Pam Cooley
Dartmouth North

Time for a change in Dartmouth North! 

Pam is an accomplished leader with decades of experience driving social, economic, and environmental progress through her work in government, social enterprise, and community organizations.

A born and raised Nova Scotian, Pam has a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing Dartmouth North and is committed to ensuring a bright future for all its residents.

Pam currently serves as the Executive Director of the CSA Global Carsharing Association, where she champions urban shared mobility solutions that reduce car dependency and promote sustainable transportation. She provides global leadership on carsharing as a key piece of the transportation puzzle for modern cities.

Pam’s candidacy is driven by her lifelong commitment to liberal values, community service, her vision for a more sustainable, inclusive Nova Scotia, and her determination to fight for affordable housing, better transportation, the environment and economic opportunity for all. 

LEADERSHIP

Pam believes in the power of collaboration. The accomplishments and contributions listed here are the work of many hands, heads and hearts. Pam values listening, cultural respect, equity and collaborative decision-making. 

REDUCING TRAFFIC AND GHGs 
Executive Director, CSA Global Carsharing Association (2017–Present)

• Leads the global carsharing association supporting carsharing organizations to grow and solve problems.

Pioneering Co-Founder of CarShare Atlantic (2008–2019)

• Founded (with Peter Zimmer) and scaled the first carsharing service east of Montreal, growing from 9 to 90 vehicles and establishing carsharing as a new eco-conscious option in Nova Scotia. Sold to Communauto as they had more capacity to expand further and for members to use cars in their network of other cities.

Advisor for Regional Transportation and Urban Mobility

• As a senior strategic consultant, led best practice tours for Nova Scotia’s Public Works Minister and regional transportation officials, providing firsthand insight into transportation solutions in Ontario and Quebec.

• Strategic advisor to Moncton’s Environmental Planning Director, re-envisioning carsharing solutions for sustainable city mobility.

• Strategic advisor to Colorado Carshare to electrify Denver through carsharing EVs and infrastructure to underserved communities.

• Started the discussions in HRM with Jen Powley that led to the creation of the HRM “Integrated Mobility Plan”.

• Guest lecturer at Dalhousie’s School of Planning.

LOCAL BUSINESS AND FOOD SECURITY  
Advocate for Social Enterprise 

• As an Entrepreneur in Residence at Purppl, supported social enterprises in developing sustainable business practices that create positive economic, social, and environmental impacts.

• Created the “Social Purchasing Portal” with David LePage (now “Buy Social”).

• Worked with companies to elevate their social and environmental values to enrol people into buying from “good companies”—clients won “Ethics In Action” awards.

Advanced local food movement and supported the Vancouver Farmers Market as a Food Security Leader

• Transformed the Vancouver Farmers Market into a food security organization, contributing to the local food movement and increasing revenue from $600K to $6M in 12 years.

HOUSING POLICY AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING INNOVATION

• Advising the Downtown Eastside (DES) SRO Collaborative and the DES Land Trust in an acquisition project as a solution for stabilizing affordable housing for 1000 units.

• Advised Nova Scotia’s Ministry of Housing, sharing best practices for affordable housing to address local housing needs with innovative, sustainable models. Addressed issues of ways to mitigate evictions while redevelopment, ideas for multi-unit buildings for integration of affordable housing.

• Continuum of housing vision—Dartmouth North should have a continuum of housing options for people with different economic, social, and mental health circumstances.

• New ideas stabilizing rents through acquiring properties, collaborating with not-for-profit organizations, and taking properties off the “market” by utilizing various structures such as cooperatives and land trusts.

ENVIRONMENT

• Provided multi-sector engagement and strategic input on forestry legislation, aiding in the development of the NS Biodiversity Act.

• Started the discussions in HRM with Jen Powley (RIP) that led to the creation of the HRM “Integrated Mobility Plan”.

• Led consultations for the Real Estate Foundation of BC and Vancity Credit Union, aligning stakeholders to prioritize environmental sustainability in grant and fund allocations.

FIRST NATIONS AND RECONCILIATION
Human Rights Advocacy and Indigenous Support in Guatemala

• Founded a national organization supporting Indigenous Mayan refugees, assisting in their safe return to Guatemala and providing accompaniment for those acting as witnesses, promoting human rights over a 12-year involvement. See Breaking the Silence for ongoing actions.

Advised on policy and facilitation.

• Supported the Office of Aboriginal Affairs (2015–2021) in its collaborative “Made in NS” treaty process, fostering fisheries development with the Mi’kmaq Nation and promoting progressive government-Indigenous relations.

• Worked with the Mi’kmaq Nation’s fisheries department, facilitating workshops with traditional Chiefs to incorporate local knowledge into resource management.

• Volunteered with the Mi’kmaq native Friendship Centre to find the land and support the development of the new build at the old Red Cross building site.

Facilitated Cross-Sectoral Dialogues in Wild Salmon Fisheries

• Engaged Indigenous, recreational, and commercial fishers in British Columbia’s wild salmon fisheries, fostering collaborative quota-setting and conflict reduction among stakeholders.

MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTIONS

Leadership in Safe Injection Site Advocacy and Consultation

• Facilitated community engagement for Canada’s first Safe Injection Site in Vancouver, gaining public support for a pioneering harm-reduction initiative.

Volunteer and advocate with Moms Stop The Harm

• Raised funds and contribute to the ongoing advocacy to end substance use related stigma, harms, and death.

•  Lived experience—my son “Eli” died of a Fentanyl poisoning January 2020.

COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND ENGAGEMENT

Collaborative Urban Planning and Visioning in Vancouver

• Led a comprehensive community visioning process for Vancouver’s False Creek Flats, aligning neighborhood priorities with sustainable urban development plans.

International Cooperative Movement Promotion with Vancity Credit Union

• Led a Vancity delegation to Italy to study cooperative business models, strengthening cooperative principles and practices within the organization.