SMITHS FALLS — Nate Morris is joining the race for mayor in Smiths Falls, running on a platform centred on drinking water safety, government accountability and changes to senior leadership at town hall.
He is the second person to announce his candidacy joining Christopher Cummings in a race for the top spot of the municipality.
Morris said his decision to run is rooted in concerns about transparency and the protection of public health.
“I believe our community deserves leadership that is transparent, accountable, and fully committed to protecting public health,” he said.
A father of two young boys, Morris said he is particularly focused on the long-term safety of the town’s drinking water and the decisions surrounding it.
His platform includes plans to lower water bills, expand access to safe recreational opportunities for youth and address environmental concerns tied to the municipal water system.
Morris said priorities would include remediating contamination in the town’s Intake Protection Zone and removing remaining lead pipes from the distribution system.
He has previously raised concerns about contamination in the Intake Protection Zone and has been critical of how water-related issues have been handled by the municipality.
“To ensure we can deliver on these priorities, I will focus on improving efficiency by introducing performance-based budgeting and reducing unnecessary spending,” he said.
Morris also said he would work to strengthen transparency and accountability at town hall, describing public trust as essential to moving the community forward.
If elected, Morris said his first step would be to review the municipality’s senior leadership structure to ensure it is aligned with the needs of residents.
He said that could include changes to the chief administrative officer role and separating the responsibilities of town solicitor and integrity commissioner to strengthen oversight and independence.
Morris brings an unconventional background to the race. About 15 years ago, he said he operated an experimental cannabis farm in Northern California and later became involved in advocacy work related to medical cannabis access for families with children who have special needs.
That work led to collaboration with elected officials in Canada and the United States, and to meeting his wife, Emily. The couple later moved to Smiths Falls, where they are raising their two sons, ages four and nine.
More recently, Morris said he has focused on environmental technologies, including biochar-based solutions for agriculture and environmental remediation. He said his work has included projects addressing heavy metals and petroleum hydrocarbons across Canada and the United States.
In his role as chief technology officer with the Rideau Roundtable, Morris said he has supported local biochar initiatives and raised concerns about contamination in the Intake Protection Zone.
Morris said his campaign will focus on delivering practical solutions while restoring confidence in how municipal decisions are made.
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