MY CANDIDACY

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​​I moved to this riding in 1993 as a young girl in my 20s, and it’s here in Hamilton West–Ancaster–Dundas that I raised my family. Over the past 32 years, I have created deep roots in this community - I ran family businesses, attended McMaster University to complete a second master’s degree, and served on numerous local boards to give back to the community that has given me so much. I’ve also worked as an academic teaching and researching at both McMaster University and York University, and held positions on various provincial, national, and global boards of civil society organizations.​ As a resident of this riding for over three decades, I have seen the pressing issues facing this community firsthand such as preserving our parks and green spaces, addressing funding cuts in education, the lack of affordable child care, the need for better long-term care investments, and the ever-growing need for stronger public healthcare. 

 

Multidisciplinary Experience​

 

To represent the residents of this riding at Queen's Park, we need a candidate with a deep understanding of Hamilton West–Ancaster–Dundas' challenges surrounding its economy and environment. With my multidisciplinary background in business, academia, and the non-profit sector, along with my expertise in urban sustainability and environmental conservation as a geographer, I am uniquely positioned to address our riding’s key issues. Whether it’s tackling the housing affordability crisis, improving access to childcare, or advocating for needs of our senior population in areas such as mental health care, accessible transit services, and recreational programs to combat social isolation, I am ready to provide the bold, proactive public service our community deserves. 

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• As a business owner for nearly 20 years, I understand the struggles of entrepreneurs, small business owners, and everyday families alike.

• My academic background in geography, urban planning, and sustainable development has provided me with insights into the socio-economic structure of this riding including the absence of affordable housing, as well as the need for urgent climate action and economic stability. 

• Through my advocacy work, I have served on various provincial, national, and global boards of civil society organizations such as Ontario Council for International Cooperation, Equal Voice Canada and White Ribbon Alliance where my efforts focused on sustainability, access to healthcare, education, food security, and affordability.

• As a current consultant and academic, I am passionate about bridging the gaps between academia, non-profits, legislature, and politics for constructive law and policy reforms.

• I consistently stayed politically engaged within my riding in an effort to fully grasp the issues residents have been facing. My political roles included Fundraising Chair for the Hamilton West-Ancaster-Dundas Provincial Liberal Association, VP Fundraising for the Hamilton West-Ancaster-Dundas Federal Liberal Association, VP South Central for the Ontario Women’s Liberal Commission (OWLC), and President of Hamilton Region Women’s Liberal Association, an OWLC club that brings women from all five Hamilton-are riding together to discuss policy, youth engagement, and mentorship, and promote civic engagement. ​

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2022 Provincial Candidacy

 

As your 2022 MPP Candidate for the Ontario Liberal Party in the riding of Hamilton West-Ancaster-Dundas, and as someone who has also been involved with both provincial and federal local campaigns, I bring a wealth of first-hand experience in election campaigns.

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• After winning my contested provincial nomination in February 2022, I hit the ground running and ensured my candidacy focused on crucial local issues such as equitable healthcare, housing and education with economic and climate justice, and eco-friendly development at its core. 

• As 2022 Provincial Candidate, I fostered key community partnerships and enhanced positive collaborations through public appearances, stakeholder engagement, and constructive meetings with various organizations such as the Alzheimer Society of Brant, Haldimand, Norfolk, Hamilton & Halton, Council of Ontario Universities, Assemblée de la francophonie de l'Ontario, the Ontario Federation of Agriculture, Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation, Ontario Basic Income Network, local small businesses and pharmacies, and seniors residences of Dundas, Hamilton West, and Ancaster such as Highgate.

• I quickly established and led a strong and experienced campaign team, and throughout the entire campaign, I always brought building relationships with constituents through door-knocking, phone calls, email communications, and social media to the forefront of my strategy in order to meaningfully connect with local residents. 

• Having participated in both the 2022 Dundas All Candidates Debate and the televised Cable 14 debate, I am prepared to challenge my opponents effectively and confidently on all critical files.​

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Governance & Advocacy

 

I have continued to strengthen my passion for civic engagement, partnership building, and community organization by working on the Board of Directors for various local, provincial, national, and global civil society organizations. 

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• Locally, I currently sit on the Board of Directors for Ancaster Memorial Arts Centre and previously served on the Board of Neighbour-to-Neighbour Hamilton, Hamilton Organizing for Poverty Elimination, and Fieldcote Memorial Park and Museum.

• On a provincial level, as the Board Director for Ontario Council for International Cooperation (OCIC), my efforts focused on fostering multi-sectoral dialogue on Canada’s Civil Society Partnership Policy, and Agenda 2030: Sustainable Development Goals.

• I also served as a National Board Director for Equal Voice Canada, an organization dedicated to promoting equitable representation in Canadian politics.

• On a global level, I joined the Board of White Ribbon Alliance Global, an organization working in 15+ countries around the world advocating for women and girls’ access to healthcare, education, employment, food security, housing, and more.

• Recently, I had the opportunity to consult with public and private sector leaders, as well as engage with business leaders and government officials to discuss climate and economic challenges at the 2024 Ontario Economic Summit organized by the Ontario Chamber of Commerce.

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Key Platform Issues

 

As a current academic, I see a disconnect between law, policy and politics and as an avid advocate for social justice with familiarity in socio-legal and policy reforms, I am aiming to seek results-driven strategies to combat these challenges facing the riding of Hamilton West-Ancaster-Dundas. While my goals are centered in community partnership and inclusivity, I aim to create a stronger riding that thrives by focusing on small business growth, more investments in public health care for all, increased eco-friendly economic development, supporting our growing seniors population in this riding, emphasizing the need for better and well-equipped long-term care facilities, and fighting for the rights of local teachers, students and our youth.

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• Proper investments in education will help drive regional economic development while supporting a globally competitive economy. We are a riding that houses two major academic institutions - McMaster University and Mohawk College - both pivotal in preparing a skilled workforce for Ontario’s future. Through engineering, business, humanities, social sciences, and most importantly, through its world class health sciences programs, including e-health, neuroscience, biomedical engineering, health management and health policy, McMaster is preparing a skilled work force to meet the increasing demand for exceptional talent. 

• Stronger healthcare is another priority, with the Hamilton West-Ancaster-Dundas riding being home to McMaster Children’s Hospital, McMaster University Medical Centre, and St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, in addition to many more clinics and healthcare facilities. Ensuring public funds are allocated to address surgery backlogs and staffing crises in this sector is crucial to help enhance a world class healthcare system. Ancaster, Dundas and many other areas in West Hamilton also have an aging population and more funding is needed for seniors both in terms of healthcare professionals, PSWs, as well as affordable long-term care facilities. 

• Hamilton, also known as a “steel city”, has a substantial workforce of steel workers, whose pension and wages are always a significant issue within the riding – something that must be addressed upfront to build key connections with union associations. Additionally, while the federal government has provided considerable funding for green technologies in steel plants to promote sustainability, constituents feel that this funding is not being utilized responsibly by the current provincial government to ensure sustainable development within the sector.

• The need for affordable housing solutions has never been more prevalent as expressed by residents such as young families moving from the GTA and first-time home buyers in Hamilton West-Ancaster-Dundas, making it a critical issue for the upcoming election.

• The agri-food sector and rural communities in Hamilton West-Ancaster-Dundas are vital in keeping Ontario’s economy moving. After many productive conversations with the President & Vice President of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture during my last candidacy, it is critical to address issues related to farmland preservation, land uses, and infrastructure investments to food supply chain resilience, mental health, and climate change mitigation.

• To sum up, with proper investments and sustainable funding streams towards healthcare, housing,  and education, my riding of Hamilton West-Ancaster-Dundas and the rest of Hamilton-area ridings will continue to play a crucial role in helping lead our province to a more competitive economy with a highly skilled workforce, sustainable community infrastructure, and a health-care system that is prepared for any current and future challenges.

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Within my platform, I aim to focus on a variety of core issues including:

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