Diane Therrien runs for mayor: Youthful, experienced, progressive

A look at the only challenger to the incumbent Mayor Daryl Bennett

I was late for my appointment with mayoral candidate Diane Therrien. Couldn’t find my keys: the result of distraction. I looked in the freezer and in the fridge. Then I thought to pray to St. Anthony, and there they were, in the cutlery drawer.

It didn’t matter to her: while waiting, she met up with DBIA executive director Terry Guiel and there is always lots to discuss.

Diane came to Peterborough, as a student, as so much of our new talent does, from out-of-town: from Hamilton in this case, to go to Trent.

She earned her master’s degree in Canadian and Indigenous studies while a grad student at Traill College. She then began working for the Poverty Reduction Network, and then at the YWCA. In 2016, she received the Trent University Alumni Young Leaders award, which recognizes alumni who have shown outstanding leadership in the first 10 years since graduating. Diane is now 32. For recreation, Diane walks her two dogs, which were acquired from the Humane Society, and plays slo-pitch softball.

Being downtown and actively involved in community issues, she got a feel for the city, ran for city council in 2014 in Town Ward and was successful.

After a four-year term on council, during which she served on the DBIA committee and the art gallery board, she was persuaded to run for mayor this time around, against incumbent Mayor Daryl Bennett.

She announced her candidacy on May 3 and opened a George Street campaign office. I can’t help noticing Mr. Bennett has no campaign office.

She has been full-time campaigning, speaking to “thousands of residents” and visiting all wards. After announcing her 39-point policy platform in September she received 400 “likes” online and many calls, emails and “shares.”

It confirmed for her that the city is ready and keen for new leadership, more transparency and more consultation. “People are ready for a new voice,” she says, and “I believe I am that voice.”

Therrien’s slogan is “Expect More.” I asked her what this entailed. Ride-sharing for one thing, given that taxi fares are rising; bike-sharing and expansion of trails, a green bin program, ranked ballots for the next election, a multi-purpose convention centre and reducing driving speeds on residential streets to 40 km/hr.

The allowed expenditure for a mayoral campaign in this size community is $50,000. Therrien is proud of the number of small donors who are giving.

I remember running in 2010 for a seat in Northcrest. My expenditures were $5,000 (signs and printing) and I raised $5,010, from 110 people. I was pleased to present my financial report promptly after the election to the city clerk because it showed that an unwealthy person, with support, can run for office, and it demonstrated approval from many sectors. Plus, I

‘People are ready for a new voice. I believe I am that voice.’ DIANE THERRIEN

had $10 over and above, too!

A fundraiser for Diane Therrien’s campaign has been organized for Oct.11 at the Red Dog Tavern. Tickets are $20 and the show, from 7 to 10 p.m. will feature Kate Suhr, Linda Kash and Dub Trinity.

For me, a revealing piece of political literature called the “City Report Card” is in circulation, the research by local environmental groups. It shows how each Peterborough councillor voted on four “green” issues during the last term: the casino vote, the parkway vote, the sale of PDI to Hydro One and environment decisions in general, including approving subdivisions and providing parking and roads for the casino and an adjacent hotel.

Therrien has a perfect score on her voting, all green across the board.

All-red scores are attached to the names of David Haacke, Andrew Beamer, Dan McWilliams and Lesley Parnell in addition to Mr. Bennett. The report is available at V4sp.ca (Vote for Sustainable Peterborough).

If we citizens still need any motivation to help a planet in jeopardy as a priority, we need not look further than Drew Monkman’s brilliant and readable two-part series in the Examiner Sept. 14, and Sept. 21, 2018.

Visit www.dianetherrien.ca for more information about the candidate.