A lifelong Stratford resident, asking for your vote.

Chris Giannakopoulos is a lifelong Stratford resident with deep roots in the community and a professional background that spans academic research, education, and local hospitality. Chris teaches at the Greek Saturday school and holds a sessional teaching position at the University of Waterloo's Stratford campus, with a Visiting Fellowship at Western University's Centre for Theory and Criticism. Academic background is in poetry, aesthetics, and the cultural and intellectual history of place.

The Giannakopoulos family has been part of Stratford's social fabric for decades. Chris's uncle, Nick Giannakopoulos, served as a City Councillor for approximately 15 years in the early 2000s and chaired LACAC—the predecessor body to Heritage Stratford Committee. The family previously owned Cafe Ten and Pizza Bistro, two well-known local establishments. Chris brings that same community commitment to this campaign while offering a distinct perspective shaped by academic rigour, a deep knowledge of heritage and planning, and genuine passion for the city's future.

Chris is running because 2026 is not a routine election year. The GO train's arrival, the Grand Trunk decision, and a housing market building the wrong product are all coming to a head at once. These are exactly the files where heritage expertise, planning knowledge, and genuine community roots make a difference.