ELECT Michael O'Flaherty for City of Kenora Council.

I have been a year-round resident of Kenora for 27 years, and a seasonal resident for a lifetime. I grew up on Lake of the Woods and have been a property owner on Coney Island for over 35 years. My family arrived in Kenora in the early 1900's. Through numerous generations we have contributed in many ways. My family roots include a community founder, railroader, Geologist, QC lawyer, Museum board chair, business owners, teachers, nurses and administrators. We have service in our DNA.

This is the foundation of why I am running for Council. I have contributed to several organizations throughout my career in several industries and volunteer organizations. I have been a member of the Lake of the Woods Investment Corporation (LOWBIC) Board of Directors and Timmins Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors. I volunteered as an executive member of Professional Engineers Ontario, Lake of the Woods Chapter and as a result was named a Fellow of Engineers Canada.

I was appointed to the Lake of the Woods Control Board as a director and served for two terms. I contributed to the Common Ground Initiative resulting in the transfer of the Tunnel Island and Old Fort Island properties to a combination of 3 local First Nations and the City of Kenora. I was also a founding member of the Coney Island Music Festival over its first 15 years.

I currently work as an Engineering Consultant to a number of companies operating in Northern Ontario primarily in mineral development, I hold a board position on a publicly traded mineral development company and provide assistance to the Kenogamisis Investment Corporation, a First Nations corporation I helped form to maximize economic benefit from the Greenstone Gold Mine in Geraldton.

I have assisted in funding, permitting, planning and construction of many multi million-dollar projects in the Mining, Lumber, and Pulp and Paper industries, as well as several Industrial, Commercial and Institutional developments for a multitude of clients. I believe in collaboration where contribution is respected and expected.

While I have a skillset in demand throughout North America, I work exclusively in Northern Ontario to develop this economy, and want to offer this expertise to the electorate of Kenora. I am a husband to Cheryl, a father to two boys, a son and a brother to many siblings. My lifelong activities include hockey, hunting, fishing and playing in a classic rock band.