Introducing Marion Hewitt Pollock and Work Toward a CarShare Co-op in Saskatoon
Marion Hewitt Pollock was hired in April 2012 to start the research and community outreach needed to set up a CarShare Co-operative in Saskatoon.
Marion is currently a graduate student in public administration at the Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy. She completed her undergraduate program in public administration and community service in French as a part of the French Cohort Program at Simon Fraser University. She also studied sociology and women’s studies at Sciences-Po Paris for a one year academic exchange. She is an enthusiastic bike rider here in Saskatoon, is involved in the Saskatoon F.L.o.Y.D. Fest, a youth theatre festival, and also works at the Saskatoon Public Library.
Marion is excited to be joining a network of carshare co-operatives across Canada and is particularly enthusiastic about working with the Regina CarShare Co-operative in order to promote the development of a Saskatchewan wide fleet of carshares.
The idea behind a CarShare is that individuals gain the benefits of privately owned cars without the costs and responsibilities of ownership. It’s an environmentally sustainable form of transportation because it encourages a decreased amount of driving time and increased use of public transit, walking, and cycling. It’s also an economic way to have access to a vehicle and can save a household thousands of dollars a year on insurance and the general maintenance of a vehicle.
Throughout the summer Marion plans on completing the survey for a neighbourhood feasibility study and building partnerships with organizations in Saskatoon who share a similar vision of a sustainable and co-operative transportation system in Saskatoon. Under the guidance of the Centre for the Study of Co-operatives at the University of Saskatchewan and the Saskatoon CarShare Co-operative Steering Committee, she is determined to have a community driven CarShare fleet up and running this fall. Incorporation documents have been submitted and the preliminary research about best practices in CarSharing has been conducted.
If you are interested in becoming a member of a Saskatoon CarShare Co-operative, would like more information, or would like to get involved in its creation, please contact Marion by email or phone her at 306-966-8509.
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