Linda Cook, Regional Councillor Ward 2
Working 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
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 and not be about cost.
Accessibility also includes access to adequate funding to support ongoing Ward concerns such as road repairs, curbs, sidewalks and park maintenance. Funding from the income received from the Pickering Casino could be used to increase the budget to fund these necessary repairs.
Accountability
Pickering residents deserve barrier-free access to Council, with a Council that listens to community input to policy. Linda is in support of the creation of a Lobbyist Registry to improve accountability between the city, Council and citizens. A lobbyist registry is needed to create a culture of open, transparent and accountable government. Linda plans to bring back the defeated motion to Council to institute a lobbyist registry.
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, 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.
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. We have a small window to deal with the out of control high density condo developments planned for the Kingston Rd. (Hwy 2) corridor (Rougemount to Brock Rd).
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.
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, 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 nine years, and a race timer official with Special Olympics Athletics program, for the last seven 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.
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
What people are saying about Linda.
"I've been a small business owner in Pickering for over a decade and I'm so happy to see a woman run for council in Ward 2. I know she will listen to the needs of the small businesses in our community. Linda has my support!"
~ Betty Lam, Owner, 4 U Salon and Spa
Get in Touch
