Biography
Todd Kasenberg has a passion for North Perth – and pronounces himself “North Perth Proud!”
Todd was born and raised in Windsor, Ont. He has a Bachelor’s of Science degree (Microbiology and Immunology) from McGill University and a Master’s in Science degree (Biology) from Western University.
In the first decade of his career, Todd held leadership roles in the not-for-profit sector, encompassing both crime prevention and health sector fundraising. He has worked in supporting the pharmaceutical industry. As a pharmaceutical marketer, he was responsible for the marketing communications plan/tactics for two of Canada’s most successful pharmaceutical brands.
Since 2009, Todd has owned his own business and served as a partner in another (a web technologies consultancy). His work focuses on optimizing human performance and helping organizations tell their stories. He has co-authored a paper on optimizing group processes with physicians through advisory boards, and recently wrote his first e-book on Great Group Facilitation. He is also a software and app entrepreneur.
Todd landed in Atwood in July 2016, was elected Mayor of North Perth in the 2018 municipal election, and has served as a Perth County councillor since that date.
Todd is married to Sharon Flood Kasenberg, and is father to adult sons Samuel and Daniel. He is a member of the Atwood Lions Club, retired president of the Linguists of Listowel Toastmaster Club, and volunteers with Lonely No More. He enjoys sharing his Atwood home with international students, and teaching others the finer lessons of Star Trek.
What is the biggest issue facing North Perth?
It remains clear to me that the largest drag on our community’s potential – the future state that both sustains a vibrant and growing economy, creates quality of lived experience, and ability to retain and support our youth – is the lack of availability of affordable and attainable housing.
It’s an issue that hasn’t really been on the radar of most municipalities until the last five years. As our population ages, and Baby Boomers retire, we have seen problems in this wonderful community with businesses, not-for-profits, and even our local government sourcing the next generation of employees. The pandemic has pushed along a meteoric rise in the cost of housing in our community; while we are not alone in experiencing that change, a few natural and planned advantages position us particularly susceptible to the rapid rise in price. Our proximity to Waterloo Region and even London for their robust and diverse job markets, our sound infrastructure (with ample capacity at the landfill and with water and sewage treatment), our friendly ways, our parks and amenities, and even straightforward commuting roads to larger centres, make us attractive. That has brought a range of new people to our community, fuelled housing development, and generally created a desirability right here.
However, while housing supply is growing, we are increasingly aware that we just don’t have the price point for housing for many of those who commute to work here, and for our young people who want to return home to raise the next generation of our community. Those who are working in industry, those who are returning after college, trade school or university, and those who are working retail – all struggle with the costs of our real estate, including a down payment for a house and borrowing a mortgage should they want to buy, and the relatively low supply of rental units within their income range. Our land for residential development gets used up in forms that may be desired by those at the end of their careers, but provides little for those getting started.
The Government of Ontario has sent clear signals that it needs municipalities not just to be partners, but the leaders of the partnerships between our levels of government to “get housing affordability.” Our action, while not customary or usual at the municipal level, is now said essential to address the challenge.
There are a range of things we must do. We must get developers to alter their mix and get some affordable units built. We need to address a few policies about residential infill – something I expect to be included in the next Official Plan of Perth County. We need to start thinking about and experimenting with different forms of housing to change the cost point. And this municipal government needs to use its powers to borrow and tax as leverage to shape the housing landscape. We must see that housing across all income bands is available to sustain our community. That work has begun; I will continue it.
