Crystal Warner enters Maple Ridge school trustee race

Crystal Warner has entered the race for a Maple Ridge school board trustee position. The Maple Ridge resident describes herself as a community organizer, labour leader and advocate for strong public services, and says she wants to focus on student success, working families, inclusion, accountability and community engagement.

Warner is advocating for publicly funded, publicly accountable before- and after-school child care operated by the school district. She said Maple Ridge could expand existing child-care access without waiting years to build new facilities, and that fewer transitions can be especially important for students with diverse abilities.

Warner studied law and human rights at Carleton University and completed postgraduate studies at the University of Chile. She worked on Parliament Hill and later at the Immigration and Refugee Board in Vancouver, and served as national executive vice-president of the Canada Employment and Immigration Union.

Five trustees are elected for Maple Ridge and two for Pitt Meadows in each four-year election cycle. Municipal election day is Saturday, Oct. 17.