Karen Vecchio, Today by Peri Hayes Former MP, Karen Vecchio, details her gravitation to the political field: “I was introduced to politics at a very young age, growing up in a family that was deeply engaged in public service. My parents, grandparents and extended family played a role in shaping my early understanding of politics and community involvement. I remember my cousin, Luella Watson, running for the Progressive Conservative Party under Jean Charest in 1997, and I was influenced by my father-in-law’s role as a City Councillor. I grew up watching leaders such as John Wise, Marietta Roberts and Steve Peters, whose dedication to service left a lasting impression on me.” “I grew up in Sparta and while I have always been proud to call Elgin County ‘home’, St. Thomas has played a pivotal role in shaping who I am.” Karen’s time spent on sports teams, student council and being involved in the vibrant community of Parkside Collegiate Institute developed her sense of con- nection, leadership and responsibility -- which she proceeded to deeply value throughout her career. Passionate about female empowerment, Karen shares that as an MP, she further uncovered the ways in which women are “lost in the system”. With that, she feels particularly fulfilled by Keira’s Law, Bill C-233 – modifying the courts’ approach to domestic violence. “It was imperative that we got that done,” Karen insists. “My time as a Member of Parliament was driven by the people I served and the relationships I built through that work,” Karen reflects. “At its core, being an MP is about service — listening, finding solutions and ensuring people feel heard. I carried that responsibility with dedication, always focused on serving my community with fairness and compassion.” Regarding her next endeavours, Karen earnestly reveals, “I am in the process of defining this next chapter of my life. For 21 years, I had the privilege of serving the residents of Elgin–Middlesex–London, and that role naturally became a part of who I was. After the last election, I made an intentional decision to step back and focus on reconnecting with my family — especially my grandchildren. My husband and I are enjoying time together at home, which is something we hadn’t experienced in over a decade. This has been both grounding and rewarding.” In 2019, Karen became a licensed Wedding Officiant for her niece’s wedding. To conclude, she voices with excitement, “I
have continued in this role, feeling such joy to be connecting with people during this important time in their lives and honing in on my problem-resolution background to ensure a beautiful experience. I have also embraced opportunities to give back locally by joining the boards of Barrie Family Hospice of Elgin and the Central Community Health Centre. These experiences have allowed me to stay connected to my community while exploring new ways to serve.”
THE FRETLESS featuring Madeleine Roger November 8 2pm & 7:30pm
A one-of-a-kind folk kitchen party experience!
PortStanleyFestivalTheatre www.psft.ca 519-782-4353
Contemporary Folk Music
Hometown St. Thomas • October 2025 • Page 3
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