A Little About Me—and Why I’m Running

If we were sitting down together over a cup of coffee, I would probably begin by telling you that Prince Edward County has been my home for 30 years, and that I spent 27 of those years living in North Marysburgh.

Dave and I moved to a condo in Picton in 2023, but nearly three decades of living in North Marysburgh shaped my understanding of community, rural life and the County itself.

It is where we built our life together, where our family remains deeply rooted and where generations of the Harrison family have worked in farming and commercial fishing.

I have watched the County change considerably over those years. Some of that change has created wonderful opportunities. Some have brought difficult questions about growth, affordability, infrastructure and how we protect the qualities that make people want to live here in the first place. I believe we can move forward without losing sight of who we are, but doing that will require thoughtful decisions, careful planning and a willingness to listen to one another.

My Professional Life

I was raised in Montreal and graduated with a B.A. from the University of Ottawa. I began my career with Jarislowsky Fraser, one of Canada’s leading investment firms. I reported to Stephen Jarislowsky, President, and provided client service support to his retail clients. I invested large sums of money in money markets, placed stock trades with brokers, and administered client portfolios.

I continued my career with Jarislowsky Fraser in Toronto and later with BMO’s Head Office in global custody. I also worked with Harris Bank in Chicago to facilitate the settlement of foreign trades with foreign exchange dollars for some of Canada’s largest mutual funds companies, using foreign exchange transactions.

My career taught me the importance of accountability, attention to detail, sound financial decisions, and responsible management.

Before retiring in 2022, I spent 20 years working with Pathways to Independence, a not-for-profit organization based in Belleville. That experience reinforced for me how important dependable organizations, responsible leadership and community-based services are to the people who rely on them.

For many years, I also served on the organization’s Jointly Sponsored Pension Plan Committee. Pension decisions require people to think beyond the immediate moment. You must consider long-term obligations, financial risks and the effects today’s choices will have on people years into the future. That same kind of thinking is badly needed in municipal government, particularly when we are making decisions about infrastructure, debt and the responsible use of taxpayer dollars.

Where You May Know Me From

Although I retired from my full-time career in 2022, I still work part-time at Cressy Mustard in the Armoury in Picton. Many County residents may already recognize me from behind the counter, and I’m happy to help my step-daughter with her local business - so local that many consider it a North Marysburgh staple!

I genuinely enjoy the work because I am naturally a people person. It keeps me connected with residents, other local business owners and visitors, and it has led to more interesting conversations than I could ever count. Working there has also given me a close-up view of the everyday realities facing a small County business, from changing seasons and customer traffic to the importance of local support.

Staying Involved

Today, I serve as board president of Prince Edward Standard Condominium Corporation No. 18. Condominium governance may not sound particularly political, but it involves many of the same practical responsibilities found in local government: budgets, maintenance, contractors, rules, long-term planning and decisions that affect people’s homes and finances.

It also means listening to people who may see an issue very differently and working toward decisions that are fair, responsible and workable. Not everyone will agree with every decision, but everyone deserves to be heard and to understand how a decision was reached.

I also volunteer as greeter at Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital. It is a simple role, but one I genuinely enjoy. People often arrive at a hospital feeling uncertain or worried, and sometimes a friendly welcome or a little help finding their way matters more than we realize.

Why I’m Stepping Forward

I am running because I believe I can put my financial administration, organizational and community experience to work for Prince Edward County. I will not pretend to have every answer. What I can promise is that I will prepare, ask questions, examine the consequences and listen before making decisions. I will not support something simply because it is familiar, popular or presented as the easiest option. I will make my own decisions based on the information before the council and what I believe will best serve North Marysburgh and Prince Edward County residents.

North Marysburgh is the part of the County I know most deeply. I understand its rural realities, its working farms and businesses, and the importance of protecting its voice as the County continues to change.

I am not asking for anyone’s vote based solely on my history or my family name. I intend to earn that support by showing residents who I am, what I stand for and how I would represent them.

I look forward to sharing more… and, just as importantly, hearing from you.