For Rebecca Foord, who has a degree in political studies and has proved herself as a strong community leader, joining the councillor race was a very natural step.
Foord has been watching the previous council working hard to help Estevan overcome the existing and upcoming economic obstacles, and she wants to try to help find solutions to make "Estevan a place for everyone to call home."
Foord is currently working as a business manager at the family's gravel company Foord Trucking in Macoun.
This is the first time for Foord to join a political race, but she believes that what she may lack in experience in being on council, she covers with her experience in being on local boards through sports and the community. Her experience also includes several political projects she was involved with while working on Parliament Hill when she was in Ottawa for three years achieving her degree, which she completed at the University of Saskatchewan.
Foord's family has been deeply involved with politics through the years, which also enhances the new candidate's skills and knowledge.
"I grew up with a lot of very good role models in my family, and my parents were both very involved in the community that we lived in Estevan and Macoun. And I was taught that if you want a change, you have to put in work to see the change."
Foord went to high school in Estevan and made the Energy City her home after coming back from university.
She commended the previous council for progressing on several capital projects including the water intake switch-over, the new fire hall and the beginning of works on the extension of the police station. She also praised the council for focusing on debt reduction and for providing transparency to their work at all levels.
Foord believes that to be successful in finding solutions to the problems, council needs diversity.
"Council needs a very good mix of people from all walks of life, and I think I'm going to bring the younger perspective to the table. Being 29 years old and living in this community, I have the ability to be relatable to people of my age (group) … I want people of my age (group) to stay in the community, live here and grow their families and careers and truly enjoy making this place their home."
She also plans to focus on finding ways to bring new businesses to the city, ensure that there are enough recreational opportunities and continue with economic development projects. Foord also plans to push for more sidewalks for Estevan.
