More Questions

 

The medicine wheel button I wear.

As the municipal election campaign in Collingwood continues, questions continue to come in. Here's another one from this week, from a member of the local media:

 

Hello candidates:

I have another question for you. We’re doing a story for Truth and Reconciliation day and I was hoping you could answer the following. 100 words max. If you could get your answers by Wednesday at 10 am.

 

 How do you plan to tackle the Truth & Reconciliation Calls to Action, if elected? 

Thanks for the opportunity to re-read the 94 Calls to Action.

We helped as minor hockey changed its logo, which is part of Call 90.

Two other calls apply directly to municipalities; 47: repudiate Doctrine of Discovery, and 57: provide education on Indigenous history to workers.

Training was provided, plus, the Unity Collective re-wrote Collingwood's Land Recognition statement which is said aloud to start every meeting. As Mayor, I will continue to ask members to read it out, not just the Chair, so all of council experiences how moving the statement is. I started that practice in 2020 and do the same as Chair of the Conservation Authority.

Fifty or Fewer Words

A note came in to the campaign email this week from a reporter at the Collingwood Connection. They had a list of questions they wanted answered as they create profiles of the candidates in the upcoming municipal elections.It was tough to boil down my answers to the allotted number of words, but I managed it.

Here are the questions and my answers: 

Previous political experience: 

Acting Deputy Mayor in Collingwood-- currently

Simcoe County Councillor -- currently

Chair of Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority- currently

Chair of Collingwood’s Corporate and Community Services Committee, 2020, 2021

Collingwood Councillor-- since 2018  

Journalist covering Collingwood and area councils for more than a decade

 

Why have you decided to run? (50 words max)

 I have loved serving Collingwood as a Councillor, Acting Deputy Mayor, Simcoe County Councillor, and Chair of the Conservation Authority. It was an honour to be elected and with my experience, I am ready to continue to lead the next council and represent Collingwood.

 How will you embrace and champion diversity in this role? (50 words max)

I am attuned to issues of justice and diversity because of my degree in Women’s Studies and work as a journalist. I will be a Mayor for everyone, continuing to listen to young people, business owners, artists, workers, retirees and anyone who shares their concerns.

What are your top three issues? (50 words max)

Affordability is the issue facing everyone across the country now. I know what it’s like to work hard and still worry about bills. We also have many projects underway which need to be overseen with care as we continue to create the community we all can live in and enjoy.

If elected, what do you plan to accomplish in your first 100 days? (50 words max)

At least two-thirds of the next council will be people in a new role. As Mayor, I will aim to lead a collaborative, cohesive, forward-focused council working hard to be effective decision-makers. Our first tasks are setting our priorities, planning our work, and overseeing creation of a responsible budget.

Who do you look up to? (50 words max)

As Mayor, I will be like my grandpa, Marshall McLeod, who was a farmer, a frugal, hard working father of eight and Chair of the School Board the year CCI was built. He served his community with integrity, clarity, strength of character and good humour. I will do the same.