A practical voice for Monaghan Ward.
Focused on affordability, economic growth, safer communities, and better outcomes through practical, evidence-based decision making.
A practical voice for Monaghan Ward.
Focused on affordability, economic growth, safer communities, and better outcomes through practical, evidence-based decision making.
Rooted in Peterborough. Focused on family and community.
AJ Shearer is a husband, father, business professional, and long-time member of the Peterborough community who is committed to helping build a stronger, safer, and more affordable future for local families.
Family First
AJ and his wife Seanna are raising their two boys in Peterborough and care deeply about building a city where families can feel safe, connected, and optimistic.
Professional Background
With experience in engineering, business intelligence, data analytics, change management, and real estate, AJ brings a practical approach built around understanding complex systems, asking the right questions, and measuring results.
View My ExperienceDeep Local Roots
AJ's family has deep roots in the Peterborough area spanning seven generations, through local businesses, families, neighbourhoods, and community involvement.
Focus on the outcomes that matter.
Peterborough's challenges do not exist in isolation. Affordability, homelessness, public safety, infrastructure, housing, and economic development are all connected. Good decisions require understanding those relationships and focusing on the outcomes we actually want to achieve.
Through conversations at the door and the research behind my Diary of a Transparent Candidate series, three areas have continued to stand out as particularly important.
Affordability & Responsible Government
Keeping future tax increases as low as reasonably possible by controlling the growth of municipal costs, planning infrastructure for the long term, measuring the value taxpayers receive, and growing Peterborough's commercial and industrial tax base.
View My VisionEconomic Growth & Employment Lands
Expanding Peterborough's economic base by supporting investment, creating better conditions for job growth, and working collaboratively with Cavan Monaghan and the Province to move employment lands forward.
View My VisionSafer Streets & Better Outcomes
Taking a practical approach to homelessness and public safety by measuring whether services are producing better outcomes, supporting evidence-based policing, and protecting residents, businesses, and public spaces.
View My VisionUnderstand the system. Measure the outcome.
Municipal decisions rarely come with perfect solutions. They come with trade-offs. My approach is to understand the system we're trying to change, identify the incentives shaping behaviour, define the outcome we want, and use the best available evidence to determine whether we're actually getting there.
Understand the System
Look beyond individual symptoms and understand how decisions in one part of the City affect everything around them.
Measure Outcomes
Judge programs and spending by the results they produce, not simply by how much money is spent or how much activity takes place.
Understand Incentives
Policies influence behaviour. Good decisions require understanding the incentives we are creating for residents, businesses, organizations, and government.
Explain the Trade-offs
There are rarely cost-free solutions. Council should be clear about what residents are gaining, what they are giving up, and why a decision makes sense.
Recreation, Arts & Quality of Life
A strong city is more than its balance sheet. Recreation, sports, arts, culture, parks, and community organizations help make Peterborough a place where people want to live, raise a family, and put down roots. I support practical partnerships that expand opportunities while respecting taxpayers and planning responsibly for long-term costs.
See how I'm arriving at these positions.
Running for public office is a learning experience, and I believe residents deserve to see more than polished campaign announcements. This series offers a candid look at the conversations I'm having, the issues I'm researching, and how that information is shaping my approach to City Hall.
From housing and homelessness to public safety, economic development, infrastructure, and the use of better data, the series shows the thinking behind the priorities I'm bringing to this campaign.
Thanks for taking the time to learn more about me and the campaign.
Peterborough is an incredible place to raise a family, build a career, and put down roots. I'm running because I believe we can make smarter, more practical decisions that keep our city affordable, improve safety, strengthen our economy, and produce better results from the resources we already have.
If you're looking for additional information, have questions about the campaign, or simply want to connect, please don't hesitate to reach out.
How and Where to Vote
Peterborough's 2026 Municipal and School Board Election takes place on Monday, October 26, 2026. Residents can vote online, vote early in person, or cast a ballot at their ward's Election Day voting location.
Check Your Registration
The City's online voter services are now available. You can confirm that you're on the voters' list, add or update your information, view your voting location, and see the candidates who will appear on your ballot.
Check Your Voter InformationVote Online or Vote Early
Online voting opens Monday, October 5 at 10 a.m. and remains available until 8 p.m. on Election Day, October 26.
Wednesday, October 14
10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Healthy Planet Arena
911 Monaghan Rd.
Election Day
10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Election Day voting is ward-specific, so Monaghan Ward residents voting in person on October 26 will cast their ballot here.
Accessible Voting
Accessible voting equipment and an internet voting kiosk will be available at City Hall, 500 George St. N. from October 19 to October 23, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Accessible voting equipment will also be available at City Hall on Election Day from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. for residents from any ward.
Watch for Your Voter Card
Voter notification cards will be mailed in late September or early October and will include information about online and in-person voting.
Your voter notification card can also be used to receive free Peterborough Transit when travelling to an in-person voting option.
Help build momentum across Monaghan Ward.
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