Danielle Valiquette, a councillor for The Municipality of Grey Highlands, announced her intention to run for the leadership of the Green Party of Canada (GPC) for Grey Bruce Owen Sound (GBOS).
Valiquette was voted into Grey Highlands municipal office in 2018, and is the councillor responsible for the Environment file. Currently, she sits on the Grey Highlands Library Board and the Grey Highlands Community Development Advisory Committee.
“I never expected to run in this election,” said Valiquette. “I truly enjoy serving as a councillor, but with the retirement of Larry Miller, and the tremendous growth seen by the GPC there is an opportunity for a strong voice to lead the Green Party to a victory in GBOS. I think I can be that voice.”
Conservative Federal MP Larry Miller announced that he would not be seeking re-election in the upcoming federal election in January, making way for an untested conservative candidate. The GBOS election results have been close over the last few elections. Though it has leaned conservative in the last two elections, it is considered a swing riding.
Today, Valiquette presented Council with a letter communicating her leadership bid as she wanted them to be amongst the first to know. She praised Council in the letter. “I am exceptionally proud to be part of this council. This council has “hit the ground running”; we have approved the CIP, moved forward with strategic planning, as well started reviewing outdated planning fees and policies (thanks to Councillors Nielsen and Allen). The 2019 budget proved us to be the forward-thinking council on which we campaigned.”
Valiquette, a former business analyst, has a background in Information Technology, but also loves the arts, including photography. She is an active member of the community, and regularly volunteers at the elementary school, including the nutrition program. Valiquette is a known animal lover, and is an active member of the Canadian Pony Club. She resides with her husband and three children on a horse farm outside of Ceylon, ON.
source: media release
