Mayor Hilda Whelan serves the Town of Whitbourne, Newfoundland and Labrador, where she works with council, residents, and community partners to support a rural community. She is seeking election to the Board of Directors of Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador to contribute her experience and perspective to the organization’s work on behalf of municipalities across the province.
Hilda’s public service includes years of advocacy on issues affecting women and families. As a member of the Provincial Advisory Council on the Status of Women since 2006, she brought rural women’s experiences to provincial discussions. She also represented widows in a workplace compensation matter, advocating for surviving spouses over fifteen years and helping secure an important equality victory. Her advocacy has included concerns such as violence against women and access to childcare.
As Mayor, Hilda understands the responsibilities and realities of municipal leadership, including listening to residents, working through local priorities, and representing Whitbourne in regional and provincial conversations. She believes municipalities are strongest when their leaders share knowledge, work together, and ensure that communities of different sizes and circumstances are heard.
Hilda’s commitment to community is also reflected in her involvement in Whitbourne’s community garden, where she contributes time and care alongside local volunteers. She values the connections built through shared projects and the role that initiatives play in community wellbeing.
If elected to the MNL Board, Hilda would bring a collaborative voice grounded in rural municipal service, long-standing advocacy, and a commitment to practical outcomes for Newfoundland and Labrador communities.
Fellow members of Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador,
Thank you for the opportunity to put my name forward for the MNL Board of Directors. I am honoured to serve as Mayor of Whitbourne, and I would welcome the opportunity to contribute to the work of our provincial municipal association.
Municipal government is where many of the decisions that shape daily life are made. Across Newfoundland and Labrador, councils and municipal staff work to provide services, maintain infrastructure, plan for the future, and respond to residents, often while managing limited resources and complex demands. Our communities differ in size, geography, and capacity, but we share a commitment to serving residents and building places where people can live, work, and participate.
My years in public service have taught me the value of listening carefully, speaking up for people whose experiences are often overlooked, and staying engaged when issues take time to resolve. I have served on the Provincial Advisory Council on the Status of Women since 2006 and have advocated on matters affecting rural women and families. As Mayor, I bring that same attention to local voices and the practical realities facing our community.
I also understand that a strong provincial voice depends on hearing from communities across the region, including smaller and rural municipalities. Their circumstances and opportunities deserve consideration in provincial discussions. I would approach board service with curiosity, preparation, and respect for the knowledge members bring from their own communities and experiences.
I believe MNL is strongest when members learn from one another and when every municipality can contribute to the conversation. If elected, I will work collaboratively with fellow directors, listen to members, and help advance the priorities identified by municipalities. I will bring a rural perspective, a steady commitment to respectful discussion, and a focus on practical outcomes that support communities throughout the province.
The challenges facing municipalities are significant, and no one community has all the answers. By sharing ideas, building strong relationships, and speaking together when it matters, we can help ensure municipal perspectives are heard and that our communities are better positioned to meet the needs of residents today and into the future.
I would be grateful for your support. Thank you for the work you do in your own communities and for the opportunity to serve alongside you through MNL.
