RUBY CAMPBELL 

Ruby (she/her/hers) is a noted community leader who brings extensive experience in intergovernmental relations and community organizing. She works at Simon Fraser University as Director of Advancement & Alumni Engagement for the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. In previous roles with the City of New Westminster, Ruby built partnership agreements that funded projects such as Westminster Pier Park, Sapperton Park Playground, Century House enhancements, the Sapperton Sewer Water Separation work, and numerous arts and cultural programs. Ruby currently serves on the boards of Fraserside Community Services, Massey Theatre, and the New Westminster Police Board.

Ruby believes we need to prioritize affordability, especially secure housing for working families, marginalized communities and people with complex care needs. She advocates for fairness, and access to public spaces, recreational space, transportation, food systems, facilities and amenities for everyone.

Ruby lives in Sapperton with her husband Jason, their teenager, and their dog Coco.

CHINU DAS 

Chinu Das (she/her/hers) was elected to City Council in 2018, after spending over 30 years dedicated to families in New Westminster. Chinu was born in India, where she completed her Bachelor and Master's Degree before coming to UBC to complete a PhD in Community and Regional Planning.

While raising her family in the Moody Park neighborhood, Chinu filled many volunteer roles, leading the PAC at her kids' school and as team manager for many soccer, lacrosse and hockey teams. She lobbied for the rebuilding of Moody Park Kiwanis pool, a new high school and a welcome centre for newcomers. She went on to serve families as Community School Coordinator at Lord Kelvin Elementary, as Manager of Multicultural Services and as Planner of Strategic Priorities at United Way. 

On City Council Chinu has chaired the Land Use Planning Committee, Seniors Advisory Committee and Multiculturalism Committee. She is a strong voice for seniors, newcomers, children and families across New Westminster. 

TASHA HENDERSON 

Tasha (she/her/hers) is proud to be raising her young family in New Westminster, and hopes to help hold the door open for other families and for those who want to be able to stay in our community.

Throughout her career, she has worked on and managed complex projects alongside non-governmental agencies, Indigenous communities, and local municipalities - tackling issues like poverty, housing and equitable policy development. Now she hopes to take that experience to the council table.

Tasha believes cities are often underestimated in their ability to make a large impact, and she looks forward to serving as part of a team that believes in the power of local community.

BEREKET KEBEDE 

Bereket Kebede (he/him/his) is a community organizer who has lived in New Westminster for the past seven years. He was born and raised in Ethiopia and currently lives in the historic neighborhood of Queensborough with his wife and children. Bereket is a strong advocate for public transit as vital to urban growth and environmental sustainability. 

He is the former president of the Ethiopian Community Association of BC, the former director of the Co-op Community Radio, and the Executive Director of the Ethiopian House Project. He also serves on the African Canadian Soccer and Cultural Association board and the Chartered Professional Accountants of BC board. Bereket is excited about promoting New Westminster’s rich cultural diversity and beautiful parks. One of his favorite places is the perimeter trail of Queensborough, where he and his wife enjoy evening strolls.

JAIMIE MCEVOY

Jaimie McEvoy (he/him/his) is an incumbent city councillor who lives in the Ginger Drive/Victoria Hill neighborhood. This past term he has prioritized affordable housing, responding to the pandemic, and climate change.

Jaimie believes in a smart and compassionate city that addresses its challenges with thoughtfulness and caring. Jaimie hopes to be re-elected to continue the work of building a compassionate and revitalized city. A city that supports affordable housing, including for those who need it most. A city that continues to prevent renovictions and demovictions. A city that works to end homelessness.

Jaimie wants to continue to revitalize New Westminster. Alive, active, diverse, green, a city for everyone.

NADINE NAKAGAWA

Nadine Nakagawa (she/her/hers) is an award-winning organizer and activist who has served one term on New Westminster City Council.

She is known in the community for her passion for affordable housing, reconciliation, public spaces, and public engagement. Nadine owns a consulting company and also coordinates a campaign school focused on underrepresented people running in local elections.

Nadine lives in the Brow of the Hill neighbourhood with her cats Bill and Moo. She is a creative writer, curls at the Royal City Curling Club, and is trying to learn more about local plant life.

MARC ANDRES 

Marc (he/him/his) is a New Westminster resident and teaches high school English with Surrey Schools where he also coaches sports, and is involved in curriculum design and development.

Marc is a teacher mentor who is passionate about the impact of public education on the lives of children, youth and their communities. He hopes to bring the perspective of someone who takes part in hundreds of student and teacher interactions every day.

Marc is also a journeyman Red Seal carpenter, and would like to see investment in trades and apprenticeship training in schools. Giving teachers the tools and training to support the rollout of the new mandate on Indigenous graduation requirements is important to him.

Marc, his wife and their young daughter live in the Brow of the Hill neighborhood. At family drop-in sessions or out at neighbourhood parks, he loves to learn from other parents and see his child making connections from the youngest age.

DEE BEATTIE 

Dee (she/her/hers) is seeking re-election to the New Westminster School Board to continue her longtime work speaking up for kids. As a foster parent and former learning tutor, Beattie is passionate about the needs of students whose needs may be harder to see. She has served as vice-chair of the School District and represented the District to BCPSEA and BCSTA. Dee worked for 25 years as an education assistant, and brings a deep understanding of the student experience.

Dee is known for her quiet dedication to supporting those most in need. She looks forward to working on school capital construction to fit our growing community, increasing childcare spaces for families and creating an inclusive environment that supports students.

Dee is a longtime Sapperton resident and serves on the board of the Sapperton Residents Association. She and her husband Ron are proud parents, grandparents, and foster parents. Dee is a founding member and past president of the Education Assistants of B.C. Society.

GURVEEN DHALIWAL

Gurveen is seeking re-election to the New Westminster School Board to build on the success of this past term, including: building schools, increasing childcare spaces, and transforming the student experience through meaningful investments in the teaching and learning environment. She looks forward to the opportunity to continue to innovate and grow to better support New West students and their families.

She is passionate about mental health and inclusion in the school community. Gurveen is an active member of the Queensborough community, and if you see her walking the Port Royal trail with her 13-year old Corgi Roy, say hi.

Gurveen was first elected to the New Westminster School Board in 2018 and she is currently serving her second year as Board Chair. She is known by her colleagues as a collaborative, open and honest communicator who works to empower and support those around her.

MAYA RUSSELL

Maya (she/her) is a current School Trustee in New Westminster who has worked to advance the needs of working families, students with diverse learning needs & disabilities, and to promote respect & fairness for all District employees. She has supported the District’s work on Indigenous education, a comprehensive Inclusive Education review and three-year implementation plan, the Access for All policy and is a strong supporter of 2SLGBTQ youth.

Maya believes every child’s human right to public education must be protected and that it is important to maintain the highest confidence in public education. Maya works for a mental health non-profit organization leading community engagement.

She is an active parent volunteer with New Westminster Salmonbellies Minor Lacrosse and can often be found at Queens Park Arena. She loves to get away to the soil at the family farm on Barnston Island. She & her husband David live in Sapperton with their three kids and their dog, Sirius Black.

ELLIOTT SLINN 

Elliott Slinn (he/him/his) was named New Westminster’s fifth (and youngest) Poet Laureate in June 2021, actively beginning his tenure in August.

Slinn was born and raised in the Queen’s Park neighbourhood of New Westminster and still resides in the Royal City today.

His passion for both the Arts and Education, have led him to work in schools such as Lord Kelvin Elementary, F.W Howay and Douglas College.

Slinn’s passion for the written word and community engagement is what has led him to run for the New Westminster School Board.

He wants to empower the youth and champion both education and the arts.

CHERYL SLUIS

Cheryl (she/her/hers) moved to New Westminster from Winnipeg about six years ago, and experienced being welcomed with open arms by the community. She hopes to apply her expertise in project management, strategic planning, and program evaluation to continue to strengthen New Westminster’s public schools. Priorities for Cheryl are infrastructure and resources to meet the needs of our growing city and welcoming classrooms for all.

In her professional life, Cheryl leads project work for an organization that supports people with disabilities. Cheryl brings a deep commitment to social, economic, and environmental justice and reconciliation and believes strongly in removing barriers that prevent people from participating and fully contributing to society.

Cheryl and her partner Debra, and their two school aged kids live in Sapperton. She enjoys running, walking their dog, Romeo, and camping throughout British Columbia. Cheryl is an active volunteer at her kids’ schools and sports teams, and a not-for-profit board member.