Tess Prendergast

Orangeville has been my home since 2011. It is where my husband and I chose to raise our two children, where I teach, volunteer and spend most of my time. I love this town, and I am always thinking about how to make it work better.

I have spent most of my professional life as an Ontario Certified Teacher. Teaching has taught me how to listen, explain complicated issues clearly, bring different people together and keep working when the answer is not simple. Those skills have shaped the way I serve on Council.

Since being elected in 2022, I have served as Chair of Sustainable Orangeville, Vice-Chair of the Orangeville Public Library Board and a member of the Affordable Housing Task Force. I am also a director of the Credit Valley Conservation Foundation and a Scout leader.

During my first term, I have worked on water and infrastructure, fare-free transit, road and pedestrian safety, accessibility, housing, environmental protection and finding outside funding for local priorities. I have helped advance practical projects involving tree planting, pollinator protection, invasive species, rain barrels, wildlife safety and climate-resilient development.

One of my particular strengths is helping Orangeville prepare for climate change and more extreme weather. For me, that is not an abstract issue. It means protecting our water supply, strengthening infrastructure, expanding the tree canopy, managing flooding and extreme heat, and making practical investments now that will protect residents and save money later.

I am an independent, critical voice on Council. I do my research, ask questions and listen to residents, staff and my Council colleagues. I work collaboratively when we share an objective, but my decisions and votes are my own. I am not influenced by factions, personalities or pressure from others.

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I am running again because there is more work to do, and because this is the work I want to do.

I am moving from full-time to part-time teaching so I can dedicate two full weekdays each week to Council and community responsibilities. This is an intentional transition toward municipal public service as my career. I want to bring more time, experience and focus to serving Orangeville.

A second term would allow me to build on what I have learned and move important work forward. My priorities are clear: find more money through grants, partnerships and new revenue; deliver value for taxes through reliable services and accountability; and build a resilient community through safety, infrastructure and environmental protection.

I care deeply about this place. I listen, I show up and I work with people to get things done. It has been an honour to serve Orangeville, and I would be privileged to continue working for our community.