In their words

Excerpts from statements shared during my campaign for Stittsville Ward 6, describing people’s experiences working with me through community events, local organizations and professional roles.

Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to share their experiences.

Glen Gower

Councillor

I’ve known her for a decade. She is an extremely hard worker and she’s shown up time and time again for her neighbours and for the broader Stittsville community.

Janet Stavinga

Former Ottawa City Councillor and Mayor of Goulbourn Township

Chelsea knows our community and its growth pressures. She understands how to navigate City Hall and to advocate for our needs amongst the many competing priorities across the City.

Martine Dore

Former manager, Gender based violence shelter

I have known Chelsea for over a decade, being first introduced to her when she came to join the team at a local Gender-Based Violence Shelter for women and children. From the moment I met Chelsea, I was struck by her professionalism, her caring, and her deep commitment to values of equity and integrity.

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Chelsea exemplifies a commitment to expanding her knowledge of systems navigation in her community to provide the best service to the clients and community she serves. Chelsea utilizes excellent problem solving skills and makes sound decisions.

True character is not found when things are going well, but when things are not going well. I have witnessed Chelsea in profoundly challenging circumstances and admire her calm presence in those times, her grace, as well as her ability to view the "larger picture".

Nancy Fennell

Neighbour

I met Chelsea when she moved onto the street. She is an incredible communicator and I knew from the start that she was a person who got things done.

Aside from working full time, there was always an event that she was organizing for charity or to enrich the community and you always wanted to be part of it.

Chelsea Giffen

Community Leader

I’ve had the pleasure of working alongside Chelsea at a number of volunteer events over the last 8 years, and I’ve seen firsthand how dedicated she is to our Stittsville community. She is hard-working, empathetic, and effective… and whenever there’s a call to step up for our community, Chelsea is there to answer it.

Amy Hammett

Easter Egg Hunt Volunteer

I first met Chelsea when I helped her organize the Crossing Bridge Easter Egg Hunt, and I remember being impressed by how naturally and inclusively she brought people together. Since then I’ve been struck by how many other ways she is involved and improving our community.

Kavisha & Ankur

Local Business Owners, 613 In Focus

As a local business owner, what matters to us is who was there from day one, not just May 1.

Yan Liu

Community Volunteer

Our connection began this April, when my son, Liam Liu, organized his second annual Lemonade Stand to raise funds for an SPG4 cure in support of his hockey teammate and good friend, Jack Laidlaw. Chelsea and her family came to our lemonade stand, bought lemonade, made a generous donation, and took the time to learn more about what we were trying to accomplish.

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What really impressed me was that Chelsea didn’t simply offer her support and leave. She asked how she could help, shared thoughtful and constructive ideas about how we could grow our fundraising efforts, and continued to stay involved.

Later, when we ran into some challenges while organizing a Porch Concert as the finale of our Lemonade Stand fundraiser, Chelsea stepped in and helped us communicate and coordinate with the different parties involved. With her help, we were able to work through those challenges and successfully hold the Porch Concert right on our driveway. It became a wonderful ending to our fundraising campaign, and in just one evening, we raised more than $4,000 toward finding a cure for SPG4.

Josh Peeters

Local Realtor, Foley Peeters Home Team

I have known Chelsea for about 10 years, having first met her through her husband, Scott, whom I played softball with. As a local realtor, giving back to the community through local events is very important to me. Over the years, I realized that Chelsea shares those same core values and commitment to our neighborhood.

After partnering with her on several community events, I saw firsthand how organized, driven, and collaborative she is. She made working together seamless and fun.

Libbie Quesnel

ECE, Retired

I first met Chelsea 12 years ago when she was a young parent, new to Stittsville. She brought her toddler to the Stittsville Cooperative Nursery School where I was a teacher. I got to know her very well, having the pleasure of teaching 2 of her lovely young daughters!

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During that time, Chelsea served on the Board at SCNS, and was a valuable and dedicated team member-always ready to help. She was involved in fundraising and organizing events as well as supporting the development of school policies.

Over the years, I have seen Chelsea and her family grow into our Stittsville community. Whenever I attend a local event, whether it’s Remembrance Day, a Christmas market or the Coldest Night of the Year, just to name a few, Chelsea is always there! I am always so impressed by her commitment to community endeavours and fundraising events in our neighbourhood.

The statements above are excerpts, not complete letters.