Over the past while, I’ve been listening, reading, and reflecting on the feedback we received about the proposed Forensic Research Institute (SWIFT) here in Kingsville.

This was a big conversation for our community and I know many people are still wondering: Where do we go from here?

I wanted to take a moment to share what I heard, what stood out to me, and how I’m thinking about this moving forward.

What I Heard From You

We received a lot of feedback—both in support and in opposition.

• About 118 emails were in support
• About 31 emails were opposed

Support came from all over, not just Kingsville, but from across Ontario and beyond. We heard from students, researchers, police services, educators, and local business owners.

On the other hand, those who were opposed were largely people who live or own property close to what was believed to be the proposed site, as well as members of the development community.

And of course, many people shared thoughts on social media, especially as we’re heading into an election season, where conversations tend to be louder and more emotional.

The Concerns

I want to be very clear, people who raised concerns weren’t wrong to do so.  The most common things I heard were:

• Worries about how this type of facility might change how people see Kingsville
• Concerns about the location, potentially being close to homes and possible future development
• Questions about environmental impact
• Potential effects on property values
• And, in many cases, simply not having enough information to feel comfortable with the project

These are real concerns, and they come from a place of caring about our community.

The Support

At the same time, there was strong support for what this project represents.  People spoke about:

• Jobs and economic growth
• New opportunities for local businesses for hotels, restaurants, shopping and tourism
• The chance for our region to become a leader in research and innovation
• Partnerships with universities and law enforcement
• Creating opportunities for students and future generations

It’s clear that many people see the bigger picture potential here.

My Honest Take

After sitting with all of this, here’s where I’ve landed:

This was never really about whether this kind of facility should exist but rather it was about where it should go.

Most of the opposition wasn’t about rejecting the idea entirely. It was about whether a location in Kingsville felt right.

And that’s an important distinction.

So… What Happens Next?

I don’t think this conversation is over and I don’t think it should be.

In fact, I think it might be bigger than Kingsville.

This type of project could bring real benefits to Southwestern Ontario as a whole, economic success, new partnerships and investment in research and education.

So maybe the next step isn’t to walk away from it but to think about it differently.

Instead of asking, “Should this happen in Kingsville?”
We could be asking, “Where in our region does this make the most sense?”

That’s a conversation worth having, with our neighbouring municipalities, and with all of you.

Right now, we’re heading into an election, and I think it’s important to give people the space to make their voices heard.

After that, there may be an opportunity to revisit this idea in a more regional, collaborative way, learning from what we’ve heard and doing it better.

To everyone who reached out, whether you supported the project or had concerns, thank you.

Taking the time to speak up matters. It helps us make better, more informed decisions.

And if there’s one thing I take away from all of this, it’s this:

Our community cares deeply about its future and that’s something we should always be proud of.