Priorities for the next council.
Stratford needs leadership that will be more responsive to the immediate needs of the community. After twenty years serving Stratford's public, I am running for Council because I believe that Stratford deserves to be a destination that prioritizes its residents and serves its visitors for all twelve months of the year.
Downtown heritage & hometown vitality
Stratford's downtown shops, restaurants, and hotels are its integrated community, arts, and cultural centre. I want to preserve what makes Stratford extraordinary while ensuring our downtown is functional for all who live and work here.
Navigating new infrastructure
Stratford is making decisions now that will affect the city for years to come. GO train service changes Stratford's visitor profile. Residents need a recreation, library, and culture core facility that functions in parallel with GO Train lines. The Grand Trunk project can accommodate both of those needs.
Support for growing families
It is important that Stratford prioritizes those who live and work in the city. Support for families—in the form of more child care, more arts and culture events, and more affordable seasonal programs—is a priority for me as both a council candidate and as a father.
Energy & environmental focus
More than ever, federal and provincial responsibilities have been downloaded onto municipalities. While we work on developing goodwill with the province, we need to be a role-model community that sets the example for what an environmentally-responsible city can be.
Protecting our vulnerable populations
Homelessness is a persistent issue because affirmative action is lacking. The common argument is that we don't have the money. My priority is the development of supportive housing with wraparound services for the long-term; right now, we need permanent overnight beds and adequate access to services.
Better community care & outreach
Living in Stratford means living in a community that cares. We have many services, boards, and groups that support many cultural, social, infrastructural, touristic, and economic initiatives; what we lack is the ability to unite their efforts in any way that combines and compounds their work collectively.
Stratford-born. Research-informed. Service-driven.
Chris Giannakopoulos was born and raised in Stratford, where his working life began. Over twenty years serving Stratford's public—at Cafe Ten, The Bruce Hotel, The Stratford Chefs School, Pizza Bistro, and Foster's Inn—have taught Chris the value of excellent service, professional standards, and cohesive teamwork. He completed his PhD at the University of Waterloo in 2025, where he now teaches communication to engineering and science undergraduates. In his work at the University, Chris evaluates technical proposals and teaches undergraduates how to produce evidence-based writing that holds up under scrutiny. Chris's work at the University is, in miniature, the work of a councillor—reading carefully, asking the right questions, and making decisions to approve or alter projects based on key evidence.
The Giannakopoulos family has been part of Stratford for decades, owning and operating businesses in the downtown core, attending local schools, and remaining visible through the city's food and cultural life. Chris brings a sense of deep commitment to this campaign, along with a perspective shaped by academic rigour, a professional connection to the arts, heritage, and local business, and the conviction that decisions made by council over the next four years deserve financial discipline, knowledgeable oversight, and a councillor willing to ask hard questions.
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Stratford residents who support Chris's nomination.
Your vote is your voice.
Municipal votes decide the streets you drive, the taxes you pay, and the city your kids inherit. Your voice matters—this October 26th, make your voice heard. Vote Giannakopoulos for city council.
Detailed voting information is maintained by the City of Stratford.
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