Ms. Bell is a Graduate of Ryerson University (Marketing/Management), George Brown College (International Trade) and York College (Finance).

She has worked for various companies in the financial services like CIBC, TD-Canada Trust, Bank of Montreal, Transamerica Life and more), retail, real estate, communications (FIDO, Cantel & more), customer service and restaurant industry. Other companies: Kraft, Nabisco Snack Foods, Toronto Star, Investors Group, Etobicoke Board of Education, WebCT, Business in Vancouver as well, she has lived and worked in British Columbia & The Cayman Islands. She is now a farmer developing a blueberry and raspberries farm North of Brampton.

OASES NEWS: Why are you interested to become a Mayor in the city of Brampton?

RESPECT. I would like to participate in government to improve services from government, cut wasteful spending and foster meaningful jobs creation in the City of Brampton.

OASES NEWS: As you are quite aware that the job is very demanding in nature how would you be able to cope?

I am looking for a challenging and meaningful role where I can make a significant impact and contribution to the City of Brampton. I am a health conscious person so I think attention to this area would be the key as well as participating in the social functions which would come with the role.

OASES NEWS: Recently you were invited to talk at Brampton Board of Trade debate in Oct. 9. How did you feel and how are you preparing for the coming debate?

The BBOT debate on October 4th caused some apprehension because there are many concerns to be addressed, infrastructure, development and planning growth, transit, social and health concerns, policing, education, transparency and accountability but in a limited amount of time and properly in under one minute as per the moderator.

OASES NEWS: Do you have the financial resources to fund this mayoral campaign?

The financial challenge is a concern. I’ve asked volunteers who go online to share the information via social media, word of mouth or passing on any brochures or newspaper articles about my campaign, but more important than that is for people to vote for a change. My website is www.jacquelinebell.net and it offers more details about my platform.

OASES NEWS: You are not popular like other contestants why?

I have participated in a number of debates with the other candidates and have received some media coverage, but with a restrictive advertising budget it is a challenge to make potential voters aware that they can vote for Jacqueline Bell. I have been using creative means to get the word out and do hope that that will create enough of a buzz to garner significant votes to win the mayoral seat at Brampton’s City Hall.

OASES NEWS: What are your first two priorities if elected as a Brampton Mayor?

A first priority is to work hand in hand with my colleagues and ensuring that we work expeditiously together to get service the needs of the tax payers who have put there trust in employing me to do a job so I would like to convey this first. Next I would assess the budget allocations to tackle some crucial social services, improve transit and health cares-wait times which seniors as well as youth do rely on daily. Additionally, I would begin execution on plans for health (mental health & disability supports), housing, jobs/ tourism (organize a team to begin creating proposals for the jungle/ botanical garden/ green house which will help create jobs, increase tourism and bring in revenues to keep tax levels lowered, as well as launching an incubator and contacting investors to encourage them to create business in Brampton I would scrutinize the budget to cut wasteful spending at city hall.

OASES NEWS: Do you think you have the experience to do this job? Having worked in a variety of industries I believe that my business experience makes me keenly prepared to do the job.

OASES NEWS: What would you like to change if elected?

There are several areas for concern. I would like to foster more entrepreneurial activity. We need people to create jobs which is the primary factor in wealth creation. 43% of Brampton’s population has a trade certificate or higher education so we do have the educated work force we simply need to foster the creativity and entrepreneurship of those individuals to create business which lead to more local jobs. Of course this drive to foster entrepreneurship goes hand-in-hand with seeking national and international investors to launch or expand their business in Brampton also leading to meaningful jobs creation.

I would like to change some aspects of the way we educate children. We need to teach French for bilingualism in the public schools starting in kindergarten. This may give these students a competitive advantage over the rest of the GTA in Ontario when competing for jobs and scholarships. It may also cause more companies to locate in Brampton because we are willing to make this shift and perhaps offer a better quality of life. Additionally in education I would like to see more entrepreneurship training being offered and investment education.

When we think of affordable housing it is not only for rentals we need to attract developers/ companies with innovative approaches to home ownership as well that could permit more, attractive homes under $300,000. Home ownership helps to foster wealth creation, and would help to lower Brampton’s 13% poverty rate. With the creation of a policy for basement suites Brampton would create needed safe affordable legal rental stock quickly and help alleviate the homelessness problem we now have.

Cutting wasteful spending would permit Brampton to put some money towards justice and health care service provides to in special needs areas ( health care, counseling services and other areas of key concern).

Because traffic congestion is an issue, creative means for more individuals to choose transit is necessary. Freezing transit fares, increasing service on several routes and extending the service times on several routes would increase rider-ship and send a message to insurers to lower rates as more people are willing to opt for transit use.

OASES NEWS: If you are not elected, what advice would you like to give to guide against future Mayoral election to allow those not financially strong to participate

The emergence of various persons who have determined to provide a synopsis of all candidates’ platforms so that voters are aware and informed is admirable and needed. I would tell a future candidate to stay abreast of the next election announcement start date, create some sort of wide appeal social media group or blog that can make your name visible. Start early, find a few friends who are genuine and would support you in your efforts.

OASES NEWS: Where do you see Brampton in the next four years in terms of development?

My Vision: Brampton is an internationally known City akin to Toronto.

Brampton “exploits” its “Flower City” and cultural diversity to attract more business and thousands more tourist year round (by creating a jungle/ botanical garden/ greenhouse - entertainment complex),

Brampton has more corporate business investments for better paying jobs creation,

A youth jobless rate less than 10%, more Black and Aboriginal youth have won academic, athletic or other awards and scholarships and none in jail, detention or suspended from school and the Canada Brampton Youth Corps is working/service as intended.

OASES NEWS: As a farmer, how would you impact other farmers if elected as a Mayor?

Farmers can help lower the gap in food insecurity in the City of Brampton -- Region of Peel.

The Ministry of Finance has a Community Food Program Donation Tax Credit; a creation of The Local Food Act 2013 which introduced a non-refundable income tax credit for farmers who donate agricultural products to community food programs in Ontario including food banks. It is a 25% credit based on the fair market value of the agricultural products donated and can be claimed on donation made on or after January 1, 2014. Although no one gives to receive. Publicizing the tax credit available to farmers who could donate but may have to travel many hours to offer their donations could make the trip a little easier. Also I would ensure that the food insecurity gap is proactively narrowed or eliminated in Brampton by establishing 4 x 4 gardens and mini orchards on school grounds to encourage students to participate in their food production. This will address poverty in Brampton city.

Food insecurity has been identified as a Brampton concern and one farm oriented way to address the concern is to offer some unused parcels of government lands to perhaps be used for a crop like hemp which offers excellent health benefits and is easy to grow.