Have You Met…Tatiana Sutherland?

Tatiana Sutherland has a long family history here in Muskoka, despite moving here full time only five years ago. Tatiana grew up as a seasonal resident here, and is a member of multiple generations of families who clubbed together to collectively maintain and enjoy a piece of woodland property every summer.

Tatiana’s parents, who immigrated to Canada as children after their families were made refugees by the Second World War, have been leasing the same little plot of land for her whole life. When Tatiana and her husband were expecting their first baby and outgrew their tiny Toronto condo, they - like many - were completely priced out of the local housing market and wanted to raise their family in a small town, Bracebridge was a natural place to settle down.

Knowing only a few people in town, Tatiana rolled up her sleeves and got to work volunteering with local organizations, starting with the Bracebridge Public Library board. Realizing that there was a big gap in civic engagement for people in her age demographic, and that there were precious few people in local government with the same experience of needing a home at the same time prices were going up exponentially, Tatiana successfully ran as District and Town Councillor.

In Toronto, Tatiana had been the director for an international nonprofit that focuses on community organizing to help moderate and low-income people advocate with their elected officials for policies that create affordable housing.

Later, she worked for a Toronto city councillor, with a heavy focus on land use planning, development applications, and community responses. This led naturally to a heightened awareness of and interest in the ability of municipalities to impact the development of affordable housing through land use policy.

As a member of council, Tatiana has drawn on her decade of experience in planning and housing to serve on the Official Plan Review Steering Committee, the Committee of Adjustment, and the newly reconstituted Housing and Homeless Task Force 2.0.

When the Muskoka Community Land Trust requested that a District Councillor join the board of directors, Tatiana was a natural fit. Her community connections and housing experience are a welcome addition!