Marilyn Crawford for Mayor   |   [email protected]   |   416-358-1154

COUNT ON

CRAWFORD

Experienced Leadership.

Real Results for Ajax.

Marilyn Crawford

Election date: october, 26, 2026

Marilyn Crawford is committed to responsible growth,
vibrant communities, and a future where Ajax continues to thrive for families,
businesses, and generations to come.

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About Marilyn

Candidate for Mayor of Ajax | Election Day: October 26, 2026

Executive Summary & Service Profile

Experience at a glance

A Proven Record of Leadership

Decades of public service, community engagement, and results for Ajax.

35 Years

As an Ajax Resident

Raised her family in Ajax alongside her husband, two children, and granddaughter.

25+ Years

Dedicated Elected Service

Unbroken track record across school board, local municipal, and regional governance.

200+ Meetings

Community Meetings Hosted

Demonstrated commitment to continuous resident engagement, hosting over 200 community ward meetings over the past 16 years.

80.7% Mandate

Community Mandate

Re-elected as Ward 1 Regional Councillor in 2022.

Deputy Mayor

Proven Executive Leadership

Multiple terms served as Deputy Mayor of the Town of Ajax (2018–2020, 2022–2024).

Leadership & Community Experience

01 Provincial & Inter-Municipal Governance
  • Board Director, Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) – Regional & Single Tier Caucus (2023–2026).
  • Municipal Representative, Ontario Big City Mayors (OBCM) Board Meetings — Representing the Town of Ajax on provincial municipal policy priorities.
  • Provincial Delegations & Budget Advocacy:
    • Direct delegations to MPPs on behalf of both the Town of Ajax and the Region of Durham.
    • Direct delegations to MPPs during provincial budget roundtables to advocate for local infrastructure, transit, and housing investments.
  • Executive Representative (10 Years), Ontario Public School Boards’ Association (OPSBA) — Representing trustees and school boards at the provincial level.
02 Regional Governance (Region of Durham)
  • Chair, Durham Region Transit Executive Committee (DRT) (2022–2026).
  • Member, Durham Region Finance Committee (2024–2026).
  • Member, Durham Region Works Committee (2018–2024).
  • Member, Durham Region Community Safety and Well-Being Plan Steering Committee.
  • Member, Durham Region Vision Zero Committee.
  • Board Member, Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority (CLOCA).
  • Member, Durham Region Climate Change Roundtable.
03 Local Municipal Leadership (Town of Ajax)
  • Deputy Mayor, Town of Ajax (served 2018–2020, 2022–2024).
  • Regional Councillor, Ward 1, Town of Ajax (2018–Present; re-elected in 2022 with 80.7% of the vote).
  • Local Councillor, Ward 1, Town of Ajax (2010–2018, served two terms).
  • Local Municipal Boards & Advisory Committees:
    • Board Member, Ajax Municipal Housing Corporation (2010–2014, 2022–2023).
    • Board Member, Pickering Village Business Improvement Area (BIA) (2010–2019).
    • Board Member, Ajax Public Library Board (2010–2018).
    • Committee Member, Recreation and Cultural Advisory Committee (2010–2014).
    • Council Representative, Transportation Advisory Committee.
04 School Board Leadership (Durham District School Board)
  • Chair of the Board, Durham District School Board (DDSB) — Elected Chair for her final two years as Trustee.
  • School Board Trustee, Durham District School Board (10 years of service, 2000–2010).
05 Keynote Speeches, Panels & Industry Leadership
  • Keynote Speaker, Clean Buses in Canada Conference — Presenting on municipal transit electrification and zero-emission fleet transition.
  • Panelist, Women in Cyber Security Panel, siberX Conference — Highlighting tech literacy, public safety, and gender representation in tech fields.
  • Panelist, Public Awareness and Education Panel, Cybersecurity Conference — Focusing on digital safety, municipal data protection, and community awareness.
06 Groundbreaking Community Advocacy & Initiatives
  • Woman of Impact Award Recipient (2024) — Honoured by Durham Region on International Women’s Day 2024 as the 1st and only woman in regional council to receive this recognition.
  • Intimate Partner Violence Champion — Championed the historic first roundtable discussion bringing together regional non-profit organizations and the Durham Regional Police Service (DRPS) to address Intimate Partner Violence.
  • Missing Black Boys Advocacy Champion — Championed the first joint roundtable discussion with DRPS and Durham Region Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) addressing the Missing Black Boys issue in Ajax and across Durham Region.
  • Grassroots Community Advocacy — Personal advocate for parents of children with special needs, active school travel safety initiatives, and healthy community living across Durham Region.

Marilyn Crawford for Mayor — Ajax 2026

Marilyn’s Platform

Practical priorities for a safer, more affordable and stronger Ajax.

Platform #3

Homelessness Action Plan

A compassionate, practical plan focused on prevention, coordinated supports and long-term pathways to stability.

Read the text version Accessible text for all four homelessness commitments

01

Understanding the Reality and Core Commitments

Homelessness is a complex community challenge. Behind every situation of housing instability is a human story involving affordability, health, or hardship.

I will lead with both deep compassion and clear responsibility, ensuring vulnerable residents are treated with dignity and connected to essential supports.

I will balance care with community safety, protecting our parks, local businesses, and public spaces so they remain safe and welcoming for everyone.

Dignity for vulnerable residents, safe public spaces for all.

02

Pathways to Housing and Community Supports

Shelters are an emergency step, not a permanent home. I will establish municipal roundtables to build clear pathways from crisis to supportive and stable living.

I will actively engage Federal and Provincial partners to secure dedicated intergovernmental funding and upper tier grants for local mental health and social services.

I will collaborate with regional agencies and service providers to streamline support networks that help residents achieve long term independence.

Unlocking senior level funding and collaborative pathways to permanent housing.

03

Proactive Prevention and Community Engagement

I will prioritize early outreach, using direct feedback from residents, experts, and people with lived experience to address housing instability before crisis hits.

I will stay actively engaged with local businesses and community groups to understand how homelessness impacts them and partner on practical solutions.

I will be a present Mayor, making decisions informed by local evidence, community input, and hands on collaboration.

A present Mayor, listening and acting early to prevent community crisis.

04

Meaningful Long Term Solutions

Homelessness is not simply a housing issue; it is a community issue that requires compassionate leadership and decisive action.

I will champion sustainable solutions that help vulnerable residents regain stability while maintaining safe, healthy, and inclusive neighbourhoods.

Together, we can build a collaborative approach that addresses both the root causes and daily impacts of homelessness in Ajax.

Compassionate leadership for safe, healthy, and inclusive neighbourhoods.

Marilyn’s commitment to our community began with our most important asset: our children. Serving as the Chair of the Durham District School Board, she learned early on that leadership requires balancing diverse needs with fiscal responsibility. This foundation led her to the Ajax Local Council and eventually to her current roles as Regional Councillor for Ward 1. Marilyn doesn’t just talk about change; she has spent over 25 years delivering it.

Council Motions Supported by Marilyn Crawford

This report highlights council motions from the 2022–2026 term involving Marilyn Crawford, reflecting her continued work on issues that matter to Ajax residents. The motions include action and advocacy related to public safety, housing affordability, child care, responsible municipal spending, community inclusion, support for vulnerable residents, environmental protection, and stronger local services.

Together, these motions provide a snapshot of Marilyn’s priorities on Council and her commitment to building a safer, more inclusive, more affordable, and more responsive Ajax.

Be Part of the Future of Ajax

This campaign is about people.
Your voice, your priorities, and your vision for our town.

Get involved. Stay informed. Make an impact.

I care deeply about this community and the people who call Ajax home.
Together, we can build a future that reflects our shared values and ambitions.

-Marilyn Crawford –

Let’s Build Ajax Together

Your support makes all the difference

Contact Marilyn

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