Positions
8 public records across 5 topics. Read the position, proposed action, context and original evidence together.
Look for cost, timing and who has authority to act. A published statement is not automatically a complete plan or an answer to the question below. Missing records do not mean a candidate declined to answer.
Taxes & spending2 public records · 2026-09-17Favours the lowest workable tax increase, with cuts if required.
What would you change in the budget, what would it cost, and how would you pay for it?
Candidate account · 2026-09-17
Favours the lowest workable tax increase, with cuts if required.
- Proposed action
- Avoid using reserves solely to suppress one year’s increase.
Context and limits
No fixed percentage cap is offered.
Read the source
Candidate statement published elsewhere · 2026-09-17
Opposes drawing down reserves to make one year’s tax increase artificially low.
- Authority
- The mayor can propose and advocate; council decisions and any outside approvals remain necessary.
- Which reserve withdrawals would you still consider justified?
- Reasoning
- Says later taxpayers would face the correction.
Read the source
Roads & infrastructureNo verified position found in reviewed sourcesWhat would you do?
Which roads or infrastructure would you prioritize, and when?
No verified position found in reviewed sources. This is a coverage gap, not evidence that the candidate has no position or has refused to answer.
Growth & planning2 public records · 2026-09-17Supports infill, additional residential units and greater density to protect farmland.
Where should growth happen, and what conditions would you require?
Candidate account · 2026-09-17
Supports infill, additional residential units and greater density to protect farmland.
- Proposed action
- Lead the township secondary-plan process.
Context and limits
Questions the scale of growth projections while expecting further growth.
Read the source
Candidate statement published elsewhere · 2026-09-17
Rejects prime farmland for data centres and wants resource, noise, infrastructure and planning impacts examined.
- Authority
- The mayor can propose and advocate; council decisions and any outside approvals remain necessary.
Read the source
Housing1 public record · 2026-09-17Identifies affordable and purpose-built rental housing as priorities.
What would you do to make housing more available and affordable?
Candidate account · 2026-09-17
Identifies affordable and purpose-built rental housing as priorities.
Context and limits
No unit target or funded programme is supplied in this answer.
Read the source
Downtown & businessNo verified position found in reviewed sourcesWhat would you do?
What would you change for local businesses and the downtown?
No verified position found in reviewed sources. This is a coverage gap, not evidence that the candidate has no position or has refused to answer.
Children & recreationNo verified position found in reviewed sourcesWhat would you do?
What would you improve for children, recreation and community spaces?
No verified position found in reviewed sources. This is a coverage gap, not evidence that the candidate has no position or has refused to answer.
Public servicesNo verified position found in reviewed sourcesWhat would you do?
Which public services would you improve, and how?
No verified position found in reviewed sources. This is a coverage gap, not evidence that the candidate has no position or has refused to answer.
Public accountability1 public record · 2026-09-17Says residents should be able to discuss decisions and their rationale.
How will you explain your decisions and report on your promises?
Candidate account · 2026-09-17
Says residents should be able to discuss decisions and their rationale.
- Proposed action
- Maintain email and phone access.
Context and limits
Meeting-recording claims are attributed to his questionnaire answer.
Read the source
Water & environment2 public records · 2026-09-17Opposes turbines and large solar projects on prime farmland; supports rooftop solar.
What will you do to protect water and the local environment?
Candidate account · 2026-09-17
Opposes turbines and large solar projects on prime farmland; supports rooftop solar.
Context and limits
Supports adaptation and seeks taxpayer benefit from emissions spending.
Read the source
Candidate statement published elsewhere · 2026-09-17
Supports climate adaptation such as stormwater ponds; is less willing to fund emissions measures without taxpayer savings or net benefit.
- Authority
- The mayor can propose and advocate; council decisions and any outside approvals remain necessary.
- What benefit test would you require for each proposed climate expenditure?
Read the source
Community lifeNo verified position found in reviewed sourcesWhat would you do?
What would you do to strengthen life in this community?
No verified position found in reviewed sources. This is a coverage gap, not evidence that the candidate has no position or has refused to answer.
Still to answer5 topics without a public answer
- Which reserve withdrawals would you still consider justified?
- What benefit test would you require for each proposed climate expenditure?
- Roads & infrastructure
Which roads or infrastructure would you prioritize, and when?
Add an answer · Add an existing source - Downtown & business
What would you change for local businesses and the downtown?
Add an answer · Add an existing source - Children & recreation
What would you improve for children, recreation and community spaces?
Add an answer · Add an existing source - Public services
Which public services would you improve, and how?
Add an answer · Add an existing source - Community life
What would you do to strengthen life in this community?
Add an answer · Add an existing source
Related decisions and projects
2026 adopted budget / reserves
Do not treat all council-approved reserve transfers as Schaefer votes.
Background
East Zorra-Tavistock’s mayor and County councillor. Supports infill and rental housing while questioning the scale of growth forecasts.
Emergency Management Program Committee
Road Safety Strategy Ad Hoc Committee
Public history
Public statementsOn Taxes & spending, Housing, Growth & planning, Water & environment, Public accountability
- Favours the lowest workable tax increase, with cuts if required. Candidate account
- Identifies affordable and purpose-built rental housing as priorities. Candidate account
- Supports infill, additional residential units and greater density to protect farmland. Candidate account
- Opposes turbines and large solar projects on prime farmland; supports rooftop solar. Candidate account
- Says residents should be able to discuss decisions and their rationale. Candidate account
- Opposes drawing down reserves to make one year’s tax increase artificially low. Candidate statement published elsewhere
- Rejects prime farmland for data centres and wants resource, noise, infrastructure and planning impacts examined. Candidate statement published elsewhere
- Supports climate adaptation such as stormwater ponds; is less willing to fund emissions measures without taxpayer savings or net benefit. Candidate statement published elsewhere
Sources and updates
Oxford County Source · 2022-11-25
- East Zorra-Tavistock certified candidates
- Oxford County — 2026 elections
- Phil Schaefer — candidate answers published by Stand4Oxford Sep 17, 2026
- Oxford County current Council
- Oxford County board and committee appointments