Well, after a number of months of intense campaigning, I’ll finally be sworn in as a city councillor in the Royal City tomorrow! I’m excited, nervous, honoured…and that’s just a few emotions I felt today as both Councillor-elect Paul Minhas and I count down the hours to the inaugural ceremony.
This political journey all got started back in 2017 when I helped to found the New West Progressives. A year later I ran for council and came in 7th spot – just shy of securing a seat on council. Then earlier this year, after much consideration and encouragement from my friends and family, I decided to run again in this election.
Now I’m about to head into the chamber and I can’t help but think of all the people I spoke to on the doorsteps over the last 6 months. I’m reminded of all my colleagues who ran with me, but didn’t make it this time. I’m thinking of everyone who believed in our vision for the city and made a financial contribution. I’m forever grateful to everyone who voted for me, who volunteered and who believed in a better New West!
It’s also not lost on me the special role both Paul and I must play at city hall to not only bring forward good policies and ideas, but also to hold the majority of council accountable for their actions.
Preparing to Enter the Chamber
The last couple of weeks have been extremely busy as I brush up on the City’s procedures by-law, Robert’s Rules of Order and get caught up on the latest initiatives of the various city departments. Both Paul and I have been meeting almost daily as we prepare to introduce a series of important motions tomorrow night. We hope they can be debated at the November 28th regular council meeting.
The motions we’ll be introducing support the development of new committees, increase public access to city hall and request the BC Government increase mental health supports in our region.
We’ve also been busy meeting with staff and getting a basic orientation regarding the equipment in the chamber as well as meeting some of the senior management staff. 
I’m hoping to have the opportunity to get back to writing more regularly and report out on some of the more interesting highlights of city council. There will no doubt be some late nights and interesting debates in the coming weeks as we kick the whole process off by approving the 2023 budget. While we didn’t have much opportunity to help shape it, there is still time to amend the budget before the final vote is tallied up.
National Aboriginal Veterans Day
On November 8th I will have the honour of joining Christina Coolige, Manager of Indigenous Relations for the City of New Wesminster, to lay a cedar wreath at the cenotaph in commemoration of National Aboriginal Veterans Day. Coolidge, is from the Tsleil-Waututh Nation on her father’s side and Cree and Scottish Métis from Treaty Six territory on her mother’s side of the family.
A close friend lent me a beautiful beaded poppy from Metis artist Sandra Dennett who resides in Beauval, Saskatchewan. I will be wearing it this week at both the Aboriginal Veterans Day and Remembrance Day events which will be taking place at city hall.
I’ll be back here later this week and report out on ‘week one’ in council.
