Loralea Carruthers currently advocates for her community as a Ward One Councillor for the Town of East Gwillimbury. 

As a first term Councillor, Loralea has established the town’s first Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Committee. Through the work of this committee the town has adopted an Inclusion Charter, a multi-faith calendar, increased staff equity training and had a community flagpole erect at the Civic Centre enabling the town to raise the Black History Month flag for the first time.

Prior to being elected to Town Council, Loralea served as an elected Public School Trustee for 17 years. In 2016, in light of ongoing anti-Black racism and other systemic issues at the school board, Loralea stepped up and won election as Chair of the Board. Under her leadership, the Board aggressively worked to address equity concerns and improve public accountability by:

Loralea was widely praised for her leadership in putting the board back on track, including winning a Human Rights Award from the National Council of Canadian Muslims for her ongoing efforts as School Board Chair in nurturing inclusive schools for all. 

Loralea Carruthers is a graduate of the University of Toronto with a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and French, earned a Master's of Education degree from the University of Ontario Institute of Technology as well as an Executive Certificate in Conflict Management from the University of Windsor, Faculty of Law.