We have so much to look forward to in North Cowichan.
A new high school, a new hospital, and a new police headquarters are underway. Even in a global pandemic, we undertook a lot of community engagement - something that I was grateful for. It wasn't ideal - nothing has been ideal for the last 2+ years - but it has been a one of a kind learning experience and I am proud of the work North Cowichan has accomplished during this difficult term.
If we learned anything from COVID-19 it's that strong, connected communities can thrive even in the worst of times. There are a lot of challenges ahead of us - housing, affordability, climate change, a struggling economy, community health and safety - and we will only be successful in overcoming these if everyone works together.
I'm running to be Mayor of North Cowichan because we need leadership that brings people together.
I keep an open mind, I listen to ideas, I am willing to learn, and I am ready to lead.
A little about me...
I was elected onto North Cowichan Council in 2018 and have 15 years of community building and engagement experience on environmental, housing and poverty issues with various non-profit organizations, 10 years of that has been here, in Cowichan.
In my role on Council, I sat at the Our Cowichan Health Network, Cowichan Community Policing & Engagement Society, Cowichan Community Centre Commission and Vancouver Island Regional Library Board tables and am a member of the Public Engagement Committee. I also served as Deputy Mayor from July 2021 to February 2022 and attended the annual UBCM, LGLA, AVICC and FCM conferences. These experiences have given me the opportunity to learn from many in our communities in North Cowichan as well as Regionally, across the Island, BC and Canada. We are not alone in the challenges we face, so it's been helpful to share what our challenges are as well as what solutions have worked here at home and learn what's been working elsewhere. I strongly believe that we need to collaborate and work together both in government and in the community and this is where I excel. If we want safe, healthy and affordable neighbourhoods, then this will be key. I have the skills and experience to set the stage for collaborative leadership through respectful dialogue that listens to all perspectives, sound governance and rational decision making.
Please visit my Priorities page for more of my campaign platform.