Standing Up for Sussex-Three Rivers: My Candidacy for the Green Party

I am proud to announce my candidacy for the Green Party in the upcoming provincial election for the new riding of Sussex-Three Rivers. This decision is not just about politics for me; it’s about standing up for a vision of a healthy and participatory democracy, one where every voice is heard and where the people representing us truly reflect the diversity and experiences that exist in our communities.

In recent years, I’ve witnessed a growing disconnect between those in positions of power and the average person. Too many of our neighbours are struggling to afford basic necessities and living paycheck to paycheck. The systems we depend on—healthcare, education, and housing—seem to be collapsing around us. Now, more than ever, we need people at the table who not only understand these systems but also have lived experience navigating them. We need leaders who are not afraid to get their hands dirty and do the hard work of rebuilding our communities. I have consistently shown that I am willing and able to do this work.

My commitment to this community runs deep. Over the years, I’ve served five years in local government, volunteered for countless community organizations, and have sat and currently sit on many non-profit boards. I’m also a parent with children in our under-resourced school system, so I see firsthand the challenges both students and teachers face. Like thousands of others, I am without a family doctor. I’ve experienced the uncertainty of precarious housing. These aren’t just issues on paper—they are the lived realities of my family, my friends, and my neighbours.

At the core of my beliefs are kindness and compassion, which I see as essential for an effective government. But I want to be clear: kindness is not silent or complacent. Kindness means being brave, speaking up when necessary, and ensuring that no one is left behind. I have always been one to raise my voice when it matters, and I will continue to do so.

While I am proud to be running under the Green Party banner, my first priority is the people of Sussex-Three Rivers. The Green Party shares many of the values I hold dear, including living within our ecological means, fostering local self-reliance, ensuring participatory democracy, and upholding social justice and equality. These are not partisan ideals; they are values that resonate with people across all political spectrums.

I understand the apathy many feel towards politics today, and I cannot blame anyone for feeling disillusioned. People are not being served by our government in ways that truly matter to them. Our quality of life depends on a functioning government that enables communities to thrive, and I want to see a return to the basics—a government that properly funds foundational systems and empowers people and communities to do the work they know needs to be done at the local level. Having spent my entire career working for non-profit organizations, it pains me to see community-based solutions struggling for recognition and funding. It doesn’t have to be that way.

I know this campaign will not be easy. I expect to face attacks, harassment and attempts to demean and devalue not just my work but me as a human. Unfortunately, this is the reality today, and our democratic systems are made more fragile because of it. But I am committed to this run for office because it matters.

I believe in the power of the average person—your neighbour, your teacher, your hairdresser, your mechanic—and I believe in the brilliance and potential of every human being if they are given the support they need. Right now, too many people feel they cannot contribute because their basic needs are not being met. Who has time to engage with a political platform when you are too exhausted from working multiple jobs to even read your child a bedtime story? Or when you have been waiting a year for a simple medical procedure? Or when you are facing homelessness after receiving an eviction notice? These are the stories of the people I know, and they deserve representation from someone who has the compassion and the fight to change the systems that keep them in this cycle.

I am ready to be that representative, and I am ready to fight for the changes we need. Together, we can create a government that truly serves its people and enables every individual to reach their full potential. This is our moment to stand up, speak out, and build a future where everyone in Sussex-Three Rivers can thrive.