A conversation with a resident reminded me that listening should not depend on someone opening their door at a particular moment.

The resident said that while he was willing to speak with me, many people prefer not to have their doorbell rung. They may have young children sleeping, seniors resting, family members working from home, or may simply not want to be interrupted.

He asked why I do not provide another way for residents to meet or speak with me.

He is right.

Door-to-door conversations help me hear directly from residents across Ward 2. But I understand that a knock at the door is not convenient for everyone, and I do not want anyone to feel disturbed in their own home.

Residents Can Still Reach Out

I have already heard from residents who chose to contact me directly. One caller raised concerns about several short-term rental properties on his street, cars parked on the road, loud music and other neighbourhood issues. We were not able to speak at the door, but he still made the effort to call because he wanted his concerns heard.

That is why it is important to provide another way to connect.

If I leave a flyer at your door and you would like to talk, you can contact me when it suits you. We can arrange a time to meet at your home, at a convenient public place such as Tim Hortons, or speak by phone.

The important thing is that residents have a reasonable opportunity to be heard, without needing to open the door at an inconvenient time.

Sigmund Lee
Ward 2 Council Candidate

Sometimes we know exactly what we mean, but others may reasonably understand our words differently.

A resident recently asked me about this sentence on my website:

“Rather than relying only on mass flyer distribution, much of our communication takes place through direct conversations, community engagement, and regular updates on this website.”

I knew what I meant. I was referring specifically to Canada Post Admail. However, the resident understood the sentence to mean that I was not widely delivering flyers or knocking on doors.

That was certainly not my intended message. I have personally been knocking on doors throughout Ward 2, speaking directly with residents and delivering my campaign information.

Clarity Requires Listening

This was a useful reminder that good communication is not only about what we intend to say. It is also about how others may reasonably understand our words.

When wording is unclear, the right response is to listen, clarify it and improve it. This applies to a campaign website, everyday conversations and communication from City Hall.

Sometimes one honest question can improve a message more than ten compliments.

Sigmund Lee
Ward 2 Council Candidate

Politics often encourages people to ask one question: Will this help me win?

I believe there is a more important question: Is it right?

There have been times when I have defended someone’s right to participate in our democratic process, even when doing so may not have been politically helpful to me.

That did not mean I agreed with everything that person had said or done. It meant I believed the final decision belonged to the voters.

The Right to Participate

Every eligible candidate has the right to run for public office. No candidate owns a ward, and no one should be discouraged from participating simply because their candidacy may affect someone else’s chances of winning.

Democracy cannot mean that people have the right to run only when their participation helps our preferred outcome.

Principles Can Have a Cost

The same principle should guide decisions at City Hall. It is easy to support what is popular, convenient or politically beneficial. Leadership is tested when doing what is fair may come with a political cost.

I will not pretend that principle is always rewarded. Sometimes it may cost support. Sometimes people you defended may not show you the same consideration in return.

That does not make the original decision wrong.

Do I Really Want to Win?

Yesterday, I was asked an important question: “Do you really want to win?”

My answer was simple: “If I win, I lose. If I lose, I win.”

If I am elected, I gain the privilege of serving Ward 2 and the opportunity to make a difference at City Hall. At the same time, my income would be reduced by a large chunk, and I would take on significant additional responsibility. That is a sacrifice I am prepared to make.

If I am not elected, I keep my career, my income and more of my personal time. I will also continue contributing to my community in other ways, as I have always done.

I want to win, but I do not need to win at any cost. I will campaign according to my principles, present my experience and ideas honestly, and let the voters decide.

Winning an election matters, but it should never matter more than the values we claim to represent. If we abandon those values whenever they become inconvenient, then they were never really principles in the first place.

For me, principle must come before political convenience.

Sigmund Lee
Ward 2 Council Candidate

A little budget humour during a brief break from the campaign.

Here is the biggest joke I have heard from Council this term. Unfortunately, the numbers behind the joke are very real.

Sigmund Lee
Ward 2 Council Candidate

Some Ward 2 residents may recognize the purple campaign sign in this picture.

These are signs from my 2022 municipal election campaign. I kept them carefully, and because they are still in good condition, I will be using them again in this election.

I also kept the magnetic campaign signs for my car. They are ready to go back on the road.

Why Replace Something That Still Works?

Reusing these signs saves money and reduces waste. It also reflects something I strongly believe in. Fiscal responsibility is not just something we should expect from City Hall. It should also guide the decisions we make ourselves.

During this campaign, I have knocked on thousands of doors across Ward 2. Many residents recognize my name, my face or the purple sign from the last election. Sometimes that recognition is the reason someone opens the door and gives me the opportunity to listen and speak with them.

That recognition was earned through the work I did in 2022 and through my continued involvement in our community.

This campaign is not about starting over. It is about building on the relationships, experience and trust developed over the years.

The signs may be from 2022, but my commitment to Ward 2 is stronger than ever.

The name is still the same. The ward is still the same. The commitment continues.

Would You Like a Lawn Sign?

If you would like to show your support with a Sigmund Lee lawn sign, you can submit your request early. Signs will be delivered after September 26.

Email votesigmund@gmail.com with your name, address and contact information to request a sign.

Thank you for your support.

A resident recently asked me one of the most direct and important questions I have heard while door-knocking: what kind of councillor would I be after the election?

The question had three parts:

• Would I be seen only during an election, asking residents for their votes?
• Would I become a photo-op councillor, appearing mainly at ceremonies and public events?
• Or would I remain visible in Ward 2, attending to neighbourhood issues and residents’ concerns throughout the full term?

The third describes the standard I would set for myself.

Visible in the Ward

I want to be a councillor residents see in Ward 2, not only at public events, but regularly in their neighbourhoods.

If elected, my goal is to personally conduct two or three ward-wide door-knocking rounds during the four-year term. These visits would not be election canvassing. They would be opportunities to ask residents what is happening in their neighbourhoods, hear their concerns directly and remain connected to the people I represent.

I know I will not find everyone at home. Where no one answers, and where there is no notice asking that materials not be left, I would leave a brief ward update and my official contact information so residents know how to reach me.

This is a concrete goal I would set for myself, one residents could judge me against. Contact with residents should continue between elections, not begin again when it is time to ask for another vote.

When appropriate, being visible also means visiting the location of a traffic, road, property or development concern so I can better understand what residents are experiencing. It means speaking with the people affected, asking questions and seeking reliable information before reaching a conclusion.

Being visible does not mean inserting myself into every active incident. During an emergency or police operation, for example, elected officials should not interfere with the professionals doing their jobs. In those circumstances, serving residents may mean helping them find accurate information, asking appropriate questions afterward and following up when the immediate situation has concluded.

Public ceremonies and community events are part of a councillor’s role, but visibility should extend beyond those occasions. Being present should be about helping residents and not simply being present for a photograph.

Social media is useful for sharing information and keeping residents informed. However, online visibility is not the same as community presence. Sharing information from the City or other organizations can be helpful, but it should support and not replace direct conversations with residents, attention to neighbourhood concerns and follow-through on the issues they raise.

Listening Does Not Always Mean Agreeing

Some residents have told me they want a councillor who will stand up for them. I agree, but I also believe it is important to explain honestly what that means.

Residents will not always agree with one another. A request from one group may affect another neighbourhood, conflict with an existing policy or create costs that all taxpayers must carry. A councillor must consider the law, available evidence, financial consequences and the interests of the wider community.

I will stand up for residents by ensuring their concerns are heard, properly examined and answered. That does not mean promising that every request will be approved. It means residents will not be ignored.

If I cannot support a request, residents deserve an honest explanation. Representation should not mean saying yes to everything during an election and explaining the limitations afterward.

Turning a Concern into Council Action

Richmond Hill Council consists of the Mayor and eight other members. A Ward 2 councillor would therefore be one voice and one vote on a nine-member Council.

No individual councillor can honestly guarantee that every proposal will pass. On a full Council, forming a majority normally requires at least five votes.

To me, fighting for residents does not mean being the loudest person in the room. It means doing the work required to turn a concern into possible action: gathering the facts, presenting a persuasive case, addressing costs and objections, proposing a motion or amendment when appropriate, and trying to convince enough Council colleagues to support it.

I may not always succeed in building that majority. However, residents should know that a genuine effort was made, how I voted and what Council ultimately decided.

Oversight at the Council Table

Being visible in the ward is only one part of the job. Residents also deserve a councillor who reads the reports, scrutinizes budgets and expenditures, and asks difficult questions before casting a vote.

A proposal may sound worthwhile, but Council must still understand its full cost, how it will be funded, what other priorities may be affected and whether it will create continuing expenses for taxpayers. Asking those questions is not opposition for its own sake; it is responsible oversight.

Transparency means giving residents clear information about how and why decisions are made, including the costs and trade-offs. Public money and City resources must be used carefully and for legitimate public purposes and not for personal or political advantage.

I will not agree with every recommendation simply because it appears in a staff report or has support around the Council table. I will review the information, ask questions, exercise independent judgment and explain my vote.

Following an Issue Through

Forwarding a resident’s email should not automatically be the end of a councillor’s involvement. Residents should receive an acknowledgement, know who is responsible for the issue and be kept informed when an answer takes time.

Some concerns fall under the City, while others are the responsibility of York Region, the Province, police, utilities or another organization. A councillor may not control those agencies, but can still help identify the responsible body, seek information and direct residents toward the appropriate process.

Follow-through also means closing the loop. Even when the final answer is not what a resident hoped to receive, they should not be left wondering whether anyone looked into the matter.

The Standard I Would Set

Residents do not need a councillor who agrees with everything. They need someone who shows up, listens, investigates, exercises judgment, works to build support and explains what happens next.

I cannot predict every issue that may arise during a four-year term. What I can offer is an approach: remain connected to the ward, take residents seriously, ask questions, consider the consequences and communicate honestly.

I do not want residents to see me only when I am asking for their votes. I want them to know that their councillor remains present after the election is over and that their concerns will receive attention, even when the answer is complicated.

What qualities do you expect from your Ward 2 councillor? I’d like to hear from you. Please share your thoughts through my contact page.

Municipal government may not receive the same attention as federal or provincial politics, but its decisions often affect our daily lives most directly.

Property taxes, roads, snow clearing, garbage collection, parks, recreation programs, water services, local development and many other community services are shaped by decisions made at the municipal level.

Despite this, most eligible Richmond Hill voters have historically chosen not to participate in municipal elections.

A Continuing Pattern

Richmond Hill’s recent municipal election history shows the continuing challenge of voter participation:

• 2014: approximately 32% voter turnout
• 2018: 27.13% voter turnout
• 2022: 31.67% voter turnout

Although turnout improved in 2022, fewer than one in three eligible voters cast a ballot. This means a relatively small portion of the electorate determined who would represent the entire community for the following four years.

In some individual ward races, the successful candidate may receive only a portion of the votes cast. When that is considered alongside low overall turnout, the number of residents who ultimately determine the outcome can be surprisingly small.

That is not a criticism of the people who vote. They are exercising an important democratic right. The concern is that too many others are allowing that smaller group to make the decision for them.

Voting Is More Accessible

Richmond Hill introduced online voting for the 2022 municipal election, and approximately 83% of the ballots were cast online. Residents could vote securely from home without travelling to a voting location or waiting in line.

For the 2026 municipal election, online voting will be available from 10 a.m. on October 20 until 8 p.m. on October 26. In-person voting with paper ballots will also remain available for residents who prefer it.

With online voting available over several days, residents do not have to leave home to participate. While there may always be reasons people feel disconnected from politics, inconvenience should no longer be a major obstacle.

Participation Begins With Information

A candidate may not always have the opportunity to speak with you personally at your door. If a candidate leaves campaign information, please take a few minutes to read it, visit the candidate’s website and learn more about the person seeking to represent you.

Voting should not mean supporting someone simply because that person knocked on your door, has the most signs or asked for your vote.

Residents should learn about the candidates, review their experience and ideas, ask questions and make their own informed decision. A candidate should earn a vote and not merely request one.

You do not have to agree with every position a candidate takes. The important thing is to determine who you believe has the judgment, commitment and ability to represent the community responsibly.

Municipal elections directly affect our neighbourhoods, our services and how our tax dollars are spent. When most eligible voters remain on the sidelines, they give a small minority the power to choose on everyone’s behalf.

In October, please take some time to learn about the candidates and cast your ballot. Regardless of whom you support, the decision should include your voice.

Sigmund Lee
Ward 2 Council Candidate

While canvassing Ward 2, I occasionally encounter homes displaying “No Soliciting” signs. This raises a reasonable question: does that sign also apply to a political candidate?

A “No Soliciting” sign is generally understood as a request not to receive unsolicited commercial sales calls. Political canvassing is different: a candidate is not selling a product or asking a resident to enter into a commercial contract.

Ontario law also recognizes the importance of political canvassing. Section 88.1 of the Municipal Elections Act provides candidates and their representatives with access to apartment buildings, condominiums, non-profit housing co-operatives and gated communities for campaigning between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m.

For an ordinary house, Ontario’s Trespass to Property Act generally presumes that a person may use the normal walkway to approach the front door for a lawful purpose unless access has been clearly prohibited.

However, this does not give political candidates an unlimited right to disregard a resident’s wishes.

A “No Soliciting” sign may have been posted to discourage salespeople rather than political candidates. A sign stating “No Canvassing,” “Do Not Knock” or “No Trespassing” communicates a broader and clearer request.

Election material is not necessarily considered commercial advertising or “junk mail.” Canada Post states that, even when a household opts out of unaddressed advertising mail, it is still required to deliver certain election materials from election officials, political parties and candidates during an election. However, that rule applies to material delivered through Canada Post. It does not give a candidate personally delivering campaign literature the right to disregard a resident’s clear “No Flyers” or “No Junk Mail” sign. In those circumstances, I respect the resident’s request and do not leave campaign material.

When I see a clear “No Flyers” or “No Junk Mail” sign before leaving campaign material, I respect it and continue to the next house. Occasionally, such a sign may be placed on a mailbox away from the front door and only become visible after I have already left the flyer and begun walking away. In that situation, I generally do not return toward the home to retrieve it, as doing so may cause more disturbance. Any material left in those circumstances is an honest oversight, not an intentional disregard of the resident’s wishes.

If a home displays “No Soliciting,” I do not knock. Most of the time, I simply continue to the next house. Occasionally, if it is a home I specifically intended to visit and the “No Soliciting” sign only becomes visible after I have climbed five steps to the front door, I may quietly leave my campaign information without knocking. Whether the five steps influenced that decision, I will leave for others to decide.

Regardless of the wording, if a resident says they do not wish to speak or asks someone to leave, that request should be respected immediately.

My approach is simple: be courteous, identify myself, keep the conversation brief unless the resident wishes to continue, and never pressure anyone to engage.

Even if we do not have an opportunity to speak personally at the door, I hope the campaign information I leave will help you get to know me, understand what I stand for and decide whether I have earned your support. I also invite you to visit my website or contact me directly with your questions, concerns or ideas for Richmond Hill.

Door-to-door canvassing remains one of the best ways for candidates to hear directly from residents. However, earning the opportunity to represent a neighbourhood begins with respecting the people who live there.

Political canvassing is legally different from commercial solicitation, but respect for a resident’s clearly expressed wishes comes first.

Sigmund Lee
Ward 2 Council Candidate

A resident recently spoke with me about garbage, discarded materials and poorly maintained properties in one of Richmond Hill’s older neighbourhoods.

Property standards are not simply about appearance. Accumulated garbage, abandoned materials, unsafe conditions and persistent neglect can affect public safety, quality of life and the value of neighbouring homes.

At the same time, enforcement must be reasonable and fair. A temporarily untidy yard is not the same as prolonged neglect, and some residents may be dealing with age, illness, disability or financial hardship.

Our older neighbourhoods deserve the same level of attention, maintenance and municipal service as newer developments. Older should never mean forgotten.

I have added a new public commentary discussing fair property standards, assistance for residents facing genuine difficulties, and consistent enforcement against serious or repeated violations.

Read the full commentary:

Protecting Our Neighbourhoods Through Fair Property Standards

Sigmund Lee
Ward 2 Council Candidate

A brief break from campaign topics for an important public service announcement.

Canada’s blood supply has declined by nearly 20% since June 1, far more than the usual decrease experienced during the summer months.

Canadian Blood Services is asking eligible donors of all blood types to book an appointment as soon as possible. Blood is needed every day for surgeries, cancer treatments, emergencies, trauma care, and other essential hospital services.

If you are eligible to donate, please consider making an appointment. A little time out of your day could make a lifesaving difference for someone else.

Learn more or book an appointment:
Canadian Blood Services

Sigmund Lee
Ward 2 Council Candidate

After knocking on thousands of doors across Ward 2, one comment comes up again and again.

“Politicians only come to my door when they want my vote. Once they’re elected, you never see them again… until the next election.”

I’ve heard this from residents of all ages and from every part of our community. Whether they’re concerned about traffic, speeding, development, parks, or simply feeling disconnected from City Hall, many people tell me they want their elected representatives to be visible and engaged throughout the entire term, not just during election season.

That is one of the reasons I began campaigning early. My goal has never been simply to ask for votes. It has been to listen, learn, and understand the concerns that matter most to Ward 2 residents.

Every conversation is different. Sometimes we discuss local issues. Sometimes residents share ideas for improving our neighbourhoods. Occasionally they simply want someone to listen. Those conversations have been invaluable, and they continue to shape my understanding of what residents expect from their local government.

I believe public service should not begin a few weeks before an election and end the day after. Residents deserve a councillor who is accessible, accountable, and engaged throughout the entire four-year term.

Thank you to everyone who has taken a few minutes to speak with me at your door. Your feedback, encouragement, and ideas are greatly appreciated.

Sigmund Lee
Ward 2 Council Candidate

Canada Day is a time to celebrate the country we call home, but it is also a reminder that strong communities are built by neighbours who care and get involved.

I spent part of Canada Day out in Ward 2, meeting residents, delivering campaign literature, and listening to the issues that matter most to our community.

Every conversation is different, but many residents share the same hope: keeping Richmond Hill a great place to live while making sure City Hall remains accountable, practical, and focused on residents.

I am grateful for the friendly smiles, conversations, and words of encouragement throughout the day.

As we celebrate Canada’s history, diversity, and freedoms, let us also look ahead to the future we want to build together, one with responsible leadership, safe neighbourhoods, fiscal discipline, and a strong sense of community.

Happy Canada Day to everyone. Have a safe and enjoyable holiday!

Sigmund Lee
Ward 2 Council Candidate

After spending time knocking on doors and speaking with residents across Ward 2, I recently came across a classic comedy routine by George Carlin called In Defense of Politicians.

While it is comedy, one point stood out to me.

Carlin reminds us that politicians do not appear out of nowhere. They come from the same communities they serve. Whether people agree with his conclusion or not, it is a reminder that democracy is a shared responsibility between elected officials and the citizens who elect them.

As a candidate, I believe residents deserve accountability, transparency, and responsible decision-making from their elected representatives. At the same time, strong communities are built when residents stay informed, ask questions, participate in local government and take the time to learn about the choices before them.

You do not have to agree with everything in the video, but it certainly provides an interesting perspective and a few laughs along the way.

Viewer Discretion Advised: This video contains strong language and mature themes that may not be suitable for children or viewers under 18 years of age. Viewer discretion is advised.

Video: George Carlin – In Defense of Politicians

Campaigning often involves serious discussions about taxes, traffic, development, and community safety. But every now and then, a resident says something that makes the whole day memorable.

One of the funnier moments happened while I was door-knocking recently.

A resident asked me why I was campaigning so early.

I smiled and replied:

“Well, the early bird catches the worm. Maybe I can win you over now.”

Without missing a beat, she replied:

“Too late, I’m already married!”

Needless to say, we both had a good laugh.

There is also a serious reason for beginning early. I want residents to have time to visit my website, consider my positions and decide for themselves whether I have earned their support – before campaign flyers from every candidate begin arriving at the same time.

Door-knocking can be challenging. There are plenty of steps to climb, long walks between homes, and many unanswered doors. But conversations like these make the experience enjoyable and remind me why meeting residents in person is so important.

I want to thank everyone who has taken the time to chat, share ideas, offer advice, ask questions, and occasionally keep me laughing along the way.

Ward 2 residents have been welcoming, thoughtful, and full of good humour. Every conversation helps me better understand the community and the issues that matter most to residents.

Have you had a funny or memorable experience with a campaign door-knocker? Or is there an issue you would like me to explore in a future post? I’d like to hear from you – share your thoughts through my contact page.

And yes, I’ll still be trying to catch that worm. 😊

During recent door knocking, a few residents told me something that stayed with me:

“I only opened the door because I recognized you.”

It made me reflect on how much both campaigning and society have changed.

Many people today are understandably cautious about opening their doors to strangers. Concerns about scams, safety, and security are real. More people screen calls, ignore unknown visitors, and avoid unsolicited contact altogether.

That reality creates a significant advantage for incumbents and well-known candidates. Recognition and familiarity often matter before a conversation even begins.

For challengers, the first hurdle is often not persuasion. It is simply getting the opportunity to be heard.

This experience also reinforced the importance of visibility during municipal elections. Residents cannot evaluate candidates they never encounter. Whether through community events, local engagement, campaign signs, or conversations at the door, visibility plays an important role in helping voters become aware of their choices.

At the same time, I am grateful to every resident who has taken the time to speak with me, share concerns, and engage respectfully about the future of Richmond Hill.

These conversations matter.

Ward 2 deserves to be heard.

Related: For additional background on why visibility matters in municipal elections, you can read my commentary on election sign visibility and its impact on challengers.

Read my published letter to the editor on election sign rules

Over the coming weeks, I will be out across Ward 2 meeting residents door-to-door, listening to concerns, and delivering campaign flyers.

I believe the best conversations happen face-to-face. Hearing directly from residents helps me better understand the priorities and concerns within our neighbourhoods.

Many residents have already shared concerns about affordability, property taxes, responsible spending, traffic, community services, and accountability at City Hall.

If you see me in the community, please feel free to say hello, share your concerns, or ask questions. I would be pleased to hear from you.

Thank you to everyone who has already offered encouragement, feedback, and support. I truly appreciate it.

Email: votesigmund@gmail.com

Today, I officially registered as a candidate for Richmond Hill Council in Ward 2.

Over the past several months, I have spoken with many residents across our community. Seniors, families, and longtime homeowners have shared a common concern: they expected more from City Hall.

They expected stronger accountability. Responsible spending. Better representation. And clearer value for the taxes they pay.

A recent consultant report warned that Richmond Hill may face property tax increases of 6 to 7 percent annually.

That should concern every resident.

When families face financial pressure, they review spending, tighten budgets, and focus on essentials. City Hall should be expected to apply the same discipline. Residents should not be asked to fund everything that is desirable if it is no longer affordable.

We need to ask the right questions, focus on what is essential, and make sure residents receive clear value for what they pay.

I am running to bring stronger accountability, responsible spending, and practical representation to Ward 2.

You can learn more about my background, priorities, and positions on local issues at:

sigmundlee.com

I would be pleased to hear from you.

Email: votesigmund@gmail.com