2025 Election: Meet the Candidates

Ward 1: Nampa, Peace River, Red Earth Creek

Ward 1 Electoral Boundary Map

Ward 2: Peace River, rural Peace River, Three Creeks

Ward 2 Electoral Boundary Map

Wanda Laurin: Ward 2

What positive, student-centered ideas do you have for moving Peace River School Division forward in its vision of student success in the next four years?

My goals (just a few starters):

  • Support moving the Canadian "National School Food Program" forward and seeing healthy and local food coming into our schools, with enhanced nutrition and food literacy as party of our school food policy.
  • Use alternative energy technology as a tool to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions in our schools
  • Increased community engagement and education of our students through mentorship by local experts
  • Increased engagement of teachers in the mentorship of our new teachers. 

What do you feel are the most important qualities you bring to the role of a school trustee?

  • Former School Board Trustee with the Francophone School Board for six years
  • Elected to Town of Peace River council for a period of three years
  • Member of the Peace River NDP association provincially and federally.
  • Between 1995-2008: Chairperson of the Recycling Society. During this time the Peace Regional Eco Centre came to fruition.
  • 2008, 2009, 2012: Organized Alternative Energy Trade Fairs and Information sessions to bring solar, wind and biomass ideas to the Peace Region.
  • 2009: Joined the Peace Energy Cooperative to be a part of the installation at Bear Mountain Wind farm in Dawson Creek.
  • 2017-Present: Chairperson of Alberta Food Matters, working with the coalition for Healthy School Food and the National School Food Program as it rolls out.
  • 2016-Present: Volunteer Coordinator at the Peace River Soup Kitchen
  • Currently working with Peace Energy Cooperative on a Five Megawatt Solar Project near Peace River.

What other information do you want people to know about you? 

I am a retired elementary teacher and I taught for over 30 years in the Peace River School Division. I have been married to my husband, Paul, for 36 years and I have lived in Peace River for 37 years. I have three terrific, bilingual daughters and nine amazing grandchildren, with another one on the way! Ren the dog runs the house with Mojo, his sidekick. 

Favourite quote: Margaret Mead says it very aptly - "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world, indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."

Ward 3: Weberville, Dixonville, Deadwood, Manning, Hawk Hills

Ward 3 Electoral Boundary Map

Ward 4: Peace River, rural Peace River, Grimshaw, Shaftesbury

Ward 4 Electoral Boundary Map

Ward 5: Grimshaw, rural Grimshaw, rural Fairview, Berwyn, Brownvale, Whitelaw, Bluesky, Deer Hills

Ward 5 Electoral Boundary Map

Ward 6: Fairview, rural Fairview

Ward 6 Electoral Boundary Map

David Rushton: Ward 6 (*incumbent)

A smiling man with a long white beard and glasses points to a green chalkboard that reads: "Ask yourself... 'Is it good for kids?'"

What positive, student-centered ideas do you have for moving Peace River School Division forward in its vision of student success in the next four years?

I would like to continue to advocate for a mechanism to allow students and staff to be heard and give them a seat at the table when decisions are being made that affect them.

What do you feel are the most important qualities you bring to the role of a school trustee?

I am a hard working, honest and empathetic person with experience in PRSD's facility and transportation departments.  I have also worked in the classroom and have served on the Board for 2 years.  I have been associated with PRSD since 2009.

What other information do you want people to know about you? 

I have 3 children and 4 grandchildren who have graduated through the public school system in Fairview and I have always supported public education.

Ward 7: Hines Creek, rural Hines Creek, Bear Canyon, Cleardale, Clear Hills

Ward 7 Electoral Boundary Map