Meet Kathleen

Experienced public leadership. Clear communication.

I am a Clarington parent, a professor and an elected school board trustee. In each role, my job is to understand complicated issues, listen to people who see them differently and help a group reach a decision.

I am running in Ward 2 because residents deserve a councillor who knows how public bodies work, takes the time to understand each issue and explains clearly what is happening and why.

Kathleen Flynn, candidate for Local Councillor in Clarington Ward 2

Elected public leadership · Clear communication

Public service

Experience that transfers to Council

What elected public service has taught me

Since I was elected in 2022, I have worked within a large public organization where decisions involve budgets, policy, competing priorities, public input, senior administration and other elected officials.

That experience has taught me to know the issue, ask the questions that get a group to the heart of it, listen to the people affected and find a practical way forward.

Those skills translate directly to municipal government, even though the responsibilities differ. A local councillor has to know what Council controls, when responsibility lies with the Region or Province, and how to build the relationships needed to move an issue forward.

Relationship-building in practice

As a school board trustee, I have worked across organizations and pushed for better transportation connections. In writing in January 2026, I raised concerns about transportation capacity for Clarington secondary students with the Mayor and Regional Councillors, and pointed to ways Durham Region Transit could serve students better. The Durham Region Transit Executive Committee referred the matter to staff for a response and further discussion.

I would work the same way on Council: find out who needs to be involved, use evidence to define the problem and build the relationships that get it solved.

Official committee record ↗

“I will not pretend to have every answer before I have listened and done the work. I will come prepared, ask the questions that matter, work with people to find a way forward, and keep residents informed about what is being decided and why.”Kathleen Flynn

Professional practice

Research and communication

Making complex information clear.

As a professor, I spend much of my working life researching, analyzing information and explaining complex material so that others can use it.

I bring the same habit to public service. Residents should not need to read hundreds of pages of staff reports to understand a major decision. A councillor should do that work, identify what matters, ask informed follow-up questions and communicate the result in plain language.

I also listen. Decisions are better when residents’ experience, professional expertise and different points of view come in early enough to shape the outcome.

Kathleen Flynn spending time outdoors with her children — Family life keeps local decisions grounded in everyday reality.

Rooted in the community

Grounded in everyday life in Clarington.

I am raising my family in Clarington. Like other local parents, I see how growth shows up in everyday routines: traffic, recreation, school capacity, public spaces and the services families rely on.

That keeps me focused on practical questions. Is the infrastructure ready? Is the service easy to use? Are residents getting clear information? Is the decision likely to work outside the Council chamber?

My approach

How I work

Four habits that will guide my work for Ward 2.

Prepared: I read the material and ask informed questions before I take a position.
Clear: I turn complicated information into plain language so residents can follow the issue.
Collaborative: I bring people with different views together and look for common ground.
Accountable: I explain what was decided, why it matters and what happens next.

Community support

Endorsed by

Two endorsements I am proud of, from two groups whose trust has to be earned.

Clarington Professional Fire Fighters Association, IAFF Local 3139

I grew up in a fire service family. These are the people who show up on the worst day of a resident’s life, and how fast they get there is decided years earlier at Council, in decisions about stations, staffing and training. I share their commitment to community safety and firefighter safety, and to consultation before decisions are made, not after.

Durham Region Labour Council

I am proud that working people trust how I make decisions. Council’s decisions about taxes, services, housing and transit land on everyone: families, seniors, people between jobs. I believe those decisions should be made with a clear understanding of what residents are facing, and with the people affected at the table.

Both endorsements say the same thing about how I work. I ask the people affected before I decide.

Check the record

Check my public record

Official KPR profile Review Kathleen’s background ↗Official election record See the 2022 results ↗

Next: the plan

See the questions I will bring to major Council decisions

Explore the priorities →