Long-time community volunteer and public servant Christine Dawood has announced she will run for the Ward 1 council seat in the upcoming municipal election.
Dawood, who moved to Rockland in 2019, says her decision to seek elected office is rooted in a lifelong commitment to public service and community involvement. Since settling in the city with her husband, she has become actively involved in local initiatives, supported area businesses, and volunteered on projects aimed at improving the quality of life for residents.
“I quickly fell in love with the community and its residents,” Dawood said. “I care deeply about this city and want to help ensure that Ward 1 residents have a strong voice as Clarence-Rockland continues to grow.”
Dawood brings a diverse professional background to the race. She began her career in the federal public service with Human Resources Development Canada in 2001 before launching her own business in 2002. For more than two decades, she provided French-language instruction and helped federal public servants prepare for Second Language Evaluation examinations.
Following the pandemic, Dawood decided to pursue a new path and enrolled at the Ontario College of Homeopathic Medicine, where she is currently completing her clinical training. She also operates Empowered by Homeopathy, a blog dedicated to health education, wellness, and personal empowerment.
Throughout her career, Dawood says her focus has remained consistent: helping people learn, grow, and achieve their goals.
Her interest in politics and public service dates back nearly three decades. Since 1997, she has volunteered in local, provincial, and federal election campaigns and has worked to encourage civic engagement and participation in the democratic process.
Locally, Dawood served on the City of Clarence-Rockland’s Accessibility Committee, including a term as Vice-Chair. One of the projects she says she is most proud of was helping organize and carry out the municipality’s Accessibility Audit, which involved assessing parks, community centres, public buildings, fire stations, and local landmarks throughout the city.
The experience provided her with what she describes as a firsthand understanding of both the strengths and challenges facing residents across Clarence-Rockland.
If elected, Dawood says her platform will focus on three key priorities: transportation, environmental protection, and community support.
On transportation, she believes improvements are needed to better connect Clarence-Rockland with Ottawa, where many residents travel for work, education, healthcare, and other services.
She also wants to focus on protecting the municipality’s natural environment, including farmland, forests, waterways, and green spaces, while ensuring future growth remains responsible and sustainable.
Supporting residents of all ages is another major component of her platform. Dawood says she wants to continue promoting accessibility and inclusion while supporting both active seniors and the growing number of young families choosing to call Rockland home.
Above all, Dawood says she wants to be a representative who listens.
“As Councillor, I hope to take the time to hear residents’ concerns, understand what matters most to them, and represent their interests at Council,” she said.
The upcoming municipal election will determine who will represent Ward 1 residents on Clarence-Rockland City Council for the next term.