Jennifer Tovell
for
Deputy Mayor, Grand Valley
One Community, Every Voice.
I'm here to listen, to bring your voices to the table, and to work with you to build the community we want to live in!
About Jennifer
Home grown leader for the community
Grand Valley has always been home. I grew up on a dairy farm here, went to school in Grand Valley and graduated from high school in Shelburne. Public service also has a long history in my family; my grandfather, great-grandfather and uncle each served in municipal government in Grand Valley. Their example gave me an early appreciation for the importance of local leadership and the responsibility that comes with serving our community. My connection to this community is rooted in its peoples history, its agricultural heritage, and the experiences that have shaped me along the way.
After high school, I attended Cambrian College in Sudbury and became an American Sign Language/English Interpreter. Over more than two decades in the profession, I have had the privilege of working with people from many different backgrounds and communities. That experience has given me a unique perspective on the barriers faced by people with disabilities and by others whose voices are too often overlooked or unheard. It has taught me the importance of listening, demonstrating empathy, creating truly accessible and welcoming spaces, and ensuring that everyone has an opportunity to participate.
I have also always believed in continuing to learn and challenge myself. While raising my two daughters and working full time, I returned to school at Queen’s University Online and earned my Bachelor’s degree in Global Development, a field that examines the social, economic and political factors that shape communities, countries, and our increasingly interconnected world.
Community involvement has always been important to me. I have served as both a Secretary and Director with the Grand Valley Agricultural Society for over a decade in total, and as a Director and Committee Chair with Fiddlehead Care Farm. Earlier in my life, I was proud to serve as the Grand Valley Fall Fair Ambassador in 1997–1998. During that same year, I was selected as one of 15 Grade 12 students from across Dufferin County to participate in an international co-operative education program teaching English in Thailand.
While my experiences have taken me far beyond Grand Valley, including a trip to Ghana where I worked at a school for Deaf students, they have also reinforced how much I value the community I call home. I have a passion for travel, animals and learning from different cultures and perspectives, while still staying closely connected to my farming roots including through my two horses.
I believe being a good community leader starts with being a good listener, understanding that every person brings a different experience to the table, and being willing to learn from those people. I am running for Deputy Mayor because I believe I have something meaningful to contribute to the community that has been part of my life for so long.
ASL Translation
Vision
Responsible Growth -
Planning for tomorrow while protecting what makes Grand Valley home.
Grand Valley is growing, and we need to ensure that growth is thoughtful, sustainable and supported by the infrastructure and services our community needs. I want to help guide development that respects our agricultural heritage, rural communities and existing neighbourhoods while preparing responsibly for the future.
A Stronger More Diverse Economy -
Building opportunity and reducing pressure on residential taxpayers.
Creating more employment, commercial and appropriate industrial opportunities in Grand Valley has been a challenge for decades, and there is no simple or overnight solution. I believe it must nevertheless remain a priority. A stronger and more diverse assessment base can help support municipal services and reduce the long-term reliance on residential taxpayers. I want to see us continue pursuing practical opportunities, working with businesses, developers, regional partners and other levels of government to make economic growth possible.
Every Voice At The Table -
An accessible, connected community where people feel heard.
Good municipal government starts with listening. I want to help ensure that residents from every part of Grand Valley whether rural or urban, longtime residents or newcomers, families, seniors, youth, farmers, businesses and people with disabilities, have meaningful opportunities to participate and be heard. Accessibility and inclusion should be part of how we govern, not an afterthought.
A Community We're Proud To Call Home -
Investing in the people, places and experiences that bring us together
A strong community is about more than roads and buildings. It's about parks and recreation, safe community spaces, local events, culture, volunteers, businesses and opportunities for people of all ages to connect. I want to support the people and organizations that make Grand Valley vibrant while being thoughtful about the investments we make and the value they provide to residents.
ASL Translation
Platform
This section is still evolving...
As I get out to meet you all, I will continue to develop ideas around real and tangible ways that we can enact true change together! My goal is to address the issues that people feel really matter and provide realistic goals to match.
Responsible Growth
- Infrastructure planning that keeps pace with growth and considers future growth
-Agricultural Advisory Committee for planning and infrastructure consultation
A Stronger More Diverse Economy
- Make economic development a priority
-Attract businesses that complement our existing local businesses, filling gaps and expanding opportunities rather than duplicating services
-Support agri-tourism and tourism opportunities that showcase Grand Valley's agricultural heritage, natural assets and unique character
-Explore opportunities to grow local markets and events including bringing back a farmer's market that creates opportunities for local farmers, producers, makers and businesses
Every Voice At The Table
- Build accessibility into municipal planning from the start
-Consult with the county level Accessibility Advisory Committee
-Host regular community drop-in hours, utilizing local businesses and meeting spaces to have informal opportunities to meet, chat, and ask questions
A Community We Are Proud To Call Home
- Support community events and celebrations that bring residents together and strengthen our sense of community
-Celebrate and support the diverse cultures and backgrounds that make Grand Valley a welcoming place to live
-Prioritize making the Community Centre a true community hub, creating a space for people with varying interests to connect and grow
-Support local community organizations, groups and volunteers who contribute so much to the life of our town
-Develop a clear municipal filming policy that welcomes appropriate production companies while considering residents, businesses, parking, traffic, accessibility, and the use of municipal resources while strengthening economic opportunities
Accessibility
I am committed to making this website and my campaign materials as accessible and inclusive as possible. I make every reasonable effort to follow recognized accessibility standards and to ensure that the information I provide can be accessed and understood by everyone.
If you encounter an accessibility barrier or require information or campaign materials in an alternative accessible format, please contact me at contact@jennifertovell.ca.
Your feedback is welcome and helps me continue to improve the accessibility of this website and my campaign.
Thank you