Our Federal Candidate – Debborah Donnelly
Posted on March 11th, 2010
Respect is at the core of Debborah Donnelly’s life’s work. Whether as a Naval Officer representing Canada overseas for over a decade, as an archaeologist working on culturally sensitive projects, or as an emergency management professional on the front lines of crisis, this value has always guided Debborah’s actions.
Not surprisingly, respect is also the reason behind Debborah’s candidacy for the Green Party of Canada. “I’m running for the Green Party because it is a different kind of party that is value-based and has a type of leadership that is reflective of its member base,” she says. “At its centre, the Green Party is about a holistic respect for all people and the planet.”
In order to convey this respect, and to earn it from voters, Debborah Donnelly does what she has always done. She dedicates enormous amounts of time and energy to getting the job done.
As an advocate for women’s rights, Debborah has fought for her right to work in any environment, whether at sea as a Naval Officer or in the desert as an archaeologist excavating alongside local people. She is a woman of action who is willing to set an example in the hopes of helping others find their voice. In March 2010, Debborah’s hard work on women’s rights was recognized with an appointment to the Green Party’s Shadow Cabinet, with the portfolio of Status of Women.
Debborah also stands up for better democratic governance through year-round canvassing and community meetings. As she often notes, “I’m not only interested in the electorate when an election is called. As a candidate in St. Paul’s, I always want to know more about the issues at the forefront of voters’ minds.”
As an environmentalist, Debborah has stood up for her beliefs through determined advocacy and education. She believes that living a green life and leaving a better world behind is done through action, not just words. Debborah grew up in pristine northern British Columbia and witnessed the destruction of clear-cutting. She saw the oceans transform in a decade from a bountiful expanse of beauty to a dump-ground with huge dead zones. “When you have witnessed such dramatic change, how can one possibly ignore it?”
Of course, all work and no play can get tiring. Debborah loves all kinds of art. To unwind she takes photographs and enjoys painting, she makes jewellery and avidly pursues education. She also loves to walk and bike along Toronto paths and parks.
Debborah is confident that the more people hear the Green message, the more they will support her drive for positive change. “I have spent a great deal of my life travelling and working overseas, and it has made me see how privileged we are in Canada,” she says. “We have an opportunity to step up and do the Canadian thing…what we have been known for…helping others and setting an international standard for compassion and professionalism.”
To contact or follow Debborah Donnelly, please visit the following pages:
debborah.donnelly@greenparty.ca
