There are four people running for two positions representing Port Moody on School District 43's (SD43) board of education from the 2022 municipal election — set for Oct. 15.
The Tri-City News sent questionnaires to each candidate to learn more about who they are, why they are campaigning and what are the issues that matter most to them.
Candidate responses are as follows (listed in alphabetical order):
Ed Desaulniers
- Age: 52
- Years as a Port Moody resident: 2.5
- Occupation: Operations manager
- Most recent civic/volunteer work: PAC chair and other school organizing
- Website: ParentsVoicebc.ca
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: 778-831-0375
Why are you running for public office?
"I’ve seen deficiencies in the trustee system, and I think it should be addressed."
What’s your number one issue and why?
"Parents need a voice at the trustee level and there needs to be more consultation with PACs and parents in general."
Nancy Johnston
- Age: 64
- Years as a Port Moody resident: Three (but I’ve been in love with Port Moody since I worked in the mill at Flavelle in my 20s).
- Occupation: Occupational Health and Safety professional (retired)
- Most recent civic/volunteer work: Scouts Canada — 11 years — as "Akela" or "Scouter Nancy." Previous to that, I was a board member and chair of the Burnaby Public Library Board.
- Website: nanj4portmoodyschools.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: 604-970-5902
Why are you running for public office?
"Every child, every chance, every day. Education issues are important. The decisions that a Board of Education takes impact students’ lives. Every child should have as many opportunities to succeed as possible, within the framework of a safe and caring school system. I am uniquely qualified for the role of school trustee. I have 30 years of management experience in the K–12 system as a health and safety manager, governance experience as a library trustee, direct work with youth as a scouter, and I am a mom."
What’s your No. 1 issue and why?
"My number one issue is the continuance of a broad spectrum of educational opportunities for students. School districts are often expected to do more with less funding due to budgetary pressures. I have seen this pattern many times in my professional role within two school districts. Often this means that important programs in the arts, industrial education and sports curriculum are seriously curtailed or eliminated. I would like to be involved in this decision-making process to minimize the impact on key programs for our students. I want to advocate on your behalf for quality education."
Lisa Park (incumbent)
- Age: 42
- Years as a Port Moody resident: Nine years
- Occupation: SD41 Teacher and SD43 School Trustee
- Most recent civic/volunteer work: SD43 School Trustee (Port Moody) — elected in 2014 and 2018
- Website: lisaparkforschooltrustee.ca
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: 604-790-9406
- Facebook: @voteforlisapark
Why are you running for public office?
"As a public school teacher and a public school trustee, I believe that every individual deserves a good education and the public education system should provide great education for all students, their parents and families. I was elected in 2014 and 2018 as a Port Moody school trustee and I am seeking my third term in the 2022 municipal election. I am currently a Trustee Representative Alternate for ELL Consortium, DPAC and Child Care Task Force. I would like to continue to help to build Canada’s best public school system here in Port Moody."
What is your No. 1 issue and why?
"Fiscal Accountability and Safe and Healthy Learning Environment are my top priorities. As a tax payer myself, I expect governments to spend our public dollars carefully and thoughtfully. Fiscal responsibility and transparency are crucial and as your school trustee, I will hold the school board accountable for every dollar spent and that they are spent well on your behalf. At the heart of every parent, lies deep concern for the safety and health of their children at school. It will be my top priority to research and deliver ways to create a safer and healthier learning environment for our students."
Zoe Royer
- Age: 56
- Years as a Port Moody resident: 18
- Occupation: Business owner, city councillor (2011–2022)
- Most recent civic/volunteer work: City councillor
- Website: zoeforcouncil.ca
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: Not given
- Facebook: @zoe.royer.90
- Twitter: @ZoeRoyer
Why are you running for public office?
"Having enjoyed close working relationships with school trustees for a decade, Coun. Zoe Royer recognizes the benefits of harmony between institutions. Plans for new schools need to match plans for new neighbourhoods. Constructing safer school crossings should happen when traffic patterns change. Rapid joint decision-making would have resolved sewage pollution faster at Eagle Mountain School. We expect city and school district problems that overlap, to be handled in a timely manner. Sadly, schools continually face challenges when intersecting with civic matters. Like hundreds of elected officials across Canada who have served in both publicly elected roles as trustee and councillor, Zoe will bring her first hand city council and intergovernmental experience to help ensure school board priorities are in lockstep with city council."
What is your No. 1 issue and why?
"The dire need for more education assistants (EA), school counsellors, registered psychologists and other support workers in our schools. If elected, Zoe will champion a task force to examine obstacles and identify innovative steps forward to delivering more EAs into our classrooms. EAs play a vital role in supporting equitable and inclusive classrooms. While our teachers teach students, EAs support the student’s learning potential and well-being, and work alongside and under the guidance of the classroom teacher. Furthermore, if EAs could work just three more hours each week, they would be eligible for health benefits. This would create greater job retention and help attract more. These additional hours are doable with the provision of before and after school childcare in schools — another priority for Zoe."
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