Responsible Spending and Property Taxes
Review municipal spending and property tax levels for both residential and commercial properties during the first year. Evaluate costs carefully and make sure residents receive value for their tax dollars.
COST Endorsed Candidate
David Schinbein
Candidate for Owen Sound City Council
David brings broad experience in emergency medical services, business leadership, community organizations and municipal government. Having served three terms as a municipal councillor, he understands the responsibility of making decisions that affect residents and their tax dollars.
His approach is straightforward: weigh the costs, consider the evidence, listen to the community and make sure public spending delivers value.
Experience in public service. Responsible spending. Practical solutions.
Experience That Matters
David began his career as a paramedic with Ottawa Ambulance Service, later working as an air ambulance paramedic based in Thunder Bay, including providing care in remote areas. He completed his emergency health services career as a hospital director of ambulance service and also served as a reserve officer in the Canadian Forces Medical Service.
He later returned to Hanover to run his family’s financial services business, specializing in employee benefits and pensions. After 12 years, he and his wife Jocelyn sold the business.
His community service includes being a charter member of the Canadian Paramedic Association, serving on a conservation authority and hospital and civic theatre boards, and participating in regional library and harbour governance. David and Jocelyn have two grown children serving in the Canadian Armed Forces.
My Priorities for Owen Sound
My priorities focus on taxpayer value, a safer downtown, housing options and giving residents a stronger voice in local decisions.
A Safer Downtown
Support a dedicated security or policing presence downtown to help improve public safety and make the core more welcoming for residents, visitors and businesses.
Housing and Responsible Development
Support zoning rules that allow greater building height and residential density where appropriate, creating more opportunities for housing while planning responsibly for neighbourhoods and infrastructure.
Fair and Practical City Services
Explore providing every household with an annual allowance of free garbage bag tags, while considering the costs and how best to implement the proposal.
Direct Public Engagement
Hold regular town hall meetings where residents can ask councillors questions directly, raise concerns and discuss municipal issues openly.
Working Through Difficult Decisions
David has experience bringing divided groups together. During his time on Esquimalt Council, he worked with community groups and residents to explain the benefits of a sewage treatment facility. Previously, screened sewage was piped directly into the Pacific Ocean. Through committee work and public engagement, he helped people understand the proposed facility’s environmental benefits. The project was approved, improving wastewater treatment and ocean-water quality.
That experience reflects his belief that sound decisions require listening, explaining the evidence and working toward solutions that serve the wider community.
Accountable, Accessible Local Government
David believes municipal projects should be assessed not only on their initial cost, but also on their long-term value to the community. Residents deserve clear information, meaningful opportunities to ask questions and decisions that reflect careful consideration of costs and benefits.
He wants to bring his municipal experience and practical approach to Owen Sound Council, working on behalf of residents and ensuring that public funds are spent thoughtfully.
Experience. Accountability. Value for Residents.
David is ready to put his experience in public service, business and municipal government to work for Owen Sound.
LISTEN QUESTION DELIVER VALUE