Nuclear for
Wesleyville

  • With the proposal having been introduced for this new Nuclear project the Council will need to have more direct contact with OPG.

  • There should be a Liason person that handles this as their job and reports back as further aspects are known or being considered.

  • There is a need to understand the impact to the area.

  • What are the actual Risks?

  • What are the benefits?

  • What are the challenges?

  • Can our infrastructure handle the increased population that is expected?

  • Are there revenue projections that are being taken into account?

 

Since this project is only in the initial stages of the assessment process we will need to keep informed as to the next steps once the full assessment is complete. I will update this section as more details become available.​​

Community Initiatives

  • Retain and attract families with better daycare, schools, jobs, recreation and making our parks more Kid's Friendly.  Promoting more low maintenance sports, Basketball/Soccer/Tennis

  • Commitment to recognize all groups  equally no matter race, colour, age, sexual orientation, gender and gender identity or ethnic background. Build a more inclusive Town and programs that meet  everyone's needs.

  • Work with industry and schools to make sure we are preparing our youth for the job market of tomorrow.

  • Building a bond with our Indigenous Community and having programs that speak to their heritage.

  • Can we make the Town Bus free for students and Seniors?

Community Garden Scene

     Community Gardens

  • The Town could set aside vacant properties owned by Port Hope to develop a community gardening program. Currently it is only a local service group that is trying to manage this program.

  • Community gardens not only create a space for people to interact but it is a sharing place where each person can share their best tips and tools for gardening.

  • There can also be a space for individual sections and a common space for all.

  • This can also help with food insecurity as a plot could be used as an area to grow vegetables for canning and use over the winter months.

  • With new housing initiatives and apartments being designed for the area they would be ideal situations for roof top gardens.

Doctor and Patient

Healthcare Initiatives

  • With the growth that is expected in this area we will need to explore and bring more Healthcare options to Town.

  • Look to build a Senior Health Clinic and hotline to keep seniors in their homes and have an option other than calling an ambulance

  • New Doctors and Nurse Practitioners set up in clinics accepting new patients and running Family Practice units.

  • The goal would be for everyone in town to have a Family Physician and be able to access these services when needed

  • Access to the supports that would be needed in case of an emergency once Wesleyville is operational

  • Build an emergency plan to include evacuation and medical support

Seniors Enjoying Laughter

Long Term Care and
Housing

  • Long-term care (LTC) involves services designed to help people maintain their health, safety, and independence when they are unable to manage daily activities.

  • We need to develop a solution for Long Term Care in town to support local residents and their parents.

  • ​Seniors helping seniors program development.

  • Housing assistance and tax relief programs so seniors can afford to stay their homes.

  • The care of our seniors can also be part of the action of bringing more Healthcare to Port Hope, as this could create more in Home Solutions with Nurse Practitioners.

Team Meeting Applause

Community Collaboration & Transparent Communication

  • Recognize community engagement as a core principle of participatory local government, not a symbolic step after decisions are already shaped.

  • Strengthen accountability by requiring meaningful community outreach before major decisions are made.

  • Establish Community Action Councils for major projects to ensure local voices are represented early and consistently.

  • Work directly with residents to identify local priorities, concerns and opportunities before policies, budgets, or project plans are finalized.

  • Support community participation. Distinguish participation from engagement,  participation depends on residents choosing to be involved, while engagement requires government to actively invite, inform and listen.

  • Modernize public communication by using multiple channels not only website postings to reach residents.

  • Create an opt-in public e-mail list so residents receive timely updates directly, rather than having to search for information themselves.

Picture3.png

Join Our Movement

Be a Voice for Change

Your voice matters. Join our mission to create a more equitable and inclusive Town.  Please fill in the form with your suggestions or questions.

bottom of page