Re-elect Linda Cook, Regional Councillor Ward 2
Experience at work - toward a smarter future. For our families, our environment, and our community.
Affordability
Affordable housing goes hand in hand with responsible development practices that include infrastructure planning, residential property tax, essential services, and amenities that provide for community development. Social housing is an issue that needs to be recognized and addressed.
Accessibility & Infrastructure
An advocate and ally for those with special needs, Linda is passionate about creating accessible playgrounds and recreation spaces for all – not just in Ward 2, but across the city. This should be a planning standard.
Accessibility also includes access to adequate funding to support ongoing Ward concerns such as road repairs, curbs, sidewalks and park maintenance, bridge repairs, solar lighting and public art. Funds from the income received from the Pickering Casino fund the development of art in our public spaces.
Accountability
Pickering residents deserve barrier-free access to Council, with a Council that listens to community input to policy. Linda voted in support of the creation of a Lobbyist Registry to improve accountability between the city, Council and citizens. A lobbyist registry was needed to create a culture of open, transparent and accountable government.
Environment
Linda was a proactive member of PESCA (Pickering East Shore Community Association), as a member, President, and Past President. During her tenure, PESCA, lobbied with the TRCA and Ontario Ombudsman to successfully affect the outcome of the San Francisco by the Bay development – addressing environmental concerns for the Douglas Creek ravine, restrictions on density, park land allotted, setback requirements and upgrade costs for the culverts along Douglas Ave. and Radom St.
Community
Focusing on community means addressing affordability, liveability, diversity, dignity, inclusion, women’s issues and building a resilient community – all as part of a purpose-led community.
Community also means focusing on the local issues of the Ward, such as crime, combatting speeding on neighbourhood streets, and looking into initiatives for traffic calming. Linda has developed relationship with OPG to foster a relationship to address the needs of Ward 2.
Infrastructure and Responsible Growth
Growth and infrastructure are synonymous. As Pickering grows, so too should our recreation spaces, access to services and cultural development. We need a vision that includes less commuting, less gridlock, more sustainable growth with thoughtful density and consciousness to do the right things for the next generation.
Linda has served on the Region of Durham Works Committee since being elected in 2022. During this time Linda has gained valuable experience in these key infrastructure areas:
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Water and Sewage
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Waste Management
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Roads Transportation
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Facilities - Regional public facilities and capital engineering projects
Meet Linda
Linda is pictured with John Henry, Regional Chair & CEO, Region of Durham, her son, Curtis, recipient of the City of Pickering Amateur Sports Award, and their AAD dog guide Ink.
Linda has been serving as your Regional Councillor for Ward 2, since 2022.
Utilizing her 10+ years in infrastructure and construction build design, Linda currently represents residents on the following committees & boards:
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Deputy Mayor, 2024 - 2025
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City of Pickering Executive Committee
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City of Pickering Planning & Development Committee
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Durham Regional Council
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Durham Region Works Committee
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Pickering Public Library Board
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Region of Durham Indigenous Advisory Circle member
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Region of Durham representative, First Nation-Municipal Community Economic Development Initiative (CEDI)
Raised in Ward 2, Linda has been a part of the Bay Ridges fabric since the early 1970’s.
Loving living so close to Lake Ontario, Linda chose to raise her family in the community she is proud of. Mother to a child with disabilities, and step-mother to two, Linda places inclusion and barrier-free access to accessible facilities and services high on her priority list.
Linda is dedicated to making a difference in the lives of those with intellectual disabilities.
She’s been a passionate coach and mentor with the Greater Durham Special Olympics speed skating team for the last 13 years, and a race timer official & event marshall with Special Olympics Athletics program, for the last eleven years. Linda was honoured to be recognized for this commitment, as a recipient of a 2020 City of Pickering Service Award for Volunteer of the Year.
A lifelong learner, Linda values equity, diversity, and dignity.
Linda continuously seeks to understand the experiences and lives of our indigenous peoples and her family’s shared experiences. Linda is currently a humanities student at the University of Alberta, Faculty of Native Studies.
Professionally, Linda is a Senior Director at Cologix, a U.S. data centre company, where she is a founding member of Cologix’ Women’s Connection Network – a facilitated networking collective for all women-identified employees, and leader of The Novel Bunch book club.
Stop to say hello when you see Linda and her son Curtis with their AAD service dog guide out enjoying the waterfront.
Out in the City.
Community involvement
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PESCA – the former Pickering East Shore Community Association. Served as a member at large, President and Past President
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Durham Catholic School Board, Special Education Advisory Committee – one term (four years), Community Liaison
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Royal Canadian Legion #606 – Volunteer since 2018
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Special Olympics National Winter Games 2020 – Athlete Liaison – Speed Skating, Team Ontario
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Special Olympics 2019 Provincial Winter Games – Head Coach – South Central Ontario Speed Skating team
Endorsements: What people are saying about Linda
"I am pleased to endorse Linda Cook for her re-election as Regional Councillor, Ward 2. As a Special Olympics Sport Coach, I’ve known Linda for more than a decade and have seen firsthand how she champions inclusivity, patience, and true community empowerment. Linda lead’s with the exact same dedication, heart, and respect that we teach on the field. Her own record as a Coach for Special Olympics demonstrates how she shows up for everyone – especially the most vulnerable – and proves she is the kind of leader who listens, adapts, and fights for equal opportunities for all. I know Linda will bring this exact same supportive spirit to Pickering."
~ Patrick Morris, Coach Greater Durham Special Olympics
Get in Touch to Volunteer, or Request a Lawn Sign
