BIO
Laura Jones is a researcher, writer, and photographer who specializes in health and the environment. She is equally interested in Canadian life (social and political), and enjoys writing about travel.
Early Years
After living in West Virginia, Ohio, North Carolina, and Washington, D.C., Laura married photographer John Phillips and moved to Toronto. For the next thirteen years, they owned and managed the Baldwin Street Gallery of Photography, which was a gallery, a workshop, and a small bookstore.
MAJOR INVOLVEMENT
Laura has been very involved in public service, both as a volunteer and as part of her career as a researcher, writer and photographer.
Her work has been recognized in publications, exhibitions and awards. Laura Jones photographed three children’s books, was a participant as a photographer in the Art Gallery of Ontario’s “Artist with their Work Programme and included in collections such as the (former) National Film Board Still Photography Division.
Laura has also consulted and written extensively on the topics of occupational and environmental health. Her research has been used in articles, speeches and reports for city and provincial politicians, government agencies, environmental groups, and community health centres.
In recognition of “significant contribution to compatriots, community and to Canada”, Laura was awarded the Commemorative Medal for the 125th anniversary of the Confederation of Canada
Although in January 2005, Laura completed her term as co-chair of the South Riverdale Environmental Liaison Committee, she remains actively involved. The committee was founded in 1982 to focus on the problem of high levels of lead in the blood of neighborhood children. The mandate expanded to include other health, environmental, and development issues. Participants include representatives of all three levels of government, local industries, health agencies and community groups.
In 2003, Laura was appointed by Toronto City Council to fill a vacant seat (Toronto-Danforth). As a councillor, she served as the Sustainability Advocate for the City of Toronto and Chair of the “Sustainable Roundtable”.
From 2001 –2003 Jones was a research consultant to the Riverdale Immigrant Women’s Centre. In this capacity she wrote four reports, including an environmental scan; a model for a Parent Child Resource Centre; a catalogue of services for parents; and a needs assessment focusing on South Asian women.
From 1987-1990, Laura served as the Community Information Officer on the Getting the Lead out Soil Replacement/Lead Reduction Project. She also served on the strategy committee to develop protocols for the largest clean-up of lead contamination in Canada, and visited over 1000 homes to gain cooperation, resulting in a 97% success rate.
CURRENT INVOLVEMENT
Community
Committees
South Riverdale Environmental Liaison Committee (former chair and CO-chair)
Professional
Memberships
Women in Photography International
Associate
Membership
Periodical Writers' Association of Canada
Other
Active Memberships
National Stereoscopic Association
Stereo Ontario
PAST INVOLVEMENT
City Council
Councillor Toronto/Danforth
Sustainability Advocate
City Council
Committees
Sustainability Roundtable (CO-chair)
Gardiner Lakeshore Corridor Task Force (CO-chair)
Homeless
and Socially Isolated Persons Advisory Committee
New and Emerging Technology Policy and Practices Advisory Committee
New and Emerging Technology Policy and Practices Working Group
Pesticides Phase Out Reference Group
Toronto Atmospheric Fund Board of Directors
Waterfront Reference Group
Works Committee
AGENCIES/BOARDS/COMMISSIONS
Toronto Board of Education (Trustee)
Toronto Board of Education Status of Women Committee (chair)
South Riverdale Community Health Centre Environmental Health Committee
(Chair)
Royal Commission on the Future of the Toronto Waterfront Hazardous Materials
Working Group (Chair)
Canada Day Committee
Eastview Neighborhood Community Centre Board of Directors
Health 2000 Study Steering Committee
Niagara Neighborhood Lead Contaminated Soil and House Dust Cleanup, Steering
Committee
Ralph Thornton Community Centre Board of Directors
Riverdale Hospital Board of Directors
Riverdale Immigrant Women's Centre Needs Assessment Steering Committee
(Chair)
South Riverdale Community Health Centre Board of Directors
South Riverdale Community Health Centre Occupational Health Committee
South Riverdale Lead Contaminated Soil and House Dust Cleanup, Steering
Committee
“Zhong Hua Men” Chinese Archway Committee