A Bracebridge woman, mother, and local small business manager is set to throw her hat in the ring for District Council in the 2022 municipal election.
Tatiana Sutherland, 40, currently sits on the Bracebridge Public Library Board as one of its youngest members and wants to see more representation for parents of school-aged children and mid-career, working mothers at the local government table. She hopes that getting involved in local politics will encourage engagement from younger families and busy parents on issues that impact them every day.
“Muskoka is such a wonderful place to live, work and raise a family,” says Sutherland, who manages a local website development and marketing firm. “It’s important that we have representation at both District and Town Council by someone who can speak personally to issues impacting families with young kids, and I want to be that voice.”
Sutherland says she knows the pandemic has taken its toll on the small business community and has presented specific challenges for parents who have juggled both work and raising children in a climate wrought with uncertainty.
“My family has fought hard during the pandemic to keep income coming in while managing a toddler, helping elderly parents, and coping with the struggles of managing a small business during really tough times,” explains Sutherland. “It made me increasingly certain we need to work together to continue to make Bracebridge, and all of Muskoka, a thriving, supportive and affordable place for families to live and grow. I offer a unique perspective as a working mom, of which there are few on Town and District Council.”
Issues such as affordable housing, access to childcare, and good-paying jobs for families to thrive and survive in our community are priorities for Sutherland, and she’s attracting the attention of others who feel the same way.
“I support Tatiana and look forward to her working to finding solutions to issues many of us are dealing with everyday,” says Kasandra Bois, local business owner of Muskoka Boutique. “It’s also important to have women and parents of young children better represented in local decision-making.”
Sutherland will be registering as a candidate in May with the elections taking place in October. She looks forward to discussing what’s important to residents and getting their feedback over the coming months.