Leah Geddes
Candidate For Lyell
About
My connection to South Algonquin began around 2005 when my parents purchased All Star Resort. Work took me across Ontario and Alberta, but Madawaska kept drawing me back. What makes this place special to me is not only the landscape, but the relationship between the land and the people who live, work, visit, and volunteer here.
My background includes business, major construction, field coordination, quality control, deep foundations, occupational health and safety, organizational leadership, communications, and volunteer infrastructure. I’ve learned how to take an idea, turn it into a plan, and help move that plan into real work.
Why I'm Running
Keeping South Algonquin the way we love it doesn’t mean standing still.
It means planning ahead so our seniors can stay close to home. So our kids can imagine building a life here. So families can find housing. So businesses can find workers. So our schools have students. So our natural environment remains an asset worth protecting. And so growth happens thoughtfully instead of simply happening to us.
I don’t want to change South Algonquin into somewhere else. I want to make sure the next generation still has a South Algonquin to call home.
I believe we can do that by building on what we already have. By filling the gaps where we can. By working together and building stronger partnerships. And by creating new opportunities while holding on to the things that make South Algonquin the place we love.
Key Priorities
Housing That Lets People Stay
Create more attainable, accessible, and appropriately sized housing so seniors can remain close to home and younger families have a realistic opportunity to stay in South Algonquin.
Forestry, Stewardship & Local Value
Explore responsible ways to keep more economic value from our forest resources in the community while protecting habitat, watersheds, native species, and forest health.
Trails, Tourism & Local Business
Connect recreation infrastructure with accommodations, restaurants, fuel, shops, events, and neighbouring communities so visitors can spend more locally and residents benefit from stronger amenities.
Better Municipal Follow-Through
Make it easier for residents to understand decisions, know who is responsible for the next step, and receive clear updates on what happened afterward.
Experience & Community Involvment
- Secured $200,000 in trail funding in a single season
- Completed a Business Executive Program
- Worked with Ledcor on major construction projects
- Experience with The Bow and Alberta Oil Sands projects
- Worked in quality control and field operations
- Qualified as a National Construction Safety Officer
- Managed health and safety programs serving 300+ employees
- Studied Occupational Health & Safety at Fanshawe
- Vice President of the Opeongo Snowbirds
- District 6 Executive Board Representative
- Experience with trail and bridge work
- Coordinated volunteers and sponsor relationships
- Worked on public communications and infrastructure planning
- Experience with grant work and regional representation
- Served on the South Algonquin economic development commitee
Where I Stand
I believe good municipal decisions should solve more than one problem whenever possible. Housing, forestry, tourism, local business, infrastructure, and community growth are connected, and council should look at the bigger picture when making decisions.
Keep People Close to Home
Explore housing, seniors’ services, and supportive-living options that reflect the reality of South Algonquin’s geography.
Keep More Local Value Here
Investigate realistic opportunities to turn forestry byproducts and residual fibre into new local economic activity.
Protect the Landscape That Supports Us
Treat biodiversity, watersheds, habitat, recreation, and responsible forestry as connected parts of our long-term future.
Ask Better Questions
Before spending public money, ask where it is going, who benefits, whether other funding exists, who we can partner with, and what the long-term impact will be.
Follow Things Through
Give decisions an owner, a timeline, and a clear update. If something cannot be done, explain why rather than letting it disappear after a meeting.