About Me
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Experienced Policy and Program Analyst with the Ontario Government
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Earned a PhD in Political Science from McMaster University
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Board Member for McMaster Community Homes in Dundas
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I love biking the rail trail, seeing seasonal blooms at the Royal Botanical Gardens Arboretum and visiting the animals at the African Lion Safari.
Bringing Vision to Council
When it comes to solving the pressing problems impacting residents of Ward 13 and Hamilton, experience matters. That's why I decided to bring my background in mental health & addictions, home & community care, and social housing policy work in government, academia, and within the Ward to this City Council race.
I have built on my experience with conversations at the doors of Ward 13 residents. Through these engagements, I have crafted a unique Vision to bring evidence-based solutions to address the challenges that the Ward and the City now face.
Protecting the Environment
From the Dundas Valley Conservation Area to Westfield Heritage Village, Ward 13 is home to a diverse array of unique environmental and cultural landmarks. With the recent influx of development interest around the City of Hamilton, I want to emphasize my commitment to supporting local efforts to protect these spaces from future threats. I believe that all of us owe it to our communities, our children and youth, and future generations to protect the spaces we currently hold dear
As Councillor, I pledge to vote against all AI Data Center development in the Greater Hamilton Area until robust environmental regulations can be introduced to hold developers and operators accountable to sustainable practices. I will also vote against any proposed developments that would contribute to unacceptable expansion of urban sprawl or negatively impact the local character and history of Dundas, Flamborough, Greensville, Rockton, and Freelton.
Protecting the Vulnerable
Through my years in both academia and the public service as a health policy researcher, analyst, and advisor, one fundamental truth has been made clear to me: when we focus on the social determinants of health, safety, and community well-being, we see better results, and at a lower fiscal and moral cost.
Over the past 4 years we have watched City of Hamilton leadership fail at addressing the root causes of homelessness, addiction, and crime while increasing spending on expensive, reactive, and cruel punitive measures, which has caused the city's police budget to grow at an even faster rate than that of property taxes. It is past time to change course, and we need not look far for successful models to follow. Our neighbours in St. Thomas and Elgin County have reduced homelessness by 50%, while cities elsewhere in Canada have had notable success in addressing their addictions crises through innovative programs in partnership with provincial governments.
The solutions are out there. All we need is a government willing to do the work needed to implement them here. Once that work is done, and the most vulnerable in our city have the resources they need to get back on their feet, that's when we will collectively realize that protecting those most in need of protection protects the entire community.
Reliable Availability, Guaranteed Responses
100% response rate within 3 days
No Ward resident should have to wait weeks to hear from their Councillor. I am committed to ensuring the Ward 13 office responds to all correspondence within 72 hours.
Weekly Office Hours and Annual Town Halls with Rural Residents
I am committed to ensuring there is a minimum of 12 weekly hours of in-person availability for drop-in or by-appointment visits from Ward residents at Dundas Town Hall. I will also host annual town halls in Rockton, Greensville, and Freelton to engage rural residents in their communites.
Biweekly Newsletters
The city's business is your business. That's why I am committed to publishing bi-weekly newsletters updating the Ward on Council motions and votes. I will also publish statements explaining my decisions and votes on contentious or difficult issues.