10/07/2026
In the aftermath of Lionel’s accident, it became painfully apparent that many changes are needed to help keep families safe on our waters. The list is far too long to share here, but for the past year, our family has been working with all levels of government to push for meaningful change.
I’m sharing this today because I could never have done this without the incredible support of our community and, importantly, local elected officials who have listened, taken action, and stood beside us.
As it is Election Day, and if you are still on the fence about who to vote for, I feel compelled to name a few people who have truly come through for our family. I am sharing this based entirely on our family’s personal experience working with them over the past year.
City Councillor Lisa Dominato has gone above and beyond. She personally connected me with elected officials at every level of government who could help address the issues we were raising. She has consistently backed our concerns and, most importantly, she has taken action.
She went so far as to take our cause to Ottawa, where she and Mayor Sim met with Federal Minister of Transport Steve MacKinnon on behalf of our family.
Within days, we were meeting with senior federal regulatory officials who listened to our concerns and proposals. Those conversations have led to work toward changes to the regulatory framework under the Canada Shipping Act that could help make our waters safer for families.
Councillor Lisa Muri of the District of North Vancouver has also been an incredible advocate for us at the local level. She has been relentless in bringing people and organizations together and pushing for practical changes on our local waters.
She has worked with the Port Authority, neighbouring municipalities, the Tsleil-Waututh Nation, the RCMP, Search and Rescue, and others to address the issues we have been raising—including the need for appropriate speed limits on our local waters and increased police presence on the water.
What has meant so much to me is not just the work itself, but the passion Lisa Muri has shown for this issue. She understands that this is about real families, real children and preventing another family from experiencing what ours has.
For a mother who lost her 10-year-old son in a completely preventable tragedy, knowing that Lionel’s death may help prevent another family from experiencing this kind of loss means everything to me.
I am deeply grateful to Lisa Dominato, Mayor Sim and Lisa Muri for listening to us, standing beside us, and helping turn our grief into action.
I am sharing this today not to tell anyone how they should vote, but because I believe strongly in recognizing people who show up when it matters.
To Lisa, Lisa and Mayor Sim: thank you for showing up for our family and for our community.
