Honouring our roots. Building our future.
Meet Shira
You’ve spent 12 years on Council. What keeps you wanting to do this work?
For me, this community is more than just a place on a map. It’s where I’ve built relationships, run a business, raised my children, gotten involved and made life-long friendships.
Before I was elected to Council, I served on the Environmental Task Force, the Heritage Advisory Committee and the Committee of Adjustment. I also owned a business in Tottenham. Running that business gave me a personal connection to the community and insight into their struggles. People shared what was happening in their lives, their families and the town. I got to know them not as “customers” or “constituents,” but as neighbours and friends and I always looked for ways to help them.
That sense of connection and the desire to help still drives me.
After 12 years on Council, I know how the town works. I’ve built strong working relationships and I know how to move an issue forward. Just as importantly, residents know they can call or email me and always get a response.
I’ve also had the chance to visit communities in other places and have observed different ideas for recreation, public spaces, services and community life. It makes me excited about what New Tecumseth can become as we grow without losing our distinct character.
Was there a moment when you thought, “This is exactly why I ran for Council”?
The Tottenham Airfield issue is one I still think about.
At the time, truckloads of fill were being brought onto the property and residents were understandably concerned about what was happening in their backyards. The town Counsel at that time viewed it as a Transportation Canada issue, and believed they had very limited power to intervene.
That didn’t sit well with me.
When people are worried about something happening close to their homes, I think they deserve more than, “There’s nothing we can do.”
So I researched how other municipalities had handled similar situations and found a precedent showing there were tools available to us. That helped lead to stronger controls, including a site plan agreement, borehole testing and ongoing monitoring. When testing identified contaminated soil, we were able to take action to stop the fill from continuing to come in.
That experience captures something important about how I see this role. Sometimes representing a community means asking one more question, doing a little more digging and refusing to give up too quickly.
What do you wish more people understood about municipal government?
That it’s much closer to everyday life than people realize.
Municipal Council deals with things you notice when you walk out your front door: the condition of your road, traffic on your street, parks, recreation, fire services, bylaws, property standards and neighbourhood concerns.
And because municipal councillors are non-partisan, I don’t represent a political party. I’m here to represent everyone who lives in Ward 6.
There are also things the Town doesn’t control, such as school boards or many County and provincial responsibilities. Part of being an effective councillor is knowing where responsibility lies and helping people navigate the system to get results.
Residents shouldn’t have to understand every layer of government before asking for help. Sometimes my job is to solve the problem. Sometimes it’s to connect someone with the person who can. Either way, I want people to feel that they’ve been heard and that I'm a resource they can turn to for assistance.
What part of being a councillor do people rarely see?
A lot of the work happens quietly.
There are the calls and emails about immediate concerns, but there are also decisions about infrastructure, budgets, development, long-range financial planning and provincial regulations that can shape the town for years.
Those decisions matter deeply because growth changes a community.
New Tecumseth has changed enormously in the 24 years that I've lived here and it will continue to change. I think Council has a responsibility to make room for what’s coming without losing sight of what people who live here already value: a sense of community, our rural roots and the small town charm.
That balance is one of the reasons I continue to care so much about this work.
Experience helps me understand how decisions get made. But knowing this community helps me remember why they matter.
My Priorities
Community Services
Upgrade essential infrastructure, including emergency services, water systems, and local libraries, to support every resident.
Road Infrastructure
Prioritize consistent road maintenance and safety improvements to ensure reliable daily travel for the entire community.
Parks & Recreation
Develop accessible public spaces and recreation options that improve quality of life and foster community connections.
Supporting Local Culture
The Tottenham Bluegrass Festival 2026
Councillor for Ward 6
Vote Shira Harrison McIntyre
Community First
Recent Tottenham Projects I have supported:
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New Pickleball courts at Keogh Park
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New washrooms at The Conservation Area
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Installation of Railway arms at Mills Street, 3rd Line, and Nolan Road.
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Tottenham Library
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Flashing Stop sign at 5th Line & 10th Sideroad
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Vehicle activated stop lights at 6th Line & 10th Sideroad
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Lionel Stone Road Reconstruction-$2.8 million
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Mill Street Pumping Station-$2 million
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Pedestrian crossovers (3)-$780 thousand
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Four Corners Tottenham Strategy-$270 thousand
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Traffic calming measures on various roads
Tottenham is slated to grow in the next twenty years. While I have been involved in making lots of improvements to integrate our current population, we need to anticipate the infrastructure, services and community needs that will keep it a safe and enjoyable place to live.
There are also many new services that residents want, including more recreation options. These services need to be added at the right time so that our tax rates are affordable. Timing large projects with the anticipated growth will mean that new residents will pay their fair share rather than burdening existing residents with the heavy capital costs.
Get Involved
Join me in improving Ward 6. Whether you're looking to volunteer, donate, ask for a sign or simply reach out, I am here to listen and work together for the future of our community
Email: shiraward6@gmail.com
Phone: (416) 435-3392
Voting starts October 13th & ends October 26th