Goderich Council Candidate: Liz Petrie

By: Kate Smith

Current councillor Liz Petrie is running for Goderich Council for a second term in this upcoming municipal election.

A proud wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, sister, sister-in-law, fierce and loyal friend, Petrie is a retired Primary Care Paramedic who loved her 35-year career serving Huron County when people were having their worst days.

Now, Petrie is a part-time professor at Fanshawe College teaching in the Health Sciences Department and says she is proud to call Goderich her home.

Running for a second term, Petrie says she believes there is still work to be done in our community.

“Over the past four years, I have learned a great deal about what it means to sit at the council table,” explained Petrie.

“Municipal government is not always simple, but I believe I have proven that I am open and transparent with my communication of the issues that I present to the residents of town.”

Over the past four years, Petrie has remained committed to keeping the residents informed and she says she wants to continue to do that in this next term.

Petrie believes education, information and facts are key to building a community.

As most will know, Petrie is currently serving the Town of Goderich residents on the present council. Her first term has been a huge learning curve, yet Petrie is grateful for the opportunity to grow her knowledge.

“In this time of being a councillor, I have met many colleagues from across this great country that helped me learn that we are all alike but different,” Petrie remarked.

“Because of these connections that were made, I joined the Women of Ontario Say NO to advocate for government legislation to hold municipal-elected politicians accountable for violence and harassment.”

Petrie is also an advocate for the Elect Respect campaign to bring civility and respect to the public square. 

Over the years, Petrie has served on many boards and in many positions to help grow and serve the community. That includes the Goderich Fire Committee Board, Chair Town of Goderich Bicentennial Committee, Council Representative Huron Health Systems Board (former), Goderich Free Little Pantry, Morse Memorial March (Mental Health Awareness for Veterans and First Responders), Executive Member Ladies Auxiliary to Branch 109, and DART team organizer for December Vigil.

Petrie says she would volunteer wherever she is needed in the community.

“Having experience sitting at the council table I believe is an asset for this election campaign. I am a team player that has a strong work ethic,” Petrie stressed.

“I am dedicated to the position and our community. I have provided open communications and have responded to any concerns when they have been presented to me. I do the research. I don't always have or know the answers, but I will and I have found the answers. I also realize that I am one vote and one voice at the table.” 

Decisions that have come before Petrie at the council table have rarely come with an answer that will please everyone.

She says she works within the legislation, budgets, limited resources and competing priorities, all while trying to make decisions that will serve not only the community that exists today, but the community council is committed to building for tomorrow and beyond.

“As I look forward to serving in this next term, I want to talk not only about what we need to accomplish, but about how we govern while doing it,” added Petrie.

For her that begins with three words: Honesty, Respect and Kindness.

Honesty with how our monies is spent, what projects are necessary, and are they more needs than wants.

Respect for the residents who entrust council with this responsibility. Respect for those who disagree with council. Respect for town staff and for one another around the council table.

Kindness in how council speaks to and about the people with whom they share this community. Petrie believes council should govern by listening.

“You do the work, you get the facts, you make the best decision you can with the information before you,” Petrie said.

“You own that decision and you keep working. I will go into the second term the same way I did in my first, as a team player that listens, cares, and acts with no personal agenda.”

Each candidate was presented with the same interview questions. What is presented in these profiles, is a result of the responses received.