Jennifer O'Connell, Pickering's youngest Councillor is well on her way to putting sustainable visions of community growth into action. Ideas of implementing realistic development and devising a strategy to sustain Pickering's growing population have helped this University of Toronto Political Science graduate help Pickering residents. Jennifer was first elected to Pickering City Council as Ward One City Councillor in 2006 at the age of 23, and was re-elected in 2010 to the position of Ward One Regional Councillor.
Jennifer's interest in politics first sparked while working as a junior Legal Assistant for a Bankruptcy and Insolvency Law Firm. Jennifer also volunteered at a highly successful labour law firm, where she determined her desire to give a voice to those in need. In the past, she was also involved in a co-op program with the Durham Regional Police Services, Forensic Identification Unit. Through all of her work with these organizations, Jennifer started to get involved with the needs of the community she grew up in, realizing she could help make a difference by offering an unbiased and fresh outlook to a community whose rich diversity was underrepresented on Council.
Since Jennifer’s election to Council, Jennifer has served as:
- Chair of the Waterfront Committee
- Vice-Chair of the Sustainable Pickering Committee.
- Member of the Site-Plan Committee
- Member of the Civic Awards Selection Committee
- Member of the Library Board
- Member of the Audit Committee
- Member of the Rouge Park Alliance Committee.
- Member of the Executive Committee
- Member of the Planning Committee
- Member of Accessibility Advisory Committee
- Member of the Regional Finance and Administration Committee
Jennifer is very concerned about the tax burden left with Pickering residents and led by example through reducing her Council budget. Jennifer always advocates for Pickering residents whether at Council or the Ontario Municipal Board. Jennifer also advocates for our community safety, this can be seen through the motion she moved to encourage the provincial government to continue funding the Durham Regional Anti-Violence Intervention Strategy (DRAVIS). Transit is also a high priority for Jennifer because she knows that our community grows and gridlock traffic worsens. Jennifer constantly advocates for transparency and accountability in government at all levels and she continues to challenge the status quo.
Her objective has always involved investing not only in the current residents, but developing a plan to ensure a sustainable infrastructure for future generations, making Pickering the ideal city to grow up and raise families in, prospering for years to come.
One of the best parts of being on Council for Jennifer is hearing from residents. Please feel free to phone or send an email to Jennifer. |
