Please call me Jillian. If formality is needed then Dr. Foster. I grew up on farms on the Northumberland Strait, and went to veterinary college (OVC’88) to serve the farming community I belonged to. I am proud to say I have four independent adult children and five grandchildren.

Participatory democracy: I ran as a candidate during COVID lockdowns in the 2020 municipal and 2021 federal elections to give neighbours who wanted to vote for a true alternative to the status quo the option to do so.

Ecological Stewardship and Food Activism: In 2012 I left my veterinary practice, realizing that what I was doing as a veterinarian for local farms was not addressing the major impediments to farm success after the mad cow crisis of 2003. My efforts to garner support earned me the label “food activist”. In 1901, Nova Scotia had 10 times the cattle per capita and a metabolically healthier population compared to today. The decline of nutritious food produced on North Shore farms coincides with a decline in our economy and wellbeing, and with becoming one of the most metabolically unhealthy areas in Canada. I live in hope that local governments will encourage and support long term investment in farms employing sustainable and regenerative practices, to the benefit of our environment, economy and heath for generations to come.

Hobbies: #thinkfoodtoo. I have a keen interest in how food plays a role in human and animal health. What time I spend away from “work’ is often finding the food fit for many questions including integrative health. Whenever I can I try to appreciate the beauty of our natural environment. Occasionally I take time to attend events celebrating local talent or sports.