Questions and Answers - Part 2

Question 13

Which municipal committees or areas of responsibility would you be most interested in serving on if elected, and what experience, skills, or perspectives would you bring to those roles?

Answer 13

The Organizational By-law 1792-23 (February 28, 2023) identifies there are seven Council Standing Committees and thirty-two Council Committees and Board Appointments.

Based on this information, the committees I would be most interested in serving on would be:

Council Standing Committees

Economic Development Services
Personnel and Policy
Protective Services/Policing

Council Committees and Board Appointments

Beausejour Brokenhead Development Corporation
Beausejour Brokenhead Emergency Response Control Group/Emergency Measures Organization
Beausejour Brokenhead Tourism/Eastern Manitoba Tourism Association
Brokenhead River Planning District
Eastern Regional Municipal Committee

I would bring my transferable skills, abilities and knowledge from my 33 years of experience gained through my employment with the RCMP Victim Services, Manitoba Public Insurance and Worker’s Compensation Board of Manitoba along with my volunteer experience.

Strong leadership abilities
Excellent written & verbal communication skills with strong interpersonal skills
Strategic thinker & planner; results oriented
Ability to work under pressure, to deal with situations of conflict & manage stress effectively
Program management experience including research, development, implementation & evaluation
Experience in developing & monitoring budgets, planning human resources & providing enhanced customer service
Experience in interpreting & applying legislation, medical documentation, regulatory & policy related benefits
Volunteer management & training experience
Public & media relations experience
Risk Assessment and crisis management experience

Question 14

What do you believe are the primary benefits and potential drawbacks of annexing agricultural land into the Town of Beausejour? How should the Town balance future development needs with the preservation of agricultural land?

Answer 14

I have learned the proposed annexation of land does not guarantee the agricultural land will be used for future resident and commercial development.

Beausejour is challenged as it is landlocked by the RM of Brokenhead when it come to expansion beyond our current borders. So if we want to expand our town, no matter which direction the Town proposes to annex land, there will be agricultural land incorporated.

Why annex west and not east? Was there a comparison between the two areas completed? Is there more agricultural land one way or the other? I do not know these answers.

Based on the information from the June 16, 2026 Community Open House and the Town of Beausejour website, the Town of Beausejour has submitted a written proposal to the Municipal Board to have 4.85 square kilometers of land annexed from the RM of Brokenhead to the west of Beausejour. The full process can take from one to several years.

The section of land being proposed for annexation includes agricultural land. However, it is not clear how much agricultural land is incorporated in this area. The information from the Community Open House only indicates the annexation area includes 84 properties and 50 landowners and that the current land use is a mix of agricultural and residential with pockets of recreational, institutional and commercial development. I would want to have a better understanding of how much agricultural land is part of the annexation.

In speaking with the Town CAO, it is my understanding if the annexation is successful it is still up to the landowners to sell their property including the agricultural land. If the owner wishes to sell with the goal to have the land used for non- agricultural purpose, rezoning has to occur which is regulated under The Planning Act. If the owner does not want to sell their agricultural land, they do not have too, so this land would not be able to be considered for residential or commercial use.

While my response may not completely answer the question, it is information I think is relevant to this topic.

Question 15

What changes, if any, would you propose to improve Beausejour's current garbage collection system, particularly regarding collection limits and the needs of households producing larger amounts of waste?

Answer 15

In January 2026, the Town transitioned to Bristal Hauling for garbage collection and recycling. This transition introduced reduced garage limits which has been challenging for larger households. While the Town offers extra tags for extra bags at $2 each to assist, I can appreciate this extra cost would be frustrating.

I do not know why there was a change in service providers, how long their contract is with the Town or if the contract can be re-negotiated.

It would be valuable if the Town could identify how many household are struggling with these limits and to explore if extra ticket subsidies could be made available, if needed.

In the meantime, I encourage everyone to use our unlimited recycling and to compost to lighten the load on our landfills.

Question 16

If elected, what is one specific, measurable commitment you would make to residents within your first year on council? What steps would you take to achieve it, and how could residents evaluate your progress?

Answer 16

I would commit to greater communication with the Town residents.

While it would be great to have people come to Council meetings, I don’t think people should have to come to the Council meetings to find out what the Town is addressing or reporting on. I would pursue with Council and the CAO, the need explore and implement other means of communication to reach and engage our community. Ideas I would like to explore are: live streaming Council meetings followed up with posting the recording on the Town website; video recaps of the meetings the next day; monthly coffee time with the Mayor and/or with Council members and Mayor office hours. A more informed town is a more engaged town. Resident could evaluation the progress by engaging in the alternative means of communication and providing feedback.

Question 17

What do you believe is the single greatest challenge currently facing Beausejour, and what pecific actions would you prioritize during your first year in office to begin addressing it?

Answer 17

While Beausejour faces several challenges, the ongoing delays and poor condition of Park Avenue are what residents complain about most. This is what I have heard during my door-to-door canvassing.

The daily issues are clear: crumbling sidewalks create major tripping hazards people and cause significant navigating issues for strollers and mobility aids, parking spots turn into flooded bogs when it rains, and poor sightlines make backing out of parking spots dangerous. Combined with daily illegal left turns and a notoriously difficult intersection at Highway 302, Park Avenue has become a daily frustration.

Although the Province of Manitoba controls this provincial highway and leads the refurbishment project, the Town of Beausejour must step up its community communication. Residents understand the work is necessary, but the current lack of information is deeply frustrating. The Town needs a formal communication plan: the dedicated project webpage is rarely updated, the council minutes lack progress reports, and residents shouldn't have to hunt through CAO reports just to find basic answers. The Town must do a better job of acknowledging and alleviating local concerns. I will work with Council and the CAO to ensure timely and easily accessible information is provided to the community.

Question 18

How would you ensure residents have meaningful opportunities to provide input on municipal decisions? How would you respond when public opinion differs from your own position on an issue?

Answer 18

I strongly advocate for greater communication and interaction both formal and informal between residents and Council. Open dialogue ensures Council stays connected to the community’s concerns and opinions.

I welcome the public feedback even if it differs from my own as listening to others points of view is essential in making good decisions.

Question 19

Would you support exploring the feasibility of a jointly operated waste transfer station between the Town of Beausejour and the RM of Brokenhead?

Answer 19

Yes I would support exploring the feasibility of a jointly operated waste transfer station between the Town of Beausejour and the RM of Brokenhead with the Town Council and the RM Council.

While campaigning door-to-door and meeting with residents and groups, the need for a closer bulk waste transfer stations has come up numerous times. People have expressed their concerns with having to travel the 40 km to Libau Landfill and back. While the Oakwood Waste Transfer Station is only 15 km, it is reported the tipping fees are high and tickets are only available at the Town Office Monday to Friday 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.

If the cost of a join transfer stations is not feasible, I believe Beausejour should offer a spring or fall, if not both, bulk waste program where residents can have bulk waste removed from their curb.

Question 20

How is the Citizens on Patrol Program (COPP) currently funded, and does the Town of Beausejour provide financial or operational support? Are there opportunities to strengthen the program's funding or resources?

Answer 20

Based on the Town of Beausejour website (www.townofbeausejour.ca), the Beausejour COPP’s only income is a grant from the Town of Beausejour however it does not indicate the amount. The Town also provides use of a van to those who choose not to use their own vehicle or do not have vehicle.

There is no mention on the website if the Beausejour COPP remains in partnership with the Manitoba COPP program and what resources, if any it receives from them.

The Manitoba COPP program was established in 2003. The goal of the provincial program was to provide support, training and resources to community based COPP program under a Provincial network. This program was initial overseen by Manitoba Public Insurance.

From December 2003 to March 2027, I was the Provincial Coordinator of the Manitoba COPP program. I worked with community based COPP programs that were already established in communities throughout Manitoba offering them opportunity to join the provincial COPP program to access equipment, training and support. I also worked throughout Manitoba with municipalities, law enforcement and community residents in establishing new programs. The Provincial program included an advisory board who were instrumental in helping provide direction, support and training as well hosting an annual COPP conference.

While the provincial program has undergone changes over the years, I strongly believe in the community based COPP programs and support partnering with the Manitoba COPP program for support, training and resources.

Question 21

With Co-op relocating, are there any current plans or discussions regarding attracting another grocery store to Beausejour?

Answer 21

I am unable to answer this question, as I am not part of Council. However, I would like to say the topic of having another grocery store in Beausejour is one of the top two concerns residents have shared with me during my door-to-door campaign. I asked this question to the Town Chief Administration Officer (CAO) at the beginning of my campaign and I was advised that the Town does not have the population to attract another grocery store. If elected, I would pursue additional information be provided to Council re: what plans or discussions have been had, what are the barriers and how might we overcome these from the CAO and the Beausejour Brokenhead Development Corporation (BBDC).

Question 22

Where can residents access information about Beausejour's municipal emergency preparedness plan? What information is publicly available, and how does the Town ensure residents understand what to do in the event of an emergency?

Answer 22

This is an important question, so I did some digging into the publicly available information. Here is what I found:

The Town of Beausejour has information on Emergency Preparedness on their website at www.townofbeausejour.ca. Information is provided about the role of Manitoba Emergency Management Organization (EMO) and EMO resource material is posted for residents to access.

The website also indicates the Town of Beausejour and the RM of Brokenhead have formed a Joint Local Emergency Response Control Group and that they continually prepare to handle emergency disasters and work to keep the Emergency Plan up-to-date. There is no mention of an Emergency Measures Coordinator position or the status of same.

There is also a Beausejour Brokenhead Emergency Measures Facebook page but it is not referenced on the Town of Beausejour website. The last posting was on May 5, 2026. There is a link to: ourhomeyourhome.ca/town-of-beausjour/emo-plan but this link is broke. I was unable to locate the emo-plan on neither the Town or RM websites.

Question 23

What motivated you to seek the position of Mayor rather than first serving as a Town Councillor?

Answer 23

The role of Mayor is fundamentally about effective leadership. Leadership means guiding, influencing and inspiring a team towards a shared vision for our community.

While the Mayor and the Councillors each hold an equal vote and voice on municipal matters, the Mayor bears the responsibility to preside over Council meetings and discussions to ensure all perspectives are heard, collaborating closely with the Chief Administration Officer (COA) and serving as the primary spokesperson for the town.

While I deeply value the essential role of a Town Councillor, my professional experience, life skills and proven track record, better position me for this leadership role. I am running for Mayor because this role allows me to maximize my skills and make the greatest impact on our community’s future.

Question 24

Throughout your campaign, you have spoken about wanting to bring change to Beausejour. What are the changes you would like to make, and what specific actions would you take to begin implementing them if elected?

Answer 24

I am committed to bringing greater transparency and better communication from our Town Council.

Over the past few months of attending Council meetings, I have found it difficult to access the reasoning behind Council decisions. The vital information, debates, and context used to form these decisions are completely missing from the meeting minutes. Without this detailed historical record, residents cannot look back and understand how or why choices were made. Information is the foundation of an informed and engaged community.

Therefore, I will actively work with Council and the CAO to expand our meeting minutes so they include the necessary details behind every decision.

While everyone is welcome to attend Council meetings, residents shouldn't have to be physically present just to know what the Town is doing. I want to partner with Council and the CAO to explore and implement new communication channels to reach our community where they are.

I want to explore modern, accessible ideas such as:

Live streaming council meeting and archiving the videos on the Town website
Short vide recaps published the day after meetings
Monthly coffee hours with Council and the Mayor
Dedicated office hours with the Mayor for direct feedback.

A more informed town is a more engaged town, and I will work to ensure our community is never left in the dark.

Question 22

During your campaign, you have expressed the position that infrastructure should be established before new development takes place. How would you propose financing this infrastructure? How would your approach ensure that public investment provides a fair benefit to the community as a whole?

Answer 22

In the context of new development, it is my understanding developers are responsible for roads, sidewalks, water and sewer hook up, drainage, lighting and community spaces so these do not fall to the taxpayers as a whole.

The town is responsible to provide services to these new developments such as water, garbage and recycling services. In terms of infrastructure, with the new water treatment plant operational we are positioned for growth regarding our water services. Our next step is to review our lagoon capacity.

As with all infrastructure needs, we should access any funding from provincial and federal sources, review our Capital reserve budget, borrow funds from lending institutions if feasible and reassess property tax if required.

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