BIOGRAPHY
Jane McQuarrie and I have lived in Teeswater for 34 years, and our three children, Flora, Alex and Susannah were born and raised in here. In 2017, I retired from Trent University as an associate professor and interim university librarian. While at Trent I served many terms on Senate, the University’s governing body. I own Reference Press, a company which develops software for libraries and hosts databases for clients in the United States and Canada. I’m a firm believer in democracy, where residents give direction to local politicians, not the other way around.
BIGGEST ISSUE
Without question the most pressing issue in South Bruce is the proposed deep geological repository (DGR) for radioactive waste. A small group of people, members of South Bruce council, are determined to have it sited in the municiplaity. Their view is that as elected officials, the decision is theirs alone to make. I do not doubt that they are acting in what they see as the best interests of the community, but in continually side-stepping the referendum that should have been held back in 2016, they have undermined the democratic process and split the community. I will press for a legitimate referendum in 2023. A decision with major, long-term consequences should be made collectively by all of the residents. Any other way of achieving ‘willingness’ will amount to a sham and a fraud.
