Shona Dion is a photographer, community builder and labour activist. In her North Jubilee neighbourhood she is a member of her neighbourhood association with the goal to increase community engagement and neighbourhood resiliency. She recognizes that community is often messy which requires a desire to work collaboratively in order to build consensus.

As a working mother, her role as a benefit plan trustee, job steward, and executive councilor, give her the skills to think collectively, responsibly, and with fiduciary oversight. Shona believes her governance education, communications training and negotiating experience, position her as a bridge between community and labour.

The dive into municipal politics arises from a place of recognizing the need for community-led strategies to bring people together that tackle the poly-crises that our city is facing. Shona wants to restore agency to communities and uplift those who are already doing the work.

In her free time, Shona donates her photographic lens and creative eye to community groups interested in social justice, inclusion and the environmental projects. “Community members are the experts in their neighbourhoods. If I can share skills-based creative expressions, it is one avenue to come together in joy and advocacy”. As the former owner of a small photography company, she feels it helps to keep the creative skills relevant while engaging in community activities.