Why Angela? | angelapollak

Over the last 10 years, I have built a team of people already making your world a better place. We've accomplished the following together.

Founder and co-editor of "One Fine Day" - with six issues published
In partnership with my SABA team, produced the South Algonquin Business Alliance housing feasibility study (release is pending)
Received $25,000 grant to build a resident/tourist transportation solution
$2,000,000 in grants to South Algonquin businesses for accessibility improvements
Built the South Algonquin Flickr Visual Asset library (3000+images of South Algonquin, offered through CCBY licensing at no charge)
Wrote grant that funded the Whitney accessible playground, dedicated in 2026
Rehabilitated more than 50 km of trails, including the Old Rail Trail
Delivered 1700 books to kids under age 5 in our community through the Dolly Parton Imagination Library
Started Four Corners Algonquin/Wild Company, and the brand new South Algonquin Dark Sky Preserve
Frequent poster and critic of current municipal policies on South Algonquin Politics facebook page (under name Daria Devine).
Published in Municipal World magazine

I’m already doing the job, and will continue to do this regardless of whether I win or not. But just imagine for a minute how much more I can do for you with a seat at the table…

Where do I come from?

My grandparents are Peter and Hazel Mask. My grandfather's side settled in Round Lake when they immigrated from Poland. My grandmother's side is French (Fournier/Fuller) and Irish (Heggart) and ended up settling in Airy when they married.
My dad grew up in Pembroke. I grew up in Kitchener.

My husband and I own and operate Four Corners Algonquin and Wild Company in Whitney

Who am I?

I completed degrees in communication from the University of Waterloo and library science from Western University. For my PhD, I studied information behaviour, which looks at how and why people look for, create, use, share, ignore and hide information. I did my research in South Algonquin because rural issues rarely make it into library research. (You can read my dissertation here if you like.)

I am a vocal and decorated advocate for accessibility. I currently chair Ontario's David C. Onley Award for Leadership in Accessibility Award committee. In 2025 I received a King Charles III Coronation medal at Queen's Park for my accessibility work.

I am also a vocal advocate for policy improvements in South Algonquin governance. Good stewardship is more than just taking care of today. It also requires planning for a better future.