City councillor Diane Therrien ended weeks of speculation Thursday (May 3), announcing before a large Artspace gathering that she is seeking election as Peterborough’s mayor.
“I am running for mayor because I have seen firsthand that we can, and must, expect more from local decision makers,” said Therrien. “Tonight I pledge to each and every one of you that I will work hard every day to live up to that expectation.
“You may disagree with your neighbour down your street. They may cheer for the Habs, you for the Leafs. You may put different-coloured lawn signs out each election. But you and that person both want this city to succeed. Just because you differ on politics, it doesn’t mean that either of you is any less caring. Just because you have different maps, it doesn’t mean you aren’t trying to get to the same destination.
“Let’s move forward in the spirit of good neighbours. Let’s end this idea that city building is a zero sum game in which some have to lose if others are to win. We are all so fortunate to live here in this place in this time. Peterborough is a great city and it can be even better. We can expect more. Our best and boldest years are right ahead of us.”
A native of Mississauga, the 32-year-old Therrien came to Peterborough to attend Trent University, graduating with her Masters in Canadian Indigenous Studies. On graduation, she took a contract job with the Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs in Toronto but before long returned to Peterborough and a contract role with the Peterborough Poverty Reduction Network.
In January 2014, Therrien filed to run for a city council seat, seeking election in Town Ward. On October 27 of that same year, she was elected, coming up just 161 votes shy of incumbent Dean Pappas but an impressive 1,174 votes ahead of third-place finisher Jason Stabler.
“I expected more from city council after I first got elected,” said Therrien. “I thought that I would be collaborating with all of my fellow councillors. That through give-and-take and listening to each other, we would have an opportunity to make a real difference.
“Gradually, I realized this wasn’t going to happen. Too many of my peers were locked in a pattern, and often a voting bloc, that actively resisted collaboration and was even, at times, hostile to emerging voices, and resistant to acknowledging and managing the rapid changes occurring all over our city.
“When this reality became evident, I had a choice — I could have lowered my expectations, reconciled that that is business as usual, settled into my job as Town Ward councillor and made sure that I did just enough to get re-elected. But that’s not how I’m built. That’s not the community I know and that’s not the Peterborough we want. I am choosing to make a difference.”
Saying “We need to start focusing on basics … we need to make sure we get them right,” Therrien is framing her campaign around “three fundamentals of building a strong community” — jobs, taxes and infrastructure.
“We must recognize that our future employment growth will come from small and medium-sized businesses in emerging sectors,” she said.
“We are uniquely positioned to capitalize on this new economy but we need leadership that understands this new economy. We need to focus on establishing Peterborough as a regional economic centre. We need to leverage our educated workforce, our natural environment, and our proximity to the GTA.”
As for taxes, Therrien noted municipal taxes have risen by 30 per cent over the last seven years while City debt has risen by 50 per cent.
“What do we have to show for it? If you’re asked to pay more, it is reasonable for you to expect more. When it comes to how we spend your money, we must expect more.”
And regarding infrastructure, Therrien jumped on council for spending millions of dollars “on chasing vanity projects and paying endless fees to consultants” while roads and sewers fall into disrepair.
“We are overdue on upgrading some of our most essential assets like our storm water system, fixing our roads and making our streets safer … the longer we delay these upgrades, the more expensive it will become.” she said.
“We could begin immediately on building better roads and creating safer residential streets for families, particularly if we stop trying to fight an ongoing, expensive, and hopeless battle to build a bridge (The Parkway extension) over a park.”
Later, after receiving congratulations from supporters, Therrien talked on what she sees as the winds of change blowing hard come election day.
“There’s a lot of great people coming out to run in this election and I think that speaks to the fact that people want to see change and some new faces around the table,” she said.
As for her relative youthfulness, Therrien said much the same as she did on the campaign trail four years ago — it simply doesn’t matter. What does matter, she added, is her commitment to the betterment of Peterborough and her wanting to lead that conversation.
“I’m passionate about this community. I understand the realities of the new economy and the need to focus on jobs, taxes and infrastructure. I want to work together with council toward common goals.”
At this point, Therrien is the only declared candidate for mayor.
Peterborough Mayor Daryl Bennett has indicated he will make an announcement before month’s end regarding his plans.
Those interested in running for council or a school board trustee position have until July 27 to file nomination papers at the City clerk’s office.
