Kara's Photo Gallery

Perhaps the most enjoyable part of being a National Councillor has been the chance to travel all around our great province and meet our dedicated and engaging party members. I have special memories of my “Northern Ontario Tour” in July and August of 2007.

I don’t usually think of taking photos when I’m out and about, unfortunately. So, though there aren’t a lot of pictures for me to share, here is a sampling of some of the ones I thought to snap or was lucky enough to have someone take for me.

On two occasions, I’ve been able to introduce some of my family members to our Prime Minister. During this last campaign, at a “whistle stop” visit in Etobicoke, my niece Madelyn became a photo-op. She was totally unfazed—went right to the Prime Minister and didn’t even blink at the flashbulbs. My sister shot this photo; others could be found online accompanying an article. Also shown in this photo is my niece Abbey, who first met Stephen Harper when he was still Leader of the Opposition. When she told about it at school, many of her friends didn’t believe her! When the Prime Minister heard this, he insisted we have a photo this time.

Our Prime Minister receives me at his Hill Office. It has been an honour to support him!

The Hon. Rob Nicholson is an excellent role model for any politician. Here we are at his riding’s 2008 barbecue.

Good thing I really like hot dogs...but this classy Niagara Falls EDA event in the summer of 2008 served up roasted chicken! Here I am addressing the crowd—a good turnout isn’t really a surprise given they have the Hon. Rob Nicholson as their MP!

I always enjoy chatting with our MPs’ spouses and children, and Arlene and Christine Nicholson didn’t disappoint. What a lovely family.

A discovery on a northern road trip...

My “Northern Ontario Tour” in the summer of 2007 brought me to many airports which look nothing like Pearson. Snapping a shot of the “gateway” was the way to begin my time there.

I went to and through Thunder Bay several times.

Another moment of my 2007 “Northern Tour” brought me to North Bay and the AGM of the Nipissing—Timiskaming EDA. Here I’m posing with the then-EDA president, Gordan Ross Rennie.

Summer 2007: It’s easy to win all the ladies’ prizes when you’re the only women in the tournament... The Halton EDA has worked so hard and finally got blue representation back with the last election. Well done!

May 2007: One thing I know is that Senator Consiglio Di Nino is a very hard worker and always has time for the party faithful. When I accompanied Jilian Saweczko, our candidate from Parkdale—High Park (2008) to Ottawa, he received us in his East block office.

Posing here for a moment behind Senator Con Di Nino in Sir John A Macdonald’s chair (!!!) are Jilian, Mary Mathie, and Maureen Cassidy.

Of course we had to take turns trying it out...

Just me in PM Macdonald’s chair.

Another outreach initiative in October 2006 was well-attended by activists, candidates, and elected Conservatives. And I’m...not looking in the right direction!

John Yuen and I had a chance to chat at the Chinese Canadian Conservative Association event in May 2006.

A shot of me and the late Ying Hope at a Chinese Canadian Conservative Association event in May, 2006.

Eric Wen is one of our EDA presidents and a great outreach worker. Here we’re enjoying the Chinese Canadian Conservative Association event in May 2006.

Wendy Guo, Dana Zhang and I often find ourselves together at events in the GTA, especially outreach events.


I was lucky enough to get out to Senator Gerry St. Germain’s barbecue in BC in the summer of 2006 and Minister Lunn and I had a chance to chat.

In the 2006 campaign Rona Ambrose came out to a fundraising event for Peter Conroy, our candidate in Beaches—East York. Another “souvenir-only” quality photo from Kara...

Although it LOOKS like I’m singing karaoke, I’m just giving the EDA members of Kitchener—Conestoga an update on our National Council doings in March, 2006.

A smart thing to do, for many reasons, when you go to visit a riding, is to bring along a travelling companion. Among other things, they think to take photos of you! Check out the beautiful setting of this EDA event in Lanark—Frontenac—Lennox and Addington—in October, no less! of 2005. Scott Reid, MP, and I are all about croquet at this point.

Here Scott and I take a crash course in the rules of the game...

Keep in mind, we’re just looking to develop, not perfect, technique...

Scott prepares to make the rounds with the rice krispie squares and I tote the timbits, just in case.

My cell phone camera isn’t good for much, but—when I remembered to use it—did give me nice souvenirs. Here I’m with Joe Preston, MP from Elgin—Middlesex—London at an event in Toronto, September ’05.

Way back when...CPC Convention 2005!

Here’s a shot from way back at the 2005 convention. I remember feeling like I was almost going to pass out during the speeches from the lack of air in that crowded room. But it was a great all-candidates’ meeting!

Marian Awad and I meeting delegates in 2005.

Here we are, some of the “Kara!” 2005 team—they were great!