Even the darkest night will end and the sun will rise

Even the darkest night will end and the sun will rise
By Deidre Newman, Whitby Councillor, West Ward
 "Even the darkest night will end and the sun will rise." Victor Hugo
As the world battles the evolving global pandemic, people respond. Families seek refuge in their homes.   Business owners struggle to survive closed doors. Health Care workers serve without rest. Teachers, tested to the limit, rely on their adaptability Youth, without close embrace, become technologically savvy. Seniors, facing isolation, meet family through closed windows. Governments confront the pandemic with best efforts to provide the vaccine in an efficient, safe and equitable process to protect life and return hope.  We are in a unique time as we search within ourselves for compassion, resilience and strength to counterbalance the feelings of distress, anger and fear.  Through this experience, we embrace life as a sacred gift and reflect on our past to support life in the present and for the future.
The Past
"To restore light, the past unites the present reality with future dreams" My first memory at the age of 5 was placing an election sign for my father on the front lawn of a neighbour.   My father was elected as the Mayor of Whitby at 34.  For a decade, he served as Mayor and oversaw the amalgamation of the Town and Township of Whitby-Brooklin, the formation of Durham Region and service as President of the then Canadian Federation of Mayors and Municipalities.  Our family was immersed in the community and I was inspired by him.  I received a Bachelor of Science from the University of Toronto, a Law degree from Queen's University and a Certificate for French study from the University of Paris. As a young lawyer, I worked at a Toronto law firm, as a Policy Advisor with the Government of Ontario, Ministry of Natural Resource on Freedom of  Information and Privacy legislation and  as a Counsel for law students instructing on  legal skills at the University of Toronto Student Legal Aid Clinic. As an experienced lawyer, I have served vulnerable people, through my own law practice in Whitby, focusing on family law in all of its facets with the intersecting aspects of criminal law. As a volunteer, I have been a fitness instructor for many years at the Toronto YMCA and have run more than fifteen marathons including the Boston Marathon. In 2018, I entered public service as the elected West Whitby Councillor to serve people by seeking to achieve a balance between the Town's rich heritage past and a dynamically growing Town in the present and future.
The Present
"In the midst of darkness, light persists."  Mahatma Gandhi General Governance during a State of Emergency In March 2020, the Town of Whitby declared a State of Local Emergency following the States of Emergency declared at the Regional, Provincial and National level. On April 7, 2021, the Province of Ontario declared a third State of Emergency and a Stay-at -Home Order. Since March 2020, as a Whitby Councillor, I have participated, without interruption, on policy, planning, operational and capital decisions at Town Council meetings (conducted virtually), working with health care and government partners to protect the health, safety and essential service delivery to the community.
Health and Well-Being
"What hurts you, blesses you." Rumi During the pandemic, there have been opportunities to support the health and well-being of people in our community.
As a Whitby Councillor, I have acted:
- to support Health Care Workers at Lakeridge Health Whitby  by donating many masks at a time when masks were scarce and creating and delivering gift baskets with gifts  donated from local businesses;
- to celebrate Health Care Workers at Ontario Shores and Lakeridge Health Whitby by delivering art and flowers and participating in a vehicle parade to express thanks;
-to honour Health Care Workers in Long Term Care facilities in West Whitby including Amica Whitby, the Village of Taunton Mills, Lynde Creek Manor and VIVA-Whitby Shores by delivering Art and flowers to express thanks;
- to empower Youth as the Mayor's designate on Youth Council with the initiation of Whitby Youth Day and by mentoring and supporting Youth events including the delivery of gift boxes from the Town for student graduates;
- to support Seniors by responding to individual requests for support; and
- to encourage All to enjoy Art at The Station Gallery (virtually) and outdoor fitness by running along the Whitby waterfront.
Food Security
During the pandemic, there have been opportunities to provide food to families in need in our community.  As a Whitby Councillor, I have acted:
- to support Caremongers Whitby initiated by Niki Lundquist by volunteering and donating food for food drives, delivering hot meals to families, donating gift cards to youth, collecting foodbank donations from All Saints Catholic Students and volunteering for a bottle drive to raise money for continued kind deeds;
- to support the Salvation Army Whitby Food Bank, St. Andrew's Presbyterian Food Bank, Kendalwood Food Bank and St. Vincent de Paul Society by contributing food and monetary donations;
- to support Meals on Wheels organized by Community Care Durham by delivering hot meals;
- to support the Brock House Food Frenzy hosted by The Rotary Club of Whitby; and
- to support Feed the Need Durham by donating trays of soup for the Durham Crusader U13 hockey players' I Play for Soup initiative.
Business Recovery
During the pandemic, there have been opportunities to support businesses in our community. 
Whitby Council has endorsed Whitby's Economic Development Recovery Plan to the end of 2021 with a long-term Economic Development Strategy to follow. The Durham Region Economic Task Force has provided a collaborative approach to achieve the shared goal of economic recovery and access to information on business supports from all levels of government. 
As a Whitby Councillor, I have acted:
- to meet more than thirty small business owners in Whitby (following safety protocols) to present a Town of Whitby Business Kit and conduct a survey to understand the impact of the pandemic;
- to shop local; and - to respond to individual business owner inquiries as requested and provide support  through the Town's Economic Development Department.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
During the pandemic, there have been important opportunities to support diversity, equity and inclusion in our community. Focused work is required to enhance education, understanding and systemic change as our community grows.
As a Whitby Councillor, I have acted:
- to address justice issues as a member of the Regional Community Action Group on Anti-Black and Systemic Racism; - to participate in the Peaceful March for Justice; - to honour through remarks the Durham Community Action Group at their AGM; and - to speak on Justice and Anti-Black and Systemic Racism for the Whitby Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Committee.
"When you take the first step into the darkness, you must believe that there will be something solid for you to stand on or from which to fly and see the edge of light." Patrick Overton  Have faith dear World.  The sunlight will come.