MakeOurMarknl

SPEAKING NOTES
HON. DIANNE WHALEN
WPO Lunch and Learn

I want to begin by saying how glad I am to be here in beautiful Corner Brook.

With the municipal elections quickly approaching, now is the time for individuals across Newfoundland and Labrador to consider how their voice can be an important one through involvement in municipal council.

Last week, I was proud to announce MAKEYOURMARKNL, an innovative, interactive marketing campaign to encourage the opportunity to run for municipal council.

Throughout the summer, I will ask residents from coast to coast to consider how they would make their mark. While both men and women work every day to improve their communities, often women do not put themselves forward to run in municipal elections.

How would you make your mark to ensure we continue to have a province that provides a safe and secure environment for us to live and raise families?

Newfoundland and Labrador has a cultural fabric unlike any other – one of warmth, commitment and conviction. We are a proud, strong and determined people who never for a moment take for granted the gift we have received by being fortunate enough to call this place home.
From our rugged shoreline to our rolling hills, to our history and sheer determination as a people to survive, we are obviously lucky to be part of the fabric that is Newfoundland and Labrador.

As September approaches and municipal elections kick into gear, I often times reflect on how I have made my mark on my community over the past 25 years.

For the future, we need leaders who have a clear vision, who communicate that vision, who have integrity, who think well and who listen. Where are these leaders? They are our teachers, construction workers, tour operators, Girl Guide leaders. They are members of service clubs and they volunteer in many capacities - they are you and I.

The purpose of today’s session is to speak directly to women, so together we can encourage more women to make their mark at the municipal level of government.

Having women equally represented in the democratic process is something women all over the world are working to advance.

In Newfoundland and Labrador especially, women continue to be at the forefront of our communities as educators, professionals, and volunteers.

Everyday women in this province are breaking barriers to advance their lives and the lives of women around them, by moving into leadership roles and non traditional or higher paying positions.

However, we still have much work ahead of us before women share equitably in the benefits of our society.

I have no doubt that the best candidates for the job are available in quantity (sounds strange) throughout Newfoundland and Labrador. Many are in this room today. I believe that they are unaware that they are the people who are needed to get the job done. I ask you, what is stopping you from making a lasting change within your own community – have you made your mark?

What we need are men, women and young people who have the courage to recognize their leadership potential, the courage to see their convictions as the basis of leadership, the courage to run.

My challenge to all of us today is this: look inside yourself, look at your beliefs and values, look at the issues that are of importance to you, and think about how you can make a difference. Today’s leaders, more than ever, need to have integrity and strength as they are under intense public scrutiny, but this is certainly outweighed by how you can make the lives of your family and friends better by being an agent of positive change.

What are the ways you can make things better for your community – you can be a part of making decisions about the costs of living in your community and the services that you and your family receive. Municipal leaders ensure that the essential services in their community are provided. Newfoundlanders and Labradorians want to receive services at reasonable costs. You can be a part of finding that perfect mix – appropriate services that are reasonable and affordable.

For example, sharing waste disposal services or fire protection with your neighboring communities can reduce costs to residents and maintain and often improve services. More importantly, they could protect our environment or save lives.

There are numerous ways that creating efficiencies such as this can affect the cost of services to residents. Your participation will make things better today and for future generations to come. That is a tremendous way to make your mark.

Secondly, you can make yours and others dreams for your community become realities. Municipal councilors do much more than project services and maintain costs.

Municipal councilors are pillars within their community. I believe that you are leaders. Municipal councils can see the future – I believe that you can see the future. Municipal councils see a green grassy field and envision a soccer pitch, and they make it happen.
Others see a gravel parking lot and envision a playground, and they make it happen. Municipal councilors make ideas a reality. You can be a municipal councilor!

I believe that the greatest contribution you can make to your hometown and the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador, is taking the first step and getting involved. That is why I believe that your participation this coming September 29th, will make things better for today and for the future. It will make our cities and towns better for you, me and many others.

Before I conclude, I would like say a special thank you to the Corner Brook Status of Women Council for bringing us all together.
I would also like to thank the other speakers who have joined me today, Councillor Donna Luther and Kara Snow, who are certainly examples of women in the lead.

I challenge you to sign up, offer yourself for municipal election and make your mark on your community. Some people see a construction worker, I see a councilor. Others see a Girl Guide leader, I see a potential mayor.

Today, we are undoubtedly in the presence of many who know they have what it takes to make their mark on their community – my friends, I see a better Newfoundland and Labrador.

Thank you.