I grew up in a single-mother household in the south of England.My older sister inspired and supported me, and without her, I would not have pursued my education or a professional career. That career has spanned more than 30 years now.
As a child protection social worker, I’ve directly served children and families in need. As a manager and executive director at Pacific Centre Family Services Association (PCFSA) in Colwood, I built community supports and services for the most vulnerable in our community. Challenging, difficult, satisfying, fulfilling work in so many ways.
I was motivated to run in the 2017 election because I was dismayed by the cuts in services we had experienced across the West Shore and South Vancouver Island under the BC Liberals government. Again and again, I heard from local families who were working hard and struggling to get ahead.
My vision for the community is for no one to be left behind. I believe we can all support each other and make sure that we can all reach our potential. We need to have the services in place for people where and when they need them, like the Urgent Primary Care Centres in West Shore and Esquimalt.
We need good quality seniors care. We need to support the building of family-supporting jobs and increase access to opportunities through training and education. We urgently need to tackle climate change and reduce congestion that causes so many issues in our community.
In my just-completed first term, I worked to ensure investments in our communities that are improving the lives of citizens. These include two Urgent Primary Care Centres, child care spaces and subsidies saving parents millions of dollars, expansion of Royal Bay high school, affordable housing projects, pursuit of a post-secondary campus in the community, a new playground at Eagle View elementary school, and a vital regional food distribution hub in Esquimalt. There are also many other provincial programs that support families, like the elimination of MSP premiums.
I am particularly proud of the announcement of a Transition House for the West Shore. I’ve been advocating for it for many years, and now it is becoming a reality. I also worked with the Minister of Health to expand the “bubble” around the Vancouver Island Women’s Clinic in our community so that patients are not caused undue stress at an already stressful time.
In my role as Parliamentary Secretary for Gender Equity, we introduced Gender Based Analysis plus across the Public Service and beyond, ensuring that public funds and policies are analyzed through a lens of equity. The government also increased funding for gender-based violence services. Another indicator of success in tackling inequality was the 18% increase in the number of women appointed to serve on Public Boards. Earlier this year, the Province announced it is investing $10 million into sexual assault response services – a significant milestone.
If I am re-elected, I commit to continuing my work to build services, support the vulnerable and stimulate the economy. I will continue to advocate for:
- Health services and good care in the community
- Investments in education and support for our school communities
- Solutions to the local congestion and global climate crisis
- Family-supporting jobs and ensuring equal access for all
- Building on our pathway of reconciliation, and
- Ensuring that we sustain liveable and affordable communities and neighbourhoods.
Mitzi Dean
BC NDP candidate for Esquimalt-Metchosin
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