About — Nicole Beatty Campaign for Cobourg Mayor

ABOUT NICOLE

Cobourg has always been home. It's the kind of place that shapes who you are, where neighbours know your name, where community still means something, and where the potential to build something truly special has never been far from reach.

I was born and raised here, graduated from CDCI West then left to pursue school and build my career before eventually finding my way back to the community that shaped me. I earned my BA Honours in Communications from the University of Ottawa and continued my education in nonprofit management, resource mobilization, and community development throughout my career.

For more than 20 years, I’ve worked in the community and public sectors, helping organizations strengthen services, raise funding, and build long-term sustainability. Since 2013, I’ve run my own consulting business, working with nonprofits, municipalities, healthcare organizations, and community leaders across Canada and internationally. Over my career, I’ve helped secure more than $30 million in funding for community initiatives, trained nonprofit leaders, and led projects focused on capacity building, governance, revenue diversification and social enterprise.

But some of the work I’m most proud of has happened right here at home.

After moving back to Cobourg, I have established and launched community initiatives including Local Good Northumberland, Sounds of the Next Generation (SONG), Cultivate Community, and 100+ Women Who Care Northumberland. I continue to volunteer, support local fundraising efforts, and serve the community through organizations like the Rotary Club of Cobourg and the Governor General’s Canadian Leadership Conference alumni network.

Most importantly, Damien and I are raising our children, Rayden and Emily, here in Cobourg alongside our dog Chevy. Being able to watch my family grow in the same community that shaped me is something I never take for granted.

I was first elected to Cobourg Council in 2018 as a Councillor and served as Planning and Development Coordinator. I decided to run for office after years of volunteering, advocating, and making delegations to the Council of the day. At a certain point, I realized that if I wanted to help create change, I needed to step forward and be part of the work. In 2022, I was elected Deputy Mayor.

During my time on Council, I’ve served on several local boards and committees, including the Cobourg Police Services Board, the Downtown Cobourg Board of Management, the Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority Board, and the Cobourg Heritage Advisory Committee. I also represented Cobourg through the Ontario Small Urban Municipalities Executive Committee and on the Northumberland Intermunicipal Taskforce on Housing and Homelessness.

My leadership approach is simple: listen, collaborate, and stay accountable. It is grounded in respect, transparency, facts, and community voice. I pride myself on bringing people together, considering different perspectives, and finding practical solutions that help move Cobourg forward.

Our best work happens when we lead with purpose and remember that we are all part of the same community. That’s why, as Mayor, I will remain committed to protecting what makes Cobourg special while building a safe and vibrant community we are all proud to call home.

DELIVERING FOR COBOURG

During this term as Deputy Mayor, I’ve worked to advance projects, policies, and community priorities focused on affordability, sustainable growth, recreation, public safety, and Cobourg's long-term vision. Here are highlights of specific actions, motions, and work I have initiated and supported:

Financial Leadership
- Presented a motion to develop a 10-year financial sustainability plan for Cobourg, aligning it with asset management needs to guide infrastructure, growth, and affordability and prevent sudden tax increases.
- Identified and lobbied to help secure up to $25 million in provincial Housing-Enabling Water Systems funding to expand critical infrastructure and support future housing development in Cobourg.
- Worked to protect funding for key municipal services, ensuring the Cobourg Public Library and Transit did not face cuts.
- Pushed for more transparent and detailed budget timelines to ensure Council and the community had proper oversight and input during budget deliberations.
Community Safety & Well-Being
- As a member of the Cobourg Police Services Board, advocated for fairer provincial support for rising policing and court administration costs.
- Supported a motion to explore alternative policing models to help manage costs while maintaining service levels, and would continue pursuing those conversations as Mayor.
- Made delegations to both County Council and the Province while supporting resolutions calling for better provincial support for lower-tier municipalities like Cobourg facing growing homelessness and social service pressures without direct funding support.
- Brought forward a motion for a town-wide playground safety assessment after hearing concerns from local families and residents.
Downtown & Local Economy
- Represented Downtown Cobourg businesses through improvements to user fees, improved governance, a new strategic plan, and an updated memorandum of understanding with the Town.
- Brought forward an idea to the Mayor and supported Council’s direction to create a Save the Job Task Force to respond to the closure of Post Consumer Brands, focusing on investment attraction, identifying new manufacturing jobs and prioritizing affected workers and families.
Housing, Growth & Planning
- Brought forward a motion to pause decisions on the future of 117 Durham Street until proper planning and public consultation could take place, ensuring residents had a voice in conversations about the future use of the property.
- Continued pushing for action on the Tannery Lands to help stimulate housing development, including supporting a formal Expression of Interest process to move the site forward.
- Introduced a motion to use part of the former Cobourg Memorial Arena's vacant parking lot for workforce housing through Northumberland County.
- Took a strong position on protecting Cobourg’s heritage and ensuring it remains a key consideration in future development decisions, particularly at Brookside and in the downtown core.
Recreation, Arts & Community Life
- Supported new recreation and community projects, such as a YMCA and aquatic centre at the CCC, the feasibility of a domed soccer facility, outdoor basketball courts, and integrated plans for Centennial Pool and the waterfront area.
- Presented a motion that reimagined the Community Grants Program to continue supporting arts, culture, festivals, and community events when the program was at risk of being eliminated.
- Supported increased investment in the Seniors Activity Centre, reflecting a commitment to programming and services for Cobourg's growing senior population.
- Championed more affordable parking options for residents, visitors, and downtown businesses.
- Advocated for a new Parks and Recreation Master Plan to guide the future of Cobourg's parks, trails, waterfront, and recreation facilities over the next decade, with meaningful public consultation at its core.
- Backed capacity investment in the Art Gallery of Northumberland and Victoria Hall Concert Hall, recognizing the arts as essential to a vibrant community life.
- Continually pushed for activation of Council's Youth Engagement Strategy and welcomed the introduction of the new Youth Zone at the CCC, ensuring young residents have dedicated space and a stronger voice in their community.
Accountable & Accessible Leadership
- Championed improvements to how the Town serves residents day-to-day by supporting the implementation of Cobourg's Customer Service Strategy, resulting in a dedicated customer service desk at Victoria Hall that significantly exceeded its service targets in its first year of operation
- Held regular office hours, coffee conversations, community meetings, and ongoing resident outreach throughout my term to stay accessible and connected to the community.