Community

Having grown up and lived in Nova Scotia all of my life I have lived in Mill Village Queens County Nova Scotia over 24 years.

My husband and I own and operate Millennium Gardens and Farm, which is a small Farm and Garden centre. We offer farm fresh produce and meats as well as offering the experience of growing and living on a small farmstead.

For much of my 24 years in Mill Village Queens County I have been an active community member and volunteer.

I currently serve as a Member of the Mill Village Ladies Auxiliary in support of the Mill Village Volunteer Fire Department. The Ladies Auxiliary supports the local Fire Department by way of fundraising events, and organizing behind the members who offer their time to the safety of Community. Funds raised through the Auxiliary go towards the operational, training and equipment needs of the Fire Department.

I serve as a proud member of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #38, supporting and honouring our past members of the Canadian Forces.

I was a Past president of the Home Support Workers Union Local 3885. In my capacity as President I supported and advocated for the Members of Local 3885, helping to negotiate a first working contract with the Employer and the Local membership.

For three years I sat on the Region of Queens Areas Planning Advisory Committee. My role included representing the communities, their values, and expectations around planning and land use, assisting with the Region’s goal of a county- wide planning and by-law strategy.

I have volunteered and participated over the years in many Community events and non-profit organizations. Bringing enthusiasm, commitment and dedication while serving the communities of the Region of Queens.

Experience

I ran in a Municipal Election in 1998 for the position of District Councillor, having not been successful I still pursued my interests in volunteering and working in the Communities.

In 2003 I ran for the first time Provincially, coming in second to the incumbent. I was elected as the MLA for Queens in the 2006 Provincial election, becoming the first female and first New Democratic representative to be elected in over 53 years. I was re-elected in the Provincial election of June, 2009.
 
I currently serve as Caucus Chair and I am Ministerial Assistant to the Minister of Transportation & Infrastructure Renewal. As well I serve on several Government Caucus Committees; Jobs and the Economy, Policy and Priorities, and the Standing Committee on Economic Development.

In 2005 to 2006 I worked with Forth Generation Capital and the Scotian Windfield network. My role involved organizing and networking with community groups and Government exploring opportunities for the development of renewable wind energy.

In 2003 until 2005 I worked as a Rural Outreach Assistant for the NDP Caucus. In my capacity as Outreach Assistant I assisted in organizing, collecting and disseminating information on Government policy and data collection for a large geographic area in the South Western and Southern ends of the Province.

Prior to 2003 I was employed as a Residential Counselor with Queens Association for Supportive Living for two years and for 8 years I worked as a Home Support Worker with Region of Queens Home Support. In both of these positions, I provided personal care, and assisted the elderly and people with physical and mental challenges with their day- to-day living needs in their home environments. I provided guidance, assistance, compassion and care to both Clients and their families.

From 1992 to 1996 I owned a small incorporated company – Natural Goodness Food Products Limited- developing an all natural frozen food product- while the company was not successful I learned a wealth of information and experiences, from developing business and market plans, scoping out equipment and food production lines, product and package development, negotiating partnerships, financing and Government funding as well as acquiring safe food handling, production and quality standards and small business experience.

As well as my working experience during that time I also served as;

- Former President of the Sou' Wester Windfield Board
- Former community consultant with the Medway River Historical Society
- Former committee member with the Medway Area Community Association

Family

My husband Scott and I live in Mill Village, Queens County Nova Scotia, and have three children, Mark, Kelsey and Nick.

www.vickiconrad.ca