Square, an expanded cenotaph in recognition the city's strong military history and relationship with Base Borden. As residential rents in the city started to rise, Lehman championed an Affordable Housing Strategy adopted by City Council in early 2015. However, the city has continued to experience a housing crisis, due in part to a lack of purpose-built rental development since the 1980s. In October 2018, Lehman was re-elected for a third term, winning 91% of the popular vote. Lehman's focus has been on housing, economic development, public space, and improving the city's fiscal condition. Lehman has played a prominent public role during the COVID-19 crisis by supporting public health measures with frequent video updates through his social media channels and in civic initiatives. He has also advocated for small business supports and changes to public health restrictions, most notably being one of several Ontario Mayors who pushed back when the Ford Government ordered playgrounds closed in April 2021. On 15 July 2021, an F2 tornado struck south end neighbourhoods in the City of Barrie, damaging hundreds of homes and businesses. Lehman provided video updates from the impacted area following in the aftermath of the damage. As chair of Ontario's Big City Mayor's caucus, Lehman has advocated for the needs of large municipalities on issues affecting Ontario's cities, including advocating for decriminalization of simple possession of opioids, and the use of federal and provincial economic policies to address the housing crisis. Lehman ran for the Ontario Liberal Party in the 2022 Ontario general election in the riding of Barrie—Springwater—Oro-Medonte. Honours and recognition Lehman has received a number of awards during his time as mayor. In 2017, he was awarded the Gil Bennett Award by the Conference Board of Canada's Director's College, for excellence in corporate governance education. He was also named the 2017 Community Leader Influencer of the Year by the Economic Developers Council of Ontario. In 2019, U.S. business magazine Fast Company named Lehman number 26 in its top 100 Most Creative People in Business for his innovative solutions in government. Personal life Lehman lives with partner Carolina Belmares, a fitness and nutrition coach, writer, and speaker. Their blended family includes their four children and twenty-pound cat, Churro. The couple have been prominent supporters of local causes, including Belmares' work to support new Canadians and ethnocultural communities in the Simcoe County area. References External links Lehman's blog Office of the Mayor