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Ward 2 councillor candidates

6 candidates · Two council seats

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Question 1 of 15: Offices held or sought

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6 Ward 2 councillor candidates across 15 comparison questions.
Candidate01Offices held or sought02Connection to Welland and the ward03Education and credentials04Work and leadership experience05Municipal and public-service record06Committee and community service07Reasons for running and priorities08Published priorities09Budget and financial experience10Council size and representation11Conduct findings and outcomes12Public political affiliations and candidacies13Prior election results14Campaign contact details15What is their position on Niagara amalgamation?
Nick AlbanoView candidate
  • Lifelong Welland resident, business owner and homeowner.
  • Albano reports being a Microsoft Certified System Engineer.
Source: Candidate submission · 05/10/2026
  • Albano reports graduating from Fanshawe College’s Computer System Support Specialist program.
Source: Candidate submission · 05/10/2026
  • Owner and operator of Millennium Computers since 2000.
  • More than 25 years in business.
  • Mentored co-op students and provided John Howard Society work placements.
  • Priorities include listening, being present and responding to neighbourhood needs.
  • Advocates online plain-language budget summaries, regular spending reports and independent departmental audits; would challenge wasteful or unexplained spending.
  • Supports zoning changes for more affordable housing types, non-profit housing partnerships and faster affordable-project approvals, with residents involved in development decisions.
  • Supports police funding, community policing, better lighting and infrastructure in high-risk areas, and mental health and crisis response resources.
  • Advocates permanent supportive housing, coordinated outreach and local mental health and addiction treatment resources, with residents and businesses involved in solutions.
  • Would streamline business permits, reduce red tape, seek Ward 2 economic development investment and new employers, and promote tourism and local events.
  • Promises an open-door policy, responses to constituent inquiries within 48 hours and regular updates on council decisions affecting Ward 2; would put community needs first in council votes.
  • Prioritizes children’s safety in school zones.
  • Has managed business budgets and payroll as a small business owner.
  • Campaign: nickforward2.ca · 905-736-1424 · millcomp@live.com.
Vince DiMauroView candidate
  • Retired wholesale-distribution senior manager, with experience in labour relations, contract negotiations, benefits and pensions, and daily operations.
  • Worked for Statistics Canada on the 2026 census, helping residents complete it.
  • Prioritizes clean, safe neighbourhoods, City monitoring of higher-density development, and more parking spaces in new developments.
  • Campaign: 416-524-4295 · votedimauro.vince.ward2@gmail.com.
Carolyn FastView candidate
  • More than 15 years living in Welland.
  • Work with The Hope Centre, the Community Legal Clinic and neighbourhood associations.
  • An official Brock News page identifies Carolyn Fast as BA ’14 and MA ’21.
  • More than 15 years as project co-ordinator for the Welland Neighbourhood Project.
  • Chair of the City’s Green Advisory Committee.
  • Chairs the Green Advisory Committee. Earlier Library Board service is listed in her campaign biography.
  • Contributions to provincial and national projects through People First of Ontario and Community Living Ontario.
  • She emphasizes neighbourhood-level work, drawing on her involvement with the Welland Neighbourhood Project.
  • She proposes planning growth against road, water and traffic capacity.
  • She advocates a wider range of housing types, prices and ownership models.
  • She proposes coordinated responses to mental health, addiction and homelessness across levels of government.
  • She commits to fair, transparent and equitable hiring, appointments and contracting decisions.
  • Expresses concern about removing trees for sidewalks in the Quaker Road expansion.
  • Campaign email: votefast2026@gmail.com.
Aldo ParrottaView candidate
  • Lifelong Welland resident and property taxpayer.
  • Founder and director of the Art Gallery of Welland.
  • The Art Gallery of Welland biography describes Aldo Parrotta as an artist, educator and strategic creative leader, with a background in traditional fine arts (painting, life drawing and visual arts) and expertise in photography, videography and digital storytelling.
  • An October 2023 City of St. Catharines report lists Aldo Parrotta as a Welland Creatives Network member, graphic designer and volunteer spearheading an effort to establish a public art gallery in Welland.
  • More than ten years of municipal advisory service.
  • Service on six municipal advisory committees: Seniors, Heritage, Town and Gown, Arts and Culture, Accessibility, and the former Transit committee.
  • Member of the City’s Arts and Culture Committee.
  • Founder of the Art on Welland Bell Boxes project.
  • Aims to bring advisory-committee experience to decisions as a councillor.
  • His campaign emphasizes listening, action and collaboration.
  • He proposes making growth contribute to local infrastructure costs.
  • He commits to championing neighbourhood traffic safety.
  • He proposes more accessible recreation spaces, parks and streets.
  • He commits to regular face-to-face meetings with Ward 2 residents.
  • He commits to proactive online updates about local issues.
  • He pledges honest representation of residents.
  • He promises greater council transparency and accountability.
  • He commits to protecting vulnerable senior-care facilities.
  • He pledges responsible spending and budget readiness from the outset.
  • He supports grassroots arts and culture.
  • He commits to preserving local heritage and architecture.
  • He pledges stronger community and business partnerships.
  • He advocates coordinated housing, addiction treatment, mental-health and employment supports for long-term independence, working with Niagara Region, healthcare providers, police and community partners.
  • He supports clean, welcoming parks, streets, transit areas and business districts, respectful public-space use, compassionate outreach and emergency help during crises.
  • He would measure progress through fewer encampments and recurring crises, better access to housing and treatment, and safer public spaces.
  • He commits to updating residents on hospital decisions and pressing for Ward 2 input in consultations.
  • Wants roads, drainage, parking, sidewalks and servicing planned together for future growth.
Leo Van VlietView candidate
  • Current Ward 2 councillor seeking re-election in 2026.
  • Ward 2 councillor for the 2022–2026 term.
  • Moved the April 9, 2024 motion directing staff to provide options for reducing council size; the motion carried.
  • His April 2024 motion cited $560,796 in 2023 council remuneration and expenditures from report FIN-2024-05.
  • His April 2024 council-size motion stated reducing costs to taxpayers as its objective.
  • Initiated the 2024 review through a motion requesting council-size options aimed at reducing taxpayer costs.
  • Jamie Lee seconded his April 9, 2024 motion.
  • Council voted on January 14, 2025 to keep its existing composition. Van Vliet is not listed in that recorded vote.
  • Current Ward 2 incumbent certified to run again in 2026.
  • Campaign: 289-821-5037 · leo.vanvliet47@gmail.com · leovanvliet.ca.
  • City office: leo.vanvliet@welland.ca.
Steve YochimView candidate
  • Contested Ward 2 in 2022.
  • Director on The Hope Centre’s board.
  • He was born and raised in Ward 2, has lived there for more than 50 years, and runs a business there.
Source: Candidate submission · 21/09/2026
  • A directly opened REALTOR.ca profile headed Steve Yochim states that he has Canadian Mutual Funds and Mortgage Agent licenses.
  • Real estate and mortgage work, with previous roles in mortgage management at TD Canada Trust, credit advising at PenFinancial Credit Union, and district management at Wells Fargo.
  • At least 35 years of experience in the financial-services industry.
Source: Candidate submission · 14/09/2026
  • Experience in strategic planning, financial accountability and streamlining corporate structures.
Source: Candidate submission · 14/09/2026
  • Serves as a director on The Hope Centre’s board.
  • He previously served as vice-chair of the Welland Downtown BIA.
Source: Candidate submission · 23/09/2026
  • Founder of Niagara's Skate for Kids program.
Source: Candidate submission · 23/09/2026
  • Skate for Kids received skates, helmets and jerseys through NHLPA Goals & Dreams, with former NHL player Brad Boyes serving as the program's ambassador.
Source: Candidate submission · 25/09/2026
  • Founder of the Robert Petruniak Memorial Golf Tournament.
Source: Candidate submission · 23/09/2026
  • Clearer city financial reporting, a review of major spending, and a four-year freeze on mayor and councillor salaries.
Source: Candidate submission · 21/09/2026
  • Prioritizes roads and sidewalks, protection of Chippawa Park, and development that accounts for traffic, stormwater and green space.
Source: Candidate submission · 21/09/2026
  • Regular opportunities for Ward 2 residents to speak with him, ward updates, and help navigating City services.
Source: Candidate submission · 21/09/2026
  • Wants community groups to maintain Chippawa Park's pond for skating and to support existing and new Ward 2 businesses.
Source: Candidate submission · 23/09/2026
  • Supports working with Niagara Region, community organizations and other levels of government on transitional housing, addiction treatment and mental-health services.
Source: Candidate submission · 21/09/2026
  • Supports exploring help for people returning to employment, backing existing community organizations, and seeking measurable results from publicly funded programs.
Source: Candidate submission · 21/09/2026
  • Opposes the Ontario Road shelter decision, citing inadequate transparency for the affected neighbourhood.
  • Received 512 votes in Ward 2 in 2022; certified to run in Ward 2 again in 2026.
  • Listed contact: steveyochim.com · 905-328-8872 · syochim33@gmail.com.
Question 01 of 15

Offices held or sought