February 14, 2023

Toronto Chapter Candidate Statements and Voting Information 2023-2025 Term


The following positions received a single a nomination and will be acclaimed and begin to hold these positions at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) March 14th, 2023.

Chair: Dianna English
Co Vice-Chair (male): Lee Strickland
Treasurer: Celia Campbell
Secretary: Colleen Mahaffie
Member-at-Large - York Region: Post Ballot Vacancy
Member-at-Large - Durham Region: Lucia Lloyd

There is competition for the Six Members at Large positions and the ballot will only contain those positions.

Electronic Ballots will be emailed February 14th, 2023.

Voting closes and ballots must be submitted by March 14th, 2023, 7:00 p.m. - 24 hours prior to the AGM.

There were no nominations for a Co-Vice Chair of a different gender to the acclaimed male Co-Vice Chair. This gender balance requirement is in line with the Charter of Democratic Party Committee Abroad and Democratic National Committee. The Nominations and Elections Committee will accept nominations from the floor and conduct an election and voting for this position will take place at the AGM for this position. 

There was a post ballot withdrawal creating a vacant Member-at-Large position which will also be filled at the meeting.

The Nominations and Elections Committee sends well wishes and gratitude to all the candidates! We are available to be at your service by emailing [email protected]


Julia Buchanan
Janette McCabe
Ed Ungar
Tim Ellis
Allenna Leonard

 

Candidate Statements for the 2023-2025 Term

Chair: Dianna English

Democrats Abroad has been a vital community for all of us over the few last years. I joined the Toronto Chapter after moving here in 2019, eager to make a meaningful contribution to the 2020 election. After a decade in public service, including at the U.S. Department of State and the Obama White House, I needed to be part of moving a progressive agenda forward in the United States. Democrats Abroad Toronto became my home and family in this effort. As the Toronto Chair and the Communications Officer for Canada, I’ve been grateful for the opportunity to contribute and get to know Democrats Abroad members in our Chapter, and across Canada.

We have an incredible opportunity here in Toronto. Our Chapter has more members than most Country Committees across the globe. Through the challenges of the last few years, we have been strong sources of support for each other. We made an incredible contribution to the 2020 Presidential election, the 2022 Midterm elections, and led Canada’s campaign to engage voters for the Georgia runoff that re-elected Senator Warnock. As we look to 2024, I want to continue this spirit, increase in-person gatherings, broaden outreach, and recruit new members with an emphasis on diversity.

I look forward to getting to know those of you I haven’t yet met. I am excited to work together to win in 2024!

 

Co Vice-Chair (male): Lee Strickland 


I was born and raised in Western PA to a Republican family in a Republican community. I was a Republican until the 2008 when I changed my registration to Independent and voted for Obama. When DJT entered the fray for President in 2016, I changed my registration to Democrat, voted for Hillary Clinton, and vowed to never vote for a Republican again
I have been residing in Toronto, Canada for over 17 years (my wife, Joy, is Canadian) and I now have dual US/Canadian Citizenship. I am politically active and voted regularly as an absentee voter in PA ever since coming to Canada.
I am a retired Architect having focused primarily on P3 Hospitals since coming to Canada in 2005. My responsibilities were as a Senior Project Director, where I coordinated the design and contract administration of several major hospitals with the Owner, Consultants and the Contractor.
As one who is deeply concerned about the future of Democracy in the US, I want to do whatever I can to protect it from Republican Autocracy. I believe my skills developed as a project director will help Democrats Abroad achieve that end.