I believe in a Stronger and more Sustainable Winnipeg.

Volunteering Initiatives

Community

I believe deeply in giving back to our city. That's why I'm proud to serve as the President of The Friends of the Harte Trail, a volunteer-led organization dedicated to preserving and enhancing this treasured community asset.

Over the past year, I've had the privilege of leading a number of initiatives that have made a real difference:

  • West Perimeter Crossing: I represent the Harte Trail as part of the West Perimeter Crossing joint committee with the Headingley Grand Trunk Trail Association, in which we advocate for a safe passage between our two trails. From advocacy to grant applications, we’re working hard until this connection is built! We we’re recently recognized in the Manitoba Legislative Building for our dedicated service.

  • Revitalizing Our Green Spaces: We’ve planted over 200 trees along the trail, ensuring its beauty and environmental health for generations to come. This project involved coordinating 60 enthusiastic volunteers!

  • Revitalizing Awareness: I spearheaded efforts to address website issues, making information about the trail more accessible for everyone.

  • Community Cleanup: We organized several trail cleanup days, fostering a sense of shared responsibility and keeping the Harte Trail a welcoming place for all.

  • Strengthening Our Foundation: I oversaw a communications audit, revamping our volunteer recruitment, digitizing documents, and successfully securing grant funding to support our ongoing work.

  • Celebrating the Trail: We hosted special events to raise awareness of the Harte Trail and bring our community together.

My work with The Friends of the Harte Trail reflects the values I bring to the community. It's about dedication, collaboration, and a vision for our city where everyone enjoys the benefits of nature and healthy living.

Housing

Winnipeg needs more affordable housing options within our communities that are connected and work for all ages. That's why I'm actively advocating for changes to our city's zoning practices. My work includes:

  • HAF Task Force: Chairing and leading the Housing Accelerator Fund Task Force.

  • Petitions: Gathering community support for updated zoning laws.

  • Events: Raising awareness and encouraging discussion about the housing crisis.

  • Council Presentations: Urging our elected officials to prioritize housing reform.

Outdated zoning holds us back. It limits housing variety, hurts affordability, and stifles our potential. I believe its possible to preserve what we know and love about our neighborhoods while still planning for the future. We need policies that unlock options and create a Winnipeg where everyone has a safe and affordable place to live, kids to play free again, and enable our senior residents to age in place.

Transportation

As a year round bike commuter and past chair of the Southwest Local Bike Group, I'm committed to making our community safer and more accessible for everyone. My volunteer work involves advocating for enhanced cycling infrastructure to ensure the safety and convenience of cyclists, while also promoting smoother traffic flow for motorists.

Here are some of the initiatives I've been proud to lead:

  • Leadership & Organization: I’ve organized and led meetings for our bike group, facilitating discussions and ensured we have a clear focus for our efforts.

  • Group Rides: I've organized and led group rides with local politicians. These rides showcase the existing successes of our cycling infrastructure while highlighting areas with potential for improvement.

  • Education & Skill-Building: I'm a strong believer in continued learning. I've attended conferences to expand my knowledge on city planning, and community engagement.

  • Bike Ride Marshal: To make cycling more fun and inclusive, I volunteer to marshal group rides, ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone.

  • Infrastructure Tracking: I spearheaded the creation of a database of Active Transportation infrastructure within our community. This helps us monitor progress, identify gaps, and target our advocacy efforts more effectively.

My goal is to see our community become a place where all modes of transportation are safe, convenient, and accessible for people of all ages and abilities. I believe that by working together, we can create a more sustainable, healthy, and connected Winnipeg.

“I’ve heard folks say that if you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life. Well, I gotta disagree. I love what I do, and I work incredibly hard.”

-Ted Lasso