District 12 includes Beechville, Lakeside, Timberlea, Wedgewood and Clayton Park
Janet has an undergraduate degree from St. Francis Xavier University and a Master of Public Administration from Dalhousie University. She started her post MPA career as Chief Financial Officer with the Guysborough County District School Board and then quickly moved to Ottawa to work with the federal public service. Janet returned to Nova Scotia in the 1990s to work in both regional economic and international business development and then spent many years as an Executive with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. Janet’s most recent position being Atlantic Regional Director. A key responsibility included ongoing communications with industry stakeholders to ensure program and services responded to the needs of the Atlantic industry.
Janet is active in the community serving on the boards of the Maskwa and Halifax Trojans Aquatic Clubs. In addition, she is a member of the 100 Women Who Care Halifax and Saint Benedict Parish. Janet is a volunteer in the English Language Learner Program at the Keshen Goodman Library and has led the federal government United Way Campaigns in both Halifax and Truro. In addition, while living in Truro from 1991-1999, Janet served on the Cobequid Regional Health Board.
Janet and her husband, Charlie Steele, have raised their four children in District 12. Janet is an avid runner and the proud owner of Tucker and Joey, the family’s two doodles.
Janet’s Commitment to District 12:
1. Improved safety: Many residential streets have excessive speeding creating danger for other drivers, cyclers, walkers and rollers. As an avid runner and walker, I see a great deal of dangerous and unlawful driving practices that need to be addressed with a multi-faceted approach including a greater police presence, traffic lights, cross walks with lights, well placed stop signs, traffic calming and finally, other measures such as reducing the speed limit on high traffic streets and using temporary speed displays. A key component of safety is more education for drivers and pedestrians.
2. Enhanced communication and transparency with residents: I believe that residents must receive timely responses to their calls, emails and texts. In addition, residents must be regularly updated by on key developments in their districts. It is important that residents receive information using the mechanisms they prefer including through networks, focus groups, advisory councils, newsletters, email, townhalls, roundtables and where appropriate, one-on-one in-person meetings and discussions.
3. Sustainable development: Halifax is experiencing a period of rapid growth. One of my priorities would be working to ensure the necessary infrastructure is in place to support development including roads, adequate parking and the critical importance of access to natural spaces to support wellness. I intend to champion the proposed Blue Mountain Birch Cove Lakes Urban Wilderness Park. I will advocate for reliable and accessible transit including the addition of more park and ride sites and the expansion of the Halifax transit airport service. Finally, I will be vigilant to ensure that there are no changes to the height and width of the Otter Lake landfill as prescribed by the provincial legislation. (Bill 176, May 2016)
