Dan Mathieson is in his fifth term as Mayor of the City of Stratford and has sat on municipal council since 1995. He is past Chair of the Ontario Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC), Past Chair of Kings University College at Western University, Chair of the Stratford Police Services Board, a member of the Board of Directors of Festival Hydro and Rhyzome Networks and the Stratford Shakespeare Festival. Dan is also a Governor on the Board of i-Canada and a Board Member of Hampton Financial Corporation.
In November, 2015, Dan was awarded the Alumni Award of Excellence from Master of Public Administration, Local Government program at Western University. He was also the 2016 Western University, Public Administration Distinguished Practitioner in Residence, lecturing on governance and innovation in public institutions.
In 2012, Dan was chosen by the Canadian Advanced Technology Alliance (CATA) to receive the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, paying tribute to community leaders whose endeavours have set them apart as technology innovators. As well, Dan received the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal in 2002 for public service.
Dan has received an ICD.D Designation through the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto. He also holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Guelph and a Masters of Public Administration Degree from the University of Western Ontario.
- The first part begins with you, as we introduce you as the guest. Who are you? What is/was your day job (if not a full time politician)? Why did you run for Council?
- Paint a picture of Stratford. People have heard of the festival but who are the people? What do they do there? Beyond tourism what are the opportunities and challenges facing the community?
- Finally, how does Stratford fit in as an “independent” City surrounded by Perth County.
- How does Stratford fit into SW Ontario?
- You spoke on TVOs the Agenda in May about Taxation in Ontario. What are the tax challenges facing municipalities?
- If municipalities had another revenue “lever” they could pull, what would be the best one?
- Thinking back on your time on council, what is an issue, vote or policy that you wish would have gone another way?
- What do you think is your biggest accomplishment during your time in office? What are people hopefully going to remember you for in a few years time?
- Thinking about your successor or people running for council in general, what is a piece of advice that you give them?
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