Our Delta, Your Story Delta Chamber of Commerce

Host Garry Shearer speaks with Laura Dixon, five-term trustee for the Delta School District and longtime volunteer and community advocate. Laura attests that her career was inspired by her parents—both educators. For Laura, being present and available for our Delta community is key to ensuring the well-being of students and their families. Garry and Laura also discuss the immense challenges the School District has faced in sustaining the integrity of students’ academic experience during the t...

Host Garry Shearer talks with Dylan Kruger, the youngest elected councillor in the City of Delta’s history. With experience in both federal and provincial levels of government, Dylan is vehement in resolving the housing conflict between young families and seniors in order to safeguard Delta’s prosperity for generations to come. Born and raised in Delta, Dylan calls upon fellow Deltans to fight against stagnation through forward-looking decisions on affordable housing. Community longevity is n...

Host Garry Shearer is joined by Delta Police Chief Neil Dubord to relay his path in policing. From his start with the neighbourhood foot patrol in Edmonton to chief of the Metro Vancouver Transit Police to now chief of the Delta Police Department, he determined that community integration was an absolute necessity. In fact, Chief Dubord’s illustrious career was inspired through community, being encouraged by his neighbour years ago. It was these formative experiences that cemented Chief Dubord...

Host Garry Shearer sits down with naturopathic doctor Lisa Ghent, founder of COLLABORATIVE WELLNESS, to elucidate the role of naturopathy as a holistic companion to mainstream medicine. Experiencing her own struggles with fertility, Dr. Ghent set out to make detailed and empathetic care her mission as she left behind her former profession to instead train as a naturopathic doctor. Alongside her pursuit of reliable, quality care, Dr. Ghent is also pushing the envelope for how health clinics ar...

Host Garry Shearer is joined by Ian Jacques, editor of the DELTA OPTIMIST, to illuminate one of Delta, BC’s key storytellers. The tables have turned as the journalist now recounts his own story of success and struggle. During this discussion, Garry picks Ian’s brain on the craft of reporting and the industry's transition from print to digital. With a deep-seated upbringing in news and media, ink runs through Ian’s veins, and he asserts that our community is the heart of the Optimist. For Ian,...

Host Garry Shearer chats with Jim Longo, founder and president of IDEAL WELDERS, to recount Jim’s passion for welding that forged the 50-years-strong business he manages to this day. Jim is a champion for hands-on work and the cardinal purpose it brings to those who commit to it. Garry and Jim also discuss the paramount need for supporting the trades and keeping Canadian jobs top-of-mind. The steadfast expansion of Ideal is a testament to Jim’s wit and veracity as a leader. He grew the compan...