JARVIS—Debera McKeen, a long-time resident of Ward 1, is stepping into the political arena with a mission to advocate for responsible development in Haldimand.
With a background in maintenance and community leadership, McKeen is eager to offer her experience to the role of councillor.
“I was the first female maintenance mechanic for Ontario Hydro province-wide in 1986,” McKeen shared of her work history. Now retired after 26 years with OPG, she works alongside her husband on their beef farm.
Entering the Race
McKeen’s decision to run was driven by Council’s decision in 2024 to exclude MPP Bobbi Ann Brady from their delegations at the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) conference.
“I thought that was absolutely ridiculous, so I attended the meeting and spoke. A large number of people in the audience also spoke, but the council ignored the majority and voted against her going,” she said.
That moment spurred McKeen to “affect some change” by running in the next election.
While she does not have prior political experience, McKeen has “run and managed organizations, including leading the United Way campaign in Haldimand-Norfolk. I’ve done financial work for volunteer groups, and I enjoy engaging with the community. I might not have government experience, but I do know how to work with people and get things done.”
Key Priorities
McKeen’s campaign is built on three core priorities: opposing a potential Minister’s Zoning Order (MZO) for Nanticoke, addressing the ward boundary expansion from six to seven councillors, and ensuring responsible development.
“The MZO is a terrible idea,” McKeen stated. “Turning industrial land in Nanticoke into residential areas makes no sense. There’s no water and sewer infrastructure, so it won’t generate significant tax revenue. Stelco (prior to its purchase by Cleveland Cliffs) has already said they would leave if the MZO goes through, and that means losing well-paying jobs. Plus, the added traffic would be a nightmare.”
On expanding to seven council wards, she said, “Council pushed through the idea of seven wards with almost no public input. The initial study recommended six wards, but Council changed that. This is an unnecessary expense, and our tax budget is already set to increase by over 4% in 2025. We don’t need to add to that burden.”
She added on Council’s fiscal responsibility, “We need to go through the budget line by line and make sure we’re not spending unnecessarily.”
On development, McKeen supports limited growth: “I think development is good, but it needs to be planned properly. There are projects in Jarvis, Cayuga, and Caledonia that I think are beneficial, but we can’t just make changes without considering the long-term impact.”
As a farmer herself, McKeen is deeply invested in preserving agricultural land.
“I think it’s important that we keep farmland for farmers. Everyone needs to eat, and if we don’t protect our farmland now, we’re going to regret it later,” she said. “Every development proposal that comes before Council should be carefully examined for its environmental impact.”
Infrastructure and Economic Growth
McKeen acknowledges current challenges for road conditions and traffic congestion.
“Our roadways can’t handle the kind of traffic increase that the MZO would bring,” she iterated. “Highway 6 through Hagersville is already a bottleneck. We need to ensure that any new developments are properly supported by infrastructure.”
She also believes that attracting businesses and creating good-paying jobs requires better engagement: “We need to let businesses know that we’re open to new opportunities. One example is the compost recycling plant in Nanticoke that’s expanding its capacity and considering a community garden. Initiatives like that should be publicized so residents are aware and can be part of the conversation.”
Commitment to Community Engagement
One of McKeen’s biggest priorities is ensuring residents feel heard and get involved in local decision-making.
“I love attending community events and talking to people. I’m retired, so this would be my full-time job,” she noted, emphasizing that accessibility is key to effective representation. “Sometimes people feel like they can’t reach their councillor. I want to change that.”
McKeen is running on a platform of transparency, accountability, and community-first decision-making.
“I don’t have a political background, but I care deeply about this community. I’m not tied to any special interests – I just want to do what’s best for the people of Ward 1 and all of Haldimand County.”
