LINDA COOK A-
Regional Councillor Linda Cook, representing Ward 2, was elected in October 2022. She is an advocate for equity and inclusion, with a background in community volunteerism and a professional career in marketing and design for a data center company. Her platform focuses on affordability, environmental protection, and responsible growth. She is a vocal participant in city council proceedings and a supporter of the mayor.
Subject Grades
- Community Engagement & Service: A
Performance: Councillor Cook has a strong track record of community involvement before and during her time on council. She has been a competitive coach with the Special Olympics, a volunteer at the Royal Canadian Legion, and was a past president of the Pickering East Shore Community Association (PESCA). Her work has been recognized with a City of Pickering Volunteer of the Year Award. She has also openly shared her experiences as a mother to a child with special needs and advocates for accessibility.
Evidence: Received the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee award in 2022 and the City of Pickering Volunteer of the Year Award in 2020. Her platform includes a commitment to creating more accessible playgrounds and recreation spaces. She also coaches a speed skating team.
Room for Improvement: Her dedication to community engagement is clear and stands as a key strength.
- Urban Planning & Responsible Growth: B
Performance: Councillor Cook has a platform that directly addresses key planning issues. She is a proponent of “responsible development practices” that include infrastructure planning and affordable housing. She has advocated for using revenue from the Pickering Casino to fund necessary repairs and infrastructure projects. Her background in infrastructure and construction design provides a professional perspective on these issues. She is a strong advocate for a Lobbyist Registry to improve accountability.
Evidence: She was proactive in her role with PESCA in lobbying for environmental protections related to a specific development project. Her platform emphasizes the need for thoughtful density and less gridlock as Pickering grows.
Room for Improvement: Continued focus on balancing residential development with the preservation of green spaces and community character will be vital.
- Governance & Council Relations: C
Performance: As a member of the majority on council, Councillor Cook has been a vocal supporter of Mayor Ashe and has openly criticized the behavior of a fellow councillor, calling their allegations “slanderous.” She co-signed a statement denouncing a colleague for appearing on a podcast and has supported the mayor in moving council meetings online for safety reasons. While she has defended these actions as necessary, they contribute to the public perception of conflict and disunity at City Hall.
Evidence: She stated in an email that a criminal harassment complaint against a fellow councillor was a “joint investigation filing from all the [five] members of council.” She is on record saying that “everyone on council is done with your behaviour” in an email to a colleague.
Room for Improvement: To improve her grade, she would need to demonstrate a greater capacity for de-escalating conflict and fostering a more collaborative council environment. The continued public disputes undermine the council’s overall effectiveness.
Notes
Councillor Cook is a dedicated public servant with a history of community activism and a clear vision for the city’s future. Her professional background and personal experiences provide a strong foundation for her work on council. However, her strong allegiance to the current council majority and her direct involvement in the highly-publicized conflict has made her a key figure in the governance issues plaguing the city. While her commitment to safety is clear, her role in the conflict is a significant detractor. A move toward a more constructive and less divisive approach to council relations would elevate her performance.
