Tell us a little bit about yourself and why you decided to run for mayor.
Well, I'm really running for mayor because I believe that Moose Jaw is at a crucial point for growth and development and this role is to seek out opportunities for our city and to build partnerships. And I believe we've missed some opportunities that would have brought more jobs to our city. I have a plan to help us be competitive and to work with our stakeholders and our community and to continue to stand up for the needs of our citizens and for Moosejaw.
And can you just talk a little bit about your experience in public service, community boards, and politics?
I have eight years' experience as a city councilor and I've served four years as a Prairie South School Board trustee and I'm currently the Chair of the Moose Jaw Police Commission. I've also been actively involved in many community boards and organizations as a councilor and as a volunteer.
This has really kept me in touch with the needs of the groups that the city funds, like seniors' organizations, culture, library, arts — and families and students, of course, through the school board. But I also sit on a couple of provincial committees. The (Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities’ South Central Transportation Planning Committee) helps me look at more regional aspects of our area and I’m also with the (Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association’s Economic Development Committee.)
I'm also a member of the Chamber of Commerce and Business Women's Association too, so I really try to bring the needs of these organizations and the things that I learned while serving on these to the Council table.
Do you think that experience matters one way or another?
Absolutely. You know, for the mayor's position, experience on council is really essential. You know, the experience that I've learned as a councilor has provided me with a great understanding of how municipal governance works and how to navigate some of the complex challenges we face, but I also have a university education in Local Government Administration.
So, both of those together has allowed me to kind of take action immediately. And you know, right after the election, we're going to launch into what I think is one of our most challenging budgets. We're going to be looking at some really difficult things and with my experience, I'll be able to help lead council and support new members. And because of my experience in education, I'm not going to have to waste any time and I'll be able to hit the ground running right from day one.
And what topic or policy issue or maybe instant was a tipping point for you?
I think seeing our city miss out on economic opportunities that could bring more jobs to our citizens is one of the catalysts for my decision to run. The mayor's key role is to promote this city, to get out from behind the desk, to create partnerships and really stay in touch with the needs of the citizens. It's a full-time job. But you can do a lot in a day.
But you need to have a plan to be successful and I do have a plan. And I'm going to be working with key business leaders so that we can make growing and starting a business in our city a better process, engaging with our community — these are all really key to keeping our city competitive.
What criticisms do you have, if any, of the politics you've seen in the last two or three years?
Well, there's a couple of things. One is, of course, as I said, the concern that I have with the lack of forward momentum on key economic development opportunities and partnerships. We have missed chances to grow, and we need stronger leadership. It's a full-time job, and it's to be building strong partnerships with other levels of government, as well. That's the other key component. We have 15 Wing, and organizations that the city funds.
Municipal politics is supposed to be the closest to the people. So, we're supposed to be able to cheer on our partners in other levels of government, but also stand up for ourselves when we're being overlooked. And I have brought issues to our MLAs — at our municipal conference, and I've spoken to them publicly, for additional police officers, for social supports, for infrastructure funding, because that is continuing to be a challenge.
But I really do have the education, and business and municipal experience, to keep our city competitive. And as mayor, I will continue to stand up for Moose Jaw.
What's your plan to compromise or cooperate with your fellow council members to accomplish these policy goals?
In 2020, when we had three new council members, I helped in whatever way I could. As I said, we go right into budget meetings, which can kind of be a bit overwhelming. I also encouraged them to put their name forward to city committees that they aren't familiar with because until you sit on an organization like the Museum and Art Gallery or the library or the exhibition company, you don't really have a deep understanding of their needs, so that was pretty important, I think.
But also, on the cooperation side, cooperation is important, but it's also more important that we are respectful. On council, we don't always agree — we don't want to always agree. We have to have healthy debate, but it has to be respectful.
When we go through the actual process once we're elected, we take an oath in front of (Provincial Court) Judge (Brian) Hendrickson. And I take that very, very seriously — to be respectful for everyone. You have to be respectful, ethical, you have to work with integrity. And as mayor representing our city, it's important to me to earn the trust and confidence of our community by working together.
And what else do you want voters to know about you?
I think most people know that my hometown is Moose Jaw, and obviously that I've been here as a city councilor. But my husband and I used to live in British Columbia. I'm an entrepreneur and I had an event and marketing company there, and we also used to own a winery in the Okanagan, which is kind of an industry that's steeped in agriculture, manufacturing, and tourism all at once. So, I do have a plan to try to translate that experience into economic development here. My dad also owned racehorses here in Moose Jaw. As a kid, I grew up around the exhibition grounds, around horses all the time.
But really, we just really love Moose Jaw. It’s where our story started together. And I believe in our city, and I really want the best for all the people who live here.
And then just finally, in the interest of transparency, are you coordinating or do you share an association with any other candidates in any way whatsoever?
Well, for my campaign, I'm not coordinating with any other candidates.
In the mayor’s role, I have to support all those who get elected. My campaign focus is really entirely on serving Moose Jaw. And the plan that I have is to not waste any time, but hit the ground running on day one.
Discover Moose Jaw will also have full coverage of the municipal election on Nov. 13.