A Little About My Family, and the Kind of Councillor I Will Be

In my first article, I shared some of my professional background and the experiences that have prepared me to serve on council.

But if we are going to get to know one another properly, I should also tell you about my family, especially because the Harrison name is already familiar to many people in North Marysburgh.

But, before we dive in, let me tell you a little about me before I became a Harrison. I was raised in Beaconsfield, Quebec, a lovely suburb on the west island of Montreal. I’m the middle child of 6 children (so I know how to get along with people - but also fight for what I believe in!). My mother was a homemaker, but here’s a little known piece of insider information for you… my father, who was a self employed professional civil engineer, also did work for The County as an engineering consultant (where they had moved post-retirement). In fact, my parents enjoyed living in North Marysburgh for 20 years!

In 1997, I married my husband, Dave Harrison, who has deep roots in the ward. His family’s history in Prince Edward County stretches back generations, with farming and commercial fishing playing an important role in both the family and the local economy. Dave was born and raised in North Marysburgh and has spent much of his working life in farming, fishing, food production and related businesses.

He has also spent many years in municipal government, including serving as North Marysburgh’s councillor. I am proud of the time, energy and commitment he has given to public service. I have seen how demanding the position can be, how much information councillors must absorb and how rarely the issues before council have perfectly simple answers.

That perspective is valuable, but Dave’s council service is his record, not mine.

I am not asking residents to assume that I will make the same decisions he made or hold the same position on every issue. If I am elected, I will be responsible for reviewing the information before council, listening to residents, asking my own questions and reaching my own conclusions. I respect and value Dave’s experience, but I am seeking this responsibility in my own name and will be accountable for my own decisions.

Our Family’s Continuing Connection to North Marysburgh

Dave and I lived in North Marysburgh for 27 years before moving to a condo in Picton in 2023. I want to be completely clear about that: I do not currently live in the ward, although my husband continues to own property there and operates his commercial fishing business in North Marysburgh. 

Ontario’s municipal election rules allow qualified Prince Edward County residents to seek election in any County ward. I chose to run in North Marysburgh because it is the ward where I spent nearly three decades and the part of the County I know most deeply. It is where we built our life together, where some of our family still lives and works, and where I developed my understanding of rural services, agricultural businesses and the challenges residents face.

Dave’s two children, whom I am very proud to call my stepchildren, live in North Marysburgh and operate their own businesses. One owns and operates Drew Harrison Haulage, while the other owns Cressy Mustard, where I now work part-time as a sales associate. We are also blessed with three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Our family gives me many reasons to care deeply about North Marysburgh’s future, but I recognize that family connections do not entitle anyone to public office. The residents of the ward will decide who has earned their confidence.

Family, Business and Public Responsibility

Because members of my family own local businesses, questions may occasionally come before council that affect them, or appear capable of affecting them. I believe residents deserve to know how I would approach those circumstances.

If a matter creates a potential conflict of interest, I will disclose it, seek formal guidance where appropriate and follow the applicable rules. Where impartiality could reasonably be questioned, I will take that concern seriously rather than treating disclosure as a technical formality.

Supporting local businesses does not mean that any business should receive special treatment. Municipal rules, planning requirements and standards of accountability must be applied consistently. Decisions should be based on evidence, the public interest and their effects on the broader community.

That is the standard I would expect from any councillor, and it is the standard I will set for myself.

My Own Commitment

My family is an important part of who I am. Their history has helped me understand North Marysburgh’s agricultural and working roots, while my own career has given me experience in finance, pension oversight, not-for-profit service and property governance.

Together, those experiences shape how I approach responsibility, but they do not make my decisions for me.

I know some residents may reasonably ask why someone who now lives in Picton wants to represent North Marysburgh. My answer is straightforward: after 27 years there, it is the community I know best, the one I believe I am best prepared to serve, and the one I most identify with. What can I say… you can take the person out of North Marysburgh, but not the North Marysburgh out of the person!

If elected, I will work to earn that privilege through preparation, visibility, open communication and independent judgment. I will not ask residents to support me simply because they recognize my family name. I will ask them to consider the experience, values and commitment I bring… and then decide whether I have earned their vote.

If you have a question about me, my family, and how I plan to represent the North Marysburgh community, please feel free to ask away! I am ready to answer.