Meet Loralea
Background
Loralea Carruthers has represented constituents in East Gwillimbury since 2003, first as Public School Board Trustee and, since 2018, as Councillor for East Gwillimbury Ward One.
Degrees
BACHELOR of ARTS:
University of Toronto (UofT) – Political Science Major, French Minor
MASTER of EDUCATION:
University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT)
Certificate Programs
Recent Courses
EXECUTIVE CERTIFICATE in CONFLICT MANAGEMENT:
University of Windsor Faculty of Law
JEWELLERY DESIGN FUNDAMENTALS PROGRAM:
George Brown College (4/6 courses complete)
BOARDROOM FINANCIAL ESSENTIALS:
Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD)
PRACTICAL ETHICS FOR WORKING MEDIATORS:
ADR Institute of Ontario
CLIMATE LEADERSHIP:
Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM)
MUNICIPAL FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT:
Association of Municipal Managers, Clerks and Treasurers of Ontario (AMCTO)
INDIGENOUS CANADA:
University of Alberta
Education
Education has always been central to Loralea’s commitment to public service. She believes education not only builds knowledge but also develops the critical thinking, sound judgment, and lifelong curiosity needed to make informed decisions.
Work as a Councillor
During her first term on Council, Loralea served as Council liaison to several Town committees, including the Environmental Advisory Committee. She established the Town’s first Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Committee and the Holland Landing Community Group. She also served as Chair of the Town’s Community Infrastructure and Environmental Services department, now Engineering and Public Works.
During the current term of Council, Loralea continued to take on key leadership and liaison roles. She served as Chair of the Town’s Corporate Services department and as Council Liaison to several Town committees, including the Active Transportation and Trails Committee. She also established the Town’s first Youth Advisory Committee and returned to serve as a trustee on the Library Board, reprising a role she held before joining Council.
Loralea has also stepped up to serve as Acting Mayor on multiple occasions, providing steady leadership and support when called upon.
Loralea's Work with School Boards
During her time with the York Region District School Board, Loralea served for many years as the Board’s Budget Chair, overseeing budgets in excess of $1.5 billion. In 2016, she stepped up and was elected Chair of the Board. Under her leadership, the Board worked aggressively to address equity concerns and improve public accountability. She was widely praised for helping put the Board back on track, including receiving a Human Rights Award from the National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM) for her leadership.
She is also a former Vice-President of the Ontario Public School Boards' Association, where she served as the Association’s spokesperson and advocated directly with the Ministry of Education for students across Ontario. As Vice-President of OPBSA, she led contract negotiations with educational unions representing all Ontario public school boards at the table.
Outside Elected Office
Loralea is an environmental and consumer advocate. She worked on behalf of new homeowners through the Tarion New Home Warranty Board, serving as a Director and Chair of the Consumer Committee during a critical period when Tarion’s dispute resolution and mediation practices were being formally reviewed and enhanced.
Prior to entering politics, Loralea was an advertising executive, handling multi-million-dollar accounts as a media supervisor, manager, and lead negotiator for major clients.
As a trained mediator, Loralea has received an Executive Certificate in Conflict Management from the University of Windsor Faculty of Law and became an approved member of the Alternative Dispute Resolution Institute of Ontario. She is well versed in dispute resolution, having spent almost two decades mediating issues on behalf of constituents, as well as having a strong background in negotiations – both with Provincial Teachers’ Unions and in the field of Advertising.