A conversation with Port Coquitlam Councilor Nancy McCurrach

In 2017 Nancy was the recipient of the 2017 USW International Jefferson Award for Outstanding Public Service and a Community Champion for helping the most vulnerable newcomers to Canada in the Tri-Cities. As the founder of the former Tri-Cities Refugee Welcome Wagon, she and a group of family and friends raised $4,500 to pay for necessity items for the most vulnerable refugees; those with disabilities, widows, and their children. In 2019 Nancy established a scholarship to help refugees and immigrant women with their post-secondary studies.

Not surprisingly, Nancy was awarded a Port Coquitlam Volunteer of the Year 2017 award in the category of Caring & Safety.

Over her 31 years career in the telecommunications industry, she was awarded three-times as a TELUS Customer Service Champion, the Chloe 2017 Community Champion recipient, and ten-times the TELUS Community Champion Award. In 2021, she was recognized with a TELUS Legend Award – the highest recognition a TELUS team member can achieve, resulting from achieving extraordinary contributions to her customers, the business, her teams and her community.

Nancy's TWU- USW union involvement over the years included being a shop steward & councilor. She was elected as president for 4 years and as a New Westminster & District Labour Council Delegate. This is where she clearly demonstrated leadership abilities and found her voice becoming an activist. Nancy coordinated two worksite initiates over a 12-year period at the Burnaby TELUS Campus raising over $12,000 that was donated to various antibullying charities: PINK SHIRT Days and the first World Mental Health Day campaign in 2017.

She cares deeply about the environment and climate action is one of her passions. As a former tree planter, pine cone picker, BC Provincial Parks Branch laborour and an At Home Agent for 7 years, she experienced first hand how important it is to protect our environment and make it sustainable for future generations.

When she can find the time, she volunteers with the Soroptimist of the Tri-Cities at Warm Place for Women & Children, and enjoys connecting with nature and wholeheartedly serving the people of Port Coquitlam as a City Councilor.