Born and raised in Montreal, I moved to B.C. in 2002 in order to be closer to my two sons and their families. My work as a systems analyst and business consultant made it possible to continue working with clients in Québec while establishing local contracts.

Like many women of my generation, I've had to learn to juggle many responsibilities while focusing on what is most important in every situation. I have developed a practical approach to all I take on and a “can do” attitude that has served me well. I attribute my life successes to a logical approach, a high level of energy, a positive attitude, and a strong desire to understand people in order to communicate effectively.

My environmental awakening occurred in the mid 1970’s when I realized that the idyllic panorama that surrounded me included a lake containing heavy metals resulting from industries I myself encouraged! After reflection, I saw that the socio-economic world in which I live encourages lifestyles that are bound to be destructive in the long term. Having left the city to raise my children in an atmosphere I hope was healthier, I started looking for solutions that would contribute to building a healthier world for the next generations.

Understanding that economy and ecology are inextricably linked, I not only work with environmental groups, but also contribute to a sustainable economic development. While living on the Gaspé coast, I sat on economic councils, representing the environmental interests of my municipal region. Since arriving in BC, I developed the proposal for the Lumby Salmon Trails that brought $340,000 from the SICEAI federal program to build interpretive trails along Lumby’s salmon creeks.

As an active grandmother I pride myself on speaking out against destructive practices that bring money to a few for a short time while leaving society to pay for the costs of dealing with pollution, increased sickness, and a damaged world.

I believe that people are tired of seeing more money thrown at problems caused by a degraded environment and that they now see the Green Party as the party with the will and the way to integrate the economy and the environment.

“People want a political party that will instill laws and practices that make us feel good about what we do, rather than guilty of mortgaging the future of our children.”

Career History

A computer programmer with Northern Telecom in 1977, I progressed to senior management by 1985, then worked at a community college where I designed and led computer training programs until 1993. My family and I then moved to the Gaspé coast of Québec, where I ran Elderhostel programs and a Computer and Circus camp for children, on a century-old farm, as well as giving computer and business courses in various training institutions.

1977-1986: Northern Telecom

Starting as computer programmer for manufacturing applications, I progressed to systems analyst and coordinator, then became department manager. I was responsible for a staff of 35 and also contributed to the Career Planning and Training guide used by all divisions of Nortel. My contributions included developing different career paths and evaluating various training programs.

As senior marketing operations manager, I coordinated efforts among Engineering, Manufacturing, Accounting and Marketing, and was responsible for a staff of 50, including 5 managers. I developed and presented a 5 year plan for Northern Telecom's A&R Division that was accepted and implemented by all departments.

1986-1993: John Abbott College

As Continuing Education Program Manager I designed and led computer programs and placed graduates in industry. I also managed the John Abbott Computer Day Camp from 1986 to 1993. I developed budgets, promotion plans and marketing strategies for all ContEd programs, recruited clients, and hired and evaluated consultants and instructors. Revenues for the programs went from $350,000 to $600,000 per year in 6 years.

1993-Present: Imagine-Ere Consulting

A co-founder and director of Imagine-Ere, I designed and implemented criteria for evaluating business plans, training business owners, and allocating business start-up funds for the Listuguj Mi’gmaq Development Centre and for the Band Office at Listuguj. I also detailed the problems underlying poor school attendance among teenagers, implemented solutions to remedy the problems, including a "career camp" where teens experienced how various skills contribute to different careers, and how schooling relates to the skills they consider important to their career goals.

SI developed and taught numerous training programs, school curricula, and computer courses for the Listuguj Mi’gmaq Training Centre, the Gesgapegiag Band Office, the Wejgwapniag primary school, and the post-secondary College in Carleton, Québec. I trained teachers as well as adult students.

I developed proposals and performed evaluations of educational programs for the Whitevalley Community Resource Center in Lumby, and conducted a comprehensive study of training needs related to non-profit organizations in the North Okanagan Columbia Shuswap region for United Way.

I wrote the SICEAI proposal for the "Lumby Salmon Trails" project, and coordinated the development of interpretive information and signs. The marketing plans included the creation of numerous complementary businesses aimed at various types of clientele.


Committees & Community Involvement

Québec until 2002
  • Vice-president of Environnement Vert-Plus, a regional environmental group
  • President of the Regional Environmental Council for Gaspé and Magdalen Islands
  • Private sector as well as regional school board representative on various environmental issues
  • Environmentalists’ representative to the Board of Governors of the regional Development Committee
B.C. since 2002
  • Director of Sustainable Environmental Network Society (SENS)
  • Co-founder of Friends Of Responsible Ecological Sustainable Timber (FOREST)
  • Co-founder of and spokesperson for Sugar Lake And Middle Shuswap Stewards (SLAMSS)
  • Conceiver and organizer of a petition against the B.C. Meat Inspection Regulation
  • Lumby Weyerhaeuser Salmon Trails Committee founder and member
  • Designed and lead movement and language activities for children aged 3-5 in Lumby

Hobbies

  • Psychology - since studying psychology at Concordia University in mid 80’s, I continue to read about developmental psychology
  • Art - drawing and oil painting
  • Writing and general reading
  • Walking and fitness classes

Electoral History

  • First time running as political candidate

Back to TOP of page
Authorized by the Official Agent for Huguette Allen