Five questions with JP Jackson, candidate for Leeds and the Thousand Islands 2026 municipal election

Editor’s note: To help voters to be better informed, Brockvilleist will be asking the same five questions of all Leeds and the Thousand Islands council candidates in advance of the municipal election, which will be held on Monday, Oct. 26, 2026. Questions were sent to all candidates on Sept. 23, 2026. We will publish their responses as we receive them. Below are the responses from candidate JP Jackson. 

1. Tell us a little bit about your professional background, including any prior municipal or other political participation, as well as about you, personally. What made you want to run for council?

I have called this area home for most of my life and have been fortunate to serve my community professionally, municipally and as a volunteer.

My professional background is primarily in accounting, taxation and financial management, including working as an Income Tax Auditor with the Canada Revenue Agency. I continue to assist individuals and small businesses with accounting, corporate and taxation matters.

Before that, I served 17 years in the Canadian Armed Forces, including with the Royal Canadian Regiment and later as an air traffic controller, serving across Canada, six years in Germany and in the Middle East.

I served on Leeds and the Thousand Islands Council from 2014–2018 and have remained actively engaged in Township affairs ever since. Before Council, I served on Township committees and was a founding member of our first taxpayers’ association. I have also remained involved in community organizations, events and volunteer initiatives.

I am running because I believe public service is about giving back. My Council experience, financial background and knowledge of our Township can contribute to the next Council. Just as importantly, I want residents to have a Council that listens, communicates openly and involves them before important decisions are made.

2. How would you describe your personal political ideology and/or affiliation?

 I don’t believe partisan political ideology should define how someone serves municipally.

I have never believed good ideas belong exclusively to the left, right or centre. Provincially and federally, I vote based on issues, platforms and the people asking for my vote—not simply their political party.

My municipal philosophy is practical, fiscally responsible and community-focused. Taxpayers deserve value for their money; decisions should be evidence-based; government should be open and accountable; and residents should meaningfully participate in decisions affecting their communities.

A councillor is not elected to impose a personal ideology. We are elected to listen, ask questions, consider different perspectives and make decisions in the best interests of the municipality. My principles include fiscal responsibility, transparency, accountability and fairness, but the voice of the people we represent should always be an important guardrail keeping us grounded.

If I had to identify my municipal political affiliation, it would simply be: Community First.

3. What are the three most common issues voters bring up to you as you campaign?

I would describe them as communication, taxes and communication.

Residents regularly ask why the municipal portion of their property taxes has increased by more than 40% over eight years—an average annual increase higher than all but one municipality in Leeds and Grenville. In two consecutive years, TLTI also had the second-highest municipal tax increase among Ontario’s 444 municipalities.

But the conversation rarely ends with the amount. Residents want to know why.

There may be legitimate reasons for increases, including inflation, aging infrastructure and rising construction and service costs. But when taxes increase substantially, residents deserve clear explanations of what is driving those increases, what they receive in return and what Council is doing to control costs.

That brings me back to communication. Residents repeatedly tell me they don’t feel adequately informed or consulted. Communication is more than posting reports online. It means explaining decisions clearly, seeking input before significant decisions are made, answering questions and being willing to explain the choices we make.

Taxes may be the visible concern, but the underlying issue is trust—and good communication is fundamental to rebuilding it.

4. What three issues are most pressing/important to address locally in your opinion?

I believe they are fiscal responsibility and infrastructure, public trust and engagement, and economic development.

First, we need better long-term capital planning, greater scrutiny before major projects are approved and stronger oversight of costs. Fiscal responsibility doesn’t mean spending less simply for the sake of spending less. It means spending wisely, planning ahead and ensuring value for every tax dollar.

Second, we need to rebuild the relationship between Council and residents through meaningful consultation, opportunities to ask questions and better explanations of major decisions. We won’t always agree, but residents should know their voices were heard.

Third, we need to strengthen our economic future. We cannot continually look to existing property taxpayers to meet increasing costs. We need to support existing businesses, encourage appropriate development, pursue investment and every available government funding opportunity, and work collaboratively with neighbouring municipalities and other levels of government.

Reliable broadband and cellular service, transportation, housing, recreation and infrastructure are also economic-development issues. We need to plan not just for today, but for where TLTI should be five, ten and twenty years from now.

5. What do you feel sets you apart from other candidates?

I bring previous council experience, professional financial knowledge, extensive community involvement and a willingness to speak openly about difficult issues.

Recently, a former senior municipal staff member who worked with me while I was on council told me that, after more than two decades in municipal government, the kind of person he wants on Council is someone he considers honourable and willing to do what he believes is right, even when there may be a personal cost.

That meant a great deal because it describes the representative I have always tried to be.

I will ask questions and challenge assumptions when necessary. I will admit when I’m wrong and change my position when evidence supports doing so. I also believe disagreement does not require disrespect.

My involvement in this Township did not begin with this election and will not end with it. I have served on Council and committees, volunteered throughout our communities and remained actively engaged even without a seat at the Council table.

I am not running because I need a title. I am running because public service matters, I believe I can contribute, and I am prepared to do the work. In the end, I would rather lose an election for saying what I genuinely believe than win one by telling people only what I think they want to hear.