Candidate for School Trustee – Pembina Trails School Division, Ward 1

Brook Jones is a lifelong resident of the Pembina Trails School Division. Growing up, he attended École Viscount Alexander, General Byng School and Vincet Massey Collegiate.

During the past two decades Brook has been working as a multimedia journalist and has covered various news stories related to education in Manitoba. This has enabled him to a gain a strong insight into the education system.

Brook is currently a freelance photographer for the Free Press and president of the Manitoba Sportswriters & Sportscasters Association. He continues to cover grass roots stories related to education as editor of the Selkirk Times.

Brook has always believed in the positive impact of teamwork – working together to achieve goals. This was first demonstrated while he competed in cross-country and track for the VMC Trojans and while he served as athletic representative on student council in Grade 12. As a youth delegate on the 1996 Canadian Olympic Team, Brook learned and realized how people around the world are more alike than they are different and the importance of working together towards common goals, especially when it comes to education.

After graduating from VMC, Brook competed for the University of Manitoba Bison. While studying in the Faculty of Physical Education, Brook worked seasonally for the Pembina Trails School Division as an assistant convenor for elementary and junior high cross-country meets.

Brook has always embraced the power of extracurricular school activities, which form an integral part of education. It was the late Jim Daly, who was instrumental in bringing the 1967 Pan Am Games to Winnipeg, who invited Brook to start coaching cross-country and track & field at Fort Richmond Collegiate under the leadership of then physical education teacher Keith Redfern. Brook gave of his time, energy and expertise to high school students from 2006 to 2010 and from 2017 to 2023.

When Brook graduated from VMC in 1996 he was recognized with the Vincent Massey Staff Prize and was named Athlete of the Year. Since then, Brook has remained connected to his high school as he was a member of the planning committee for the school’s 40^th, 50^th, and 60^th reunions. These milestone celebrations helped to re-connect generations of students.

In Grade 12 Brook began speaking to students about motivation in life and the importance of community engagement. Brook wants the very best for students through his role as a motivational speaker and continues to visit various schools. Brook particularly enjoys reading to students during I Love to Read Month and talking to students during career fairs. 

After graduating from the U of M with a political studies degree in 2002, Brook was accepted into the Faculty of Education and was planning on pursuing a career in teaching physical education to K-4 students, however, he decided to study two years in the Creative Communications program at Red River College before embarking on a career in media and communications. 

During his professional career Brook has worked for renowned institutions, such as the University of Manitoba, the Province of Manitoba and the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba. Brook also spent 10 years working for Interlake Publishing/Postmedia Network, where he worked his way up to group editor of three community newspapers. 

Working in media and communication has provided Brook with strong writing and verbal communication skills, critical thinking, interpersonal and networking skills.

In 2023, Brook earned a Letter of Accomplishment Digital Badge from Extended Education at the U of M for having successfully completed a course in Media Literacy, Critical Thinking and Investigative Journalism. The course enabled Brook to enhance his skills related to research and assessing public records, which are important skills for working as a school trustee.

Brook has been giving back to the community for many years and has a passion for community engagement. While in Grade 12, Brook started collecting non-perishable food items and cash donation for Harvest Manitoba through his Winter Wonderland Christmas light yards display. Over the years, he was able to collect thousands of pounds of food and thousands of dollars in cash donations for the local food bank.

As a 22-year-old Brook was one of the youngest presidents of a community centre in Winnipeg. During his time as president of Fort Garry Community Centre, Brook also served as vice-president of the City Centre Community Centres’ Board. In the early 2000s, Brook wanted to enhance the quality of life for families and helped plan a number of winter and summer carnivals for the local community. In 2006, he was presented with the City of Winnipeg Mayor’s Office Award for Leadership and Commitment to the Community.

From 2005 to 2007, Brook was a member of the City Centre Community Library Advisory Committee and a member of the Saint Boniface Museum Board. During the past decade, Brook served two terms as vice-president of Red River North Tourism and continues to give back to the community as a member of vestry at St. John’s Anglican Cathedral and as an executive member of the Welsh Society of Manitoba.

Over the years, Brook has helped and supported organizations such the Manitoba High Schools Athletic Association, The Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada, Hockey Helps the Homeless, the Joy Smith Foundation, Circle of Hearts, and Manitoba Harvest.

Brook is committed to the community and wants to students succeed in their education and chosen life endeavours. He will maintain the qualities that make the Pembina Trails School Division great, while adding to them with a commitment to being responsible and transparent.

Brook is a trusted voice and respected leader in his community and is ready to meet the demands of being a school trustee for the Pembina Trails School Division.