Nith River Flood: Bringing People Together to Find Solutions

For years, I've been following the flooding challenges along the Nith River. I’ve heard about previous major floods and witnessed the 2022 flooding. I’ve read the studies, reports, and discussions.  While progress has been made in understanding the problem, I believe there is still more we can do by listening to residents who have lived in the area for years.

I'm excited to share that I've been accepted into the Leading Together: Local Governments Advancing Equitable Climate Resilience Cohort offered by the Tamarack Institute.

I was accepted based on both my leadership experience with Grassroots Response, where I brought together thousands of volunteers, organizations, governments, and businesses to respond to the Ukrainian humanitarian crisis, and my proposal to apply that same collaborative approach here at home.

My project focuses on the Nith River Flooding.

My goal is to bring together residents, farmers, businesses, conservation organizations, municipalities, Indigenous partners, community groups, and others from across the communities connected by the Nith River. Together, we will explore practical, community-focused ideas to reduce flooding and increase support for people impacted. 

Today, while speaking with residents, I heard something that stuck with me. Several people shared that they don't feel their voices have ever truly been heard. They feel decisions have been made, and studies completed, but the conversation with the community has never really continued.

I believe the people who live with these challenges have valuable knowledge and ideas to contribute.

The Tamarack Institute cohort allows me to learn from communities across Canada and bring those lessons back to Wilmot. More importantly, it provides a chance to create a space where people from different backgrounds can work together toward community-based solutions.

Whether I'm elected Mayor or not, this is work I'm committed to doing. I believe our best solutions come when we bring people together, listen to one another, and turn good ideas into action.

That's the kind of leadership I want to continue bringing to Wilmot.

Our first meeting was held on Aug 11, 6:30 - 8:00 pm at the Waterlot, New Hamburg.

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