Ward 5 has grown accustomed to independent, strong representation. With two distinct communities divided by a vast industrial corridor including Canada’s largest airport, Ward 5 requires experienced, effective representation – someone who will continue to improve the lives of the residents of a challenging and diverse part of our City.

I have a solid record of honesty, hard work and results. Having served on the School board and as a Member of Parliament as well as a City and Regional Councillor, I will hit the ground running on September 19th, making things happen for the residents of ward 5.

At the Peel Board of Education I introduced award-winning drug education programs, fostered leadership training for administrators of diverse racial and cultural backgrounds, was elected by the Trustees as their Chair and served on community outreach committees like Canadian Spectrum and the Counter Act Anti-Vandalism Committee.

As a Member of Parliament, I helped thousands of new Canadians with immigration, visa and settlement issues. I encouraged world-wide democracy, monitoring first elections in Ukraine, Palestine and Bosnia. I was the first female Vice President of the NATO Parliamentary Association in Brussels, signing up almost 20 countries to the Ottawa Convention banning the production and use of anti-personnel land mines. I was elected Chair of the 103 member Ontario Caucus and was Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministers of Public Works and Immigration. As an MP, I served almost all of the South half of Ward 5 when elected to Ottawa in 1993.

In my recent term as City and Regional Councillor, I introduced free urgent dental care for needy seniors and greatly expanded a huge, free celebration of Canada Day at City Centre – raising over $1m over three years from the private sector and the federal government. I led the charge to stop the transfer of $66m a year from Peel to Toronto for social programs. I fought to keep property taxes low, cutting over $12 million in non-essential expenditures from the 2009 Budget.

I have never stopped volunteering and fundraising for worthy causes. In 2008 I personally raised $112,000 to purchase a refrigerated truck for The Mississauga Food Bank, allowing great diversification in the food they are able to provide to the needy. I recently completed the 25th Anniversary Concert for the same organization, attracting over $100,000 in corporate sponsorships and donations for this incredibly successful event.

Property tax dollars are limited. The ability to attract and keep corporate and private donors for worthwhile community projects will be an important asset in the person who represents Ward 5. An intense understanding of how our many levels of government interact for the benefit of their shared residents is also a quality which will improve the day to day lives of the residents of Ward 5.

I eagerly anticipate serving the constituents of Ward 5 for the remainder of this term of office as their strong, experienced, knowledgeable and dedicated Councillor.