Rachel Gilliland

Since 2018, it has been a privilege to serve the residents of the Town of Aurora as a municipal Councillor. I have also been deeply appreciative of the encouragement and support I’ve received from those who believe in my leadership and ability to help shape strong, responsible communities.

Through my experience in municipal government, I’ve seen firsthand how bureaucracy and unnecessary delays can hinder progress and make it harder to move important projects forward. I also serve on the York Regional Police District 1 Liaison Committee and as Chair of Central York Fire Services, where I’ve gained valuable experience understanding the infrastructure, emergency services, and public safety needs required to support growing communities.

My background in finance and oversight of multi-million-dollar municipal budgets has strengthened my understanding of fiscal responsibility, economic growth, and the importance of ensuring taxpayer dollars are spent wisely and transparently.

Over the course of my term, I’ve successfully advanced more than 40 policies aimed at improving the community. My ability to build consensus, foster productive relationships, and work collaboratively across all levels of government has helped turn ideas into action and deliver meaningful results for residents.

• Accommodate an ideal balance between development of attainable housing and preservation, while encouraging green development design standards.
• Increase economic development by attracting new industry opportunities, elevate and invest in our arts, culture, and sports tourism strategies, and continue to support our downtown community improvement initiatives.  
• Support climate adaptation and sustainability by advocating for more active transportation routes, green infrastructure,  and protect our natural capital assets.
• Continue to collaborate with other levels of government to gain access to grants and advocate for current issues that matter