Cathy Curry

Now that COP26 is over…

CathyCurry — Sat, 06 Nov 2021 06:06:00 +0000

I feel for Greta Thunberg in her concern that the Conference of the Parties was, again, a lot of people talking. Indeed, talking is not enough. I do, however, feel that there was a different energy at COP26 that differentiates it from the ones that have come before. There is an urgency and, I think, a real recognition that we are in this together. The swiftness with which the world was able to manufacture COVID vaccines is evidence that we can work together and achieve results faster than ever before. As a kid, I loved the line from the Six Million Dollar Man series — “We can rebuild him!” As a parent, I loved Bob the Builder’s “We can fix it!” I think we have the technology, the ability to work together, and the urgency that is needed to reduce our carbon emissions and sequester it.

What does a system perspective really mean?

CathyCurry — Mon, 25 Oct 2021 00:50:00 +0000

Being a part of the Community Foundations of Canada Grants’ Committee and the Ottawa Community Foundation’s Grants’ Committee, I am inspired by the number of organizations that are formed and committed to making the world a better place for others in need. I am also aware, however, that many organizations are trying to do the same things other organizations are trying to do and are not able to spend time seeking out partners and collaborators. I believe that our granting organizations, who have a unique view point, have an opportunity to bring organizations together. The possibility of true needle movement on social indicators that have remained steady for so many years could come to fruition with the thought leadership provided by our granting organizations and the City of Ottawa.

Why do you want to do this, Cathy?

CathyCurry — Wed, 22 Sep 2021 05:56:00 +0000

When former City Councillor, Jenna Sudds, was successful in being elected as a Member of Canada’s Parliament, a number of colleagues, friends, neighbours and Kanata residents reached out to me to ask me if I would consider filling the now-vacant Ward 4 spot on Council. I didn’t consider it at first as I quite enjoy the life I have right now—teaching occasionally, serving on many of our city’s impactful boards and gradually working on my Masters of Arts in Counselling Psychology online. However, I thought about it longer and, given the encouragement of the people whose opinions I respect, I decided that I could and I would. Given that I only take the required courses for my program when it fits into my schedule, I have a flexible end date for the degree I am taking. (I plan to be a psychotherapist for children and youth sometime in the next 5-10 years.) Frankly, most people in my family live to be 100, so I have always tried to plan my life on that 100-year time line. So, I can do this now. And, given the decades I have chosen to serve my community in so many different capacities, my experience would make me an excellent candidate. Moreover, I feel that even with only 11 months remaining in the term, I feel that I could bring the concerns of Kanata North residents to the table as I did as a school trustee and Chair of the OCDSB. Meaningful consultation for me meant meeting with all of Kanata’s school council chairs and community associations once a month. I looked forward to doing that again.

A shot in the arm…

CathyCurry — Tue, 14 Sep 2021 06:08:00 +0000

I am so proud (and I brag to my mother in Scarborough regularly) that Ottawa has one of the highest percentage of vaccinated citizens in all of Canada. Hearing regular updates at the Caldwell Family Centre board meetings that Ottawa Community Housing staff were going door-to-door with Ottawa Public Health staff to vaccinate people right at their front doors made me even more proud to live in this city. My four children and I were all front-line workers throughout the pandemic, working in long-term care, schools, camps, restaurants, and grocery stores. We were as careful as we could possibly be, but counted down the days to get both of our vaccinations. I look forward to the day where we no longer have to wear masks (so hard to hear people!), but I am also happy to do my part to prevent any further waves as variants change.