Meet Linda
I immigrated to Canada as a young child from Italy/Malta with my parents. As immigrants my family experienced new-to-Canada settlement struggles like finding employment that fit with their education and qualifications. These early experiences have shaped my commitment to work with new Canadian families, families struggling to make ends meet and living in poverty.
I have an undergraduate degree from the University of Guelph and graduate studies in Planning, with additional studies in Human Resources, Community Economic Development, Social Planning, and Public Engagement.
I have always worked and volunteered on community and public issues. The establishment of the Guelph Youth Music Centre before I had children, Child Care advocacy when I did have children, arts advocacy as a Suzuki Strings School parent, language education advocacy as a French Immersion parent, and advocacy for student supports as a school board Trustee.
I have worked in adult education, as the Executive Director of a Guelph not-for-profit employment agency, on Healthy Community initiatives and community development. I worked extensively with Labour Force Adjustment Committees throughout South West Ontario communities ~ this is economic development but with people and skills.
I was elected as a Guelph school board Trustee for four terms between 2006-2022. I had the honour of serving as Board Chair, Chair of Business Operations, Strategic Planning, Building and Property, Budget and Audit, to list a few. I gained governance and policy knowledge and experience, and regularly worked with municipalities in Guelph, Wellington and Dufferin Counties , MPPs and MPs on education and community issues.
After 16 years as a Trustee I am very proud of the establishment of the International Baccalaureate program at Guelph CVI, French Immersion programming in Dufferin County, and a secondary program for Mennonite students attending Centre Peel School in North Wellington.
I wanted to do more for families, my community and Ward. In 2022 I ran and was successful as a Ward 4 City Councillor. In this city leadership role I am currently the Co-Chair of the Joint Social Services Committee with the County of Wellington, Chair of the Business License Appeals Committee, Vice Chair of Wellington-Dufferin Guelph Public Health, Vice Chair of Council’s Governance Committee and member of various boards and committees, Guelph Junction Railway Board, Guelph Municipal Holding Board and the Committee of Management for the Elliott Long Term Care Home.
While the many years of elected public service are important, the governance and fiscal responsibilities, it is the every-day conversations and connections to the community that grounds me in my work.
