Lesley Biehn Stratford City Councillor

12/26/2025

Thank you Stratford! I took another load of 3,658 diapers! A huge pile from Jubilee, 4 boxes from Clerk’s office, 4 boxes from Grotto, and 4 boxes from Spruce Lodge Board members! That brings our grand total to 7,849 DIAPERS!!! 💕🎄💕

12/26/2025

12/14/2025

I spent the evening with Councillor Burbach and Mayor Ritsma greeting all of the guests welcoming them into the To Stratford With Love banquet. What a huge successful event that brings so many people together 🎄Once again thank you to the entire Kneider family! 37 years and counting.

12/11/2025

Diaper delivery #1 with 2,158 diapers! Way to go Stratford 💕 Remember every diaper we donate allows for House of Blessing to buy more infant formula. It is a win win 🍼 doubling the effectiveness of your donation! Jo-Dee Burbach Bonnie HendersonMayor Martin Ritsma Stratford House of Blessing Food Bank

12/11/2025

The women of Stratford Council are collecting diapers for House of Blessing. Can you add to our numbers so we beat the men?

12/01/2024

Winter Wander-Land is on for one more day! Train rides, roasted Rice Krispie Squares over the fire, lots of local food vendors, hot chocolate and more! Sunday 11-5 Market Square and York Street ❄️⛄️🎄❄️

11/13/2024

SANTA’S PARADE OF LIGHTS – VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Organizers are looking for volunteers for the upcoming Santa’s Parade of Lights in Stratford on December 1.

Volunteer roles and responsibilities include:
• Assisting with the marshalling of floats into starting positions along the parade route
• Attending barricades at road closures along the parade route
• Walking alongside the parade as it moved to ensure spectators do not enter the route

This year’s parade, hosted by the Stratford and District Saddle Club and Bethel Church, is scheduled to kick off Sunday, December 1 at 5 p.m.

The parade will take a scenic route along the shoreline of the Avon River, starting at Hillcrest Drive and William Street, moving east along William Street to Lakeside Drive North, across the Festival Bridge, heading west along Lakeside Drive past the Stratford Festival and ending at the Tom Patterson Theatre.

To apply as a volunteer, please visit https://forms.stratford.ca/Parade-of-Lights/Parade-of-Lights-Volunteer-Application

11/13/2024

We are looking for everyone to engage and have your say about the City budget.

2025 BUDGET - HAVE YOUR SAY

The City of Stratford has begun it’s 2025 budget process, and we want to hear from you.

The draft budget is starting with an estimated 5.9% tax rate increase to residential property owners.

If you haven’t already done so, please take a few minutes to fill out our online budget survey, which can be completed on Engage Stratford at www.engagestratford.ca and will be available until Nov. 19, 2024. Paper copies will also be available at the main floor desk at City Hall, and the Clerk’s Office on the ground floor and at the Stratford Public Library.

Also, come out to our Budget Open House on Monday, Nov. 18, from 4-7 p.m. in the City Hall Auditorium, where you can speak with senior staff and/or Councillors regarding the draft budget.

Feedback from the budget survey and open house will be provided to City Council, and will assist Councillors in making important budget decisions for our community.

11/11/2024

Thankful for freedom, thankful for Canada, thankful for Canadians that laid down their lives for future generations.

08/03/2024

Horrified to hear of this terrible tragedy. My sincere condolences to the families of the victims, those injured, and all citizens affected by this. Thank you Stratford Police Service and all first responders for your service to our community.