Mary Henein Thorn

Mary Henein Thorn,

Experienced Leader

Kitchener Regional Council

About Mary

Experience matters!

I have always been passionate about serving our community, and have worked hard to do so over the 42 years I have resided in the KW region.

As someone who holds and has held some high level decision making positions, I am qualified to represent the residents of Kitchener and assist in facilitating change in the region.

Proudly I am a nominee of the Rogers K-W Oktoberfest Woman of the Year 2022, VP Ontario Trillium Foundation, Kitchener Housing Board member and so much more.

For more information about my qualifications, please visit my Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/maryheneinthorn

2022 COMMUNITY

nEIGHBOURHOOD bbq

Housing Crisis

Important Regional Issues

ENVIRONMENT

Transportation

CRIME

Healthcare

Sustainable

Growth

Let me start by saying, Kitchener-Waterloo region is an amazing place to live. It’s clear that others have caught on to that as well, as we have seen an unprecedented growth over the last 5 years and we will continue to grow.

As amazing as it is, we have some difficult and big issues we need to deal with. We need people who have the experience, and who are willing to tackle those challenges head on to ensure the best outcomes for our region.

Just as an example, our region is expected to grow to almost 1,000,000 people by 2051. The trajectory of this growth means that we need to make sure we guide the regions growth with steady hand, making sure that we make sustainable decisions, and that we consider all of the residents who will be impacted. We have a lot to consider in the upcoming years!

Experience matters, especially in this election, this is a very important time for our region.

I have always been passionate about serving our community, and have worked hard to do so over the 42 years I have resided in the KW region. As someone who holds and has held some high level decision making positions, I am qualified to represent the residents of Kitchener and assist in facilitating change in the region. Proudly I am a nominee of the Rogers K-W Oktoberfest Woman of the Year 2022, VP Ontario Trillium Foundation, Kitchener Housing Board member and so much more. For more information about my qualifications, please visit my Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/maryheneinthorn

We have some very big challenges in the region. HOUSING (rough living), affordability, crime, addiction, healthcare (staffing), paramedic services, growth, development, transportation, reconciliation. diversity, seniors, Dr shortages, business, environment.........just to name a few.

My main focus however, is to advocate and put pressure on the federal and provincial government for funding so that we can support our affordable housing commitment in the region. We don't need to look far to see how much of a crisis this situation is. We have to be determined as a population to fix this issue. We talk a lot about it but we need to work harder to make a difference. We need to put serious pressure on the federal and provincial government to provide funding and support to irradicate this issue. I commend those who have stepped up from the private sector to make a positive contribution towards helping to solve this issue. We need to keep partnering with all sectors to resolve this issue.

I want to make sure that our public transit is accessible, affordable, and viable for our community.

You would be hard pressed not to notice the increase in crime in our region. Safety in our community is paramount.

Attracting doctors and healthcare workers to populate our growing hospitals, is something we cannot ignore. Our population is increasing and we are aging.

Working with our Indigenous partners and supporting diversity are all things that we need to continue to work on, inclusion and an open welcoming environment is important to our community.

I believe in transparency and public consultation, we are all in this together. Just look around! One of my favourite things about our community is the barn building mentality we have here. We are such kind friendly, warm people who make our region an amazing place to live. Our community is compassionate, and caring, a community I am proud to be a part of.

Please come out and vote on October 24. Your voice does count!