5 minute read
The Maybe Mayors: Carole Ann Leishman
“This is where you’ll find Carole Ann most days, in her natural habitat.”
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(Carole Ann Leishman's response to the Council of Canadians question: Describe your model of leadership as a bumper sticker.)
Carole Ann Leishman
Mayoral Candidate
Your working and family life so far:
I was born and raised here to great parents and a brother who was very bossy. I left the day after graduation, travelled, acted, worked, schooled, sailed, lived a life, came back, settled down, built stuff, helped to make this town a place I wanted to stay. Became a changemaker.
Your political career so far:
Challenging; inspiring; tonnes of work; learning and growing every day; developing relationships; having fantastic experiences; heartbreaking; uplifting; frustrating; scary; feeling helpless; alone; yet oddly fulfilling.
Why you want to be Mayor of Powell River:
It’s not about me “wanting to be Mayor.” I’m merely stepping into a role I have grown into and have been encouraged by many people to take on.
What you think the job of mayor is, or should be:
Astute, compassionate, informed leadership and being a positive role model for the next generations who are yet to come. Setting the community up for success.
What else should people know about you?
I give my heart and soul to being an elected official. I’m always working on making things better no matter how hard it gets. I want to lead us in a good direction building on the momentum we have gained over the last few years. We will find strength together.
From the PR Chamber of Commerce:
Apart from the Tla’amin-Pacific Hydrogen fuel project, what is your position on the 300-acre mill site? What would you like to see there and what would you work hard to support? Industrial? Residential? Return to Tla’amin?
• Companies with environmentally sustainable business practices helping to meet carbon emission reduction targets
• Providing good paying local jobs
• Paying their fair share of taxes
• Working collaboratively with Tla’amin Nation to benefit our entire community
From the PR Chamber of Commerce:
What is your vision for Powell River and what do you hope to accomplish during your 4 or 8 year term? (should you be fortunate enough win a 2nd term)
Vision: A resilient community where residents thrive and are fulfilled, have affordable homes/lifestyles and quality time with friends & families; a vibrant community, walking/cycling/rolling, and is a sanctuary for everyone to get back to what matters most to them.
From Volunteer Powell River Youth CAN:
What do you think needs to be done to improve our public transportation system?
Collaboration with BC Transit to implement on-demand transit ‘Zunga Bus’ as a permanent part of the transit service, more efficient & direct bus routes in peak times, continue to advocate for a public transit connection from here to Lower Mainland
From Volunteer Powell River Youth CAN:
What does reconciliation mean to you and how do you plan to take action on reconciliation?
• Never stop listening, learning, always try to do better as a non-indigenous community
• Better understand generational trauma and effects of colonialism
• Work respectfully and collaboratively with Tla’amin Nation respecting their requests
• Develop partnerships and opportunities
From qathet Climate Alliance:
What immediate actions should the City take to significantly reduce community-wide emissions?
• Implement Bicycle Network Strategy
• Include Zunga Bus On-Demand Transit in the permanent transit service, encourage BC Transit to convert the transit fleet to electric ASAP
• Support Property Assessed Clean Energy program, alternative financing for building owners for energy retrofits
From qathet Climate Alliance:
How will you communicate to local residents the significance, urgency and need for these actions in addressing the global climate emergency?
Build climate emergency actions into all strategic plans and financial budgeting
Report out regularly about the urgency of action required with regular social media posts, radio chats, podcast interviews, a newsletter & vlog, collaborate with organizations doing this work
From the Senior Citizens Association Branch 49:
What plans do you have to fill the large hole the mill closure leaves?
• Work collaboratively with Tla’amin Nation on opportunities for partnerships
• Work with INFILM to attract film/TV productions, possibly establish a local film production studio
• Reach out to new companies to relocate here
• Expand opportunities for artists, craft industries, culinary, tourism industries
From the Senior Citizens Association Branch 49:
What plans will you put in place that will benefit our large senior population?
• Accessibility improvements to streets, community spaces & public buildings
• Attainable housing for seniors
• Advocate for improved access to healthcare services
• Support replacement of complex care facility with increased capacity
• Support more programs like Seniors Together
From the Council of Canadians:
We are facing many serious and contentious issues in Power River, and the community is asking for greater involvement in the decision-making process. If elected, how would you build community collaboration, and which issues are you prepared to bring to a public forum? Please be specific.
• Implementing deliberative democracy
• Creating citizen advisory panels, commissions, committees
• Forums: Community energy trust; climate emergency; reconciliation dialogues; housing affordability; land-use planning; accessibility, active transportation; watershed/ocean/marine protection; consideration for re-locating Hwy 101; recruitment/retention of healthcare workers/GP’s; creation of new childcare spaces
Final question from qL:
How will you respond to Tla’amin Nation’s name change request?
• By supporting implementation of 11 recommendations of JWG
• Begin community naming contest including all who wish to participate
• Build consensus choosing a name that harms no one and is embraced by many, setting us on a good path forward together.
